[robertgwilmoth]

It seems to me that it would be better to say that capitalism is killing poverty. This would seem to be an argument for more capitalism and not less.

[robertgwilmoth]

Conquest by Hugh Thomas is a fantastic book on the invasion and conquering of Mexico.

[robertgwilmoth]

I don’t think the profaning of nature has anything to do with the rise of Abrahamic monotheism. The Bible is full of spirits, angels, and demons. It even allows for the possibility of magic. And Medieval Europe, perhaps Christianity at its peak influence, was full of people who believed in every mythical creature you can imagine, from the Sidhe and the Wee Folk to the cyclops and dragons. It was the rise of the Scientific Revolution and the so-called Enlightenment that changed that. The whole point of being “enlightened” is that you weren’t ignorant like those superstitious people in the past and didn’t believe in things like gods and monsters.

[robertgwilmoth]

I think Brad’s observation that Tolkien really hated what industrial technology could do to people and the environment is a key to understanding orcs. When you take something wise, beautiful, and in balance – like an elf – and subject it to technology what you get is something which has been stunted, twisted, and degenerated – an orc. Orcs are the animal version of what Saruman is doing to Fangorn forest. In this way they serve as a warning about what could happen to humans as well.

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