— from Learner Limbach —
My first update was made just as I landed in Denmark last Friday. You can read that HERE.
Learner Limbach sitting outside the world famous 8 Tallet or “8 House”, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 29, 2018
More than a one-week project
I write to you now, having spent the past five days pursuing a mixture of technical knowledge of Danish policy and social framework, combined with casual interactions and experience of everyday life in Denmark. It probably goes without saying that five days is not nearly enough to get a complete understanding of anything, let alone to understand an entire country and society. It is barely enough time to scratch the surface. However, I always knew that one trip here would not be enough and my intent has been only to get an introduction. All that being said, I have been extraordinarily pleased with what I have been able to learn and experience in such a short time. I have my wonderful and gracious hosts to thank for that, and I am incredibly grateful for each of their time and hospitality.
Taking it in
Originally I came here with the goal of learning about Danish social policies such as socialized medicine, free college and universities, free childcare, maternity leave, etc. However, the more I have learned, the more I have realized that in order to understand the policies I have to understand the history and the context that they were born out of. I have attempted to keep an open mind about what I am learning and focus on listening, documenting and reflecting, without judging or drawing conclusions. I must have come in with assumptions and preconceived notions that I didn’t even realize I had, because I have found myself being surprised, sometimes pleasantly and sometimes not, about much of what I have learning.
I do want to share that my limited time here has led me to believe that there are indeed things that we, as Americans, can learn from the Danish social and political structure that would be beneficial and achievable. Are there limitations to this? Of course! But we would be foolish to disregard all that Denmark has to offer simply because some of their policies won’t work in the America.
What’s next?
I leave Denmark on Friday December 7 to fly to Spain, where I will visit the Mondragon Cooperative. I want to do justice to the documentation and sharing of what I am experiencing and so I’ve decided that I will not publish any detailed analysis of policies until after I return from my trip, and then I will do so in a series of articles focusing on various topics. In this way, I hope that I can provide readers with a foundation for understanding Danish policies, and avoid putting out information that I haven’t fully researched or given time to marinate.
I would love your feedback on which topics are of greatest interest. Please feel free to e-mail questions.
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Learner—all cultures have something to teach. If you’re gonna compare and contrast, there are societies more suitable for the task. Denmark is a small homogenous tribe.
A collective without powerful carve-outs for individual rights was rejected by the founders of this country for good reason (French Revolution); they could have predicted the rise of Naziism and their political equivalents today (see Sweden).
Collective power (esp. homogenous tribes) create risks. Unfettered majoritarian rule leads to an “old” version, top-down totalitarianism (from the Left, too).
My prior deleted post ended with a parenthetical: “btw, you know who runs Denmark, yes?”
As if fate intervened to make my now deleted point in vivid fashion, TODAY we learn that the ruling coalitions in Denmark (the right and the far right—who btw preceded Trump), want to:
-place refugees on an uninhabited island last used for animals with lethal contagion;
-the current immigration minister (the moderate in govt) published on her FB page: “When you are unwanted in Danish society, you should not be a nuisance for regular Danes,” adding, “(The refugees) will be getting a new address.” AND “Our hope … is that people outside Denmark will understand that Denmark is not a very attractive place to seek asylum, if you are of refugee background, mean to cause harm, or incite crime.”
But, the above wasn’t the crux of my now deleted prior post!
Maybe the editors will republish it?
If I may be permitted…(think carefully—the following is connected to the messaging behind Learner’s two posts).
What’s happening in Denmark and elsewhere will grow; it’s where we’re headed globally because of the naïveté and the critical, independent skill lacking in today’s monolithic group-think politics. Left and Right fail to identify today’s real threats and challenges—rather, each side plays for power soon to mean very little.
Factors on the ground are creating a crunch time—the luxury of time that in the past tolerated sloppy thinking is fast evaporating.
Forget Europe! 19th century modelling is almost meaningless given today’s changes (environment, declining resources, burgeoning populations combined with the scale and efficiencies of automation, robotics, blockchain platforms and AI).
Look to China and how each of their 1.3 billion will be socially tagged and scored by 2020 with the help of algorithmically coded facial recognition technology developed here, employed there (and in their classrooms pre- k-5 & up). Orwellian developments growing exponentially in a society that will likely set the tone globally in 30 years (or less).
And progressives want to weaken the individual? The “Social” is a concept whose constituent parts are “individuals”—the only reality behind the facade of a “group.”
We need collaboration from “individuals”— not diktats from on high.
We need better thinking, fiercely independent citizens.
We take too much for granted, while we navel gaze China’s strategic objective is regional (Asia) dominance by 2025, replace the dollar as world reserve currency with a “basket” of currencies and commodities, control maritime transit in the South China Sea, boost economic growth of BRICS, expand markets and military presence in Africa and South America, curtail US hegemony and meddling in other nation states affairs. Pentagon’s recent threat assessment: The US will probably lose a conventional war against China or Russia.
Sounds like a great time for internal strife.
Chris Graham – you have your facts wrong. It would take more time than I have now to unpack all of your misstatements.
Sweden: The right wing extremists have 14% support and both major parties are forming a government without them. I’m not sure what you are talking about when you refer to Sweden. Denmark’s right-wing party has actually been more significant than Sweden’s for a long time and received 21% support in the last election.
Immigration: I agree Denmark’s current immigration policies are a disgrace. So are the US’. At least Denmark isn’t (yet) putting children in cages. Just as in the US, the strict and inhumane immigration policies are pushed by the right wing, while progressives want to make it easier for immigrants and refugees to come to Denmark. Many people I’ve talked to point out that there is a need for immigrants to fill job openings. Just as in the US, current immigration policies are not the result of the will of the people. Rather, they are the result of political maneuvering. For example, the Danish People’s Party routinely will use immigration as a bartering chip, agreeing to pass a budget only when they get concessions on immigration policy. If you want to write off an entire country due to their immigration policies you may as well write off the US as well.
I have found that policies here in Denmark are far more conducive to individual rights, freedom, and equal opportunity for all than we have here in the US. There is much that we can learn.
There is nothing authoritarian about the way Denmark is governed. It’s a far more representative government than what we have in the US. See the Democracy Index which ranks Denmark 5th in the world using the categories of pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. The US ranks 21st and isn’t even categorized as a “Full Democracy” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
Learner- of course Scandinavian countries are still democracies; I’m speaking of trends exacerbated by failed policies. While Denmark’s PM is center right (the “liberal” in his party’s name refers to liberal, unfettered free markets & less interference of corp power); he supports the right & governs with the far right; views on immigration put the far right into power. Placing a class of people on an unihabited island last used for contagious animals and boasting about it is a bit much. You can rest assured it won’t be stopped by an independent judiciary (as it would be here).
But my real point isn’t to compare or pass judgment on their handling of migration, its effects on Danish society or its economic policies (I’m not passing judgment). It is a problem and “economic” migration isn’t the purpose of asylum/refugee programs. It’s a global problem and the product of failure.
Your messaging is to double down and blame the “individual” while I’m suggesting we stay within the bounds of what’s possible by respecting and elevating the individual through improved education (less indoctrination). That to follow the route of Socialism’s future is to follow China’s Orwellian lead. That the real and unrecognized threats at our doorstep will exacerbate extreme reactions and further diminish personal liberty.
The focus s/be how to embrace innovation without losing ourselves (not review small tribes in the EU); that tech be a tool to improve, not a hammer to control and corral.
Chris Graham, again, it is my observation that Danes enjoy MORE individual freedom than we have in the US. “indoctrination”? Do you think that the US education system is superior to that of the Danes? Based on what I have learned so far that seems far from the truth. I am willing to be proven wrong. If you have some compelling information to the contrary please do enlighten me.
Learner, I look forward to hearing more of your impressions from your journeys. Sounds like a very enlightening and enjoyable journey. I applaud anyone who takes a trip to foreign lands with an open positive mind and is willing to share what they have seen and learned. Please take pics for your next post. They are gorgeous countries with fantastic historical architecture and preserved countryside.
Again, the wrong focus.
We all have relative freedom, still. Tweaking capitalism a little to the left or Socialism a little to the right to find the happy medium is the twilight zone of the past.
Quality education is precisely what would prevent this misdiagnosis of today’s challenges. What’s become a trend in this country (and globally) is a “dumbing down” of the population via “politically correct” aspirations to guarantee equality in “outcome,” not just at the starting gate (impossible! and a direct contradiction of empirical reality, but still, the delusion gains strength–you have poor education to blame for this).
Here’s the kicker: All of this occurs simultaneous with rapid technological advancement (the ideal toxic formula for a variation of one of Orwell’s themes).
The advances in tech and how they’ll soon change “your” options (by force) are fundamentally less understood more and more daily by the general population; its rate of change is unlike anything experienced; it’s already changed the debate and our options; and this rate exponentially increases such that 5 years today is equivalent to 50 years (or more) yesterday.
Again, Progressives are focused on yesterday’s arguments and solutions. They’re a bit seductive (even though tried and failed); but they’re also malicious in their ignorance and ultimate consequences for the near future.
We should talk in person when I’m back from Asia. Mid January works for me.
Add to Phil Peterson’s assessment of the preeminent global trend the likelihood that China will dictate 5G global standards and protocols combined with accelerating advances in the area of Robotics here in Japan (to displace much of today’s labor – hence China’s aim for precision pop control), the end products of which are shipped primarily to Shenzen; rapid advances in AI’s deep learning (to displace, for example, loan officers at Chase—now being developed at non-public access locations on the UWS of Manhattan), full-bore advancements in genetic mutation and pre-conception editing in search of the “superior” human (now underway in China and elsewhere)—these are some of the game-changers —if you understand these developments fully along with their present and near-future implications, you’ll better understand how off-the-mark are the aims of most political groups. Also interesting in my development of startups using access-secured blockchain platforms is seeing how “excess” (free rides) structured within the walls of our current social architecture will be eliminated; this will have a disproportionate impact on those who advanced via politiics and little actual merit. The subjectivity that’s allowed escape from objective results will become tomorrow’s shackles. I’m even putting my law firm on a Blockchain platform. None of these changes bode well for the progressive agenda (or that of most); and they are unstoppable. Most live in a bubble of ignorance. I say pop it!
Thank you Sussan. I will continue taking photos for sure! It really is beautiful here. You can see the photo album at https://bit.ly/Learner-Denmark-Spain-Photos
Globally (HK, London, Berlin, NYC, Singapore, etc), I test and find comprehension and consensus of what I’m saying in these posts (in informed circles); but not having lived in middle America before I’ve never tested this level of “reality checking” throughout the country. Surely, many “expats” get what I’m saying but won’t speak up, dislike the method of delivery, prefer to leave things as they are (sensing futility and not wanting to go out with disharmony—boring and feckless), or some other irrelevant yet private objection.
Nevertheless, Paris burns, as they say (it isn’t even figurative..lol), as we keep with what’s not working. Do objective trajectories or objective facts mean anything to the polyanna views of our so-called progress? Words are less painful than what’s around the corner.
Then, there’s always the possibility that 1-10 nondescript comments reflect the fearful minority who take issue with my being a non-believer (for the island’s religious folk), or not radical enough for the up and coming (but has-been and delusional) “Socialists of Yesterday” as they negate reality for wishful thinking in not understanding the nature of existence.
It’s like a prison (half true, half metaphorical here)…if you don’t pick an irrational side, you’re everyone’s enemy…lol.
That puts me where? In no-man’s land I reckon…lol.
Fortunately, the world’s a relatively large village with a growing number of free-thinking bards unafraid to speak up—
Mr Graham, what do you imagine “improved education” is? Just curious as to what you define it as and also how to get there. It seems to me that the teachers today have gone through the same process, (indoctrination?) as the students they teach so how can an entrenched society change its “habits”? I am mostly talking about public schools.
Gretchen- I’m not a teacher; I’m sure my recipe is more theoretical than practical. I’m sure Orcas has impressive teachers who could suggest the appropriate age for introducing certain subjects. I’d focus on a core curriculum: humanities, sciences, mathematics (to incl. code/binary language); then allow each to explore what surfaces naturally and hope there’d be a guiding presence nearby to encourage that which impassions a student. I’d explain that finding a passion in life is worth great effort; that it takes time but is a recipe for long term contentment. That you tend to excel at what you love to do, which will resonate with those you may one day call customers or colleagues.
But most foundational would be to point to a chalk board at the appropriate age & explain why we must be discerning as to what goes up on it as knowledge. That there be a filter to ensure the best quality information becomes the basis of our personal brain trust. That if the foundation is weak, so too will be the structure, the ability to reason, the ability to arrive at best possible answers (for self & society). That there needs to be a rational standard by which we live our lives. That qualified knowledge be defined as that which can be confirmed. That the public square be reserved for this qualified knowledge.That being right isn’t as important as being open to better quality knowledge. That learning, rather than judging & concluding, leads to a more humane society.
Hi Gretchen. Your question seemed sincere and decribed well a predicament in few words. Above, I tried to address it with broad brushstokes given the 1500 character limit. Public education should maintain the highest standards with reason as its foundation, its guiding principle.
The “entrenchment” to which you refer originates in the sloppy soup of irrational thinking- thus, we say poor thinking. Society should require rational filters to test, corroborate and confirm claims of knowledge (hypothesis); a necessary corollary requires the public realm deny claims to secret knowledge—i.e., unconfirmed knowledge to which only its claimant is privy. Do you see why? Do you see where this is headed? If you do, you can see where we’ve made wrong turns—even at the university level—and are poorer for it as a civilization.
Without the above parameters, the computer, ipad or cell you type on wouldn’t exist, your radio gone and you’d be back to a horse & buggy. You’d see a plane in the air and think it witchcraft not understanding electromagnetic radiation, gravity, wave-particle duality, or the laws of thermodynamics.
You see, Gretchen, reality can’t be cheated or conned. But poor thinking people can be. Thus, we need better thinking human beings who are firecely independent in thought and deed to correct our course if we’re to stand a good chance of lasting a decent fraction of the time our Dinosaur friends did. At the rate we’re going, it’s not looking good.
We don’t just need good thinking people. We need safety, love, community, trust, time in nature, dignity for all.
Yes, agreed Learner. And kindness, open mindedness, and non-violent dispositions require the greater wisdom harnessed from improved minds that can empathize, be inclusive, not discriminate and see the bigger, non-partisan family picture. Reason leads to compassion. Only a poor mind mistakens violence for love and self-interest for altruism. A lot of that going around.