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Messages - More Than Mortal
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9931
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:15:42 PM »
Whatever though, we're getting into semantics and that's just a waste of time when we're basically saying the same thing.
Essentially >.>
9932
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:13:21 PM »
So, for you, the word "evil" doesn't contain any sort of agency in its definition? Basically. I use it in the same vein as the word "villain", or "enemy".
So then the key would be to rethink how you view your enemies. You may be diametrically opposed to them, in some way, but to call them villainous or your enemy is to demean them - at least morally - in some way. When, in fact, their position as being your enemy isn't actually their own choice. I'm not saying you shouldn't consider people your enemies, of course, I'm just curious as to how that diminishes the idea of evil being irrelevant. Making the definition relative to everybody is one of the best ways to make it irrelevant, actually.
9933
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:10:36 PM »
Obedience implies one is higher than the other.
Exactly. I expect them to be obedient in situations when they're subordinate to me for whatever reason, and I return the favour. Of course, though, there's always a measure of loyalty in obedience.
9934
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:09:13 PM »
From the Independent.Dear Russell,
Hi. I'm Jo. You may remember me. You may even have filmed me. On Friday, you staged a publicity stunt at an RBS office, inconveniencing a hundred or so people. I was the lanky slouched guy with a lot less hair than you but (I flatter myself) a slightly better beard who complained to you that you, a multimillionaire, had caused my lunch to get cold. You started going on at me about public money and bankers' bonuses, but look, Russell, anyone who knows me will tell you that my food is important to me, and I hadn't had breakfast that morning, and I'd been standing in the freezing cold for half an hour on your whim. What mattered to me at the time wasn't bonuses; it was my lunch, so I said so.
[...]
I didn't see your arrival; I just got back from buying my lunch to discover the building's doors were locked, a film crew were racing around outside trying to find a good angle to point their camera through the windows, and you were in reception, poncing around like you were Russell bleeding Brand. From what I can gather, you'd gone in and security had locked the doors to stop your film crew following you.
My first question is, what were you hoping to achieve? Did you think a pack of traders might gallop through reception, laughing maniacally as they threw burning banknotes in the air, quaffing champagne, and brutally thrashing the ornamental paupers that they keep on diamante leashes — and you, Russell, would damningly catch them in the act? But that's on Tuesdays. I get it, Russell, I do: footage of being asked to leave by security is good footage. It looks like you're challenging the system and the powers that be want your voice suppressed. Or something. But all it really means, behind the manipulative media bullshit, is that you don't have an appointment.
Of course, Russell, I have no idea whether you could get an appointment. Maybe RBS top brass would rather not talk to you. That's their call — and, you know, some of your behaviour might make them a tad wary. Reputations are very important in banking, and, reputation-wise, hanging out with a guy who was once fired for broadcasting hardcore pornography while off his head on crack is not ideal. But surely a man who can get invited onto Question Time to discuss the issues of the day with our Lords & Masters is establishment enough to talk to a mere banker. And it would be great if you could. Have you tried, Russell? Maybe you could do an interview with one of them. An expert could answer your questions and rebut your points, and you could rebut right back at them. I might even watch that.
[...] you staged a completely futile publicity stunt. You turned up and weren't allowed in. Big wow. You know what would have happened if a rabid capitalist had just turned up unannounced? They wouldn't have been allowed in either. You know what I have in my pocket? A security pass. Unauthorised people aren't allowed in. Obviously. That's not a global conspiracy, Russell; it's basic security. Breweries have security too, and that's not because they're conspiring to steal beer from the poor. And security really matters: banks are simply crawling with highly sensitive information. Letting you in because you're a celebrity and You Demand Answers could in fact see the bank hauled in front of the FCA. That would be a scandal. Turning you away is not. I'm sorry, Russell, but it's just not.
Your response to my complaint that a multimillionaire was causing my lunch to get cold was... well, frankly, it was to completely miss the point, choosing to talk about your millions instead of addressing the real issue, namely my fucking lunch. But that's a forgivable mistake. We all have our priorities, Russell, and I can understand why a man as obsessed with money as I am with food would assume that's what every conversation is about. Anyway, you said that all your money has been made privately, not through taxation. Now, that, Russell, is actually a fair point. Well done.
Although I can't help but notice that you have no qualms about appearing on the BBC in return for money raised through one of the most regressive taxes in the country, a tax which leads to crippling fines and even jail time for thousands of poor people and zero rich people. But never mind. I appreciate that it's difficult for a celeb to avoid the BBC, even if they're already a multimillionaire and can totally afford to turn the work down. Ah, the sacrifices we make to our principles for filthy lucre, eh, Russell? The condoms and hairspray won't buy themselves. Or, in my case, the pasta.
And then there is that film you're working on, isn't there, for which I understand your production company is benefitting from the Enterprise Investment Scheme, allowing the City investors funding your film to avoid tax. Was that the film you were making on Friday, Russell, when you indignantly pointed out to me that none of your money comes from the taxpayer? Perhaps it had slipped your mind.
[...]
But still, you're broadly right. Leaving aside the money you make from one of the most regressive of the UK's taxes, and the tax exemptions your company uses to encourage rich City investors to give you more money, and the huge fees you've accepted from one of the planet's most notorious and successful tax avoidance schemes, you, Russell, have come by your riches without any effect on taxpayers. Whereas RBS got bailed out. Fair point.
Here's the thing about the bailout of RBS, Russell: it's temporary. The plan was never to bail out a bank so that it could then go bust anyway. [...] Not only that, but it looks as if the government will eventually sell RBS for more than they bought it for. In other words, the taxpayer will make a profit on this deal.
[...]
But here's the key thing you need to know about bonuses, Russell: they come with conditions attached. [...] in general terms, bonuses have conditions attached, such as “And we'll claw back every penny if we discover you were breaking the rules.” And yes, it does happen.
[...]
And now, if I may, a word about your manner.
[...]
Because, you see, Russell, when you accosted me, you started speaking to me with your nose about two inches from mine. That's pretty fucking aggressive, Russell.[...] I'm sure that, like turning up with a megaphone instead of an appointment, such an aggressive invasion of personal space makes for great footage: you keep talking to someone in that chatty reasonable affable tone of yours, and they react with anger. Makes them look unreasonable. Makes it look like they're the aggressive ones. Makes it look like people get flustered in the face of your incisive argument. When in fact they're just getting flustered in the face of your face.
I've been thinking about this the last couple of days, Russell, and I can honestly say that the only other people ever to talk to me the way you did were school bullies. It's been nearly a quarter of a century since I had to deal with such bastards, so I was caught quite off my guard. Nice company you're keeping. Now I think about it, they used to ruin my lunchtimes too.
One last thing, Russell. Who did you inconvenience on Friday? Let's say that you're right, and that the likes of Fred Goodwin need to pay. OK, so how much trouble do you think Fred faced last Friday as a result of your antics? Do you think any of his food got cold, Russell? Even just his tea? I somehow doubt it. How about some of the millionaire traders you despise so much (some of whom are nearly as rich as you, Russell)? Well, no, because you got the wrong fucking building. (Might want to have a word with your researchers about that.) Which brings us back to where we came in: a bunch of admittedly fairly well paid but still quite ordinary working people, admin staff mostly, having their lives inconvenienced and, in at least one case, their lunches quite disastrously cooled, in order to accommodate the puerile self-aggrandising antics of a prancing multimillionaire. If you had any self-awareness beyond agonising over how often to straighten your fucking chest-hair, you'd be ashamed.
It was paella, by the way. From Fernando's in Devonshire Row. I highly recommend them: their food is frankly just fantastic.
When it's hot. I fucking hate Russell Brand.
9935
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:51:43 PM »
Loyalty and obedience.
Obedience has nothing to do with it. Friends treat each other as equals.
I know. Which is why I'd take a bullet for any of them.
9936
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:43:00 PM »
I use the word "evil" to describe things that I find severely detrimental, or diametrically opposed, to...
So, for you, the word "evil" doesn't contain any sort of agency in its definition?
9937
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:37:41 PM »
Basically, evil is just a reversal of the average person's values.
At no point did I disagree or contradict that analysis. I'm asking, since we understand the psychological divergences that can lead to such stark differences in values, why we still think evil is a relevant concept.
9938
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:15:33 PM »
And replacing it with a fucking pool noodle.KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The parents of a Missouri eight-year-old boy are outraged after they say their blind son’s cane was taken away and replaced with a pool noodle.
Dakota Nafzinger, who was born without eyes, attends Gracemor Elementary School in Kansas City. Rachel Nafzinger told WDAF the school took away her son’s cane as punishment for bad behavior on the bus and gave him a swimming pool noodle to use as a substitute.
North Kansas City School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk confirmed the school took away Dakota’s cane, calling it school property that was given to him when he enrolled.
Cronk said the school took the cane after he reportedly struck someone on Monday while riding the bus. Cronk said the boy “fidgets” without his cane, so a pool noodle was given to him as a substitute.
Dakota’s father, Donald Nafzinger, said his son lifts his cane sometimes and the bus driver thought he was using it violently.
“They said they were going to give me this for the next two weeks,” Dakota said.
Dakota’s family claims the cane was taken as a way of “humiliating” him for misbehaving.
“All around, he’s a good little guy, and he shouldn’t be treated the way he’s being treated,” Donald Nafzinger said. I really, really don't understand people. They're either too political correct to do something properly about an issue, or they're just complete and utter fuck-ups about the whole thing by going overboard.
9939
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:12:18 PM »
9940
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:08:34 PM »
i'm usually not that guy, but
oh my god
this is so fucking staged
Have you seen the video where his dad actually fucks up his PS4 and his table with a wrench? I've no doubt they stage some things for the sake of views, but after watching the video I'm fairly confident it's real. The fat shit in the video shows physical signs symptomatic of serious stress, and his dad has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
9941
« on: December 17, 2014, 01:06:44 PM »
It's seems to me that the idea of evil has two fundamental foundations. The first is that we have free will, thus allowing people to choose to be evil, and the second is that people who act in certain ways ought be punished for their decadence.
However, it seems to me that it should be obvious, to anybody with even a rudimentary understanding of psychology, that people don't choose to be evil, and nor does punishment of the so-called evil work. Evil, fundamentally, is only really evil if it isn't determined.
Yet you can be damned sure that the most evil people on the planet are either paranoid, schizophrenic or psychopathic. None of which the people can be held responsible for. You can use "evil" as a purely descriptive term of somebody with such aberrations, but you can't deny the fact that it'll always carry connotations of immorality and necessitate punishment.
I'm at a lose to find a truly sane, healthy individual who was actually evil. Namely because such people just don't exist.
9942
« on: December 17, 2014, 12:58:54 PM »
Loyalty and obedience.
9943
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:53:58 AM »
No matter where you go, how hard you need to fight, how much you want to give up and how shit you may feel, just remember that we're always here. A bastion of stability, and a community that almost universally adores you.
You have a very admirable character, and a brilliant amount of strength and commitment. I wish you luck on your adventure, and hope you're able to keep your measured temperament during these dark days.
I think I speak for everybody when I say we love you, and you'll always be pillar of this community.
9944
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:45:34 AM »
Right around 2:40 he really kicks off with being a pathetic cunt. God I hate that fat piece of shit.
9945
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:42:07 AM »
What the fuck?
Has America lost all of its values. Dealing with commies, what a fucking joke.
I could ask you the same thing - dealing with China. How low has the great United Kingdom sunk?
China isn't a communist country.
That's what they want you to think.
 le ebin rusemaster
9946
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:39:29 AM »
He boned a 17 year old, big whoop.
Or am I missing something else?
I think Kinder is referring to the fact that the guy may not resign if he goes to jail, and intends to work from there.
At least he has a strong work ethic.
9947
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:38:58 AM »
What the fuck?
Has America lost all of its values. Dealing with commies, what a fucking joke.
I could ask you the same thing - dealing with China. How low has the great United Kingdom sunk?
China isn't a communist country.
9948
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:37:19 AM »
He boned a 17 year old, big whoop.
Or am I missing something else?
9949
« on: December 17, 2014, 10:36:34 AM »
What the fuck?
Has America lost all of its values. Dealing with commies, what a fucking joke.
9950
« on: December 17, 2014, 09:52:51 AM »
kubrick is best director
Yes. My nergra.
9951
« on: December 17, 2014, 09:44:37 AM »
9952
« on: December 17, 2014, 09:32:49 AM »
is this a new meme
I do nazi it becoming that, but I could be wrong.
Mate, that isn't funny. My grandfather died in Auschwitz. Idiot fell from the guard tower and broke his neck.
9953
« on: December 17, 2014, 08:54:24 AM »
I knew that before posting it, yet I didn't stop myself.
It's a shame the mods don't stop you.
9954
« on: December 17, 2014, 08:52:17 AM »
That's not even remotely funny.
What about this one?
No. It's just retarded.
9955
« on: December 17, 2014, 08:49:55 AM »
That's not even remotely funny.
9956
« on: December 17, 2014, 08:41:29 AM »
I drink whiskey, not beer.
9957
« on: December 17, 2014, 08:35:13 AM »
Thoughts?The League has been debating the merits of democracy for months now, with opinions ranging from support to total scepticism. James, as is his wont tends to float around in the middle somewhere, knowing too much about how people think to trust democracy, but unable to think up a superior alternative. But this isn’t about democracy as such, but rather one particular aspect of it – separation of powers.
The intuition behind separation of powers is appealing enough – people can’t be trusted with power, so you split the power up across a couple of groups and then have each group act to restrain the other. Every form of liberal government uses separation of powers in some way, but standing above all of them is the United States, which doesn’t even let its executive declare war. The founding fathers ensured the President couldn’t do much of anything without he cooperation of Congress, and vice versa. And standing over both of them is the Supreme Court, holding a copy of the constitution like it was a rolled-up newspaper, ready to rap both of the other branches on the nose at the first sign of ultra vires actions.
Nice idea – a pity it doesn’t work. The legislative check on war powers has been nothing more than a technicality since WWII, and when Obama wanted to act in Libya he didn’t even bother going though the formality of asking congress to rubber stamp his actions. And congress did nothing. So much for mutual checks on ambition.
And as for the Supreme Court, their performance has been less than stellar. They may be technically independent, but they are still appointed by politicians, no judge who seriously wanted to restrain the government would be nominated or confirmed. No, the primary qualification for being a Supreme Court Justice is a gift for sophistry – so as to rationalise the Constitutionality of anything the elected branches want to do. I’m not saying the Supreme Court is useless, just mostly useless – the only amendment that hasn’t been at least partially undermined is the 3rd and that’s because building military bases is more of a vote winner than billeting soldiers in private homes.
And so with each passing year the executive takes power from congress, congress takes power from the states and the states take power form the individual. For good or ill this is clearly not what the Founding Fathers had in mind. And why hasn’t it worked? Because the whole system relies on the vigilance of an informed voter and the average voter can’t tell you how many senators there are, much less who should be blamed when something bad happens.
At the New Zealand Economists Association conference earlier this year I heard a very interesting argument from Canterbury University lecturer Eric Crampton. He pointed out that given the abundant research showing that voters lacked the knowledge and rationality to identify good policy the very best you could expect from voters is that they vote on a “is the country going in the right direction?” basis. If things are going well, then fine. If not – throw the bums out. But how can you throw the bums out if you don’t know which bums are in charge? Look at the Debt Ceiling Crisis – The President and Congress blamed each other and everyone believed whoever was ideologically convenient. And when that doesn’t work there’s always the spectre of Judicial Activism is frighten the public with. The multiple centres of power create multiple centres of responsibility. This actually makes government less accountable to the people, not more.
In a world where voters actually knew what they were doing separation of powers might make sense, but we don’t live in that world and barring extensive cognitive enhancement of the general population we never will. So I argue that we need to go in the other direction, turn the bug of power accumulation into a feature. Get rid of legislative bodies and judicial review. Just have one elected office – President, Chancellor or just call them the All-Tsar. This person has total legal authority for their term of office, which means they can’t wriggle out of blame if things go badly. With unitary power comes unitary responsibility. You may argue that government is too big a job for one person, and that’s true. But the elected office-holder will still be able to appoint as many assistants as they need, but the responsibility will still sit with the one elected official.
This is far from a perfect system, but at leas tit will finally be true that the buck stops there. We can only work with the world we have, not the one we want and for this world separation of powers is worse than useless as a check on government abuse.
9958
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:31:34 AM »
Meta made this so fucking funny.
oh bae
9959
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:13:04 AM »
Don't let her see your shoes.
9960
« on: December 17, 2014, 02:08:45 AM »
Erwin Rommel straight up ignored orders to kill Jews and that shit. He also was part of the conspiracy to kill Hitler. Despite him being a Nazi, I still have great respect for him I'd say that disqualifies him from being a Nazi.
Not really
Nazism is a specific form of fascism defined by scientific racism, antisemitism, racial hierarchym, social Darwinism, and Aryanism
Exactly. . . Which Rommel didn't believe in.
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