Topic: Individuality, Socialism and you

I have been meaning to write this for a while, and it is in reply to a BW comment made a few months ago in a thread (now lost) where he questioned two seemingly conflicting statements I had made on individuality and collectivism. In an earlier thread, (possibly months before the thread already mentioned,) I had made a statement about how [pure] Individuality produced nothing good, whilst in the later thread I stated that individuality provided the driving force for man kinds advancements, and thus was responsible for the good things we have now. As can be seen by my addition here, the difference in the statements came about the topic I was talking about. In the first quote I was talking of a more theoretical state of human consciousness, one I call a

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

2 (edited by Justinian I 05-Mar-2008 03:34:42)

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Fool,

Yes we are social beings. Not only that, we need to have a supportive social network to be happy and healthy individuals. Moreover, having positive relationships is essential to good health and optimal productivity. Secondly, humans collaborate with each other to add their resources together and produce an even greater output. Third, future intellectuals build from the past. However, you are totally wrong that this adds any credence to Socialism.

Marx argued that our social environment guaranteed our personal outcomes. This means that genes are irrelevant in the outcome of ourselves as persons, and subsequently the people in power do not merit their position. So there is no rational justification for hierarchy or an unequal distribution of wealth. Those with power or wealth acquired it because of a competitively unfair environment that was presented to them by accident, and there would be equality if and only if there were material abundance. With equality, there would be no need for a state, hierarchy, or unequal distribution of wealth. The community would share its resources collectively. Furthermore, people would not engage in selfish acts in a Marxist or Socialist society because their engineering would be different.

Marx and Socialists are wrong that social environment guarantees our personal outcome. Experience and scientific data contradicts this claim, completely destroying Marx.

On the other hand, Individualism says that a person's personal outcome is a product of our social environment, genes, and force of will. This means that you have some measure of influence on who you become. With talent and hard work, you can become someone in a society that is more meritocratic and equal opportunity. Who you are is not guaranteed by your social environment.

Einstein's theories were not a collective effort. Einstein was exposed to influencing theories, and later he synthesized them with his research. He learned from experience just like everyone else does. Of course we do not miraculously produce a theory. There has to be physical causation behind the theory's development. You're equating Individualism with miracles and that is not a fair comparison.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

As for Marx, I agree that he is wrong, it should be obvious that I disregard the more traditional socialist/communist positions. What I do promote is that society is made via a collective effort and thus each person should be responsible, not only for themselves but for the society as a whole.

The fact that Einstein was exposed to others thoughts means that his genius theories were a collective effort made possible because of his greatness to understand what others could not. An indivudual driving the collective.

What I look at is a merger between two copeting idealogies by looking at how society actually functions and trying to steer away from 'perfect societies,' a faliure of socialism and capitalism in my mind. I take from socialism the networks and support structures to help a society be that, a society. I then look at the freedoms of capitalism and the wealth generated and look to see how the two can be joined.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Not this again.

You were already owned, and chewed up.  There is nothing "Interesting" here.

Its a philosophical stand that you, the FOOL, has.   

Even your case of Relativity by Einstein....its still his theory, his project.  Yea, sure you enlist help, you pay them well, they get noticed for working this breakthrough.....Still, its "Einstein's THEORY of Relativity."  Not the Einstein group, or the group who helped Einstein.  Its Einstein's

Socialism is a failed system.  Period.  You can dress it up, call it collectivism, call it what ever you want.  Its stifles growth because it stifles competition.  You have a few at first elected, then steadily appointed...(ahem,....RUSSIA, Venezuela...)  Then you have a ruling group that dictates to the rest.

You last two paragraphs.....you want the Govt. to administer this all.  After all, know one can do it for themselves...correct (lets not muddy it up with those that are unable to.  I can hardly find any that wish to toss them off the cliff or into the sea now adays).

Govt. running Health care, Education and Social Security.....I think its time we get the Govt. out of the business of Business.  Govt. is a proven failure at running anything other than their mouths at election time.

As to your tax system. Ofcourse unfair.  Lets tax the crap out of those who have....after all, they dont deserve it.

Come .......joust w/the master.
I'm always Right.   You are just intellectually Left.....behind.
Individual patriot, and a REAGAN Conservative.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

/sigh

I hate when i don't copy and paste from word and for soem reason teh internets eat up my post... will respond to BW's idioticy and lack of intelligence when i get home from work...

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Black Wing are you even old enough to know who Reagen was, where you old enough to vote or not vote for him?

***GoD bless the USA***

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

OK, now for an actual post.

BW: Did you read my posts? Did you understand my points? I shouldn't ask the second, it is obvious from your reply that you do not. How exactly is a flat tax unfair, at least from a right wing capitalist perspective. The left wing socialists might be able to complain about the inequities of the system. However I was under the impression that right wing "reaganomic" faithful saw a flat tax as a wet dream. Was I wrong about this?

As for the GST part, there is nothing 'unfair' about taxing luxury items, as it doesn't stop you buying 'normal items.' Do you need a brand new Merc every year? One argument against GST is that it will destroy the economy, by providing a disincentive to spending, thus stop economic  growth. However case studies will show that this isn't the case, or at least isn't signifigant.

Also I am pretty sure I said in the post above yours that I think that socialism/communism as put forward by Marx and Engels is flawed and something I do not subscribe to, and that my aim was to come up with a new concept taking the social networks of socialism and the freedom and liberal (classical) ideals of the free market and combining them. I think it was pretty obvious that I wasn't going with the normal socialism here, given I said as much. Thus the things that stifle socialism/communism would be cut out and replaced with the freedoms of the free market. (I have said this twice in an attempt to get you to understand.)

As to government control of the areas I put forward; I don't see anything in my posts which say that in my model the government would control these things? I did state that these would be a primary use of taxes collected, as I saw them as integral to the function of any society, however if a society saw private management as the best way forward and grants/tax cuts/rebates as the methods to provide this then there is no reason why that society could not do that.

In addition I never said that Einstein was not solely responsible for his theories and his genius; just that he was able to shine as he has because of a collective pool of knowledge and discussion. If it was not for his peers and their arguments then we would never of had the theories of relativity, just as without Einsteins genius we probably would not of had it either.

Lastly, you or anyone else never 'pwned' me, the last discussion left with you trying to force me to point out why i hold seemingly incompatible thoughts, and after a long sabbatical for one reason or another, I have done so. Of course i can see how your teenaged ego needs stroking.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

No, i had just forgotten that tax as well, given this post was more aimed at socialism in a free market, as opposed to socialism in a free market (:p). So in reality I am looking at 3 'personal' taxes. A flat income tax, a graded goods and services tax and a undesirable tax. Obviously the Income and GST taxes will actually be a low-ish % (taking on your suggestions of allowing the society to determine these values.) The undesirable tax will obviously be much higher, to off-set the damage that the good or service does to the population.

The model grows (or is remmebered better)

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

9 (edited by Decimus 05-Mar-2008 06:15:22)

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

> You_Fool wrote:

> OK, now for an actual post.

> BW: Did you read my posts? Did you understand my points?


HAHAHAHAHAHA lol that must be the dumbest question anyone has presented on this forum!

Confirmation is for sissies and altar boys.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

>>I shouldn't ask the second, it is obvious from your reply that you do not.<<

Obviously you can't read either Decimus X(

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

regardless, it still is the dumbest question big_smile it's blackwing, for pete's sake! you don't even need to read his reply to know the answer to your question!

Confirmation is for sissies and altar boys.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Fool...

Its not a flat tax.   You have a graded tax, with luxury penalties attached.  After all, gotta get those rich people and their toys.
Who are you to judge a luxury or a need ?  Why even bother ?
Dont you leftists get it ?  You artificially raise a price, you cut the demand, and stifle the growth.

so....tax the yachts the rich want to buy....sounds great.
What about the ship builder, the person who delivers the vessel, the boat yard owner, the mechanic, the fuel station, the insurance company, the marine supply shop, and all the banking, clerks/office people to keep these other companies business.

How about, the "Rich" person ( I mean, lets be honest, you want that rich persons money) just goes to the Cayman Islands (or anywhere, I used Cayman, great place), and buys his yacht there, and keeps it there.

Bravo, you elitist no it all.  Your class envy, and the power to attack that "Rich" person, just destroyed an entire industry.

****  BTW, this was tried by Clinton and his "Luxury Tax", and it destroyed the Luxury ship building industry.***

this Marx/Engels Communism/Socialism angle.....what ever.  You embrace a socialist system, I dont.


Teenage Ego stroking...ROFL...good one.  One day, when you actually contribute to society, instead of dictate what you believe it should be, as pounded into your head by the failures of society, academia....you will understand.

Its up to you son, you can embrace my wisdom, or go back to the coffee shop, and discuss your new age socialist Ideals w/the rest of society's non-performers/whiners.

Come .......joust w/the master.
I'm always Right.   You are just intellectually Left.....behind.
Individual patriot, and a REAGAN Conservative.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

ROFL....no, I forgot that tax.

No taxation is "Fair."  The more you tax, the more you hurt an economy.
The more you tax, the more you empower the Govt, that is inherently corrupt and non-performing based.

How about eliminating Income taxes and Eliminating Capital gains taxes.

That will empower the working people.  Such a novel, evil Idea...yes ?


Dumbassimus......must be board ehhh ??  such a fasination w/me.

Dumbassimus and Fool.  ROFL....  advice to you kids, Grow up you two.

Come .......joust w/the master.
I'm always Right.   You are just intellectually Left.....behind.
Individual patriot, and a REAGAN Conservative.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

"Socialism is a failed system"
-- Why?

"Its stifles growth because it stifles competition"
-- How came so?

"As to your tax system. Ofcourse unfair"
--Why is it unfair to tax more to people that have more?

"How about eliminating Income taxes and Eliminating Capital gains taxes.
That will empower the working people.  Such a novel, evil Idea...yes ?"
--Really? how will the worker that only earns the minimal wage going to pay for medical care? school?

15 (edited by Black_Wing 05-Mar-2008 16:16:13)

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Freelancer-

Why ??

Because it doesn't reward innovation.   There is no competition, no alternative products/services.  There is only one, administered/controlled/mandated/regulated by a central Govt.

How Come so ??

See above.  Add on to above.  Govt. rewards those that conform to the wishes of those in power.  Those that support the power of the Govt., get the Govt. to support them through its power to reward.

--Why is it unfair to tax more to people that have more ??

You answered it.  Its unfair.  Who are you or I to judge who has or has not ??  Its envy.  Its unfair....How about the Govt. just take the wealth, and redistribute it equally to all, and we start all over again ??

__Really ??.....medical care ?  School ?

hehe.  So your answer to this is the Govt. ??
Minimal wage ?

Do you realize that in the US, the most capitalist of the Western Democracies.....movement in and out of the five broadly defined income groups is always happening ?

Look at Ireland.  Ireland is in an economic BOOM because it has drastically eliminated the controls of the Govt. Lowered its taxes, and expanded its Corporate friendly environment.

Do you think the Govt. just pulls the capital out of the sky to pay for these programs ?  YOU PAY.  You tax goods, you tax corps.  Corps pass it on to their price, or they close their business, or they move their business.  Do you really think YOU dont pay for these increases in Taxes either on the "rich" or the Corporations ?

Why is it that Corporations are evil, but a large socialist Govt. running the economy is ok ??

Its twisted logic.  To let a group of govt. weenies who look good on camera and have a bunch interest groups fund their runs to office run a business....... 

This is what I dont get about leftists.  How is this efficient and fair ??

You want health coverage, you purchase it at the level you need/want.  You want education ?  You seek it, borrow the money, get help from your family, or a novel Idea....actually study hard and win scholarships.   

No one gives me Medical coverage.....I dont need it.  No one put me through school, I did it. 

People need to take responsibility for themselves, and stop looking to others to give them their needs.  Simple.

Come .......joust w/the master.
I'm always Right.   You are just intellectually Left.....behind.
Individual patriot, and a REAGAN Conservative.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

I'm pretty sure one man, and not a team, invented the spear and the fishing rod

The core joke of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is that of course no civilization would develop personal computers with instant remote database recovery, and then waste this technology to find good drinks.
Steve Jobs has ruined this joke.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Ok BW what ur describing is basicly victorian England, where buissnesses had all the power.
Do you think that workers have to work 14 hr shifts just to support their family.
Or kids have to go work at coal mines at the age of five just to buy food.
Ur saying that it is their fault they haven't gotten an education, started a buissness, don't have healthcare.

Also u could be describing 20's USA where 2/3 of the nations wealth was in the hands of 10%.

Do u think that ppl who are super rich and have way to much money need 150 sportscars 60 mansions and 20 private planes the money he has could feed  200 000 hungry ppl for a year.

I think youfools idea is great.

ppl would have more money and ppl who don't buy just essential things would be helping the poor.

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered
automatic weapons."-General Douglas MacArthur
"Cluster bombing from B-52s are very, very, accurate. The bombs are guaranteed
to always hit the ground."-USAF Ammo Troop

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

"Because it doesn't reward innovation.   There is no competition, no alternative products/services.  There is only one, administered/controlled/mandated/regulated by a central Govt."

Really? There are different levels of socialism. The government can still provide the basic needs to a population with out affect the economy that much. You can have public schools, hospitals, and still have a private market for it.

"Who are you or I to judge who has or has not ??  Its envy."

Really? I came from a poor family, but thanks to my dad, mum and grandparents, who work day and night, almost with no week-ends and with no holidays manage to give me a good education. And thanks to them, i now earn in one month twice what they did all together by only working 40 hours a week. I know what it is to be poor, they worked more than i will ever work, but still i earn much more. Do i find fair to pay abit mor taxes? Yes i do.

"Do you think the Govt. just pulls the capital out of the sky to pay for these programs ?"

Lol, I do pay my taxes do you know? almost 40% what i earn goes to the government, do i care? Not that much, its a fair deal.

Do you really think YOU don't pay for these increases in Taxes either on the "rich" or the Corporations

One of the major banks of my country is going to increase interest rates because of the semi-crises in USA. What they forgot to say is that this year they will make more profit than ever. Funny isn't?

If you increase 5% of taxes for the big Corporations they still make profit.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

> Black_Wing wrote:

> Dumbassimus......must be board ehhh ??  such a fasination w/me.


well, i'll be. it got something right finally. this is a board!

Confirmation is for sissies and altar boys.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

BW: Anarchy does not work, neither does libertarianism, which are the two systems you are putting forward. These systems are just as ideal as communism, capitalism, globalism or any other

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Dumbassimus......wow, you R smart, you are not dumb, you are smart.

@ Paul, last I checked, its 2008, no 1808.  Lets get w/the times.
Only bosses/business owners work 14 hour days now..... on a slow day.

ROFL,....5 year old mining for coal ??  .... to eat.....that is priceless.

you got one part correct....damn tooten its the individuals fault.

Again....class envy.  Who are you to judge what a person has or doesnt have ??

Socialists,....join hands....lets all sing a catchy tune.  Of course you agree w/ FOOL.



@ Freelancer.

Socialism is a disease.  It creeps and chews and grabs, until it controls all.  Different degrees.  Please.
US Leftists speak about taking over the drug makers, and the oil companies.  How grand.  That way when they need revenue in the coffers, they just raise the price.  No need for a law to pass to add a tax.   

Parents who worked...ROFL....join the list.  Bravo, you parents work and provided.

you raise taxes 5% on  a corp, they increase revenue to cover it.  How does a company increase revenue ??  You got it.

Again...who are you to analyze what a bank makes or doesnt make.  You have many banks to choose from ??  You dont like that bank ??  Dont go to them.

Come .......joust w/the master.
I'm always Right.   You are just intellectually Left.....behind.
Individual patriot, and a REAGAN Conservative.

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

BW: One day you will grow up and you will relaise your wet dreams are as much a faliure as the dreams of Marx and Engels... TIll that day I suggest you go back to your basement and study hard....

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

Not going to post much



1) I accidentally during my time researching compression recreated 100% of existing compression techniques. Yes 100%

Some mathematicians in world history did tons of math when isolated that no one knew they did til much later... math they should not have been able to do, but did anyhow.

Discounting individuals from creating wonders on their own, discounts any growth at all.

The idea of super ego and other related theories might help in that point. Or how bout the first radioactives lab in the world that blew itself up (I believe in the late 1800's, but might be 1700's, I would need to find the information again) due to to much radioactives and a lightning storm interacting with them.

Book authors will disagree with you. Not all works are original, but enough exist to truly give us flavor indeed.


Hell sad to say but Scientology started with one mans super efforts.


2) Einsteins theory of relativity has been proven wrong, and strongly so. The experiment with 3 atomic clocks, two flying away from the center one is proof enough, but many more tests have further invalidated the theory entirely.



3) What should be the upper limit on health care to save a persons life? $1? $100,000? $10,000,000? $1,000,000,000? $1,000,000,000,000,000? $1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000?

Who defines the limit also please, this would be a really good question.



4) What do you propose to do if all the world demilitarized and a mugabe invaded a neighboring nation claiming they were "stealing our money and jobs". You know he could get away with it, the man is extremely popular in his nation, and yet he is utterly destroying his nation.








~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Later I will come here, for now I dont have time to utterly debunk this stuff.

Everything bad in the economy is now Obama's fault. Every job lost, all the debt, all the lost retirement funds. All Obama. Are you happy now? We all get to blame Obama!
Kemp currently not being responded to until he makes CONCISE posts.
Avogardo and Noir ignored by me for life so people know why I do not respond to them. (Informational)

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

1) Also you so called 100% compression was still not done solely in isolation, else how would you know of compression aglorithims in the first place?

My point is not that great minds don't have their own input, but that all great advances are made via sparks of genius within a pool of knowledge... Thus I am not discounting indivudual wonders, i am merely stating something which seems quite obvious, that they do so within a collective pool. Even The Yells cave man with a spear was not doing so alone... at the very least he came up with a spear on the need to better catch or defend his family/tribe.

2)  Einstiens Theory is proved flaw at the limits, much like Newtons law is fine in earth like frames of reference. The Quantum theory of gravity is the next big hope, or M-Theory, both of which may jsut expand the frame of reference and there still may be limits to that.

3) I miss where an upper limit matters. Have I said there is an upper limit on anything? Or a lower limit? Teh only limit I placed on anything was the idea of limit on untaxed income, the first $x/yr of a person's income tax is not taxed at all. In my model public funds are used to ensure everyone has health care... whether that is a fully government run healthcare (likie in most countries) or if it is a government run healthcare insurance package (sort of like how I understand medicare in the US to be?) is up to that country itself; seeing it is the community which should decide what is best for the community.

4) I don't think I have said anything about demilitarization at all. Just because I put forward 3 primary objectives for a government to spend tax money on, does not mean that there are not secondary objectives, or that a nation could change priorities if the community so wished. I will make no secret that I am personally a pacifist and would prefer to see no miltaries, and even no police, but that is heading towards ideal conditions. Something I see this model as keeping away from. Also Mugabe is not popular in Zimbabwe, don't mistake fear for popularity.

Anyway, next time you "utterly debunk stuff" try and actually read the posts so that which you are "utterly debunking" is actually what has been written. You are worse than BW, how are either of you going to hope to survive in the actual debates of politics idol?

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but i am Jesus"
"Nothing is worse than a fully prepared fool"

Re: Individuality, Socialism and you

"@ Freelancer.

Socialism is a disease.  It creeps and chews and grabs, until it controls all.  Different degrees.  Please.
US Leftists speak about taking over the drug makers, and the oil companies.  How grand.  That way when they need revenue in the coffers, they just raise the price.  No need for a law to pass to add a tax."

A disease? lol And yes different levels, for example in many countries there are free schools and free hospital care, does this means that there can't be private sector? Off curse not, for example irland does have free education and free health care projects, but still there is a big private sector on does fields. This does even increase competition since the private sectors must make a difference in order to attract costumers.

"Parents who worked...ROFL....join the list.  Bravo, you parents work and provided."

Look BW, if it wasn't for them i couldn't be doing what i am know. If i was in a different family i could now be unemployed with no future. Why did they have to work so much? I know can give the some to my future sons with less than half of there work. Wouldn't it be fair that everyone have the some opportunities has i had?

"you raise taxes 5% on  a corp, they increase revenue to cover it.  How does a company increase revenue ??  You got it."

Exactly they only care about profit

"Again...who are you to analyze what a bank makes or doesn't make.  You have many banks to choose from ??  You don't like that bank ??  Don't go to them."

I am a costumer, and yes i have change my bank do to this and different policies. What i am trying to show you here is that companies only care about profit, thats why i think there should always be a social system in order to help does who can't pay there own health care or eduction.