Benjamin

“Let’s call it the scarcity diversion. Here’s the playbook. First, allow elites to hoard a resource like money or land. Second, pretend that arrangement is natural, unavoidable—or better yet, ignore it altogether. Third, attempt to address social problems caused by the resource hoarding only with the scarce resources left over. So instead of making the rich pay all their taxes, for instance, design a welfare state around the paltry budget you are left with when they don’t. Fourth, fail. Fail to drive down the poverty rate. Fail to build more affordable housing. Fifth, claim this is the best we can do. Preface your comments by saying, “In a world of scarce resources…” Blame government programs. Blame capitalism. Blame the other political party. Blame immigrants. Blame anyone you can except those who most deserve it. “Gaslighting” is not too strong a phrase to describe such pretense.”
― Matthew Desmond, Poverty, by America

“13. Centrality of the divine feminine. To quote one of the world’s great philosophers, Ariana Grande, “When all is said and done / You’ll believe God is a woman.” The journey of many of the world’s oldest spiritual practices has been to move from a reverence for the matriarchal/feminine to a rejection of the mother/earth/womb mythology. Indeed, modern religion embraces the stricter, more controlling patriarchal father.”
― Rainn Wilson, Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution