I hate systemic/structural philosophical theories like this nonsense that argue individuals have no power to alter their lives and that it's all the system's fault for the problems. THAT just feels like a complete cop out, taking away all responsibility from the individuals and blaming others.
wotyzoid
I was hoping you'd ing stay out of this. All of this is easy for you to say with a belly full of food, access to clean water, money in a bank account. You don't even begin to understand your privilege and prickishness. Begone.
SYSTEM-J
quote:
Originally posted by wotyzoid
As sound as an assessment that is deep inside I feel like the line of thinking is a cop out knowing what we know. We have to be more active in criticizing failing systemic structures and norms we know exist that hinder the individual and do not propel him/her.
I'm not saying we shouldn't challenge inequality or corporate corruption or other nasty byproducts of capitalism. But blaming capitalism for people being addicted to smart phones and having poor mental health is the real cop out.
As for your other point, capitalism gives people drinking water and money in the bank. It's sustaining more people above poverty than any previous system. The trouble is, those people then want to enjoy consumptive Western lifestyles with the big house, the car, the TV, the travel. They don't turn around and proclaim the evils of capitalism. They try and get as rich as possible. It's an animal tendency to horde resources, to eat more than you need, to reproduce in pointless numbers. We're just animals that have short-circuited the natural systems of equilibrium. Capitalism didn't create consumption. It's the product of human nature, not the driver of it.
wotyzoid
quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
But blaming capitalism for people being addicted to smart phones and having poor mental health is the real cop out.
I don't think that's the argument i am making. It's much more broad and complicated than that.
quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
Capitalism didn't create consumption. It's the product of human nature, not the driver of it.
It is shameful.
edit: I will also say, I don't think there is anything wrong with having a big house and a nice car. The problems is every decent person, obviously with the exception of those removed from society for their actions, should essentially have those things. But that's just my idealism.
SYSTEM-J
quote:
Originally posted by wotyzoid
edit: I will also say, I don't think there is anything wrong with having a big house and a nice car. The problems is every decent person, obviously with the exception of those removed from society for their actions, should essentially have those things. But that's just my idealism.
Well, you shouldn't be co-opting environmentalist images then, because what you are advocating is not environmentally possible with seven billion people on the planet.
wotyzoid
No I only meant that hypothetically, in a hypotethical future with biodegradable
and sustainable homes and and cars of a non fuel combusting type. And I don't wanna talk about land distribution yet because that's neither here nor there. Let's move onto the IT of the thing for now.
quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
As for your other point, capitalism gives people drinking water and money in the bank. It's sustaining more people above poverty than any previous system.
This. This, I think, is a flawed assertion and a dangerous line of thinking. And I'm not blaming you for thinking that way, it is part of how the thing works. It is not capitalism that does those things. It is the worker's work that does this. His blood, sweat and tears is what puts food on the table. Capitalism removes this from the individual and puts it in the hands of an exploitative few. It is an exploitative system.
SYSTEM-J
Interesting that you ascribe the positives to the workers and the negatives to the system.
Also, I think you're conflating "capitalism" with "neo-liberalism".
wotyzoid
Nah, I'm talking about capitalism. Capital. Money.
The negatives are the fruits of a system which, as you said, is also a product of "us" or those who use it.
LoveHate
quote:
Originally posted by wotyzoid
Capitalists: everything, let's make money
wotyzoid
That is good stuff, I like the acid smiley Ferrari part.
kolakao
quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
PiS voter confirmed.
EDIT: Oh, he deleted his mad diatribe. The COR will never get to read about the healing power of Catholicism now.
1.It's not me who delete my post. Administrator of this site did it. Did I wrote something unethical ?
2. PiS voters, are full of people who would help one more time UK and France in 1939 ... but respones like you did, confirm that, we should behave like Austria, Hungary or Czechoslovakia or Bulgaria.
pkcRAISTLIN
quote:
Originally posted by Lews
I hate systemic/structural philosophical theories like this nonsense that argue individuals have no power to alter their lives and that it's all the system's fault for the problems. THAT just feels like a complete cop out, taking away all responsibility from the individuals and blaming others.
i hate theories which rely on a not-insubstantial amount of magic in order to function.
