We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
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I'm sure Isaac Asimov was not a fan of capitalism, let alone the Republican Party (or even Libertarians). The movie I, Robotwas based on his series, primarily his work on the Three Laws of Robotics and some outcomes that may occur with their implementation. In some ways, the movie was a criticism of corporate culture and government becoming too interlaced. US Robotics becomes an overly powerful organization with deep ties to government, ultimately making the robot takeover very difficult to slow or stop. On the other hand, it's a criticism of Progressive overreach. Perhaps unknowingly.
There is one scene which reminded me of our current government's goals. The idea that we have politicians or bureaucrats who 'know better', and can guide us to a better place. All we have to do is agree to let them, and while many will be harmed, it will be for a 'better good'.
The Three Laws guide our hopeful Progressive overlords. I, for one, do not welcome them.
They take away food we send to school with our children, tell us they can provide us with better health care, and insist they alone can protect us from Anthropogenic Climate Change and 'fix' our economy. In doing so, they set the stage, whereby we become willing to give up the benefits of risk which are inherent in life, in order to feel 'safe and secure' in the comfort of a nanny state.
It is odd that Asimov assumed it was the ignorant people, the Moral Majority, the self-righteous, who would take away our freedoms. In a sense he was correct. I'm sure the Religious Right would be quite pleased to use politics to deprive us all of individual freedoms as they see fit. On the other hand, I'm certain he would understand that the current crop of 'intelligentsia' are just as despicable, in this regard.
it is these ignorant people, the most uneducated, the most unimaginative, the most unthinking among us, who would make themselves the guides and leaders of us all
This from a man who knew better:
Happiness is doing it rotten your own way. ~ Isaac Asimov in I, Asimov
