[ LONG ] A Philosophical Refutation of Donald J. Trump.

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Fnord
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17 Jun 2020, 9:10 am

A Trump supporter might claim that while "of course" Donald Trump is something or perhaps even someone, the problem is his public persona.  He tries to stay safe by sticking to pure absurdity and revealing as little as possible of himself.

Paradoxically, however, the fact that he will not or cannot reveal himself in public is precisely his most authentic revelation of himself.  As he speaks from concealment he is nothing-ing or nihilate-ing: his self is the self that creates or clears the absence that he presents, and the presentation from which he is absent.  His self is nothingness, the source of the nullity he embodies in public space.  The nothing nothings; but more, only the nothing nothings.  Nothing cannot derive from something, as if by a slow decay.  Rather, the abyss lurks at the heart of each thing as a possibility.  In human beings the abyss lurks as a choice, but to choose nothing (what Sartre called "bad faith") is to choose the unreality at the heart of oneself, to annihilate oneself or tumble into perfect falsehood, or rather perfect negation of truth, as the essence of oneself.

Donald Trump tumbled into this infinite pit long ago and now calls upon all of us to do likewise, to annihilate ourselves entirely, to take up and become sheer empty space and time.  Nothingness now beckons us from our televisions to vote for it, to endorse it, to choose it to represent us; that is, it urges and cajoles us to become sheer void.

It would not be inaccurate to think of Donald Trump as a nihilist in the Nietzschean sense, as someone who by withdrawing in fear from reality seeks an annihilation of all that is into the nothingness he himself has chosen.  Augustine famously proposed that evil is the absence of good.  In beckoning us toward nothingness, Donald Trump calls us to evil.  But he calls us not only to the absence of everything but also to the absence of nothing, and thus to the absence even of evil itself.  Hence Donald Trump is no more evil than he is good, which is perhaps what people sense when it occurs to them that Donald Trump means no harm, or even that he is not a deeply evil person.  One finds oneself wishing beyond hope that Donald Trump were evil.  Even that much nothing would be something.

But Donald Trump, in being the very principle of emptiness itself, cannot be evil, for he is also what annihilates even nothingness, what annihilates good but also the absence of good.  Donald Trump is the infinite series of annihilations by which the universe devours itself, devours its own devouring of itself, and then devours even that.  Donald Trump is the devourer of dimensions, the devourer even of time and of the possibility of time.

One can see this most clearly when one listens to Donald Trump, which is a complete waste of time.  It's not just that in listening to Donald Trump time is disposed of nonproductively, that time is lobbed into the universal garbage pail along with the cosmological coffee grounds and orange peels.  As Donald Trump speaks, time is wasted as a disease wastes the human body; time slowly collapses in on itself like the body of a consumptive: time withers, time decays, time atrophies as all things cease to be, even the very ceasing-to-be itself of things.  So Donald Trump makes not only everything impossible, he makes nothing itself impossible too, for nothingness must be the annihilation of itself as well as of everything.  Donald Trump is the universe feeding on itself and then feeding on its own excrement and then feeding on its own feeding maw, until it collapses into itself like a black hole that consists of a single infinitesimal point.  And then Donald Trump is the annihilation of that infinitesimal point itself, and the annihilation of that annihilation.

To vote for Donald Trump, then, is to endorse and to become the negation or abnegation of all truth and all reality; it is to take up a position as the destroyer not only of oneself, and not only of American political discourse, but of the entire fabric of the universe.  Thus this election poses itself as a question: Will we trip over Donald Trump's abysmal foot into the infinite void, falling eternally into dimensionless non-being? For when all space is unoccupied, then space itself collapses, and not only does nothing exist any longer, there is no place where anything could come to exist; the collapse of space is the collapse of all the dimensions and modalities of being; it is the destruction not only of actuality but of possibility.  Consequently, a vote for Donald Trump is a vote not only against the universe in which we happen to find ourselves; it is a vote against the very possibility of any universe, of even a single merely possible lepton.  A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for the complete annihilation of all possible worlds.

Thus there is more at stake in this election than personality; as you enter the polling booth you face the question of whether or not you yourself will cease to exist.


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magz
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17 Jun 2020, 9:43 am

In my opinion, luckily, the Universe as a whole is quite indifferent to result of the upcoming elections.
Affairs on the pale blue dot are important only for inhabitants of the pale blue dot. The rest of the universe doesn't care.


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shlaifu
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18 Jun 2020, 3:08 pm

To paraphrase the Bhagavadgita (in a newer translation than Oppenheimer's), "Trump has become time, destroyer of worlds".

But I disagree, and would rather go with Hanna Ahrent: with Trump, nothing is true and everything is possible.

It is not tgat he is all-devouring nothingness. It's all-devouring selfishness. Trump is a noumenon, a thing in itself, inaccessible, withdrawn from the experience of others, and unknown to itself. Who knows what happens when he gets elected. He's fat, but not fat enough to form a black hole.
Also, his life expectancy from here on is about 20 years. The problem of Trump will solve itself. The problem of his succession: not so much. Obviously, Ivanka can't inherit the throne because she's female, and who has ever heard of a female king?


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magz
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18 Jun 2020, 3:25 pm

shlaifu wrote:
who has ever heard of a female king?
Quote:
Jadwiga was crowned "king" in Poland's capital, Kraków, on 16 October 1384.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadwiga_of_Poland


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Pepe
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19 Jun 2020, 4:44 am

magz wrote:
In my opinion, luckily, the Universe as a whole is quite indifferent to result of the upcoming elections.
Affairs on the pale blue dot are important only for inhabitants of the pale blue dot. The rest of the universe doesn't care.


The Vulcan Federation doesn't "care" as such.
But we do find it "Interesting".

Live long and stay rational. 8) V



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19 Jun 2020, 6:51 am

If Carl Sagan And
Einstein Combine
Philosophies; Ignorance Dies
For the ‘Fauci Truth of Science’
That We ARE Literally the Rest
Of The UNiVeRSE
Unto Ourselves
iNDeeD
Capable
Of Caring
For The Whole
‘Nut Shell’ As It
Were And Still Is
In Terms of No Hidden
Conditions of Agape Love
FoR ALL LiTeRaLLy Feeling (God)
Yes ALLoVE THaT WiLL ReMeDY
The Functional Disability NoW Of
Trump And Or Minion’S Existential
Intelligence; A GReATeST VieW iN LiGHT
Of Love or
Murdering
Truth In DarK.


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TheRobotLives
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19 Jun 2020, 8:13 am

Trump is fun.

He stands up to elites and intellectuals.

- Trump tells life long PHD environmental scientists that their work is hogwash. :) :)

- Trump commonly tells us learned/successful person XXXX doesn't know what they're talking about, insults them, and says he knows better.

-Trump is called a "king of insults" as he uses them to make his arguments.

- Trump tells the WOKE culture that ... :) :) :)
a. immigrants can be murders and rapists
b. there's some nice white supremacists
c. Muslims can be radical terrorists
d. people from s**thole countries are undesirable
e. trans people in the military are too costly
f. it's OK to be a crude, non-PC, bullying, insulting club-dragging alpha male

- Trump tells elites ... nationalism will make America great again. :) :) :) :)
a. GLOBALISM comes from people who don't love America.
b. Jobs will be brought back to America.
c. "Free Trade" deals should favor America
d. Aid (foreign aid, NATO funding, WHO funding) is only for those who put America first
e. Tariffs on foreign imports to help the America worker.
f. Talks harshly, and critically to entities that doesn't put America first
g. A great infrastructure plan so America can have shiny new infrastructure.
h. Huge military spending increases

Do you see his appeal?


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Last edited by TheRobotLives on 19 Jun 2020, 8:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

magz
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19 Jun 2020, 8:22 am

TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun.

He stands up to elites and intellectuals.

- Trump tells life long PHD environmental scientists that their work is hogwash. :) :)

- Trump commonly tells us learned/successful person XXXX doesn't know what they're talking about, insults them, and says he knows better.

-Trump is called a "king of insults" as he uses them to make his arguments.

- Trump tells the WOKE culture that ... :) :) :)
a. immigrants can be murders and rapists
b. there's some nice white supremacists
c. Muslims can be radical terrorists
d. people from s**thole countries are undesirable
e. trans people in the military are too costly
f. it's OK to be a crude, non-PC, bullying, insulting club-dragging alpha male

- Trump tells elites ... nationalism will make America great again. :) :) :) :)
a. Jobs will be brought back to America.
b. "Free Trade" deals should favor America
c. Aid (foreign aid, NATO funding, WHO funding) is only for those who put America first
d. Tariffs on foreign imports to help the America worker.
e. Talks harshly, and critically to entities that doesn't put America first
f. A great infrastructure plan so America can have shiny new infrastructure.
g. Huge military spending increases

Do you see his appeal?

Well, I've always been quite fascinated by the figure of Loki but didn't expect him to run a global political power.


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Pepe
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19 Jun 2020, 8:25 am

TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun.

He stands up to elites and intellectuals.

- Trump tells life long PHD environmental scientists that their work is hogwash. :) :)

- Trump commonly tells us learned/successful person XXXX doesn't know what they're talking about, insults them, and says he knows better.

-Trump is called a "king of insults" as he uses them to make his arguments.

- Trump tells the WOKE culture that ... :) :) :)
a. immigrants can be murders and rapists
b. there's some nice white supremacists
c. Muslims can be radical terrorists
d. people from s**thole countries are undesirable
e. trans people in the military are too costly
f. it's OK to be a crude, non-PC, bullying, insulting club-dragging alpha male

- Trump tells elites ... nationalism will make America great again. :) :) :) :)
a. GLOBALISM comes from people who don't love America.
b. Jobs will be brought back to America.
c. "Free Trade" deals should favor America
d. Aid (foreign aid, NATO funding, WHO funding) is only for those who put America first
e. Tariffs on foreign imports to help the America worker.
f. Talks harshly, and critically to entities that doesn't put America first
g. A great infrastructure plan so America can have shiny new infrastructure.
h. Huge military spending increases

Do you see his appeal?


I find *anyone* who pushes back on the ccp, fun. :mrgreen:



auntblabby
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19 Jun 2020, 8:26 am

i place 100% of the blame on those who inflicted him, like a weapon, on the rest of us. unforgivable IMHO.



Pepe
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19 Jun 2020, 8:29 am

magz wrote:
TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun.

He stands up to elites and intellectuals.

- Trump tells life long PHD environmental scientists that their work is hogwash. :) :)

- Trump commonly tells us learned/successful person XXXX doesn't know what they're talking about, insults them, and says he knows better.

-Trump is called a "king of insults" as he uses them to make his arguments.

- Trump tells the WOKE culture that ... :) :) :)
a. immigrants can be murders and rapists
b. there's some nice white supremacists
c. Muslims can be radical terrorists
d. people from s**thole countries are undesirable
e. trans people in the military are too costly
f. it's OK to be a crude, non-PC, bullying, insulting club-dragging alpha male

- Trump tells elites ... nationalism will make America great again. :) :) :) :)
a. Jobs will be brought back to America.
b. "Free Trade" deals should favor America
c. Aid (foreign aid, NATO funding, WHO funding) is only for those who put America first
d. Tariffs on foreign imports to help the America worker.
e. Talks harshly, and critically to entities that doesn't put America first
f. A great infrastructure plan so America can have shiny new infrastructure.
g. Huge military spending increases

Do you see his appeal?

Well, I've always been quite fascinated by the figure of Loki but didn't expect him to run a global political power.


I think "Loki" needs to go on a diet,
Before he can "run" anything/k effectively. :mrgreen:



Fnord
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19 Jun 2020, 8:31 am

TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun ... Do you see his appeal?
I do.

It's easy to see why he appeals so much to under-educated, racist/sexist, white, male union members -- the only perceptible difference between him and them is that he inherited a dumpload of cash and used it to build an empire.

I also see why most educated, egalitarian, non-white, non-male, self-sufficient workers have contempt for him.  He is the antithesis of a philosopher-king, which is a bullying tyrant.


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Pepe
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19 Jun 2020, 8:34 am

auntblabby wrote:
i place 100% of the blame on those who inflicted him, like a weapon, on the rest of us. unforgivable IMHO.


So you have a problem with the Democratic party, who let him get in? :scratch:

Deplorables on one side,
Unforgivables on the other.
"Only in America". :mrgreen:



magz
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19 Jun 2020, 8:39 am

Fnord wrote:
TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun ... Do you see his appeal?
I do.

It's easy to see why he appeals so much to under-educated, racist/sexist, white, male union members -- the only perceptible difference between him and them is that he inherited a dumpload of cash and used it to build an empire.

I also see why most educated, egalitarian, non-white, non-male, self-sufficient workers have contempt for him. He is the antithesis of a philosopher-king, which is a bullying tyrant.

I can't tell for everyone and I have a perspective from the other side of the Atlantic but as a person whose live largely revolves around education and knowledge, I just can't wrap my mind around this phenomenon.
Of course, everyone is ignorant in some areas and we shouldn't dismiss anyone for gaps in their knowledge but popularity of that blantant unwillingness to learn anything is beyond my comprehension.


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19 Jun 2020, 9:06 am

magz wrote:
Fnord wrote:
TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun ... Do you see his appeal?
I do.

It's easy to see why he appeals so much to under-educated, racist/sexist, white, male union members -- the only perceptible difference between him and them is that he inherited a dumpload of cash and used it to build an empire.

I also see why most educated, egalitarian, non-white, non-male, self-sufficient workers have contempt for him. He is the antithesis of a philosopher-king, which is a bullying tyrant.

I can't tell for everyone and I have a perspective from the other side of the Atlantic but as a person whose live largely revolves around education and knowledge, I just can't wrap my mind around this phenomenon.
Of course, everyone is ignorant in some areas and we shouldn't dismiss anyone for gaps in their knowledge but popularity of that blantant unwillingness to learn anything is beyond my comprehension.

anti-intellectualism equalizes the uneducated with the educated

It's a "feel good".


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aghogday
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19 Jun 2020, 9:17 am

TheRobotLives wrote:
Trump is fun.

He stands up to elites and intellectuals.

- Trump tells life long PHD environmental scientists that their work is hogwash. :) :)

- Trump commonly tells us learned/successful person XXXX doesn't know what they're talking about, insults them, and says he knows better.

-Trump is called a "king of insults" as he uses them to make his arguments.

- Trump tells the WOKE culture that ... :) :) :)
a. immigrants can be murders and rapists
b. there's some nice white supremacists
c. Muslims can be radical terrorists
d. people from s**thole countries are undesirable
e. trans people in the military are too costly
f. it's OK to be a crude, non-PC, bullying, insulting club-dragging alpha male

- Trump tells elites ... nationalism will make America great again. :) :) :) :)
a. GLOBALISM comes from people who don't love America.
b. Jobs will be brought back to America.
c. "Free Trade" deals should favor America
d. Aid (foreign aid, NATO funding, WHO funding) is only for those who put America first
e. Tariffs on foreign imports to help the America worker.
f. Talks harshly, and critically to entities that doesn't put America first
g. A great infrastructure plan so America can have shiny new infrastructure.
h. Huge military spending increases

Do you see his appeal?


Hey; i'm From The 'DEEP' South, Where 'Little Man Syndrome'
Comes From Big Daddies Yelling At Their Sons Stuff Like:
'You Are As Dumb As You Look',
Just in case anyone Wonders
Here WHere
the Trump
Chip Comes
From 'They' Love
So Much On Their Shoulder;
It's Daddy Issues; Just A Male Version oF iT, in This Case Study;
At Least; Yes, i understand Where TRumP Appeal comes From;
We Hear 'the Big Daddies' in Our 'Middle Class'
Neighborhoods Screaming Still at their Little
Boys this Way 'Right' After They come Back
From The Church of 'The Little Folks too';
Where They are All Taught They Are
ALL Unworthy And Should Constantly
Be Verbally Abused this way By Big Daddy's/Pastors/PriestS on '5th Avenue'; And Eventually Maybe
By 'JeSuS', Fired Forever too; By the Way, Happy Father's Day to ALL, Two Days Before Sunday Church..;)

Cult of Abuse;
This Is Nothing New;
A Vicious Environmental Cycle Inherited This way;
Fascinating Anthropological Study of Homo Sapiens Sapiens too...

iT iS WHat It Is;
The Human Condition, DarK Thru LiGHT;
And Oh Angel You Devil; 'Orange' too.

-ET


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