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Permalink Reply by Captain Morgan on February 3, 2012 at 1:20am

History is not facts? You celebrate karl marx like he is some kind of hero. Ever read animal farm? Well it was written by someone who does know what communism is, better than me and you. Fact ^^

Where do you see unpaid labor in western countries that's legal? You don't, it's called slavery, and that's illegal. We actually have a minimum wage in the United States, and it's illegal to be paid below that amount and yes you can live off of it by yourself, it would just suck. Profit comes from hustling to do good for yourself, if you have no drive you're going to sink. No, it's not some free for all, it's called life. Someone said it better than I could this morning, we used to have to work 24 hours a day just to stay alive, now it's 8 hours of work *of varying difficulties*, you collect a weekly paycheck and you can otherwise do whatever you want. That's luxury. Fact ^^ Stalin would also be a good read for you. *fact*

So, how can marx's theories lead to better quality of life and peace for people? I don't think it can, Mozambique would be a good example of communism in Africa, it was in a few other African countries too, just can't remember what ones off the top of my head. Their big problem economically is these people have no real jobs, they have no industry and no way to compete. It's not that it's impossible, Africa has many resources, just no infrastructure and no proper systems to open up shop. That added with education would be a huge step in the quality of life for the people of planet earth. Of course, that could be a while. I'm no economist by a long shot, it's better than spreading the wealth, better to create more, and I think the profit would come. 

Profit comes from a good investment, if I buy something, turn around and sell it for more, that equals profit.

My company and my workers make a product and sell it for more than what it's worth, that equals profit. I divide all earning from there on in among the entire company including myself. If we make more all together than what it took to produce, that equals a profit.

So, education+industry and a way to compete in the modern economy=better quality of life for everybody. Means less poor people, less people are starving, etc. etc.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Leto Tewes on February 13, 2012 at 4:57am

My first post here (or the first in ages, I dont know).

Your knowledge on communism seems to be very limited. But that is not the problem. The problem is your limited knowledge on capitalism. Maybe in many parts of the so called "western world" there is no such thing as real slavery. In many other parts of the world it is, and the western world feeds on it and makes a lot of profit. Yeah they get some cents to buy some food. Great. A slave also gets food, so he can live on and work more. Also you should look up wage slavery. For many people it seems to be a very very very left-wingy thing but in fact it is not.

You wonder why Oliver seems to be in awe about Marx. Here is the reason; many many many things that he said were right? And things Adam Smith said...please, free market..you believe in that? =/

On topic: Religion sucks because there is no scientific evidence nor has it any relevance for this life (at least Christianity). The ten commandements are a joke, they are so effin universal...they mean absolutely nothing.  

 

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Permalink Reply by Étienne Rodrigue on February 7, 2012 at 5:02pm

This is my first post on Ipower! Also, English is not my first language, so wish me luck,

I've read all the posts on this topic. I believe everyone has brought up some interesting points on the subject. Way to go guys, it's a pleasure reading this stuff!

I think the reference to Maslow's pyramid is very appropriate, as it identifies our world problems very well. First, basic needs like food, water and health, but also dignity (very important) must be adressed. Bring in education next, and that society will start brushing off the dust. Seems we all agree on that.

However, I don't believe a world government would be a good thing, at least not one with full jurisdiction over every corner of the planet. As you guys have outlined, change is essential to attain world peace and prosperity. But change is also synonym with competition of ideas, which is essential in my book. Only in adversity can we better ourselves. I don't mean war or anything of the sort. Competition among industries is, I believe, essential to ensure the best services are given at the best prices, but it can also be a good medium for company owners to give work-related education to their employees, via seminars, etc. A world-watch government is essential, a bit like the UN, but without the lobbying and personnal agendas of the security council. A world peace organization of which the five permanent members are also the biggest arms dealers on the planet? Doesn't seem logical/ethical to me.

The healthy clash between different opinions and beliefs is essential to evolution and the betterment of ourselves, as we can see happening on Ipower. 

As for religion, I don't believe it predates morality, but then again, I don't believe in God as the Church represents him, and I don't believe morality was ''given'' to mankind. The notion of good and wrong is innate to humans, that much is a fact. How we interpret and manage our anger toward something that seems wrong to us is another matter. As a firm believer in self-developpement activism, I think the purpose of one's life must be found within oneself. The problem with religion is that most of them (aside from Hinduism and some branches of Buddhism, which seem more like spiritual philosophies to me) do not encourage the search for Knowledge outside the holy scriptures. Anything that differs from what is considered good by divine right is wrong. I've always wondered how men can be so arrogant as to try interpreting the will of a divine being which is supposed to be a lot more advanced and powerful than us.

It is this inhibition of curiosity and the will to learn and grow that can be so destructive about religions, as can be seen in history. Religion is a good way for people to join together with similar values and beliefs, and can help to adopt a moral way of living, but it is essential to move beyond that at some point.

All that to say that competion is essential to evolution and growth, and that a single world government wouldn't be very good for that. Better to have a world-watch organization like the UN, but one that actually works and has credibility. Religion can give us good moral guidelines and can be a good help in giving meaning to our lives, but moving beyond that is essential, because if one is to understand the great mystery that is life, one has to study all its aspects, see the contrast, but not bind oneself to a belief and turn it into a dogma.

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Permalink Reply by Elias B. Hagen on February 10, 2012 at 10:11am

This is a good post, and i like Your view on these matters.
I agree that competition can be helthy, and that one government might not be the best solution. But anyhow, we as a race must overcome our differences to achive peace.

And Your english is flawless :) good post bro

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