It might not have been the most sensitive comment but essentially he WAS correct.
If you look at modern India 90% of the social and political order is based on western ideas.
They did model their schools, government, constitution and many other bodies after British.
This all depends on how you define culture ( and frankly one cannot easily compare these things)
On the other hand, as far as technological and scientific progress is concerned these people (especially in Africa) had nothing to show for themselves. You might want to talk about their culturally advanced societies but the simple fact is, over the last 2000 years these people contributed practically nothing to our knowledge of the world.
No, people have been killing themselves using their products.
You know well, everyone who smokes (or is about to start) knows damn well about dangers of this habit. There are legitimate cases of corporate abuse but 90% of stuff you mentioned is a pure bullshit.
If anything will bring US down, it will be this new admiration for lack of personal responsibility.
Compared to that, dangers of globalism and environmental problem are nothing.
I myself wrote couple of GPLed programs which was not much more than hobby-style activity.
I do work as a programmer and earn my living writing commercial apps.
See the difference ?
"There is (or at least can be) an infinite, unlimited supply. "
This is simply not true.
Rules of economics apply here as well, simply because if you stop paying for the product most people will stop supplying (I am talking about original designers) and move to another markets.
Trust me, this was always the case and, despite your wishful thinking, you won't be able to change that. So far, no one was able to bend laws of economic and, believe me, many have tried.
"All in the name of protecting the industry's profits and obsolete business models. "
Sorry, but I have to ask. What is so obsolete in trying to sell products in exchange for money?
I mean, do you know of any better way to handle these things ?
"Exposing private customers and small businesses to the price volatility of the energy market to save a few bucks, as deregulation does, is a prime example of current economic stupidity. "
No I do not have problems with reading comprehension but your statement clearly states that exposing people and small businesses to forces of free market is an economic stupidity.
"How can we guarantee that the benefits of rising productivity are distributed fairly?"
I believe this summarizes your points nicely so I will respond to that.
I think we can't guarantee anything. Frankly, if we intervene too much into this process we are risking scaring off people who make it happen in the first place. People are not equal in their abilities and law regulating such will end up hurting everybody.
It seems ironic but of all economical system, capitalism seems to provide the best living conditions for the greatest number of people.
Please feel free to prove otherwise.
"Those tiny countries makes business solely because they don't tax any money and don't ask where it comes from and tell anyone about it. "
And what gives you right to deny them this business? You are free to change your economies to compete effectively and render these tax heavens irrelevant but you have no right to demand their demise just because you don't like them.
"If you dislike paying more taxes because of another country, try thinking how pleased you'd be to be poisoned by another country because this country thinks it's "almost safe enough to eat"."
You are not going to get poisoned. Please, be more serious here and rely on scientific data as opposed to hearsay.
This is the problem. Every time somebody tries to implement Socialism it ends up as some sort of tyrannical monstrosity.
I do believe Socialism is a very much utopian ideology impossible to implement in the real life.
"If you make a claim like this, which is against 'common wisdom' you better show us some proof. "
Here and
here
Check references to see where this data is coming from.
"some of the poorest and least influential people in your country for some of it's biggest problems. That makes no sense."
Well, I am tired of getting blamed for all the evils of society.
You know what? I do get up in the morning, go to work, don't abuse anyone etc... yet every report I have seen seems to blame me for causing the pain and suffering of these "poor people."
Seems simplistic? Hell, maybe it is but, frankly, it is the truth.
It has nothing to do with "trying to survive". At least not in US. Most of these people have very decent ( by UN standards) levels of living.
BTW. How do you explain this explosion of crime among US minorities who had never experienced such powerty like people did during great depression when crime levels weren't even close to what we have to today.
It changes a lot. Why should my country be punished because people in France and most of other countries in Europe enjoy paying large tax? This is exactly what they are proposing. Economical sanctions directed at nations with low tax.
Frankly, why should elected officials in Europe be even concerned about tax rates beyond their own borders?
"How about democracy? We don't need GM to tell us what to do."
Again, corporations have no power per se.
It is overgrown government that provides them with such. When you realize that, it changes your whole outlook at the issue.
Less power in government = less power to be bought.
Wait till your lovely England gets overloaded with "legal and other immigrants."
In fact, let me tell you something. Crime statistics (imprisonment, victimization) for White Americans are very much the same as for White Europeans.
It is these "other" folks who make up all the difference between Europe and US.
Sounds racist? Perhaps, but unless you want to dispute official US crime stats, it is very much true.
Slashdot Mirror
Brilliant post.
It might not have been the most sensitive comment but essentially he WAS correct.
If you look at modern India 90% of the social and political order is based on western ideas.
They did model their schools, government, constitution and many other bodies after British.
This all depends on how you define culture ( and frankly one cannot easily compare these things)
On the other hand, as far as technological and scientific progress is concerned these people (especially in Africa) had nothing to show for themselves. You might want to talk about their culturally advanced societies but the simple fact is, over the last 2000 years these people contributed practically nothing to our knowledge of the world.
No, people have been killing themselves using their products.
You know well, everyone who smokes (or is about to start) knows damn well about dangers of this habit. There are legitimate cases of corporate abuse but 90% of stuff you mentioned is a pure bullshit.
If anything will bring US down, it will be this new admiration for lack of personal responsibility.
Compared to that, dangers of globalism and environmental problem are nothing.
What kind of argument is that ?
Even if it did not cost them a lot , still it was their idea ( unless yoo can prove otherwise)
And you know better of course, because you were listening to some other rich fuck ..
I myself wrote couple of GPLed programs which was not much more than hobby-style activity.
I do work as a programmer and earn my living writing commercial apps.
See the difference ?
"There is (or at least can be) an infinite, unlimited supply. "
This is simply not true.
Rules of economics apply here as well, simply because if you stop paying for the product most people will stop supplying (I am talking about original designers) and move to another markets.
Trust me, this was always the case and, despite your wishful thinking, you won't be able to change that. So far, no one was able to bend laws of economic and, believe me, many have tried.
"All in the name of protecting the industry's profits and obsolete business models. "
Sorry, but I have to ask. What is so obsolete in trying to sell products in exchange for money?
I mean, do you know of any better way to handle these things ?
"Exposing private customers and small businesses to the price volatility of the energy market to save a few bucks, as deregulation does, is a prime example of current economic stupidity. "
No I do not have problems with reading comprehension but your statement clearly states that exposing people and small businesses to forces of free market is an economic stupidity.
"With the rare exception, this forum tilts so far to the right that Mussolini looks like a communist. "
..
Hell, by your standards Marx and Lenin were quite conservative folks
I am sorry but there are as many ( if not more) experienced and wise scientis saying the very opposite thing.
"no right to deny them business except business with my economy. "
...
No, your country is trying to pas international law to force all members of these international organizations to deny them business.
"It's no more hearsay than global warming (despite what Bush and Texaco say)."
Oh so you have chosen to believe Al Gore?
Big deal
We all have our own little fetishes.
Do you live in Charleston ,SC ?
"How can we guarantee that the benefits of rising productivity are distributed fairly?"
I believe this summarizes your points nicely so I will respond to that.
I think we can't guarantee anything. Frankly, if we intervene too much into this process we are risking scaring off people who make it happen in the first place. People are not equal in their abilities and law regulating such will end up hurting everybody.
It seems ironic but of all economical system, capitalism seems to provide the best living conditions for the greatest number of people.
Please feel free to prove otherwise.
"Some of us don't want to work for Darth Vader. "
Nope, nothing will change except that you will simply work for a different "Darth Vader."
"but those with brains still able to question and seek answers can look elsewhere"
Sorry but your suggestion that opposing side lacks brain cells to decide for themselves is not helping your credibility.
"How dare they worship Life and Harmony instead of Riches and Phat Gear for the already ultra-wealthy! "
How dare you to deny me opportunity to worship Riches and Phat Gear instead of Life in Harmony?
"we're supposed to be writing the rules, for the greatest benefit to all. "
Sure we do. Or do you consider "we" only to include people who agree with your point of view?
"It didn't work out, but no great loss to them anyway, since they managed to get the profits they did make out of the state before going bankrupt. "
What a strange statement is that? How does it matter how much profit we had 10 years ago if today my company went bankrupt?
"The kinds of economists who advocate this sort of thing are either incompetent, or they are simply being paid off."
Are you suggesting that free market economy is an economic stupidity?
"Those tiny countries makes business solely because they don't tax any money and don't ask where it comes from and tell anyone about it. "
And what gives you right to deny them this business? You are free to change your economies to compete effectively and render these tax heavens irrelevant but you have no right to demand their demise just because you don't like them.
"If you dislike paying more taxes because of another country, try thinking how pleased you'd be to be poisoned by another country because this country thinks it's "almost safe enough to eat"."
You are not going to get poisoned. Please, be more serious here and rely on scientific data as opposed to hearsay.
This is the problem. Every time somebody tries to implement Socialism it ends up as some sort of tyrannical monstrosity.
I do believe Socialism is a very much utopian ideology impossible to implement in the real life.
Here and here
Check references to see where this data is coming from.
"some of the poorest and least influential people in your country for some of it's biggest problems. That makes no sense."
Well, I am tired of getting blamed for all the evils of society. ... yet every report I have seen seems to blame me for causing the pain and suffering of these "poor people."
You know what? I do get up in the morning, go to work, don't abuse anyone etc
Seems simplistic? Hell, maybe it is but, frankly, it is the truth.
It has nothing to do with "trying to survive". At least not in US. Most of these people have very decent ( by UN standards) levels of living.
BTW. How do you explain this explosion of crime among US minorities who had never experienced such powerty like people did during great depression when crime levels weren't even close to what we have to today.
Where did I misquote him ?
"Yes. So? What does this change? "
It changes a lot. Why should my country be punished because people in France and most of other countries in Europe enjoy paying large tax? This is exactly what they are proposing. Economical sanctions directed at nations with low tax.
Frankly, why should elected officials in Europe be even concerned about tax rates beyond their own borders?
"How about democracy? We don't need GM to tell us what to do."
Again, corporations have no power per se.
It is overgrown government that provides them with such. When you realize that, it changes your whole outlook at the issue.
Less power in government = less power to be bought.
Wait till your lovely England gets overloaded with "legal and other immigrants."
In fact, let me tell you something. Crime statistics (imprisonment, victimization) for White Americans are very much the same as for White Europeans.
It is these "other" folks who make up all the difference between Europe and US.
Sounds racist? Perhaps, but unless you want to dispute official US crime stats, it is very much true.
Corporations as such have no power. It is overgrown goverment that provides them with such.
A big difference.