Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley

From the Pulitzer-prize winning, New York Times bestselling author, an alarming account of how autocracies work together to undermine the democratic world, and how we should organize to defeat them
"A masterful guide to the new age of authoritarianism... clear-sighted and fearless… a masterclass in the marriage of dodgy government to international criminality… (both) deeply disturbing.”—John Simpson, The Guardian "Especially timely."—The Washington Post
From Amazon:
We think we know what an autocratic state looks like: There is an all-powerful leader at the top. He controls the police. The police threaten the people with violence. There are evil collaborators, and maybe some brave dissidents.
But in the 21st century, that bears little resemblance to reality. Nowadays, autocracies are underpinned not by one dictator, but by sophisticated networks composed of kleptocratic financial structures, surveillance technologies, and professional propagandists, all of which operate across multiple regimes, from China to Russia to Iran. Corrupt companies in one country do business with corrupt companies in another. The police in one country can arm and train the police in another, and propagandists share resources and themes, pounding home the same messages about the weakness of democracy and the evil of America.
International condemnation and economic sanctions cannot move the autocrats. Even popular opposition movements, from Venezuela to Hong Kong to Moscow, don't stand a chance. The members of Autocracy, Inc, aren't linked by a unifying ideology, like communism, but rather a common desire for power, wealth, and impunity. In this urgent treatise, which evokes George Kennan's essay calling for "containment" of the Soviet Union, Anne Applebaum calls for the democracies to fundamentally reorient their policies to fight a new kind of threat.

Suggest a book!! Not too long a read. Choose something available in print, audio, and electronic versions. Please put the title in the comments section or message Ben through Meetup with your suggestion.

All are welcome, whether you have read the book or not. There is much for everyone to discuss and learn.

A virtual meeting. The link shows when you RSVP. If you need a passcode, it is ethics.

On the 4th Friday with Curt Collier leading the discussion on the identity of Ethical Culture. I hope you can join us in person for a thoughtful discussion.

This topic emerged from our annual Membership Meeting in June when a member asked about "religion or philosophy" as ECSSV's identity. Let's discuss this with Curt and his long leadership in Ethical Culture informing the discussion.

Meet a bit before 10:30 AM to get settled in at Jack's Restaurant at 1502 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, at the edge of the Westgate Mall. Lots of parking. Look for us at a table with an Ethical Culture sign.

We will be meeting on the patio as the minimum charge for the indoor room is $300! Be prepared for whatever this late morning in August will be like! A hand fan? Maybe! And a hat for the sun. Likely.

Please be prepared to order food. We are meeting at a restaurant, using their tables and service. We are not meeting at a coffee shop. If financial considerations keep you from ordering food, let Paula know, privately. One of the ethical considerations is our relationship with the restaurant. Should we discuss what we owe a business where we use their space? If this restaurant does not meet your needs, you are invited to recommend another location that is spacious and quiet enough for our discussions.

Please be symptom free and respectful of those who are medically vulnerable.

RSVP so we know how many chairs to set out!

See you there!!

Join us for a new kind of gathering at a new venue!

Professor Curt Collier (Fairleigh Dickinson University), Leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley, invites all would-be philosophers to a conversation of national significance. It is conceivable that America could elect a twice-impeached convicted felon, currently with 34 indictments against him from election fraud to falsifying business records to pay off a porn star. Despite all of this, he is neck-and-neck in the polls. This begs the question, does America even believe in ethics anymore, and if so, what type of ethics? Join us for a dinner-time discussion of the shifting ethical currents in the US and whether the US has lost its moral center. Our gathering will be at 5:00 p.m. at Dinah's Poolside Restaurant, 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.

Please be prepared to order dinner, as we are not otherwise compensating the restaurant for use of the premises. If financial considerations would pose an impediment, please let the host know privately.