Aram Bakshian, Jr. made my day. It’s always a treat for me when I come across someone praising Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983). Having read and greatly admired Eric Hoffer since before he appeared in: it’s especially satisfying to see Hoffer reaching America’s young thinkers in Tom Bethell’s book. Eric Hoffer’s insights are unsurpassed among twentieth century philosophers and political thinkers. Years ago these two resonated with me because of my view of the MSM’s role in society and socialism’s True Believers: The Ultimate Self-Made Man By Aram Bakshian, Jr. from the July - Aug 2012 issue Eric Hoffer: The Longshoreman Philosopher By Tom Bethell (Hoover Institution Press, 304 PAGES, $29.95) http://spectator.org/archives/2012/08/23/the-ultimate-self-made-man This excerpt comes from a message I posted on another board back in 2006: Newspeak, media bias, and omission, are the tools propagandists use to help people deceive themselves. Basically, thinking for yourself is the only way to defeat propagandists and totalitarians of every stripe. In the quotation following my signature Hoffer offers advice that requires physical courage and the intelligence needed to defeat collectivism in general; specifically socialism in today’s America. Finally, Eric Hoffer’s books are important in what they say, but the greatest gift in his writing is teaching individuals how to think for themselves. That is the exact opposite of the education industry’s goal. Bottom line: There would have been no Eric Hoffer had he attended public schools.
Good post, However I'm not into human worship, or idolizing a mortal about their career or contribution to society. We must remember it takes many people to make a great society, not one or two who provided the tools of propaganda to manipulate others for profit.. Some would consider that leaching off others. But its good that you pointed out how a capitalist can manipulate others for their own profit nonetheless.
To Clint Torres: My title was misleading. I did not intend to compare Eric Hoffer’s teachings to the teachings of the propagandists in the education industry.
Good. I do not pander to conformist and idologies. I thinks for myself and I always ask myslef, what is the financial goal of any literature. And who will beinfit from it, then I determine what is the point. Thanks.
