Thinking about how at the right moment in history, somebody like Joe Manchin gets to basically shape the history of the planet based on what appear to be entirely petty considerations
Theories of history underestimate how events frequently cast small minds into big moments
Conversation
Replying to
There's 2 kinds of people. Those who rise to the occasion, and those who drag the occasion down.
1
2
36
I can kinda respect people like McConnell to some extent. Even if I disagree entirely with their agenda, their agenda is at least matched to the gravity of the occasion. Mitch-maneuvering suits the goal of controlling the courts.
1
16
A million dollars a year from coal companies he founded or whatever is not trivial obviously at a personal level, but hardly reason to hold trillions hostage. He's 74, his political career is behind him, his WV legacy is secure...
3
2
18
From what little I've seen, there's no principled stand on limited government or philosophy of climate skepticism or any sort of larger principle at work here... afaict it's naked self-interest, plus petty animosity with Bernie or whatever
2
2
22
Replying to
The academic crusade against “great man history” has the corollary of also overlooking minor men at crucial moments. When considered at all, they are usually treated as accidents
1
7
Replying to
In aggregate it's not a bad assumption... most petty people in petty moments kinda cancel each other out... but there's these butterfly flapping moments, where systems that tend to adversely select for petty people in critical moments/places systematically destroy themselves
1
5
Show replies
Replying to
Some people oppose fundamental change because it might affect their coal stocks. The solution is not to put this much power in the hands of any person.
Replying to
This strikes me as a fitting the 'special interests masquerading as general interests' framework
1





