Etat

If by simulation you mean a representation or imitation of reality then yes we all live in a simulation.  If you mean like the matrix then no
 

14 hours ago, DragonKnight1998 said:

... the fact that pride (and diversity in general) is a subject that is openly talked about instead of being ignored or silenced, is a good thing.

 

Tl;dr LGBTQ+ rights good

nvm... we agree on the important stuff is what really counts

13 minutes ago, DragonKnight1998 said:

 

No, why?

10 hours ago, DragonKnight1998 said:

...  gimme my guns

Really I'm just pot stirring a little here ...... something about babies and bathwater though

8 hours ago, DragonKnight1998 said:

The poll lacks a neutral option, but even if it did have one, it is a subject that cannot be properly analyzed in an internet forum, let alone in a one dimensional poll.

 

On one hand, the fact that pride (and diversity in general) is a subject that is openly talked about instead of being ignored or silenced, is a good thing. I also believe that the movement should become louder, especially when there are people who use every opportunity to bash on the pride and shout their bigoted opinions to the world (the more they try to push for their agenda, the more should people go against it).

 

Now however we go to the other hand which is the crux of the problem: they are corporations. Massive power bases who exploit resources and people (as resources) constantly, who absorb and retain every drop of value something has, and who can exploit and delete cultures/ideals/struggles on a whim. Their support of the LGBTQ+ movement is a scam, one that people have not realized it's true proportions. It's reached the point that it's less of a marketing scheme and more of a political exploitation. Vote for the politicians we lobby because they vaguely promise they won't fuck up your rights... maybe. And to top it all off, they exploit the other side of the spectrum as well. Cons rile themselves up, push politicians to follow an agenda that is close to going against the rights of the citizen, and laws that allow corporations to exploit their workers further pass.

 

The only way out of this is if the people gets their shit together, collectivize (pun intended) and fuck up the ones who exploit them, and who create differences between then.

 

Tl;dr LGBTQ+ rights good, corpos bad,  gimme my guns

I assume the NRA and all the massive capitalist organizations that make and market guns are excluded from your list of bad boys??

I put cloves into the Christmas ham before I bake it.  Also a fairly critical ingredient in a spice mix I use when making a curry.  I believe if you put a heap of cloves into an apple then leave it out, any flies buzzing around will choose to leave!

I like this thread enough to dig it back up

-113.53 

1 hour ago, Who Me said:

You really need to learn when doing these polls that not everything is black and white and you need to add more options sometimes. In this case the answer would be both not either or.

How else do you polarize a community and create friction between friends???

JK Jo, thanks for doing these polls

From a philosophical/moral standpoint I think capital punishment absolutely justifiable.  However in terms of its practical application, I think humans are too flawed to mete it out appropriately.  Something about being between a rock and a hard place.....

On 5/26/2022 at 10:18 AM, RagnarBuliwyf said:

I listen to nothing except hardstyle in this current phase of existence….

Sounds like Solfeggio frequencies on amphetamines!  Kind of captivating though

Both, but voted calm to scratch my oppositional itch

On 5/21/2022 at 12:20 PM, Miller said:

If it’s not from a cow it’s not milk. 

Tell that to your mamma!

Beer

Spring is the best here in SE Qld!  Summer can be uncomfortably warm, humid, rainy and occasionally floody, whereas spring is typically dry and temperate though you have to put up with the magpies swooping at you.

Unions are just a breeding ground for budding politicians.  I’ve yet to find one that genuinely does the job what people pay their dues for.  They’re as corrupt as the political wankers they fund.

Steak > seafood

On 5/13/2022 at 6:30 PM, SaintlyBloody said:

…

Indeed the problems we face pale to almost nothing in comparison to much of the world, typically scorned as first world problems, and I’m certainly drawing no comparisons to the plights of those elsewhere in the world.  My position is of course relative to my circumstances.

But on a deeper level it’s important we get things right given how integrated, and in some instances dependent, regional economies are on us.  On the surface of it screwing with our education system might not be particularly noteworthy, but looked at as a part of the broader machinations of society and government it can represent more sinister issues at heart.
 

I’ll stop now.  I love your perspective, and I still detest Australian politics

9 hours ago, Marcus Aurelius said:

At what point does "community" end and "government" begin? Maybe those of us who favor government safety nets just view them as a more formalized community support structure, with economies of scale built in.

This is an interesting question.  I think the differences between community and government can be best looked at from the perspective of voluntarism.  There is also an unique power differential between the citizen and the state wholly in favour of the state.  It is not that I do not wish formal safety nets for those who need them, though the use of the term safety net suggests a relationship with the government that I cannot abide...that of ongoing paternalism.

Whatever happened to "sticks and stones may break my bones..." ?? The problems are not because stupid people speak, but that people take this stuff seriously.  How else are we to know they are stupid if we stop them speaking??  By engaging in any form of stupidity is just giving it oxygen and playing into the hands of those who purvey this crap for their own profit.

I must respectfully disagree with the above comments from an ideological standpoint.  The only fair tax rate is a flat one.  However the complexities of the tax systems I'm familiar with would prevent it being fair.  Therefore a carefully designed progressive system with attention to closing loopholes, all with a view to flattening it out as much as possible is the way to go imo.

As an aside I think it a travesty that anyone needs to seek aid/intervention from a government rather than their family and/or community, though unfortunately many such instances occur.  Regardless, I do not begrudge anyone a single cent of government support should they be in need or otherwise entitled.  Better off in the hands of the public than the government's inept mits. 

15 hours ago, SaintlyBloody said:

...

It is clear to me that you have a better understanding of these issues than I do, and I appreciate the time you've put into your responses  

I suspect you are right about centralized education being the better option in developing societies.  Indeed I believe that within the borders of Australia, regional socio-economic profiles are correlated to academic outcomes which has driven the centralized approach I loathe.  However I think they screwed it up.  If a school attracts government funding then it makes sense their IP should be available to all government funded schools with the view to bring those struggling up to a competitive standard.  Instead the government chose to impose a centrally designed curriculum with minimal scope for innovation across all schools including those producing fantastic results.  They've essentially smothered the system with regulation and testing, and now wonder why it can't breath and fails to perform.

Really though all this is about for me is an opportunity to moan about the government of the day!  We'll all be voting in the federal election very shortly, and one thing is certain....nothing will change

11 hours ago, SaintlyBloody said:

Very interesting stuff indeed!!

Food for thought to be sure!!  Speaking only from my own perspective, it appears to me the national curriculum that was introduced in Australia several years ago has lead to a couple of trivial outcomes including a general decline in academic achievement and a loss of choice for parents of school kids. 

But who cares about that though right??  The positives are that it has lead to an abundance of government employed bureaucrats and administrators, an exceptional amount of reporting requirements from teachers, a booming mental health industry for over-examined stressed out kids, and has opened the door to government (read lobbyist) contrived social "education" initiatives.

What's not to love about Australia's national curriculum???

I wouldn’t rely on the energy required to reduce complex carbs to simple carbs as the mechanism to achieve net 0 (or net negative) energy intake.

I reckon carbs in general, not necessarily just ‘sugar’ (simple carbohydrates), are most culpable with many people unaware gorging  on fruit or starchy products is also bad for you.

Not excited, rather appreciative

Thank goodness for CO2 and a warmer climate that allows the world to be greener today than it was 20yrs ago!  Google can suck it

On 4/24/2022 at 4:27 AM, Eclipse said:

In hindsight, a very stupid comment. I remember thinking there was no way they'd actually invade but I guess I was too much of an optimist.

Not stupid at all, and your desire to have the media shut up about some stuff is shared by many including myself.  I think it is right to be sceptical about the crap you read, see and hear from all sides of the spectrum!