[ExI] SOCIAL: Self-direction in Hungary

[M1N3R]

Something that's been keeping me thinking was affirmed while reading Max 
More: Extropian Principles. Setting goals for one's self, controlling 
ourselves to ensure lasting positive thinking, so self-direction in general 
is a magnificent thing indeed. Easterners (China, Japan) have their 
traditional way in this (I'd be glad to share my knowledge on that as well, 
that is, on Karate mainly if it is of interest to you).

However, and here comes the bad part, the vast majority is simply unable to 
practice self-direction due to a lack of understanding. Of intelligence, if 
I may say that. Being open-minded requires intelligence, right? I'm most 
convinced that Intelligence Enhancement has been put to debate already. 
Priority one, I think. I hope it will be achieved. But there is something 
else as well...

I'd like to add something that bothers me most. I prefer empirical methods 
and have, so to say, conducted my own research in Hungary. I've worked in 
factories (and generally workplaces considered... low) and spoken to as many 
people as I could. Conclusion was: people were generally disinterested, not 
caring about anything apart from 1. what is immediately before them 
(interval of 1-2 weeks, or even days) and 2. what was BAD. It was easier to 
talk about death, the lack of money, the lack of anything than of a way to 
improve the situation or of happy things (pretty dumb if I put it like this 
but I'm sure you understand nevertheless). Tell me, are Hungarians the only 
people who would rather cry than laugh? Despite the fact that we have food 
to eat, pretty much water to drink, nothing to fear of (no tornadoes, no 
floods, no earthquakes, no nothing). Even our National Anthem is about death 
and losing battle and sadness etc. I'd just as soon give everything I can to 
improve this situation. And I'm most convinced this has never been put to 
debate. If you are interested, I'll share all information there is about the 
situation.

What I think is this: to make the movement successful, to ensure a good 
democracy, to ensure that people are able to build on their innate abilities 
and practice self-direction, there is a great need for 'spreading the word' 
(in Hungary). And that is not equals forcing it on people. Like I haven't 
been aware of you until a bit more than two months. I'm so convinced that I 
could find a lot of people, who, after their eye was opened, could make a 
valuable addition to the list. I just don't know how to do that.

M1N3R