Notes From the book "Straw Dogs"

[VanishingPoi]

I could have written this myself and have on various occasions.

Straw Dogs
1. Humans have a limitless capacity for self-delusion, even the most rational among us.
2. Wars and destruction are inevitable, especially as the population gets larger.
3. Technology doesn’t make us happier, it only allows more people to live and to work less, albeit less happily.
4. We are merely a part of the animal kingdom. We are neither a special creation nor particularly unique.
5. Technology and science will progress, but human nature won’t. Therefore, we will use technology for both evil and good purposes and lots of destruction will inevitably occur.
6. Religious impulse and drive for purpose are as innate as our drive for sex and lead to our need for salvation.
7. Becoming more “moral” as a society can’t happen for sustained periods of time.
8. Most jobs in the economy are for entertainment, not necessity.
9. Getting rid of religion won’t make society better.
10. The self is an illusion and this “self” controls very little.
11. Our conscious mind plays a very small role, and we resist this because it strips us from a sense of control.
12. The unexamined life may be worth living.
13. The earth is self-regulating and we will be destroyed far sooner than we will destroy the earth.
14. Only in the modern era is work considered virtuous. This is because we believe in progress and progress condemns idleness.
15. Markets are run by hysteria, not rationality.