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Memoirs of a SLACer

sociological views on life and the liberal arts

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When religion fails, call Big Brother

May 14, 2009 by John

Religion may prevent socially disapproved behaviors because of an omniscient, judging other (panopticon religion), but it also prevents individuals from taking action because of a promised “better” life ahead (opiate religion).  It appears that religion is failing us on both fronts.  The potential presense of an omnisicient, judging other does not prevent all of us from doing reprehensible acts, nor does it allow all of us to accept these acts because of a promised “better” life ahead.  Because of this, we look for earthly solutions.

Some make much more money than others, so we tax them at higher rates; some businesses are harmful to the environment, so we create environmental regulations; some are rewarded for the failure of their companies, so we create pay limits.  In each case, there are loopholes.

Escape HatchesIf Obama really were a deity we wouldn’t have these problems.  As it is, the chance of getting caught and punished for abusing these loopholes appears to be continually outweighed by the potential gains that come with taking advantage of them.  If society were a prison, we could implement Bentham’s panopticon in order to create the illusion of an omniscient other and, thus, prevent these behaviors.  In case you haven’t noticed, however, society is not a prison.

The failure of religion, social norms, and actual regulations to regulate these behaviors creates a situation in which it is easy enough to conclude that we need increased governmental controls on behaviors such as these for the good of the people!  We need a digital panopticon!  Two-way screens in every room to protect us from the worst among us!

shit!

I love Big Brother.

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Posted in Arts and Letters, Social Economics, The Electronic Age | Tagged 1984, Bentham, Big Brother, Escape Hatches, Loopholes, Marx, Obama, Opiate of the Masses, Orwell, Panopticon, Prison, Religion, Wall Street Journal | 1 Comment

One Response

  1. on June 19, 2009 at 1:57 pm Bozeman, MT: “Sir, I’m going to need to see your backstage.” « Memoirs of a SLACer

    […] through your belongings before deciding whether or not you should be hired.  Who doesn’t love Big Brother? Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Non-Legal Web Sites Can Help A Busy […]



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