The Protestant work ethic is pre-industrial revolution. It was never about wage slaves, but about working your farm, where the habit of work beyond the minimum, work that improves your farm in some lasting way, was a very good habit indeed.
No, that's a primitive form of the American Dream. The Protestant Work Ethic is not about work bringing improved circumstances for the self, but work bringing good grace from God and for the community.
The idea of "economic mobility for all" is also American Dream. The truth is that by far the biggest determinant of being rich is that you were born of rich parents. Even those that do manage rags to riches without a hand up don't do it from working hard, but from some particular talent or from exploiting others. Simply working hard brings a modest income, nothing more.
You're misinformed. Greece's radical socialist Syriza party was elected in 2015 as a reaction to the failure of the Greek economy. They didn't cause it.
Greece's economic crisis was contagion from the international banking crisis of 2008. A very capitalist crisis if ever there was one.
But there's no hope for you if you think that Atlas Shrugged was anything more than worthless pap from an author who lived her life ON BENEFITS.
Detroit isn't in the condition it's in because people are too lazy to work. It's because the industries have failed.
If there are jobs that are worthwhile and pay reasonably, people will do them, whether they are in Detroit or whether they are in receipt of UBI.
Where's the faith in the market? If the jobs are there, and not many people want to take them, then supply and demand will raise the price (the salary) until people do take them.
Ah, the political ignorance of the American public. Criticise their system, and they point out that they're better than North Korea. As if that was an achievement.
Try comparing with Scandinavia for example They live better lives than you do.
It hasn't created anything. "Capitalism" is the conversion of millions of years of solar energy trapped in fossil fuels, and other un-sustainable resources. And the inequitable distribution of it. It's a party that will be over at some stage, not some magical system.
The reason for the party is the invention of the technology to mine and process these materials on mass rather than by manual labour. It's not capitalism.
But that "something else" is nearly always another job with similar terms. Like the laughable 2 weeks annual leave you get in America. And the insecurity of "at-will" employment.
He's got a clue, he's just got his time frame wrong. Back before the second world war, he was correct. Most soldiers deliberately shot over the enemy's heads. Only about 5% shot to kill. Modern soldier training methods have been specifically tailored to overcome that resistance. To turn people into unquestioning killing machines. One of the reasons for the Vietnam atrocities.
Not only did Brevik have reasons, he wrote a very long manifesto to spell out why he did it, which he released at the time of the crimes. Clearly they are not reasons that you or I would agree with, but your argument is just based on falsehood. `
Of course Brevik's reasons are probably those of an insane man. But executing people for the result of insanity is even less humane than executing them as retribution.
And the phrase "putting animals to sleep" is another falsehood that doesn't belong in a debate on executions. The animals aren't put to sleep, they are killed. Using euphemisms suggests wooly thinking.
Most EV drivers spend LESS time refuelling than ICE car drivers. This is because they plug it in when they arrive home, and the next day it always has a full charge. And a full charge is more than most people use in a day. So whereas the ICE driver has to call in to a gas station the EV usually has no equivalent.
They do work properly in cold climates. Teslas are extremely popular in Norway.
EVs already have lower TCO than the same class of ICE vehicles. This is because both fuel and servicing costs are lower (fewer moving parts, fewer consumable parts).
Areas with no chargers are becoming fewer each year. It's not a significant concern.
But all of your concerns are one way. You miss the advantages of EVs. People like sporty cars - EVs will slaughter an ICE car of the same class - instant response, torque from a standing start, and no gear changes - this is why sports car manufacturers are moving to hybrids. EVs are basically one pedal operated - put your foot down to speed up, pull your foot up to slow down (thanks to regenerative breaking). The brake pedal is more or less for emergencies.
And that's not even considering the feel good nature of driving a cleaner car.
You missunderstand. When I talk about Europe getting 4-5 weeks annual leave, then that's just the days that you choose. There are lots of other days on top of that - Days around Christmas, New Year, and various other "bank holidays".
And yes of course you can usually roll some forward. But you can't count that as extra days as you just have.
The 4-5 weeks in Europe is the equivalent of the basic 2 weeks Americans get.
Sick leave is usually unlimited, longer ones with a doctors note, shorter ones at your own discretion. Though of course if you abuse it you will be sacked.
EVs already are. People who try them want them, and people who have them wouldn't go back.
And that's at the CURRENT density of chargers, which are still miles between. This situation can only improve, except for the possibility of there being too many EVs for the number of chargers. And that's when capitalism scales up to fill the unfullfilled need. It always does, and it already is, given the chargers that capitalism already put there.
I'm afraid you are looking for arguments to match your emotional feel about EVs.
Oh I'm certainly not an unquestioning supporter of capitalism. But where there isn't capitalism, then the state can build a charger network. One way or the other chargers will arrive to supply the needs of EVs. Every mass market shows us this, including cable TV.
True. But the thread had veered int the US market - Oklahoma and gas-stations.
As to Netherlands, it's small enough to be able to drive from one end to the other on a single Tesla charge.
But the bigger picture is this: All cars take up space all of the time. Whether it's at home, parked on the street, or parked in a car park. All of these parking places can have chargers. So chargers don't actually add to the amount of land needed. It's simply the case that as there are more EVs on the road, more places will install chargers on some or all of their parking spaces. From a simple outdoor socket at mains power for a trickle charge to a full on Tesla supercharger, and everything in between.
Duh! There is nothing in economics that says that chargers won't be profitable. And what's really funny is that after your insult you fail to make any economic argument yourself and veer off into engineering.
Yours is a typical emotional opinion searching hard for a rational reason to back it up.
Heh! By HVAC I mean Heating ventilation and air conditioning. (Ventilation not so much the issue in a car.) I wasn't talking about High Voltage Alternating Current.
Slashdot Mirror
The Protestant work ethic is pre-industrial revolution. It was never about wage slaves, but about working your farm, where the habit of work beyond the minimum, work that improves your farm in some lasting way, was a very good habit indeed.
No, that's a primitive form of the American Dream. The Protestant Work Ethic is not about work bringing improved circumstances for the self, but work bringing good grace from God and for the community.
The idea of "economic mobility for all" is also American Dream. The truth is that by far the biggest determinant of being rich is that you were born of rich parents. Even those that do manage rags to riches without a hand up don't do it from working hard, but from some particular talent or from exploiting others. Simply working hard brings a modest income, nothing more.
You're misinformed. Greece's radical socialist Syriza party was elected in 2015 as a reaction to the failure of the Greek economy. They didn't cause it.
Greece's economic crisis was contagion from the international banking crisis of 2008. A very capitalist crisis if ever there was one.
But there's no hope for you if you think that Atlas Shrugged was anything more than worthless pap from an author who lived her life ON BENEFITS.
How doesn't someone on slashdot forget the fact that jobs are increasingly being taken over by robots.
Most people could afford to work less now. But in America their employers won't let them have more than 2 weeks annual leave.
And Americans think that's freedom!
Detroit isn't in the condition it's in because people are too lazy to work. It's because the industries have failed.
If there are jobs that are worthwhile and pay reasonably, people will do them, whether they are in Detroit or whether they are in receipt of UBI.
Where's the faith in the market? If the jobs are there, and not many people want to take them, then supply and demand will raise the price (the salary) until people do take them.
Why quote a Slashdot post from another thread as if it's some worthwhile source? It's just a not very insightful opinion.
Ah, the political ignorance of the American public. Criticise their system, and they point out that they're better than North Korea. As if that was an achievement.
Try comparing with Scandinavia for example They live better lives than you do.
It hasn't created anything. "Capitalism" is the conversion of millions of years of solar energy trapped in fossil fuels, and other un-sustainable resources. And the inequitable distribution of it. It's a party that will be over at some stage, not some magical system.
The reason for the party is the invention of the technology to mine and process these materials on mass rather than by manual labour. It's not capitalism.
But that "something else" is nearly always another job with similar terms. Like the laughable 2 weeks annual leave you get in America. And the insecurity of "at-will" employment.
The economist is mostly not written by economists. It's a neo-liebral propaganda sheet.
Being a wage slave does not "better" you. That's the very silly Protestant work ethic.
The idea of punishing people into working is even more stupid. Did you never read any Dickens?
And you want to do it on principle? Good grief.
The reality is that a basic income simply supplies security, without creating a poverty trap.
It seems to be you who's keen to rationalise buying something else. Insecure that you bought something not as good, but 17% cheaper.
Right. Because executing people worked out so well for the USA, didn't it.
There's no pattern of fewer homicides in countries and states with the death penalty. If anything it's the other way.
And that sentiment means that you are more like Brevik than the average person is.
He's got a clue, he's just got his time frame wrong. Back before the second world war, he was correct. Most soldiers deliberately shot over the enemy's heads. Only about 5% shot to kill. Modern soldier training methods have been specifically tailored to overcome that resistance. To turn people into unquestioning killing machines. One of the reasons for the Vietnam atrocities.
Not only did Brevik have reasons, he wrote a very long manifesto to spell out why he did it, which he released at the time of the crimes. Clearly they are not reasons that you or I would agree with, but your argument is just based on falsehood. `
Of course Brevik's reasons are probably those of an insane man. But executing people for the result of insanity is even less humane than executing them as retribution.
And the phrase "putting animals to sleep" is another falsehood that doesn't belong in a debate on executions. The animals aren't put to sleep, they are killed. Using euphemisms suggests wooly thinking.
Japanese?
Most EV drivers spend LESS time refuelling than ICE car drivers. This is because they plug it in when they arrive home, and the next day it always has a full charge. And a full charge is more than most people use in a day. So whereas the ICE driver has to call in to a gas station the EV usually has no equivalent.
They do work properly in cold climates. Teslas are extremely popular in Norway.
EVs already have lower TCO than the same class of ICE vehicles. This is because both fuel and servicing costs are lower (fewer moving parts, fewer consumable parts).
Areas with no chargers are becoming fewer each year. It's not a significant concern.
But all of your concerns are one way. You miss the advantages of EVs. People like sporty cars - EVs will slaughter an ICE car of the same class - instant response, torque from a standing start, and no gear changes - this is why sports car manufacturers are moving to hybrids. EVs are basically one pedal operated - put your foot down to speed up, pull your foot up to slow down (thanks to regenerative breaking). The brake pedal is more or less for emergencies.
And that's not even considering the feel good nature of driving a cleaner car.
Perhaps better to start with Donald.
You missunderstand. When I talk about Europe getting 4-5 weeks annual leave, then that's just the days that you choose. There are lots of other days on top of that - Days around Christmas, New Year, and various other "bank holidays".
And yes of course you can usually roll some forward. But you can't count that as extra days as you just have.
The 4-5 weeks in Europe is the equivalent of the basic 2 weeks Americans get.
Sick leave is usually unlimited, longer ones with a doctors note, shorter ones at your own discretion. Though of course if you abuse it you will be sacked.
EVs already are. People who try them want them, and people who have them wouldn't go back.
And that's at the CURRENT density of chargers, which are still miles between. This situation can only improve, except for the possibility of there being too many EVs for the number of chargers. And that's when capitalism scales up to fill the unfullfilled need. It always does, and it already is, given the chargers that capitalism already put there.
I'm afraid you are looking for arguments to match your emotional feel about EVs.
Oh I'm certainly not an unquestioning supporter of capitalism. But where there isn't capitalism, then the state can build a charger network. One way or the other chargers will arrive to supply the needs of EVs. Every mass market shows us this, including cable TV.
True. But the thread had veered int the US market - Oklahoma and gas-stations.
As to Netherlands, it's small enough to be able to drive from one end to the other on a single Tesla charge.
But the bigger picture is this: All cars take up space all of the time. Whether it's at home, parked on the street, or parked in a car park. All of these parking places can have chargers. So chargers don't actually add to the amount of land needed. It's simply the case that as there are more EVs on the road, more places will install chargers on some or all of their parking spaces. From a simple outdoor socket at mains power for a trickle charge to a full on Tesla supercharger, and everything in between.
Duh! There is nothing in economics that says that chargers won't be profitable. And what's really funny is that after your insult you fail to make any economic argument yourself and veer off into engineering.
Yours is a typical emotional opinion searching hard for a rational reason to back it up.
Heh! By HVAC I mean Heating ventilation and air conditioning. (Ventilation not so much the issue in a car.) I wasn't talking about High Voltage Alternating Current.