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  1. M

    ok, then, what is capitalism?

    K-Punk: V v interesting. There are no boundaries created by capitalism but there are those imposed upon it - e.g. altho many companies say they are only responsible to their shareholders, governments & communities can prevent them carrying out socially destructive acts in pursuit of profit...
  2. M

    ok, then, what is capitalism?

    I think that the capitalist model is actually quite useful. However, it is only useful within boundaries and one current problem we have is that certain groups are pushing for capitalism as everything. The collapse of a concept of the public good (been reading John Ralston Saul on this recently)...
  3. M

    ok, then, what is capitalism?

    At no point did I claim it was impossible for a self-employed person to be exploited (by another or by themselves). I was trying to point out the complexity of the situation rather than pitch for derision. More later - I have to go off and be exploited for a bit...
  4. M

    ok, then, what is capitalism?

    Capitalisms So the key to capitalism is: what is owned and who does the owning. - The capitalist is a private individual. Not a state or monarch. - They own part or all of a business. This ownership includes a right in how the business operates and a share of the profits. - These businesses...
  5. M

    k-punk on terror

    Muslims in the UK Economist article on links between different Muslim groups in the UK.
  6. M

    k-punk on terror

    <i>it is a fact that the national divisions in the present muslims world (and not only there) are a result of the western imposition. quite a lot (in fact most) of internal conflicts in the muslim world (and not only there) were exacerbated and exploited by the actions of the west.</i> As has...
  7. M

    k-punk on terror

    The national divisions of the present Muslim world were never meant to be and are a result of Western imposition. OK - not strictly true. There have been wars between muslim states and there are multiple identities within the muslim world. What exactly are you trying to argue here?
  8. M

    Hypothetical: London Bombings & Iraq War

    OK, would the London bombings have occurred if the UK had not been involved in the Iraq War? On the one hand, it's reported that the bombers felt anger towards the UK and US regarding the Iraqi invasion. On the other, JI in Indonesia were quite happy to bomb a nightclub in Bali long before the...
  9. M

    k-punk on terror

    Has that invasion benefitted 25,000 dead Iraqis and the many thousands who have lost family and friends? Or however many Afghanis by the invasion of Afghanistan? That remains to be seen. I am not in Iraq or Afghanistan (but then I doubt you are either) so I don't know if life is better or...
  10. M

    Forget Live8 - does Africa need a Caliph8?

    I have to say the idea of an Africa governed by Sharia is a wonderful idea. Finally, African states might reach the development levels of a Pakistan, an Iran or a Saudi Arabia which lead the world in... oh, hang on. No, it's bloody atrocious isn't it?
  11. M

    k-punk on terror

    What I find annoying is that everybody seems to want to blame someone. "Terrorists - they're evil. Blame them!" "No - they're oppressed, Tony Blair is evil. Blame him!" There is a quest for that nice, warm glow of moral superiority that comes from knowing you are in the right. And someone...
  12. M

    best writing on irony?

    Guardian article on irony here. Frankly, I'd avoid another rehashing of the "ironic culture" argument and move straight on to abusing the people you dislike. "Post-ironic"? Dear God, if a group of privileged, white adolescents can't get pissed and dress up as darkies what is the world coming...
  13. M

    Paul Verhoeven

    I mean, it's not even a very subtle satire, given how over the top it is. I don't think Paul Verhoeven has ever really gone for subtle.
  14. M

    Paul Verhoeven

    Robocop was on TV late last Sunday. It is a wonderfully crude satire on corporate greed and its relationship to state power.
  15. M

    Richard Dawkins.

    The Dawk I like his science books - Selfish Gene is a classic. He can explain tricky ideas in a simple, direct way. Like Steve Jones, I suspect he may be a better communicator than research scientist (altho I am unqualified to judge this - someone smack me down). But his attitude towards...
  16. M

    China - Japan

    "WWII was kinda awhile ago" Yeah but these memories linger on. France and Germany set up joint committee after WWII to agree a common perspective fot textbooks. This never happened in Asia. And Japan had just released some textbooks that the Chinese found "inaccurate". The relationship between...
  17. M

    End of European Civilization

    Hang on - Pearsall has already said all this and much more (much better) on his blog. Go read.
  18. M

    End of European Civilization

    that is, i think that muslim immigrants to america are much happier & feel more accepted than their counterparts in europe (despite the extra-legal excesses of the Bush administration in relation to the "terrorism" threat) -- i.e., muslim immigrants do very well in america Just thought I'd pull...
  19. M

    UK Hip Hop - Who rates it?

    The other thing about Aussie hip hop is 'slacker' ethos. US hip hop has a high bling quotient. Probably as most know they'll never win an ARIA / sell a platinum record, the Aussie scene is more about battlers than winners. Who's the biggest hip hop artist(s) in Oz? Hilltop Hoods?
  20. M

    non-uk grime record pools

    I'm up for an Aus/NZ one. Only one snag - don't have a record player...
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