A wise man

Apr 25, 2014 8:16 AM

I'm not against a (for the most part) free market. But soooo much evil is done in the name of freedom.

11 years ago | Likes 108 Dislikes 3

Am I the only one that started singing "When I was a young warthog!"

12 years ago | Likes 62 Dislikes 10

when he was a young warthoooooog!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Much better than what came into my head. The opening of MCR's "Welcome to the Black Parade"

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"The resources were unchanged" during the stone age, and the black plague too. The point of markets is to convert resources to useful forms.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Wasn't the Flag Pledge written and incorporated in the 50's?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

http://youtu.be/wsDNZ1T_X0I?t=5m55s

12 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 2

Thank you <3

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

A wise man has a solution, not a problem.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

The point isn't WW2 it's that resources are an arms reach away and we need to manage them properly

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Yeah fuck capitalism! (Typed from my macbook pro)

12 years ago | Likes 115 Dislikes 15

In an RBE you would still have your macbook pro, more than likely one without the built in obsolescence and (1)

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 28

just to get you to buy another. Also the pollution this causes has to stop before it's too late

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 20

What's an RBE?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Um... no. Economics are pretty inherent to human nature. The government fucking with economies causes bad things, not the economies.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Really? Because I'm pretty sure that if the U.S. Government had properly regulated it's banks then the recession would not have happened

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 8

Which recession? If it's the most recent one you speak of, the government forcing banks into making terrible loans is what caused it.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Yea, there's a lot of horseshit people out there think. Blame the banks which were forced to make obviously toxic loans by the CRA!

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Throughout this I was thinking "okay, this guy doesn't grasp society". I soften by the end, but honestly, he just doesn't want to play along

12 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 19

Playing along is how you end up with North Korea and Nazi Germany in the first place...

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

No it's not. Playing along in society is how you remain successful while you fight to change things.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

why play along with a damaging system knowing full well we can do so much better?

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 7

Because unless you are changing the system then you are just whining. You can try to change it while playing along and being prosperous.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

I was expecting the end to say, "I regret not trying to help my Earth by being an activist to enlighten others of their devious ways."

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

He was and is though, to this day he never stopped learning and teaching

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

That would have been a pretty good ending.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Fresh Fresco still alive and fighting for what he believes in! He is 98 by now and will hopefully live many more years.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

Primary economic resources may have been unchanged, but consumer demand drives the basis for secondary and tertiary economies.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Lost me at the bit about how we could've fed people with the resources used in WW2. Hitler was killing people and planning on more. Fuck you

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I still don't pledge allegiance to any flag. Fuck that.

12 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 4

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't agree with saying "Fuck it". I don't feel love for one particular country, but for the whole world

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I pledge allegiance to the flag because I know that my grandfathers died to preserve it. We are one Nation, one big family.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 4

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Think Globally act locally. Take care of your own countries problems and other countries might follow suite.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Hopefully in 75 years I'll still be disposed to the well-formed arguments for a free market set forth by F.A. Hayek and Milton Friedman.

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 9

I hope you won't be.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

"Well-formed arguements" that's the most hilarious joke I've ever heard! hahahahahaha

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

So you've read books like "Road to Serfdom" and/or "Free to Choose" and took issue with specific parts of them I take it? Do tell!

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yeah, all of them. It's all complete bullshit.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I guarantee you that CptTightPants here did not read those books. I'm a (in theory) Objectivist and I love both those books you mentioned.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In case people want to know its from Zeitgeist the Movie.

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 4

It's from the third installation of the film series, Zeitgeist: Moving Forward

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Sitting on imgur skimming through cat pictures isnt gonna change shit -_- stfu and conform

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Pre-WWII, Americans saluted the flag with an outstretched arm, not the hand over the heart.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

For anyone wanting the official source: http://youtu.be/4Z9WVZddH9w

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I see many here confusing capitalism with oligarchy. The entire world uses debt as money and is the cause of all. Jekyll Island.

12 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 5

It can be a problem, but debt markets are also an essential and powerful engine of capitalism. Economies simply can't grow w/o them.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

They can actually; industrial revolution was funded by investors of shares in companies, so returns from business performance, not interest

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

That's what I meant by debt markets.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ah, ok but company isn't funded by debt, investors invest in shares and take a stake, so why would that include debt markets?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I think from a business's perspective there's only a minor difference btwn selling stock and taking out a loan.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

True, and now we are at the end of the exponential curve of debt growth like all ponzis do. Growth for growth's sake will collapse.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Too much debt is bad. But you can't have a modern economy w/o debt at all. As for growth, idk how it's supposed to work.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's difficult to envision anything outside of the current paradigm. I do know debt is only beneficial for money changers and usurpers.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

It's good for any business that wants to grow. It's good for me, bc I don't have enough cash on hand to pay my college tuition

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ah, the Zeitgeist movies and Venus Project. I thought the internet collectively got over those a couple years ago? <_<

12 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 8

Nope, stronger and growing ever since! :D

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 6

Still on about the illuminaughty and robot slaves...... good for you.....

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 8

Who can take you seriously when you say "illuminaughty" lmao.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Zeitgeist had a third of their first movie dedicated to truther theories lol THAT I can't take seriously.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Whatever that means.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

RBE is about planetary resources and energy management by means of science and logic, no relation to "Illuminati"

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

It's a bunch of conspiracy nuts. I used to be into that shit, until I took a step back and saw it was all bullshit.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Really weird seeing Nazi Sherman tanks.

12 years ago | Likes 1326 Dislikes 31

Also, the Pledge of Allegiance wasn't really a thing until we joined in WW2.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

German Sherman.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Surprise! Hippies don't know shit about tanks.

12 years ago | Likes 52 Dislikes 10

But it was in ww2!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It made my inner historian twitch.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I did Nazi that coming.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 2

It's not uncommon to see forces capture enemy armor and munitions and use them for their own means.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

The Nazis made extensive use of captured M4.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

that was my thought as well

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And that should tell you everything you need to know about this post.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

u WoT m8?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

cuz I do...

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I feel like that in itself was what he was trying to demonstrate. It doesn't matter whose symbol was on whose tank. It was mindless killing.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Yeah, stopping Nazi Germany was totally just mindless killing.[/sarcasm]

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

i play on 360... i know i know i know, but all my friends play on 360 so what can i do?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Play what now?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

World of Tanks 360 edition

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Also, I love that this went from bottom comment out of something like six on a post with like 4 upvotes to suddenly controversy.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Good to see I'm not the only one.

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

Really? That's what we're taking from this whole post. Ignore the message, point out that someone draw an inaccurately shaped tank. Ffs.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 8

It's not inaccurately shaped, it's the wrong tank altogether.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh, that makes it all better then, yes, screw the message, the tank is wrong!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The tank is actually very accurately shaped, that's why it jumped out at me as a Sherman and not "Random tank".

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Peabody pushed him too far...

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Really? That's what you got from this?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Not the only thing, but as a history buff, it's a goof that jumped out at me.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fair enough.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

What's weird is it's a *really well drawn* Sherman tank, which is what makes the Swastikas puzzling.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Maybe the result of a google image search for "World War II tanks" plus some uh... creative license.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

THANKYOU

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

damn, beat me to it

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Though they did actually exist.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Not weird, you just could nazi them in world war 2

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Maybe the nazis won the war but the propaganda has covered it up for like, 70 years?

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

THis made me fucking laugh out loud! Not a fake internet lol but a real fucking guffaw!

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

But aside from that, source?

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Thankee.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's a premium tank, have you not played World of Tanks? It's realistic and historically accurate. Duh. Also: wrong swastika.

12 years ago | Likes 203 Dislikes 9

WoT!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

MK you do realize the Nazis did capture Shermans occasional and put them to use? And yes I do play WOT and you are entirely wrong

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

As a WoT player, lol. Also as a WoT player, *cringe*.

12 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 2

As a former WoT player and current War Thunder player... [CRINGING INTENSIFIES]

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

also it's not a Premium tank in the German Tank line.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

U WoT m8?

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

So they were Finnish Sherman tanks.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Or the war thunder premium..which is an American Sherman bought by Russia and captured by Germany

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I haven't played it for 3 hours already today... oops

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

LOL this venus project stuff cracks me up. Guess how they'll fix it? Super Robots. (i'm not kidding, thats their plan)

12 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 12

No, not super robots. Technology, in general, which is increasing at an exponential rate.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

SuperRobots sounds great to me ;) But no, there's actual foundation to the basic premise + we need these solutions

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Their foundations are unworkable. How exactly are they going to be able to document all resources considering they change based on use?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I actually think that's the most realistic part of their predictions I've read so far.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

Actually no, society won't get fixed with 'super robots'. Automatization will help. But we must educate ourselves and question our believes.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Well, super robot automation is pretty much what the venus project hinges on. I mean, watch their videos and just ask yourself 'how?'

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Well i had. The answer is education. The next question is how do we educate people.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I know! HAHAHA These people are not even living in the same world as the rest of us.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 5

They're living in a better world! ;n;

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 4

Why would anyone want to? Your world is shallow.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 5

wot

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

http://imgur.co">SQVnY4m">http://imgur.com/SQVnY4m http://imgur.com/p2WeYIs

12 years ago | Likes 780 Dislikes 28

Well, isn't he grumpy?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

"I am strongly in favour of using poisonous gas against uncivilised tribes." - Churchill

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

love these, thanks.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

That's why (in the US), we're a constitutional Republic. - A true democracy would be awful.

12 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 12

I don't know why this is downvoted. You're right, after all.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

because it's irrelevant- even with the US not being a true democracy, it still suffers from this problem.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Except for the recent study that says we're not anymore. We're basically an oligarchy now.

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

Our government is set up as a Republic. But yes, through Crony-Capitalism we're more or less an Oligarchy. A popular vote won't change that.

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

It's not any better, now we have an entire political society built on nothing but rhetoric and carefully crafted lies that pander for votes.

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 1

And a terrible, terrible voting system. http://youtu.be/7wC42HgLA4k

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

indeed, with today's technology, everyone could vote on issue. That'd be awful. Even my Senator said it'd be terrible.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

except that constitutional republic and democracy are not mutually exclusive forms of government, they refer to different aspects of a whole

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

it would be like saying that a human being is a male not a homo sapiens. One is gender, one is species neither are exclusive of the other.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

it's more like saying a beagle is not a dog- democracy is a system in which members vote, and republic is a kind of democracy

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Winston Churchill was a racist, fascist scumbag.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 10

Yes? Did you have a point? Ad hominem attacks are the worst form of laziness and an acknowledgement that you have no argument.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Not everyone's vote should carry the same weight.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 11

yeah, but if we changed to a weighted voting system, who do you think would get the most pull? definitely not the people that should.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You HAVE a weighted voting system, if I am informed correctly. Like certain citizens (criminals, for instance) have no vote.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fairly certain it's only felons that aren't allowed. And, I would assume those criminals currently in prison. Don't quote me on it.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

since we use the electoral college. basically we get a certain number of designated voters per state based on population. so long as 2/3

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

vote close to what the individual ballots turn out to be all's peachy. sometimes they do vote differently than ind. voters when it's close

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

you're kind of right. prisoners have no vote, but everyone else' is weighted the same. in all actuality, individual votes don't matter 1/2

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This guy is actually talking about Corporatism which means democracy doesn't exist.

12 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 4

Oligarchy.

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

I've always wondered if it was better or worse that it is not heritable. One hand, less shitty kids, just who is rich, other hand, the top

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

is good at finding ways to stay at the top (normally by keeping others down) because their power is by ability and not right.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

do you have more of these?

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 2

[deleted]

[deleted]

12 years ago (deleted May 4, 2014 2:46 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

This particular point has nothing to do with a two-party system. He's talking about tyrrany of the majority.

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 3

I'm Canadian... our "more sane" system allowed the Conservatives to get a "majority" with 39% of the popular vote...

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Do you think Alternative Voting would work in Canada? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y3jE3B8HsE

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(1) That's why we need a system where you can rank parties in order of preference, so when a party is knocked out of the race, its votes

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

(2) can be redistributed to other parties that align more closely with the voter's preference.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

but... but... but... how will I buy my way into office?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Absolutely. Preferential Ballot. I SO want that system in place.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm honestly more partial to the form of government in Starship troopers (the book not the movies). but with some modificaitons

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If your solution to a worldwide economic system can be summed up in an imgur post, it's not a real solution.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

You can move to Italy, but you'll never be Italian. You can move to Japan, but you'll never be Japanese. You can move to America, from 1/2

12 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 14

You can visit Trinidad for a week and be a Trini.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Just a few miles from me there's whole neighborhoods full of Hispanics that have no desire to become Americans

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 3

I said you could be, you're right though, some have no desire to assimilate, they just want the benefits of living here.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 3

anywhere in the world, and you can forever, henceforth be, an American.

12 years ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 11

And never be free of our taxes. Even if you were born here, moved out of the country a few years later, and never returned.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

...Sure, If that makes you feel better....

12 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 17

It's more realistic that you'll probably henceforth be known as an immigrant.

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 4

It's true that the United States incorporates other countries ideals to it's own but honestly where the fuck hasn't?

12 years ago | Likes 446 Dislikes 45

Humans have been influenced by each other ever since the first dude walked out of a cave.

12 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 2

Hell almost all of Europe's political system was dominated by the decendents of Germanic tribes until the 20th century

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think that's kind of the idea.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

That doesn't negate the argument, rather enforces it.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Which makes it ok since everywhere else does it.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What are you trying to say? That the U.S. should have something completely different or that borrowing ideas isn't okay?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm trying to say that "because everywhere else does it" is a cop out. its just an excuse to do what you really want. I'm not saying I (1/2)

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

would do it different or not borrow ideas.At one time humans wiped their asses with their hands. Glad we decided to do something different.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't think the issue is that the US embraces it's nationalism too much, just that any nationalism is pointless.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I'd like to suggest watching the movie if you haven't. This set of gifs doesn't do it justice. YouTube "Zeitgeist:Moving Forward"

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

I'll check this later, thanks!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I shall, thank you.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thank you. And aspects of its Society are actually entirely unique to the country at the time of its founding.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

I would say you are missing the point. It's not the incorporation in itself, but the idea of grandeur and singularity of the final product

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

What would you suggest we do to change it?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Stop talking about when the values of America originated and rather come to terms with past fallacies and strive to improve, not defend.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Stop living on past "accomplishments" and go towards our future anew? Forgive me for not understanding, I've had (a lot of) whiskey.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yeah, a lot of people talk about "american values", like they were founded on a day. In reality it's important to remember that 1/2

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Saudi Arabia? Lol.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's hard when people talk about the "All American" look as blue eyes and blonde hair etc. Sounds a bit ignorant.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

When I think of Americans I think of working class people. My dad was blonde, blue eyed taxi driver 1950s HS dropout so I'm probably biased.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm talking about this kind of thing. http://d29ci68ykuu27r.cloudfront.net/product/Look-Inside/covers/18068311.jpg

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh, I'm not even like that and I'm a California blonde. Media is different than everyday life but I think I get what you mean. Maybe?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

remember the outcry to the multicultural coke commercial?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I don't think I saw the advert. :-S

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443Vy3I0gJs and the news exploded with small minded chumps being all 'wtf - that's not american'

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Wow, really? On an off-note, Amazing Grace is an English song. I <3 Garrett's version with the African chorale. http://youtu.be/vpq_chvnBDg

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm blond haired and blue eyed and I'm only 2 generations removed from my cherokee ancestors.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I could tell by your username. :P

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The username is also because I dig Paul Revere and the Raiders.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Enlighten me in 140 characters or less? :)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Atlantis

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

North Korea.

12 years ago | Likes 171 Dislikes 3

Umm....they keep stealing Dennis Rodman from us.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

North Korea has, they just claim Kim invented it last thursday.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Sometimes I can't help but feel they became what they hate the most: Imperial Japan. God leader, etc.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Stalin and Mao actually did in their own countries what is happening in NK long before the Kims came to power.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Yeah... I wasn't completely serious there in case you couldn't tell.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

I honestly couldn't. My bad on that, no offense intended.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I agree even if the poster wasn't serious. I'm not sure if the upvotes are to be funny or it the people don't know but eh.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You win this round, roonmian

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

N. Korea has still taken shit from other countries even if the public weren't informed. Communism aint new. Also just look at Kim Jong Ill

12 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 3

yeah, their high-tech gaming station for tourists has super nintendos!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Communism is not just any dictatorship. It's actually called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which it clearly isn't either.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

THE PEPOLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IS AN IDEALISTIC, PERFECT, NOT HUNGRY NATION. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY FINE AND WELL FED. PLEASE MOVE ALONG WE FINE.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah... I wasn't completely serious there in case you couldn't tell.

12 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

Still, an excellent quip about "juche"

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Oh, I'm sorry! I've been drinking so it's hard to determine sarcasm. Haha carry on, Love.

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

I think the objections wasn't to the incorporation of other cultures, but to the idea of American Exceptionalism

12 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 3

Which is kind of bullshit, since the AE term meant that we were literally an exception in reference to how we were founded 1/2

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

And the term was just co-opted by conservatives to mean "fuck yeah America rules."

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

That's his point, that nationalism is arbitrary shit.

12 years ago | Likes 84 Dislikes 8

Depends how you define nationalism patriotism just seems to be a weaker word with the same meaning to me.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Same. Patriotism is just socially acceptable nationalism.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Other countries have much much much much much stronger nationalism than the USA.

12 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 12

As an American who's been abroad, I disagree. Anyway, that's beside the point, I didn't say nationalism was a good thing elsewhere.

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 4

your a tourist , so you aren't in a good place to judge if a nation is extremely nationalistic, you are only there for a short timr

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

I spent three years in Germany, I can tell you they know the dangers of nationalism too well.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

I must ask to where though?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Most of Europe and the caribbean, grew up in Puerto Rico where nationalism is admittedly off the charts.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I think pride in ones individual culture can exist distinct of nationalism. I love Ireland for its distinct culture, but I do not believe

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 3

North ireland or south ireland?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

it is inherently better or destined for something. I can in-vision a future where we can have a global community that celebrates their own

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 2

and each others cultures.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

That's not pride. One can appreciate and celebrate something without having pride in it. Pride is toxic.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

so what's his solution? Easy to point out supposed errors, harder to provide the fix? (though I can guess at his 'fix'....snicker)

12 years ago | Likes 171 Dislikes 49

He's the founder of the Venus project and one of his biggest points is trying to convince people like you who doubt it so immediately

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 6

Actually this is the only reason this movement has won me over where others fail: for actually providing solutions

12 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 5

I believe that humanity is doomed, and nothing we ever do will stop greed and stupidity. So I just worry about my own problems and (1/2)

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

(2/2) hope the world doesn't end while I'm still alive.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

There's even a documentary!! Who woulda thunk it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwJaLFMf7IA

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

MORE SOCIALISM. GO IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NORDIC NATIONS.

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 11

NICE RIGHT WING PROPAGANDA. I LIVE IN A SCANDIAVIAN NATION. I KNOW IT WORKS. ;)

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 7

You clearly didn't watch it. The video hardly states that it doesn't work.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Exactly. I love the bitching and moaning from so many, but no ideas for fixes from any of them.

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 11

You can't solve a problem unless you've first identified it.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Exactly the point. We've had all these people identifying it and no one offering solutions. That's called bitching where I come from.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Clearly you have seen only an excerpt of something. Perhaps you shouldn't assume based on such limited material. Look up Zeitgeist the docum

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 3

He does propose fixes. They are about as naive and ridiculous as this post would suggest, but he does propose them.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

There are no fixes. It's no more of a problem than it is a human condition.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

It's a little hard to give potential solutions in a 140 character format.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I'm going to go ahead and assume you haven't seen Zeitgeist.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 5

The "solution" zeitgeist offered was terrible. They dodged offering a solution and just made a hypothetical situation that was still crap.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Perhaps a labor-based society. Perhaps a society where the currency is backed by the labor of man. The society of the working man.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

"He who does not work shall not eat" - Vladimir Lenin.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Labor based systems assume equal aptitude. Pricing based systems offer a more functional medium of exchange.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

The solution is a full system redesign allowing all people full access to resources and applying maximum new tech

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 7

No, that's the end goal. How would you accomplish that without taking away personal liberties/choice?

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 3

There's no such thing as liberty when living in a society. I'm not fond of Communism, but I won't fool myself thinking that I live freely.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

STAR TREEEEEEEK

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

moving forward from type zero civilization ;)

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I like to tell my students that; we either go Star Trek or Star Wars, Coruscant style.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Frankly I'd rather be a scruffy looking nerf herder than a spiffy looking red shirt.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What kind of downsides are there to that? Decreased desire to create new tech? Doesn't differentiate between the superior and the normal?

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Don't forget personal liberties.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

This guy's solution is a resource based economy.

12 years ago | Likes 46 Dislikes 5

what is that?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

I suggest you google The Venus Project and go on the site, there is a lot of detail to it.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Communism

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 2

A system that will never work, nor be successfully implemented.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Err... to be honest I'm not fully sure! I'm not the best person to answer. Just what I know from conversations about this guy.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Ok, I read the explanation on the site. As I understand it, a resource economy is a command economy (like communism) w/o cash, and instead >

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

> of govt. beaurocrats deciding how to distribute resources, optimal distribution of resources will be achieved through "the intelligent >

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Google Project Venus for his solution. Its actually a great way to impress uneducated anti-vax & anti-OMGs hippies, that sort of crowd...

12 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 12

I WOULD WATCH THE ZEITGEIST: ADDENDUM MOVIE FIRST. NOT THE ORIGINAL. HOWEVER, VENUS PROJECT IS NOT RELATED TO THEM ANYMORE.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

The caps thing is kind of played out. You realize no one takes the opinion of a novelty account seriously right?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

It doesn't seem like it since you are posting opinions and you presumably have some purpose for that other than self gratification.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Heh I think you meant anti-GMO but the thought of a group of anti-OMG hippies made me laugh

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Had never heard of this project. I was reading a bit their homepage, the ideas there remind me of Herbert Marcuse. I approve.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

The idea is great, but how does he intend on implementing it? Seems like a pipe dream.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Seeing this naive hyperbole from an uneducated old dude in gif form convinced me to smash global capitalism. Thanks OP!

12 years ago | Likes 270 Dislikes 130

Wow, you really are an idiot and a noob. Nice troll. I'm deciding you're trolling.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

This man is an idealist, that doesn't mean he's uneducated.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

xkr73 the type of nigga who jacks off looking in the mirror.

12 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 12

This man is probably one of the most educated men I have ever had the pleasure of seeing in lecture

12 years ago | Likes 36 Dislikes 8

Well he's self educated. Entirely! i'd love to see him in lecture

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

With the exception of his calculations on providing for every person's need, where is he wrong/where has he exaggerated?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 7

capitalists stepped up and told us that we were lazy for wanting medical treatment at fair prices, or education to not have to work in [3]

12 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 31

my +1 WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

explain to me what corporations like Walmart do to help their employees. Explain to me child labour, and who fought for it. Tell me how,[2]

12 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 35

Tell me why you're no fun at parties.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

WHAT DOES AN IDIOTN00B KNOW?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

If only people could really see it.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 6

How does this post have upvotes? Because you're more comfortable putting your head in the sand than educating yourself?

12 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 20

Apparently. I don't know why.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 5

Because some educated people aren't sensationalists.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 3

Sensationalist in its delivery, perhaps. But certainly not in its substance. And how the fuck is this in anyways "naive?"

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 6

Uneducated? Dude, he was a futurist, an aircraft engineer, and the director of the Scientific Research Laboratories in Los Angeles.

12 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 7

How can you tell all that from a collection of uncited gifs?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Maybe by doing some research? This isn't just some random old dude you know!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I wouldn't even know that from the stuff posted above without context.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacque_Fresco Help yourself.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

the mud? Tell me why, at the end of it all, Capitalists ride roughshod over people for profit but then convince everyone it's a "good thing"

12 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 27

Capitalism is not a form of government or an economic system. Those would be parliamentary/presidential democracy and social market system.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

Someone REALLY needs to explain that to Americans, then. Because they treat capitalism like it's government, and are paying the price

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

They have a social market system.It just not especially social and they're doing it badly.Capitalism is a facor in that though and has to be

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I would say, as an outside observer that's mostly unbiased, the US system is more driven by profit than anything else

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 5

Very naive and uneducated, thank you for your completely objective analysis of something you've quite obviously studied longer than him.

12 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 35

And I'll bet Nicki Minaj has studied music longer than a lot of people as well.

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 2

Nicki Minaj is pretty talented

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes the old dude is naive, e.g. was there a choice in WWII? 'Oh let Hitler have the world and we'll all eliminate poverty'? lolz

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 4

I believe capitalism is what sends most to war. In fact, greed is at the root of all wars.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

So Hitler was just a Capitalist out to make a buck...

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I believe there were hidden agendas tied with money, as per every politician... ever.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 5

He actually kinda was. It was the only way of recovering Germany's economy. The Jews were a scapegoat, a common enemy

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

We don't even have true free-market capitalism in the US. We haven't for a long time. We have Crony-Capitalism. There's a big difference.

12 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 10

Well said!

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Do you still live in the glided age?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 6

It still brought us all these Internet companies, so why should we be unhappy?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 7

Oh god, why don't you tell me what the true scotsman is then?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 9

Incorrect us of TS. Crony Capitalism is a system by which government crafts laws in such a way to benefit a few companies in a given 1/2

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

industry while creating barriers to entry to inhibit competition. A free market system requires the removal of such interests.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

if corporatism isn't the same as true capitalism, then it's the outcome of it.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Using that line of thinking I could say Stalinist communism is the ultimate outcome of true communism. Which is likewise false. 1

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Corporatism is the result of policy makers taking a vested interest in the success or failure of individual market players.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If capitalism is a good thing, explain to me the slaves. Explain to me the US Military-Industrial complex. Explain to me worker's rights[1]

12 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 40

Capitalism is fine, but just like everything else, it can't go overboard. Right now I feel like the US needs to pull back and (1/2)

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

rebalance. It doesn't have to change its entire system. (2/2)

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

You are welcome to go off an enjoy the success of every communist country out there. I hear North Korea has an amazing everthing.

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 4

I currently enjoy living in a country with heavily-regulated capitalism. It's called England, and we have actual rights under law

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 12

You shouldn't measure a countries worth based off how much free shit you get.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I don't. I measure it based on how much the corporations can fuck me over.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

You do realize your country is working its ass off to roll back its government programs so long as the votes allow it.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Yup. You do realise that the people are fighting tooth and nail against it, and winning?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

Ah yes, merry ole England. Where capitalism has never run amok or allowed the rape of other cultures.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

We learned from our mistakes and improved upon them; our example stands to the world. And as I stated, the monuments to that horrific(1/2)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

know exactly what it is to work 12hr days for a pittance, or live in tiny homes with no rights and no money. Which is why, when I get (3/4)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

time still stand tall, bloodstained and rotting. Our country is ruined by industrialism, and yet we managed to advance beyond that. we(2/3)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

the chance, I explain the evils of capitalism to those who would listen. It *NEEDS* regulation and control. History has proven this.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

I also would like to see how exactly he 'calculated' that resources spent on WW2 could have provided for every human

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 6

It isn't really hard. GDP versus military spending times inflation minus cost of living minus world population

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Well there'd be a lot less Jews and Gypsies had we not "wasted" them on the war...

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Lot less of them to feed.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

do you understand wartime economics?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 9

Also: please explain.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He asked to see the calculation so he can evaluate the model he used. Build people up. You don't need to discredit anons on the net.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Every system has flaws, every system has corruption. Ours seems to work well for us, maybe not for others, but as a whole we are pretty good

12 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 18

Yeah, for those of us in Australia (at the moment), and those in Europe.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

"it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms" - Winston Churchill

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Most of us commenting here are pretty good but there exist a large number who aren't and I would argue that it doesn't have to be that [1]

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

way. I also fear for the future. I mean, we live in a society where the scientific community overwhelmingly believes that climate [2]

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

change exists and is at least partially influenced by man and many are unwilling to do anything about it or even acknowledge it because [3]

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

profits high today. [5]

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

doing so may decrease profit. There are those with power who would quite literally ensure our extinction in the near future to keep [4]

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

as a whole our planets resources are being depleted and wars rage on all over the world. we can do so much better

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

yes, much yes.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Well, I mean, except for the rising poverty and exploding cost of education...

12 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 1

I absolutely agree with the exploding cost of education but raise you the question of what you are doing to help lower it.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 8

And what is our benevolent system that 'works well' doing to solve it? Surely the powers that be are in prime position to affect change?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Just because a system works well doesn't make it perfect.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I would argue that just because not everyone is in a position of sufficient power to make the changes they want doesn't mean they can't (1/2

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Point out the flaws they see in the system they want to change

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

As a private citizen there's really not a lot I can do. Even elections are bought by the highest bidder 90% of the time.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Our middle class is disappearing. We're creating poor for no other reason than greed. That should be devastating.

12 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 4

Source your data.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

We are conditioned to believe America is the best. There is no helping people that wont help themselves.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

umm open your eyes?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Now, I can give you all of this data and all of this information, but I can't convince people not to close their eyes an tune it out.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Educational reform would go a long way to fixing these issues as would better/smarter welfare, child and mental health services. IMO

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Your comment physically hurts me. Do you actually believe the system in which we live now is "pretty good"?

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 7

Can it be better? Of course it can. Is it the worst thing ever? No. It's not.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 3

I have a roof over my head, can afford food and clean water, we obviously all have internet access, yeah. Pretty good.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 5

A lot of Americans don't have those things but it works for "us"? Like animal farm worked for us pigs?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

YOU have a roof, food, clear water and the internet, but about 3/4 of the world doesn't. Try caring for someone else for a change

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 6

I was saying our system was pretty good and it is. I was mentioning nothing about other systems.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 5

I gave you plenty of data for disproving that our system is pretty good.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

And as strange as it may seem, without the materialist society this post decries, you never would have heard about it.

12 years ago | Likes 524 Dislikes 64

Small world, eh?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

We would have never needed to hear about it in the first place.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

You don't know that.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

One step back and ten steps forward.

12 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 4

I believe most great innovations have come from those who were doing it for the love of their work, not for money and the creation of things

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

But the spread and distribution of those innovations... the grunt work is done by those who need cash.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

creators, artists, care-takers, engineers etc would and can all still exist without the money system.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 4

because there's NO other way to run a society, amirite? tried 'em all in the 50's. stop thinking about it. no new ones to try ever.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

The best way to get consumer goods is to have a consumer society, and Imgur is a consumer good.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

that's great news! that means we don't have to do any research at all in finding a better one!

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

Innovation and mass-consumption do not an equalized equation make.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

This doesn't really change the reality that our way of life is unsustainable and our answer to it is "keep advancing, keep innovating," ...

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 5

Also the fact we refused to move to space to better our resource gathering.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

... as if all we have to do is keep on trucking til we invent something magic to solve our problems. It's Christian eschatology repackaged.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 4

That doesn't seem strange at all. Just shows that a contradictory society can produce the prerequisites of its own downfall.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 3

correlation =/= causation

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 4

I'm not following. What's that in reply to?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

@kemushi suggests that the materialistic society and our current position correlate, but that one did not lead to the other.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Or: The technology and knowledge needed as a dependency to this post could have been acquired using other forms of government as well.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yup. The dosage makes both the medicine and the poison.

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

(2) We still respect national lines drawn on paper centuries ago. Our social structures haven't changed. Nothing has fundamentally changed.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Ingenuity and materialism are not the same thing.

12 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 6

Commodity computers, not ingenuity

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I'm not talking about the invention, I'm talking about the distribution.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ingenuity doesn't make markets. Besides if innovation is hard fucking work (and it is) what's the incentive without materialists to sell to?

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

Consumerism =/= materialism.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

You said that, and I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but that doesn't help me understand the difference. What's the distinction?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Consumerism and materialism still aren't the same. Consumerism is what makes markets - you can be a consumer and not a materialist.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

What's your idea of the distinction then, and what makes consumerism preferable?

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

We have too much faith in technology and not enough commitment to it. For all our advances our way of life never really changes. (1)

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

And the message would be unnecessary.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

but would there be something to hear about?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Oh yeah, materialism is great. For things. I don't know about most people, though.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I believe his argument to your statement is that capitalism was a necessary step to get here but now archaic.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

OR without the materialist society this post decries, we'd be reading it on Europa. Let's all speculate!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Materialism was not the fuel for innovation. The reason most of the tech was researched was not for consumers, it's been adopted/adapted.1/2

12 years ago | Likes 73 Dislikes 16

But it's the reason you're reading it now. "Consumerism" is also a means of distribution of goods that people want, like, say, Imgur?

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 3

from highly specialized technology that became easier to manufacture/understand and then sold to a consumer.

12 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 12

However it can't be ignored that the injection of funds from capitalist investors are a large factor in lowering product manufacturing costs

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

Yes, but they did not fuel this technology, scientific endeavour is what looks to improve. Capitalism only looks to sell it, not advance it.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Science take advantage of that by using the money made to progress. They way money is supposed be spent.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Yeah man. The problem comes in when ONLY things that profit are funded... some great things yield no profit, and thus go neglected.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What we need is an effective system of assigning resources/capital towards products of value to society...

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

...and at present I have yet to see a more effective system than an open marketplace with competing investors etc.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Question, why was the highly specialized technology developed? Why was it sold to a mas audience? The answers there: materialism.

12 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 7

Specialized technology is usually developed in pure research labs. However the ones that make it to market/mass audience are the ones >>>

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 2

>>> that show potential for high profits, thereby gaining massive capital injections from capitalist investors.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Most highly specialized technology is developed for military and government use long before consumers get it. Otherwise i agree with you.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 4

Most? Some certainly, but it also depends on the time frame (this was more true in the 50s-80s than before or today).

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

This used to be true, it no longer is. The consumer market is worth so much more than a single government contract.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0