Comments on: “Zeitgeist: The Movie” makes fringe fashionable again http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/ Free Minds, Free Markets, Free Booze Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:56:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Boobie http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98283 Boobie Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:35:05 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98283 Dude, IT'S NOT ABOUT FRIEDMAN or any other economists! Forgive the caps, but seriously, get off the conspiracy kick for a minute. Klein's video isn't about the economists themselves or any convoluted conspiracies, it's about the principle of "economic shock treatment" and how it is used by politicians. It's an observation of how traumatic events (that aren't intentionally caused) create an uncritical moment in time that is used by political leaders (and quick acting corporations) to take actions that wouldn't be (and arguably shouldn't be) approved by democratic processes. I'd really like to know what you (or any Commentators, past or present) think about THAT. The Economic Hit Man angle and BS trade policies are an interesting subject as well, but it'd probably be best to save that dialog for another post. Dude, IT’S NOT ABOUT FRIEDMAN or any other economists! Forgive the caps, but seriously, get off the conspiracy kick for a minute. Klein’s video isn’t about the economists themselves or any convoluted conspiracies, it’s about the principle of “economic shock treatment” and how it is used by politicians. It’s an observation of how traumatic events (that aren’t intentionally caused) create an uncritical moment in time that is used by political leaders (and quick acting corporations) to take actions that wouldn’t be (and arguably shouldn’t be) approved by democratic processes.

I’d really like to know what you (or any Commentators, past or present) think about THAT.

The Economic Hit Man angle and BS trade policies are an interesting subject as well, but it’d probably be best to save that dialog for another post.

]]> By: CJ Ciaramella http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98242 CJ Ciaramella Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:01:28 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98242 Boobie wrote: <i>Who cares if Friedman himself was an authoritarian or not? Both movies are about his ideas in action. The idea that a small group of people can influence the majority of people in a democracy to act against their interests by capitalizing on the panic induced by traumatic events. Zeitgeist is idiotic conspiracy, to hell with it. What about Friedman’s ideas in action? Argentina is just a small part of that question. Are we happy about economic shock treatment?</i> Well, my problem is with Klein's basic premise, which is that a bunch of old economics geeks (led by Friedman from his underground lair in Chicago) were pulling strings and manipulating whole countries to their whims. In many examples that Klein uses to demonstrate "economic shock treatment," such as China, the demands for capitalist reform were bottom-up. Were the Chicago boys slumming around Beijing, riling up the proles? Now, if Klein had written about CIA manipulations in countries after traumatic events (sometimes caused by the CIA), she probably would have a much better argument. I guess that angle is old hat by now, though. Speaking of which, have you read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man? It would be right up your alley. Boobie wrote:

Who cares if Friedman himself was an authoritarian or not?

Both movies are about his ideas in action. The idea that a small group of people can influence the majority of people in a democracy to act against their interests by capitalizing on the panic induced by traumatic events.

Zeitgeist is idiotic conspiracy, to hell with it. What about Friedman’s ideas in action? Argentina is just a small part of that question. Are we happy about economic shock treatment?

Well, my problem is with Klein’s basic premise, which is that a bunch of old economics geeks (led by Friedman from his underground lair in Chicago) were pulling strings and manipulating whole countries to their whims. In many examples that Klein uses to demonstrate “economic shock treatment,” such as China, the demands for capitalist reform were bottom-up. Were the Chicago boys slumming around Beijing, riling up the proles?

Now, if Klein had written about CIA manipulations in countries after traumatic events (sometimes caused by the CIA), she probably would have a much better argument. I guess that angle is old hat by now, though. Speaking of which, have you read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man? It would be right up your alley.

]]> By: CJ Ciaramella http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98224 CJ Ciaramella Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:48:57 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98224 No, Zeitgeist tards like Paul because he would dismantle the IRS, the fed, NAFTA and all the other institutions bringing about the New World Order. Conversely, Paul tards like Zeitgeist because it feeds into their goldbuggery. No, Zeitgeist tards like Paul because he would dismantle the IRS, the fed, NAFTA and all the other institutions bringing about the New World Order. Conversely, Paul tards like Zeitgeist because it feeds into their goldbuggery.

]]> By: Boobie http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98222 Boobie Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:45:23 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98222 Maybe I'm missing the obvious, but I don't really see the connection between Ron Paul and Zeitgeist. Is it because he'd undo the BS that has been put into place by shock doctrine or what? Could you spell it out for me MB? Just please don't tell me that he's another Jesus figure... Maybe I’m missing the obvious, but I don’t really see the connection between Ron Paul and Zeitgeist. Is it because he’d undo the BS that has been put into place by shock doctrine or what? Could you spell it out for me MB?

Just please don’t tell me that he’s another Jesus figure…

]]> By: M.B http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98205 M.B Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:25 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98205 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LH-6fctaTc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LH-6fctaTc

]]> By: Boobie http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98182 Boobie Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:11 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98182 Who cares if Friedman himself was an authoritarian or not? Both movies are about his ideas in action. The idea that a small group of people can influence the majority of people in a democracy to act against their interests by capitalizing on the panic induced by traumatic events. Zeitgeist is idiotic conspiracy, to hell with it. What about Friedman's ideas in action? Argentina is just a small part of that question. Are we happy about economic shock treatment? Who cares if Friedman himself was an authoritarian or not?

Both movies are about his ideas in action. The idea that a small group of people can influence the majority of people in a democracy to act against their interests by capitalizing on the panic induced by traumatic events.

Zeitgeist is idiotic conspiracy, to hell with it. What about Friedman’s ideas in action? Argentina is just a small part of that question. Are we happy about economic shock treatment?

]]> By: CJ Ciaramella http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98181 CJ Ciaramella Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:43:08 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98181 Well, the latter, obviously. However, my criticism was that the filmmaker used an enormous amount of selective thinking in his analysis. Did you ever notice that no one can interpret Nostradamus' prophecies until after the fact? As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Well, the latter, obviously. However, my criticism was that the filmmaker used an enormous amount of selective thinking in his analysis. Did you ever notice that no one can interpret Nostradamus’ prophecies until after the fact? As they say, hindsight is 20/20.

]]> By: Drew2 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98179 Drew2 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:51:28 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98179 I'm surprised the Pacifica forum didn't screen this. While I agree with most of your points I have to disagree with your lambasting of Jesus being a metaphor for the sun. What's harder to believe: Ancient myths are metaphors for astronomy or all these zombie people really existed? I’m surprised the Pacifica forum didn’t screen this.

While I agree with most of your points I have to disagree with your lambasting of Jesus being a metaphor for the sun. What’s harder to believe: Ancient myths are metaphors for astronomy or all these zombie people really existed?

]]> By: CJ Ciaramella http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98156 CJ Ciaramella Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:46:39 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98156 Naomi Klein? <a href="http://www.reason.com/blog/show/123622.html" rel="nofollow">Boo!</a> Friedman advocated capitalism in Argentina because he thought it was a check on despotic power, not because he was in cahoots with Pinochet. You can argue about the results Friedman's ideas in action, but it's a pretty big stretch to say that he was in any way authoritarian. Naomi Klein? Boo!

Friedman advocated capitalism in Argentina because he thought it was a check on despotic power, not because he was in cahoots with Pinochet. You can argue about the results Friedman’s ideas in action, but it’s a pretty big stretch to say that he was in any way authoritarian.

]]> By: Boobie http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98151 Boobie Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:08:13 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98151 It's totally the Illuminati, that should be obvious. Seriously, has anybody ever seen footage of the plane that hit the Pentagon? And the liquid metal, come on man, there's no other explanation. The puppet masters have gotten careless, we don't yet see their hands, but we can see the strings! Yeah, whatever. Zeitgeist is a great movie, if a little over the top. Not only is it good for drinking games, but the basic points in the last part have merit as well. <a href="http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine/short-film" rel="nofollow">Check out the more plausible version of the argument here</a>. It's all about your boy Friedman, you should love it! It’s totally the Illuminati, that should be obvious. Seriously, has anybody ever seen footage of the plane that hit the Pentagon? And the liquid metal, come on man, there’s no other explanation. The puppet masters have gotten careless, we don’t yet see their hands, but we can see the strings!

Yeah, whatever. Zeitgeist is a great movie, if a little over the top. Not only is it good for drinking games, but the basic points in the last part have merit as well. Check out the more plausible version of the argument here. It’s all about your boy Friedman, you should love it!

]]> By: Olly http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98149 Olly Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:18:26 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98149 Tyler, this is your least convincing disguise of all time. Tyler, this is your least convincing disguise of all time.

]]> By: GRIM_GNARLICON http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98144 GRIM_GNARLICON Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:38:13 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98144 GRIM GNARLICON GROWS WEARY OF PEASANTS WHO CANNOT USE "YOUR" AND "YOU'RE" CORRECTLY. GRIM GNARLICON WILL REVEL IN THEIR (NOT "THEY'RE" OR "THERE") SLOW, PITIFUL DEATHS AT THE HANDS OF THE NORSEMAN HORDES. HAIL SATAN. AND PROPER GRAMMAR. GRIM GNARLICON GROWS WEARY OF PEASANTS WHO CANNOT USE “YOUR” AND “YOU’RE” CORRECTLY. GRIM GNARLICON WILL REVEL IN THEIR (NOT “THEY’RE” OR “THERE”) SLOW, PITIFUL DEATHS AT THE HANDS OF THE NORSEMAN HORDES.

HAIL SATAN. AND PROPER GRAMMAR.

]]> By: Drew http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98143 Drew Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:36:30 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98143 Maturity. It can only be accomplished by whining about a bloggers comments on a conspiracy film using AIM chatter. M.B. if you wish to get your points across i suggest something other than acronyms and telling people to google search. zeitgest is controversial only to be controversial, It's a conspiracy movie for christ's sakes. Sorry if we don't take the non issues seirously YSSAI thats AIM lingo for You Sound Stupid Arguing Immaturity Maturity. It can only be accomplished by whining about a bloggers comments on a conspiracy film using AIM chatter. M.B. if you wish to get your points across i suggest something other than acronyms and telling people to google search. zeitgest is controversial only to be controversial, It’s a conspiracy movie for christ’s sakes. Sorry if we don’t take the non issues seirously
YSSAI

thats AIM lingo for You Sound Stupid Arguing Immaturity

]]> By: M.B http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98142 M.B Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:12:19 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98142 um, like i said, I agreed with you that most of Zeitgeist was a piece of garbage if you read the above post. There are some key issues in the last part that i found legitimate when I first watched it months ago. If anything I was criticizing your writing and how immature you presented yourself, but then again, i guess I'm just a critic when it's all said and done. :) um, like i said, I agreed with you that most of Zeitgeist was a piece of garbage if you read the above post. There are some key issues in the last part that i found legitimate when I first watched it months ago. If anything I was criticizing your writing and how immature you presented yourself, but then again, i guess I’m just a critic when it’s all said and done. :)

]]> By: CJ Ciaramella http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98140 CJ Ciaramella Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:50:17 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98140 It's kind of ironic that you would call my criticisms of a poorly founded, conspiracy theory movie "biased and one sided as a whole." (Besides the fact that it was a movie review). Gee, what does that sound like? Oh, right. "Zeitgeist: The Movie." By the way, I'm not a fan of the Patriot Act or the Military Commission Act either. The difference, though, is that I don't think they were engineered by a group of shape-shifting reptiles from the fourth dimension who've been manipulating history since the dawn of time. "It seems that you 3 haven’t payed attention to whats been going on in this country for the past 6 years. You 3 need to google and read the following:" Yeah, connect the dots ... the dots, man. It’s kind of ironic that you would call my criticisms of a poorly founded, conspiracy theory movie “biased and one sided as a whole.” (Besides the fact that it was a movie review). Gee, what does that sound like? Oh, right. “Zeitgeist: The Movie.”

By the way, I’m not a fan of the Patriot Act or the Military Commission Act either. The difference, though, is that I don’t think they were engineered by a group of shape-shifting reptiles from the fourth dimension who’ve been manipulating history since the dawn of time.

“It seems that you 3 haven’t payed attention to whats been going on in this country for the past 6 years. You 3 need to google and read the following:”

Yeah, connect the dots … the dots, man.

]]> By: James http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98139 James Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:35:03 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98139 Hey way to use the same clip art in every single issue i've ever seen in my five years at the architecture school here. When did you have somebody photoshop in the foam and color the kool aid man in yellow, 1997? How about actually discussing some important topics or actually making a valid point. Or if you're trying to acheive humor, i might suggest you try something other than talk about alcohol, yeah all of your readers drink it, that doens't mean we think it's funny everytime you point that out. You're publication is in dire need of substance. It's no wonder nobody takes conservatives seriously on this campus. Hey way to use the same clip art in every single issue i’ve ever seen in my five years at the architecture school here. When did you have somebody photoshop in the foam and color the kool aid man in yellow, 1997?

How about actually discussing some important topics or actually making a valid point. Or if you’re trying to acheive humor, i might suggest you try something other than talk about alcohol, yeah all of your readers drink it, that doens’t mean we think it’s funny everytime you point that out.

You’re publication is in dire need of substance. It’s no wonder nobody takes conservatives seriously on this campus.

]]> By: M.B http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98138 M.B Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:54:57 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98138 "Facts?" "I'm pretty sure you're talking to the wrong publication" "l-o-l" Your right. I am talking to the wrong publication. Pure idiocy is written by the OC. l-o-l “Facts?”

“I’m pretty sure you’re talking to the wrong publication”

“l-o-l”

Your right. I am talking to the wrong publication. Pure idiocy is written by the OC. l-o-l

]]> By: Sean http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98137 Sean Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:48:27 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98137 He would never. The Mexicans coming up north are too big of a threat for him to off himself now. He would never. The Mexicans coming up north are too big of a threat for him to off himself now.

]]> By: Niedermeyer http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98135 Niedermeyer Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:34:07 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98135 Hasn't Lou Dobbs eaten himself yet? Hasn’t Lou Dobbs eaten himself yet?

]]> By: Sean http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98134 Sean Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:08:24 +0000 http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2008/03/15/zeitgeist-the-movie-makes-fringe-fashionable-again/#comment-98134 Facts? I'm pretty sure you're talking to the wrong publication. l-o-l Facts?

I’m pretty sure you’re talking to the wrong publication.

l-o-l

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