Austinist: Austinist Interviews Douglas Rushkoff

oliverwendellholmes

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:58:47 -0600

jared he's saying they're in conflict. but you're correct, too. he does believe the consumerist self-help movement is incompatible with true spirituality. thing is, to paraphrase max weber, the self-help "ethic" *is* the spirit of capitalism; self help spirituality=self aggrandisement=capitalism. same sh-t different day.

jared v.

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:42:45 -0600

i don't think rushkoff is saying that true spirituality and capitalism are incompatible. in fact, he says just the opposite. actually, i think he's saying that the consumerist self-help movement might be incompatible with true spirituality.

modam

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:14:03 -0600

very interesting interview and dude. i look forward to seeing him tomorrow night. if folks haven't read his books or seen his programs, specifically The Persuaders on Frontline, i would highly recommend

b

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:09:16 -0600

ayc. this interview is completely fascinating...one for the ages! (and one for your mom's refrigerator, for sure.) not sure that i buy rushkoff's theory that true spirituality and capitalism are incompatible. but whatevs. i love how his mind is turning. what he says reminds me of something. where i used to work, there was this video on famed anthropologist margaret mead that looped over and over. and i would watch it -- true confessions! -- over and over. in it, a much younger american anthropoligist recounted advice mead had given him before he traveled to some faraway place to observe and study people and culture. he told the story: she asked me, "have you ever seen anyone being born?" "no." and then she asked me, "have you ever seen anyone die?" "no." and she told me, "that's because you live in a culture that shields itself from reality. just know it before you go." i keep her wisdom in my pocket, and it would seem that rushkoff does, too.