(no subject)

[sophiaserpentia]

An "idle thought" inspired by the conversion on my recent entries about pleasure restriction.

Human civilization is only possible because we are predators.

Comments

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

errata -- when I say that modern society is an "exception" I don't mean that it is without stratification, just that it is the only period in history where there has been a sustained and concerted effort to overcome stratification.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

Does all stratification depend upon oppression though? And since there are some civilizations which were lost, can we really say they ALL were like this?

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

There are always exceptions, but if civilizations that weren't stratified existed at one time, the fact that they don't exist anymore might be itself demonstration of the truth of my assertion. Egalitarian cities would find it hard to compete economically against neighboring cities who were willing to put slaves to work in the fields, and who have the machinery in place to force all of the males over, say, 13, to pick up a sword and go out into battle.

Stratification boils down to the threat of violence -- as those who oppose it often discover when the latent violence becomes overt. So, yeah, stratification is hand-in-hand with oppression.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

I think I am confusing stratification with specialization, probably.
Damn terns, gulls, etc... :)