The Greening of America

THE MACHINE BEGINS TO SELF-DESTRUCT

for self that only the experiences of dread, awe, wonder, mystery, accidents, failure, helplessness and magic make possible. And it has produced a society that is the image of its own alienation and impoverishment.

But it is schizophrenia, not hypocrisy.

This difference lends an air of gentility or public spiritedness to the struggle by Consciousness II people. They can claim — and can convince themselves — that their struggle is for something other than pure selfishness.

Beginning in school, they measure themselves and their achievements by the tests, examinations, grades and other formal hurdles of life. They

It is not for them to “take a stand” — they don’t know enough. And it would be unprofessional.

become projectiles, ready to be set in motion by outside energies.

Like Consciousness I, Consciousness II sees life in terms of a fiercely competitive struggle for success.

And the void below the meritocracy is far worse than