Dieselpunk + Steampunk Culture
John D. Rockefeller - Devil or Angel?
While history somewhat vilifies John D. Rockefeller as an uncaring Capitalist baron sitting upon an iron throne built upon Standard Oil, he also used the wealth he earned to drastically boost research in medicine, education, and the sciences.As dieselpunks, we strive to form our lives into the shape of our dreams.
As the "richest man in history" whose labor provided for his family, whose fortune provided him with comfort, and whose positive contributions to mankind can still be felt today, isn't that what we also wish to achieve?
What effect did Standard Oil have on the American nation, and did its evils balance or outweigh with what John D. Rockefeller ultimately achieved with his life?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by R. Austurias on -
I apologize for my vulgarity, but fuck Rockerfeller.
That's the man who "bought and sold" the US. We still have not recovered and I doubt we ever will.
But I am a dirty Marxist so I cannot claim to be unbiased. ;]
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Permalink Reply by Tome Wilson on -
Be vulgar. I want to hear why you feel this way.
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Permalink Reply by Ottens on -
Not mine! ;-)
Rockefeller's a hero of capitalism who almost singlehandedly created one of the most successful corporations in American history. He was a self-made man who revolutionized the oil industry and redefined American capitalism. I salute him!
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Permalink Reply by Larry on -
That's one of the things I love about this forum. We can express our thoughts and not have to worry about being flamed. While Ottens and I are obviously completely opposite on this matter it's all good.
This forum rocks!!!!:)
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Permalink Reply by Hayen Mill on -
I'd say he is both an angel and a devil. It all depends on how you view value/wealth to be created IMO. The classic STV vs LTV debate.
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Permalink Reply by Pilsner Panther on -
I'd say that the true hero in the Rockefeller saga was "Trustbuster" Teddy Roosevelt, who broke up the Standard Oil monopoly. Can you imagine any American president doing something like that today? To, say, Microsoft? Or BP? Nope, the government is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporate State, and it doesn't matter which party is in power.
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Permalink Reply by Larry on
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Well said, Pilsner.
Pilsner Panther said:I'd say that the true hero in the Rockefeller saga was "Trustbuster" Teddy Roosevelt, who broke up the Standard Oil monopoly. Can you imagine any American president doing something like that today? To, say, Microsoft? Or BP? Nope, the government is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporate State, and it doesn't matter which party is in power.
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Permalink Reply by BlaqueSaber on -
Wow
Pilsner Panther said:I'd say that the true hero in the Rockefeller saga was "Trustbuster" Teddy Roosevelt, who broke up the Standard Oil monopoly. Can you imagine any American president doing something like that today? To, say, Microsoft? Or BP? Nope, the government is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporate State, and it doesn't matter which party is in power.
I'd have to say that I'm not a historian, in fact as a young man I had no time for it, so my knowledge of Rockafeller is limitted (I should read up - suggestions?) but I'd have to say he seems like the PERFECT archetypical villain such as Ra's Al Guhl. The type who actually see themselves as a hero of sorts doing what they need to do even if others see them as villains.
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Permalink Reply by Tome Wilson on
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The only book I found that won't put you to sleep is "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr." by Ron Chernow.
It's never to late to start learning.
BlaqueSaber said: I'd have to say that I'm not a historian, in fact as a young man I had no time for it, so my knowledge of Rockafeller is limitted (I should read up - suggestions?)
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Permalink Reply by Hayen Mill on
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If anyone is looking for some factual and historical based reading, I might suggest this book:
Gabriel Kolko, The Triumph of Conservatism: A Reinterpretation of American History, 1900-1916 (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1963; reprint ed., Chicago: Quad rangle Books, 1967)
© 2012 Created by Tome Wilson.
