Happy Lunar New Year!

[MirahM]

Hello rabbit.

[Clang McFly]

Hello rabbit.

Hello rabbit.

https://youtu.be/xYRzDx9sURM

[BigMark]

the closest celebration i could find is a few hours away...the one we saw on the northshore of the big island was beyond amazing. its also my cake day on imgur.

[Duchess]

Hello rabbit.

Hello.  

[BlueTiki]

Hello rabbit.

Hello.  

I wonder if this will increase sales of a particular personal pleasure device?

On a serious note, 10 folks shot and killed after a Lunar New Year's celebration in Monterey Park, CA.

"Lun! Lun!  . . . Lun fol yol rives!"

Here we go again.

Another New Year and same old nut-fuck shit.

[BigMark]

Fruckin lacist!

[Duchess]

I wonder if this will increase sales of a particular personal pleasure device?

With the right marketing, yes.  

[BigMark]

That one warms up?

[MirahM]

I like them cold!

[BigMark]

Why, you like warming them up yourself?

[BlueTiki]

Duchess, you pose an intriguing, albeit, completely out of the box strategy!

"With the right marketing . . . "

I'm thinking Tucker Carlson . . . Sarah Palin . . . maybe Liz Cheney . . . as the paid endorsees.

Genius, woman!  Pure capitalistic genius!

[Duchess]

I love capitalism!  

[rothschild]

Are you up on capitalist theory, Tiki?

[BlueTiki]

Are you up on capitalist theory, Tiki?

Short answer:  Yes . . . I'd like to think I am.

However, "capitalist theory" has gone through so many bastardizations and woke metamorphoses, I'd like to know or hear your view(s).

Yes, I used "woke" deliberately.

[rothschild]

Are you up on capitalist theory, Tiki?

Short answer:  Yes . . . I'd like to think I am.

However, "capitalist theory" has gone through so many bastardizations and woke metamorphoses, I'd like to know or hear your view(s).

Yes, I used "woke" deliberately.

Social theories only hold together in controlled environments, and if an environment is controlled then freedom is not in the equation, thus capitalism by default is going to be crony capitalism/inverted socialism.

The context in which capitalist theory arose was monarchy/mercantilism, which was poorly suited to making sound economic decisions due to nepotism and cronyism. The major premise was that local people had the most accurate data for making sound decisions re local economies, thus capitalism was intended to decentralize economic authority. The problem with this is that it requires advancement on the basis of meritocracy, which will only happen in societies comprised of people who appreciate the necessity for virtue, which is the only thing that can preclude corruption. Where there is corruption, there can be no meritocracy. The irony is that if virtue is established in a society, there will be no need for theory or ideology. People will aspire to excellence in mind, body and soul, rather than wealth and power.

The best example of flagrant incongruity is the notion that capitalism is compatible with centralized banking. Nothing is more detrimental to economic prosperity than monopoly interests. This is how and why we are experiencing rapid decline. No one who wields power is concerned with the public interest. They are driven by greed, lust and gluttony, and such men are devoid of wisdom. "Democracy" is merely bread and circuses. Socio-economic sleight of hand to give the impression that we are all in this together. The masses have been rendered dull and disinterested, so the lie is vastly preferable to a truth that is horrifying.

How do you see it?

[BlueTiki]

Social theories only hold together in controlled environments, and if an environment is controlled then freedom is not in the equation, thus capitalism by default is going to be crony capitalism/inverted socialism.


That sentence . . . that one sentence of yours . . . synthesizes and almost encapsulates my current position to a "T".  "Crony" is arguable, but also undeniable in many instances.

You began with capitalism's genesis in mercantilism.  As we are no longer a mercantile based society, that was part of my response with "bastardization and metamorphoses".

We evolved technologically.  And government intervened . . . deeper and deeper.

I also believe, that when discussing capitalism, we either include or exclude any governmental association, as to truly understand and fully appreciate capitalism's foibles and successes.

There are so many wonderful depths and layers, points and rebuttals, with the subject of capitalism.

Unfortunately, most critics I have encountered, spew Karl Marx rhetoric as THE sword to slay the capitalism dragon.  And I have discovered that most, have not read any of his works.

Marx was required reading, in my undergrad classes, as a resource for understanding different economic theories . . . not as a gospel . . . or for the goal of social and societal reform.

I'm no Adam Smith . . . but I'm a far cry from a Keynesian sycophant.  (Yes, deliberately using influencers who have guided US policy makers).

I hope this kinda gives you an idea, of where I stand.

[rothschild]

Social theories only hold together in controlled environments, and if an environment is controlled then freedom is not in the equation, thus capitalism by default is going to be crony capitalism/inverted socialism.


That sentence . . . that one sentence of yours . . . synthesizes and almost encapsulates my current position to a "T".  "Crony" is arguable, but also undeniable in many instances.

You began with capitalism's genesis in mercantilism.  As we are no longer a mercantile based society, that was part of my response with "bastardization and metamorphoses".

We evolved technologically.  And government intervened . . . deeper and deeper.

I also believe, that when discussing capitalism, we either include or exclude any governmental association, as to truly understand and fully appreciate capitalism's foibles and successes.

There are so many wonderful depths and layers, points and rebuttals, with the subject of capitalism.

Unfortunately, most critics I have encountered, spew Karl Marx rhetoric as THE sword to slay the capitalism dragon.  And I have discovered that most, have not read any of his works.

Marx was required reading, in my undergrad classes, as a resource for understanding different economic theories . . . not as a gospel . . . or for the goal of social and societal reform.

I'm no Adam Smith . . . but I'm a far cry from a Keynesian sycophant.  (Yes, deliberately using influencers who have guided US policy makers).

I hope this kinda gives you an idea, of where I stand.

Keynes was a bankster stooge who legitimized an economics that is nothing more than a global Ponzi scheme. Murray Rothbard nails it in his essay on the causes and conditions of depressions. The "business cycle" arrived shortly after central banking showed up. Every single one ends with a massive transfer of wealth to those who take zero risk. Profit is supposed to be earned by taking risk. When you profit without taking any risk you're stealing.

I suspect that Marx was also a bankster stooge. He legitimized violent revolution for the purpose of rapid industrialization, irrespective of the harm done to millions of human beings. You have to be braindead to believe that it was intended for human betterment. Arguing with Marxists is worse than arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses. Far worse.

[BigMark]

don't argue with crazy people, you'll be happier and not need frequent naps.

[sally]

Ya'll intellectual Einsteins want to wrap up, Jesus. Capitalism breeds discontent and there is a hierarchy that ensures it

[BlueTiki]

Ya'll intellectual Einsteins want to wrap up, Jesus. Capitalism breeds discontent and there is a hierarchy that ensures it

Answered and done.

Back to the Lunar New Year Shooting . . . 

It appears (contrary to many elected blowhards' speculation), the shooter was actually ASIAN!

So much for "Mellow Yellow" [shoutout to Donovan].

And the "electrical banana" fits right in with the "Rabbit".