If you're an American parent, PLEASE either ship your kids over to Europe, or home school them yourself.
My wife and I are homeschooling our children. I just can't seem to bring myself to entrust them to people who got degrees in _Education_ (we're talking US Colleges of Education) and then went to work for the State. Bottom of the barrel, there.
And my memories of school are hellish, just a mindless rabble of consumers-in-training. The few of us who resisted were outcasts.
What you're actually seeing is yet another example of my parents' generation (the boomers) once again thoughtlessly gorging themselves at the expense of their children.
The wealthiest segment of our population is the retired folk. And they are always whining for more.
And the children of the boomers are bad, too. Ever heard of a "starter house" and moving up to bigger houses slowly? Not any more, you don't. Today, you buy that 5000 sq ft house that has more bathrooms than bedrooms, and that's the first house!
Stop focussing so much money on organized sports when your school is graduating illiterates.
Universities do this to pull in alumni donations. Loyalty to your school and "school spirit" are some of those American indoctrination things that, in the end, come down to sucking money out your wallet. And this is our University system!
Big Brother is not just monitoring - it's an entire way a society thinks. Sure, prevent people from possibly taking over your data, but I believe that should be the least of your concerns. The first priority should be to stop people from taking over your mind.
If you had _really_ read _1984_, you'd know that Big Brother _wants_ you to think exactly what you are saying here. Somehow I can see you sitting in the Chestnut Tree Cafe, with that gin-tinged tear rolling down your cheek, loving Big Brother.
Call me naive, but I don't think for a moment that every single human being in the FBI, CIA, NSA, and all the other alphabet soup agencies would willingly allow 3000 innocent American citizens to die. I'm sure many employees of these agencies had friends or family that died in those attacks. No way could there be a conspiracy THAT massive. These people are US, they go to work, do their thing, and go home. They don't want to die, and they don't want other people to die if they can help it.
You're right, and it's the anti-conspiracy Strawman. Of course, not _everybody_ in all the named organizations needs to be involved. Just a small few, a couple to spike things. How hard is that for a determined bureaucrat? Oh, we're talking government workers, you say? I think I agree with you.
This of course leads to the outlawing of cash and thus makes the cash-only people even more suspect. When cash is outlawed, only outlaws will use cash.
If cash is outlawed, then how will the State counterfeit currency?
The first manned flight was performed by George Cayley [wikipedia.org] in 1799, nearly a hundred years before [flight100.org] the Wright Brothers where even born.
It was Cayley's coachman who performed that flight. He quit after the flight, saying he was paid to drive, not to fly.
The first manned flight was performed by George Cayley [wikipedia.org] in 1799, nearly a hundred years before [flight100.org] the Wright Brothers where even born.
Cayley is credited with discovering the importance of dihedral for lateral stability in flight. Anyone else notice how the Wright flyer has absolutely NO dihedral?
Cayley apparently contributed much to the science of flight. Just coz he didn't "win the prize" doesn't mean squat. The whole "win the prize" mentality in scientific research undermines science, because it becomes a battle of egos, self-promotion, etc. Ah, well, we're humans, aren't we?
Da Vinci had plans for flight, helicopters WELL before any of these actual flights. The idea was ancient before anyone accomplished the task. Who's on first? If Da Vinci had 'patented' his idea first would he be getting credit?
Yah, sure, birds have been around for a long time. Just look at em, they're _flying_, for cyring out loud! Cheeky devils. I'm sure it occurred to many a man. Also we have the story of Icarus from way yonder.
It lies in this technicality. They were the first to take off under their own power from an altitude equal or less than the spot that they landed from.
If I recall correctly, the key was finally getting an engine that was light enough and put out enough power. Gliding was already a snap.
it staggers me that people don't immediately start shouting "1984!!" when this sort of thing is suggested.
They are, why aren't you listening? But it doesn't matter, we live in Statist days, and there are only a few voices crying in the wilderness. The rest welcome the warm embrace of Big Brother. Yes, they love him!
That's an ad that's both obtrusive and yet strangely fascinating. I do like that it is polite enough to give you the option to shut it down before it fully loads.
Next, they'll have mobile adverts to set up near car wrecks on roads. Think of the eyeballs!
It's pretty transparent what advertisers do. If they're not telling you objective selling points (rational) of the product, they're trying to hook you with something irrational.
Look at Nike ads, for example. You can rationally deduce what the hook is. All you have to do is think, "how are they trying to get me to buy their product?" In Nike ads they want you to buy into the cult of the NBA star. And Nike shoes are your entry ticket. Sorry, don't work on me. I'm in the cult, without the shoes.
Same here. The top local rock station (CHOM) is advertising "more rock, less talk", but since they changed their morning people, it's "more talk, more 'radio personality talking up product/service'", and almost no rock, except for when they want to take a dump, then they FINALLY put on a 15-minute set, or play Pink Floyd's "Meddle"
If not money, then what is it about, pray tell? Enlighten me with your breathtaking wisdom.
It's about people trying to improve their lot in life. Money is simply a medium of exchange that makes an economy work well. Read Mises' _Human Action_.
The global dependence on money is appalling and ridiculous. Money as motivation will only bring the human race so far, and probably in the wrong direction. What happens now, when such a major player in the space race is forced to resign because they cannot secure enough meaningless currency to further scientific research in space? It is a terrible waste of human potential.
It doesn't take a lot to churn out a lot of fiat money. Just crank up the printing presses. But it's not about _money_, really. Your breathtaking ignorance of basic economics tells me you lean to socialism/ communism.
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My wife and I are homeschooling our children. I just can't seem to bring myself to entrust them to people who got degrees in _Education_ (we're talking US Colleges of Education) and then went to work for the State. Bottom of the barrel, there.
And my memories of school are hellish, just a mindless rabble of consumers-in-training. The few of us who resisted were outcasts.
The wealthiest segment of our population is the retired folk. And they are always whining for more.
And the children of the boomers are bad, too. Ever heard of a "starter house" and moving up to bigger houses slowly? Not any more, you don't. Today, you buy that 5000 sq ft house that has more bathrooms than bedrooms, and that's the first house!
Universities do this to pull in alumni donations. Loyalty to your school and "school spirit" are some of those American indoctrination things that, in the end, come down to sucking money out your wallet. And this is our University system!
If you had _really_ read _1984_, you'd know that Big Brother _wants_ you to think exactly what you are saying here. Somehow I can see you sitting in the Chestnut Tree Cafe, with that gin-tinged tear rolling down your cheek, loving Big Brother.
You're right, and it's the anti-conspiracy Strawman. Of course, not _everybody_ in all the named organizations needs to be involved. Just a small few, a couple to spike things. How hard is that for a determined bureaucrat? Oh, we're talking government workers, you say? I think I agree with you.
If cash is outlawed, then how will the State counterfeit currency?
NCs plates say "First in Flight." It's the Ohio 1999 plates that say "Birthplace of Aviation".
It says so, right on their license plates!
It was Cayley's coachman who performed that flight. He quit after the flight, saying he was paid to drive, not to fly.
But they thought they were in India, not America, so they didn't bother to document it exhaustively, India being well-known already.
Cayley is credited with discovering the importance of dihedral for lateral stability in flight. Anyone else notice how the Wright flyer has absolutely NO dihedral?
Cayley apparently contributed much to the science of flight. Just coz he didn't "win the prize" doesn't mean squat. The whole "win the prize" mentality in scientific research undermines science, because it becomes a battle of egos, self-promotion, etc. Ah, well, we're humans, aren't we?
Yah, sure, birds have been around for a long time. Just look at em, they're _flying_, for cyring out loud! Cheeky devils. I'm sure it occurred to many a man. Also we have the story of Icarus from way yonder.
If I recall correctly, the key was finally getting an engine that was light enough and put out enough power. Gliding was already a snap.
They are, why aren't you listening? But it doesn't matter, we live in Statist days, and there are only a few voices crying in the wilderness. The rest welcome the warm embrace of Big Brother. Yes, they love him!
I know. I was splitting hairs. You were splitting infinitives.
Next time, try to avoid using a split infinitive. It totally confused me for a second.
Next, they'll have mobile adverts to set up near car wrecks on roads. Think of the eyeballs!
Often the commercials are better than the show.
I think you'd _rather_ be ranting to slashdot, so you're happier this way.
It's pretty transparent what advertisers do. If they're not telling you objective selling points (rational) of the product, they're trying to hook you with something irrational.
Look at Nike ads, for example. You can rationally deduce what the hook is. All you have to do is think, "how are they trying to get me to buy their product?" In Nike ads they want you to buy into the cult of the NBA star. And Nike shoes are your entry ticket. Sorry, don't work on me. I'm in the cult, without the shoes.
The power to tax is the power to destroy. Be afraid of both. They're just two sides of the same coin. Be very afraid.
Nothing like killing two birds with one bird, er, stone.
I especially like the "music-free" hour.
It's about people trying to improve their lot in life. Money is simply a medium of exchange that makes an economy work well. Read Mises' _Human Action_.
It doesn't take a lot to churn out a lot of fiat money. Just crank up the printing presses. But it's not about _money_, really. Your breathtaking ignorance of basic economics tells me you lean to socialism/ communism.