By KLG
I cannot remember how, but I found Naked Capitalism in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis, but now I cannot imagine life without it. This place was an island of eminent good sense in a choppy sea of nonsense. I have been grateful ever since. And if you are as grateful as I am, please visit the Tip Jar to support this vital work that will remain essential for as long as the Neoliberal Dispensation lasts, even unto the coming inconvenient apocalypse. Forewarned is forearmed.
Since I became a regular contributor in the summer of 2022 I have been astonished at the work that goes on backstage here. I do not know when Yves Smith sleeps but sleep she must. And during those times, the others make the wheels turn. They deserve our undying gratitude and our support. The Tip Jar is over there. Any donation is much appreciated. If you can give a lot, give a lot. If you can give a little, give a little. Every donation helps.
What makes Naked Capitalism so important as the source of fearless commentary on finance, economics, politics and power is that is exactly that Naked Capitalism is fearless. As I have noted here before, the word fearless is often confused with heedless in this modern but “oh so dysfunctional” world. Naked Capitalism is the place to get at the truth of the matter.
But unlike other places, this does not mean Naked Capitalism is where the truth can be read. Much of my work here has been critical of the notion that there is something called the truth in science (or politics, philosophy, and above all economics). Yes, the Second Law of Thermodynamics is the truth, but that is not what we mean. Practical truth that leads to praxis is something else. It is difficult to find and even more difficult to appreciate, especially when science and society collide as they have during the past five years of pandemic and extending before that to the instantiation of Neoliberalism and the only alternative.
All regular readers here have a better grasp of the scientific, societal, cultural, and political aspects of pandemic than any random sample of my scientific colleagues. And that is because of the fearless work of Naked Capitalism contributors past and present. And future.
We, all of us here, know the pandemic is not over, that it will have a long tail in the form of Long Covid. We will have more work than ever, especially in the current rather odd structure of our biomedical research establishment, so please go to the Tip Jar and be as generous as the typical member of the Professional Managerial Class is performatively engaged but fundamentally out to lunch and stingy (these are my tribe; I see this every day).
We are a community here. Is it even possible to be part of an online community? This is not a trivial question.
Under the dead hand of Neoliberalism, community is not even necessary. Individuals and their families are consumers first, citizens second, and friends and neighbors with whatever smidgen of energy is left over after consumption. As an aside, I do not think I am the only one who thinks of consumption (i.e., tuberculosis) when our soi disant betters call on us the consume and be happy, and indebted up to our eyeballs, for the good of the economy. This is no way to live. Naked Capitalism brings this message every day.
But the Neoliberals who rule us are wrong. Community is essential to human life. The community here is the commentariat (including the contributors), which is unique in the online universe. Don’t believe me? Go to some of the other portals that would seem to be Naked Capitalism-adjacent and read. But do so sparingly. Otherwise, despair will be the only logical outcome. And why is this community robust? As Haig put it the other day:
Yves Smith, the hardest working woman in the blogosphere, does not suffer fools, and maintains an establishment where critical thinking prevails and cant, dogma, and sophistry are regularly exposed. From the ruins of the 2008 financial crisis to the trauma of the COVID era, to the reign of error and endless wars of the U.S plutocracy, Naked Capitalism has been a steady source of reliable reporting and astute insight.
Indeed! And this is why we are all here, right now. And in the future. The world of information has changed, and Naked Capitalism is an essential part of that change. For Naked Capitalism to continue, and to thrive, as a beacon to those with a critical approach to life in our world, the tip jar is over there. And if you do not want to use the Tip Jar, the mailing address is:
Aurora Advisors Incorporated
PO Box 110105
Brooklyn NY 11211-0105
Finally, two things. First, I want to thank Yves and all the other contributors, past and present, (Jerri-Lynn, Lambert) I have known here and the Naked Capitalism community for the opportunity to be a member. It has been a privilege every waking day for three years. I never stop thinking about “what’s next.” And I have learned more from the commentariat than you can imagine. Thank you! I look forward to continuing for as long as you will have me or as long as I am able, whichever comes first.
Second, membership is the key to the good life described by Wendell Berry in his living description of the life of Port William, Kentucky. And to paraphrase something I wrote here several years ago, based on Berry’s essential essay “Discipline and Hope” that was written more than fifty years ago.
If humanity is to have a future, discipline will lead to hope, while optimism will lead only to despair. Optimism is the default of the PMC. It leads nowhere good. Naked Capitalism provides us with both hope and discipline in this modern but increasingly immoderate world.
Oh, and the tip jar is right over there! Thank you!
A close friend introduced me to Naked Capitalism in 2008. He died a couple of years ago and I still think of him every time I come here. I read NC for many years before I finally got the courage to make a few comments myself. I never thought I was intelligent enough to be a NC commenter but a homeless crisis (mine) and a series of posts on homelessness made me think I might have personal insight to contribute to the discussion.
When I did begin to comment, people were so kind. I will never forget their words of support. Yves, whom I have always admired, was extremely nice to me – a low income Ohio River Valley woman who has no background whatsoever in economics or finance. Then, after I finally found a place to live, cancer upended my life again. People here have been supportive about that, too. NC is a caring community.
I have, of course, learned an incredible amount from NC posts and comments about a wide range of domestic and international issues. But it is the kindness I’ve experienced at NC that I will remember best. I’m very sorry I don’t have money to donate at this time. I have only my thanks to give you all.
Lena, it’s so good to hear from you. I’m making an extra donation in your honor. And I thank you for your all your wonderful contributions to this community.
Thank you very much, Carla. Best wishes to you.
NC has been a lifeline for me in so many ways these past years. “Look for the helpers” as Lambert used to say. They are here at NC. I try to read the site every day but comment seldom now because of my health issues.
I am grateful to everyone who contributes to keep NC strong.
Just gave another $100 via paypal
I just set up a monthly sub. Have been reading NC since the 2008 GFC and have come to rely on its ability to educate me, widen my perspectives, and, occasionally, kick me right in my comfort zone. Keep up the important work.
Your work is amazing, KLG, and enhances my understanding
$1000 in the jar. Maybe more but gonna be supporting the local food bank for the rest of the year
“Blushes modestly…”
Thank you for your terrific generosity. We all appreciate it very much.
I first heard of Jackson and Jensen’s views of the “inconvenient apocalypse” over at Tom Murphy’s “DoTheMath” blog. I’d like to offer an imaginary show at Madison Square Garden that I thought up myself. I was amused by a chatbot’s “review” of it “in the style of Kurt Vonnegut”, but I know it may not pass the community guidelines here, so I don’t append it.
Let’s uppose there could be a “William Catton Overshoot Memorial Commemoration” held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band REM would reunite for this special event, and finish their set with “It’s The End of the World As We Know It”. Then Nate Hagens would give a PowerPoint and video-illustrated lecture to explain the concept of ecological overshoot, and why the Great Simplification is necessary, including ideas to go about it. His last sentence is “If we all work together, we can handle this.”
At this point, in the nearly empty audience, William Rees of “ecological footprint” fame leans over to Tom Murphy, recovering astrophysicist and author of “Energy and Human Ambitions on a Finite Planet.” Rees says into Murphy’s ear, “In other words, we’re hooped.”
Todd Rundgren and his band come on to perform “Worldwide Epiphany” and the cheerful reggae tune “Down With the Ship.” The show closes with Erlend Ropstad and the Salmon Smokers energetic and ominous cover of Leonard Cohen’s “The Future.”
As the sparse audience slowly leaves the venue, the P.A. system plays Donovan’s song “Everlasting Sea.”