Sunday, March 23, 2014
1,2,3
The First World / Second World / Third World distinction was of uncertain authorship. I'm inclined to attribute it to Kennan, but can't find a reference. Oddly, most of the articles on the subject claim that 'Second World' was used often before 1989 but rarely afterward.
Nope, exactly backwards. I never heard 'Second World' before 1989. Western elites, all Soviet agents of influence, couldn't allow the proles to gain the impression that Soviet people had a somewhat difficult life. Since 1989 the elites, still Soviet agents, understand that the Second World is now nationalist, often "right-wing" by their standards, so they're free to use the term to denote inferiority.
As I was struggling with a deep and serious decision today, I heard a couple of simultaneous news items. The combo struck me as a Trifecta of the Three Worlds.
First World Decision: I had an especially good dump and a fine long walk this morning. This means I'm unusually hungry right now, but it's still 15 minutes before I normally cook my lunchtime omelet. Should I eat a mint to quiet my growling stomach, or should I tough it out for 15 long torturous minutes?
Second World Decision: Now that Russia is inviting us, should we in the Donetsk region vote to rejoin Russia? We might lose a chance of future prosperity, but we'll gain immediate and definite security and ethnic solidarity.
Third World Decision: Should I die a horrible death from Ebola, or should I become healthy and live a long life? Oops, I don't have the choice. I'm alrea
Labels: TMI
¶ 11:41 AM
