TomandBob
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I’ve told you what I think. I’m not constantly repeating myself. Nothing I’ve read (so far) has convinced me to change my mind. If you want to resort to insults and innuendo then that’s your choice. I’ll let you have the last comment as I don’t think we’re getting anywhere here.
If you agreed, you’d be a socialist, instead of baiting us for fun
I think our ideas of ‘socialism’ are different. I’m happy with that.
Don’t forget the environmental holocaust and the increasing likelihood of an armageddon that will wipe out life on this planet, never mind you and your ten cars.
Ever considered than humanity has the potential to overcome the challenges nature throws at us.
That’s the snag. How do you decide what is enough? One person’s met ‘needs’ are another person’s ‘poverty’.
I have said in my previous posts that the problem with capitalism is that it results in obscene disparities in wealth. I would like to see a society in which there is an abundance for all. The rich man/woman can have their 10 cars, but there should at least be a minimum. The living standards of the average middle class American would be a start. However, my problem with so called ‘socialists’ is that they seem to want to temper societal aspirations and to share out the misery. No comments I have read have persuaded me otherwise. I think the problem is about ‘need’. Want I want or need for a happy life may be different to you and this is where conflict may arise in a “socialist” society.
‘Your reticence indicates that, at minimum, you do incline toward the proposition that “Socialism universalises misery”.’
I do believe that today’s so called socialists want to share out the misery.
‘Have you ever stopped to consider why these [unspecified] “scientific and engineering problems” are driven by the inhuman need for commercial profit instead of by the thoroughly human drive to comprehend the world we inhabit, and to make life better for all who dwell in it?’
Err… I would think it was because we’re living in a profit driven society.
‘..to make life better for all who dwell in it?’ But that it subjective. What you consider a “better life” might be different to my definition.
‘Maybe think a little more about becoming a socialist.’
No. I don’t think I’ll bother. Thanks
I notice you’ve made no attempt to address my original point that Socialism tends to be associated with sharing out the misery. Waxing lyrical about the disadvantages of capitalism, and surmising what Marx might have thought about the present, doesn’t address the point.
‘If you can’t see ‘accepted devastation’ in the water and power guzzling AI data centres, or in mining/fishing/agriculture, then why bother?’ I think this comment says it all really. Your limited horizons and inability to notice the huge strides that humanity has taken over the last few centuries has blinded you to the progress that has been made. There are people out there now trying to tackle these scientific and engineering problems. Yes, they’re probably doing it so a company somewhere can make a profit. But it is my opinion that socialists should be harnessing those strides forward and make the case that all people can benefit from them.
Can you define ‘accepted devastation’?
Companies usually seek out countries with weak regulations and a lack of institutions. They are usually countries in which corruption is rampant.I’m not sure what point you are trying to make. As I said before, capitalism creates uneven development and massive inequalities in wealth. However, capitalist economic growth has rapidly improved the living standards of many people. In richer countries people are living longer and healthier lives. The environment is generally better in richer countries and animal welfare is better.
As I said before, I think we need a world in which nobody goes without the things they want and need, to live a happy and healthy life.‘Can you name some instances?’
Here are some examples obtained from a simple google search:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6gr4rjkk5o
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/shipping-company-fined-2m-maritime-pollution-offense
https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/blog/2025/04/04/penalty_for_serious_environmental_harm_in_adelaide_hills‘Accumulation of capital thrives in environments it finds congenial or else skedaddles to greener pastures, where it may rape without encumbrance, leaving behind human disapprobation along with environmental detritus in its wake.’
And which countries are you referring to when you write ‘green pastures’?
I think you’re slowly proving my original point, which is why although I believe in a fairer society and abundance for all, I wouldn’t describe myself as a Socialist.
We don’t know what Marx would think if he were alive today. Maybe he would be amazed with the potential of A.I. to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. We don’t know.
