Surviving Capitalism (Not) : A rogue reporter takes on the masters of the universe

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Thursday, April 9, 2015

A rogue reporter takes on the masters of the universe

Click here to access article by Matt Kennard from Reflections on a Revolution. (a must read)

Kennard in this excerpt from his book The Racket: A Rogue Reporter vs. the Masters of the Universe essentially tells his political coming-of-age experience while working at his first professional job for the Financial Times. His "political coming-of-age experience" differs from most people who are trained to maintain the childish notion of following the dictates of authorities instead of seeing the world as it is. He learned what I have often argued: domination, or power over others, is probably the most addictive of all drugs.

Whereas he simply identifies the authorities as "racketeers", I see them as functioning directly or indirectly as capitalist authorities to support their interests of wealth and power. By succumbing to power exercised by capitalist authorities, one will receive numerous rewards: a well remunerated career, many friends, and beautiful women (or handsome men) drawn to you.

I started working as a reporter at the Financial Times soon after the financial crisis began and at the height of the so-called “War on Terror”. I was a young, ambitious reporter assigned to one of the world’s most respected broadsheets, ready to speak the truth. I learnt soon enough that this was not the place to do it.

Fortunately, he did not succumb to this powerful drug and has insisted on living his life with his eyes wide open. He tells the story of his political coming-of-age in this excerpt.