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Repairman

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Everything posted by Repairman

  1. Sonic & Knuckles, I am an old guy who was born too late to appreciate video games. No regrets about that. To the point, I have spent my life in the Rust Belt Zone between Chicago and Milwaukee. I've been watching this thing happen for decades. I've survived many plant-shutdowns. I've visited other towns in the region. The manufacturing industry of yesterday is not coming back, but manufacturing is very likely to make a comeback with the industry of the future, i.e. robotics, biomedical/pharmaceutical, and digital industries. As you explore more of the works of Ayn Rand, you may consider looking into the economic theories supporting free markets. You can find many Youtube videos featuring Milton Friedman, if you don't find the time to read. Don't be frustrated with our current state. Reading Ayn Rand is an excellent decision. Welcome to the forum, and best of luck.
  2. It is because of individuals, such as Elon Musk, that I remain an optimist, albeit a cautious optimist. The innovations of today are the conventional and common-place of tomorrow. Modern marvels, such as the 3D printer and genomic mapping, might be enough to persuade any skeptic as to the possibilities of a world such as envisioned in The Jetsons and Star Trek. The fantastic doesn't seem so much like fantasy anymore. Nonetheless, it would only take a misguided movement, or even one psychotic individual to take humanity in the wrong philosophical/ideological direction, and into reverse rather than real progress. One day, there may be more humans living in outer-Terrestrial habitats than on Earth, or the human race could revert to a new dark age, and once again on the verge of extinction. "If men grasp the source of their destruction-if they dedicate themselves to the greatest of all crusades: a crusade for the absolutism of reason-the twenty-first century will have a chance once more."--Ayn Rand from Philosophy: Who Needs It. (p. 111).
  3. Rubal Sher, If I interpret your argument as: There are so many subjective, religious, and in some cases, radically irrational people in the world making it impossible for even the smallest minority of Objectivist to flourish, well I would agree. I hope by now we have the understanding that America is not an Objectivist society, anymore than is India. (I should point out that prostitution is illegal the US, although there is the State of Nevada, where there are only the minimum restrictions, and I understand Canada has decriminalized prostitution.) On the other hand, if you are arguing that chaos would ensue if society were to pursue a body of governmental laws based purely on objective reality, I do not agree. The philosophy of nature, science, can and is a philosophy that not only improved the material standard of living for society in the West, it has also been the bane of religion. Religion is the traditional obstacle impeding the integration of knowledge. There are more modern forms of mysticism, such as socialism, but to the point, Objectivism is as far from socialism and religion as one can get. Through objective research, evidence, and a well-presented argument based on solid evidence, you can prove the the Earth is not the center of the universe, or that microbes exist, or any other absolute truth you deem worthy of governance. With regard to "offensiveness," I believe the others are addressing that question. Also, I believe it is worth mentioning that objectivity does not necessarily equal Objectivism. One may hold a body of evidence, objective evidence, and yet, not arrive at the objective or complete truth. You may closer to it than before the discovery of solid evidence, but Objectivism is a philosophy, presupposing a process by which one lives.
  4. Honestly, I have no opinion with regards to the thread on the subject of nudity. With regards to government, as I've said before, there would be government, albeit, a little as necessary. Citing your example of using the courts as the primary form of government, (a method I would not trust to remain free of corruption), court rulings would serve the same function as legislators passing laws. In any case, it would not in my best interest, nor anyone's best interest to get rid of government. It would be a good idea to read some of Ayn Rand's non-fiction, particularly The Virtue of Selfishness, or Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal. Both of these collections of essays have a chapter describing the Proper Role of Government. I'd rather not take up specifics, such as the argument over nudity, although I think nude beaches are great to visit, as long as I'm allowed to wear my choice of modesty garment. And "Gentlemen's Clubs" are a perfect affirmation that some form of freedom still endures to these United States. But Rubal Sher, I strongly recommend doing some study into the finer points of the teachings of Ayn Rand before you jump to any conclusions.
  5. You may have overlooked the part about physical force used by government to enforce laws the are unjust. Rubal Sher, which books authored by Ayn Rand have you finished reading?
  6. Rubal Sher, Objectivism may not be a solution to anything such as that could change a nation of over a billion people, especially a nation of people fiercely defensive of their many various religions. Objectivism is a philosophy; it is a comprehensive philosophy, and I might add that you would be hard pressed to find a philosophy more radical than Objectivism. With generations of secular law holding back the forces of Christian fanaticism in America, it is with certainty that the United States is not an Objectivist nation. In fact, I would conjecture that the self-identifying Objectivist society in America is an insignificant minority. I will never live to see the day when an admitted atheist will ever receive the nomination for the office of president, unless the political party were neither Republican or Democrat. A woman president, perhaps, but not an atheist. As long as such institutions as religion guide the moral direction of a society, Objectivism will remain a curiosity to some, a life-style for the few who understand it. If I may take this example: "an Islamic Objectivist world." Simply put, these two terms contradict each other. Such a world would be impossible. As would a Christian-Objectivist world, or a Jewish, or Buddhist, Jain, you may hyphenate any faith you choose, but Objectivism holds no faith, only reality as an absolute. As it relates to government, Objectivism rejects such notions as "a brotherhood of man," or the "common good," or "redistribution of wealth." Certainly, there would be government, but its primary function would be the protection of the rights of the individual, rather than the collective, "the masses," or a term most favored in America politics, "the people." No singular set of cultural values would take precedent over justice for the individual in an Objectivist society. The fact of the reality is that all nations, Western, Eastern, or otherwise, have cultural norms that may trace their origins back more than 10,000 years. (For example: marriage and family.) To overcome such institutions as those that prevent you from conducting normal daily activities in the nude, I really don't know what to tell you, other than, if it should ever come to pass, I would recommend you wear some sort of footwear for the protection of your feet. It would be in your self-interest. Edit: I want to make clear that we, in America, have a faction of religious force at work in our democracy. I substituted "religious" for "Christian" in my post for clarification, as Christian-fundamentalism as a form fanaticism specific to American politics, more so than any other creed. I highlighted to edit. Rubal Sher, we have irrational people here as well.
  7. Rubal Sher, First, welcome to the forum. It's very encouraging the know that Objectivism is gaining interest internationally. Your preceding post covers many topics indeed. I only wish to comment on your interpretation of "self interest" where it relates to government. Ideally, government would hold the monopoly on force, and exert force in the protection of the rights of the individual. Whether theological or ideological, any political system runs the risk of gravitating toward tyranny without the protection of individual rights. The people, or even the ideas that govern society, are not individuals, as they are acting in the interest of society, and not their own interest. While it is true that some people enter public life in democratic systems with the claim that they champion the rights of "the people" and in fact they only wish to gain unearned wealth through a corrupt institution, many in government truly believe they are acting without self interest, rather they believe that it is for the benefit of the people that they force women to wear burqsa and men wear beards and all of the other traditional tyranny. These men in government, whether they govern in the West or the East, lack any legitimate purpose by Objectivist standards; they are living for control over others, and measure their success by the impression they make on others, or for that matter, their impression on history. As I see it, Adolph Hitler truly believed in his mission to lead the Germanic race to "greatness," and vanquish any threat to his cause. Even in the United States, we have politicians that truly believe that they are doing the American people a favor by destroying freedom.
  8. Interesting indeed. This Diaz-Canel predictably will speak the same ideological rhetoric as his predecessors. But the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone and other developments indicates long-planning for capitalistic reform. Either way, dictatorship is the norm in many countries, and a truly liberated Cuba is a long way off.
  9. I am doing nothing objectively wrong when I eat. You are attempting to prove otherwise, by suggesting that fish, deer, and all of the four-legged characters of Orwell's Animal Farm qualify as sentient, therefore reasoning beings. Your doing a rather weak job of it. I maintain that moderate consumption of meat is healthy, and only causes guilt among neurotic and cognitive beings.
  10. I don't see this as an argument over whether or not basic survival behavior constitutes reason, so much as an argument over whether or not humans have a right to balance their diets without feeling guilty. "Feeling guilty" is in this case quite subjective.
  11. Human consumption of meat is both healthy and logical, at least until technology provides us with a healthier and more cost-effective substitute that doesn't taste bad. When with only his mind and ten digits, an ape can research and present an argument contrary this this one: http://time.com/4252373/meat-eating-veganism-evolution/ , I might consider your "animals-reason-and-therefore-must-not-provide-my-nourishment." If necessary, I could "ape" many more articles making basically the same argument. There is overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of eating meat in moderation. Of course, I limit my choices of animals delicacies to cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, fish, and on rare occasion, lamb. I have not been in a situation where eating dogs, horses, or even apes has been necessary, but my rational life-style has allowed me the luxury of other choices. I might even be convinced of his intelligence with an ape possessing the ability to create a fairly realistic self-portrait or pass a public school first-grade math test. Until then, I am unconvinced that my omnivorous diet violates anyone's rights.
  12. Reading all of the material for a broad understanding of philosophy certainly takes time, not only for reading, but "chewing" on it. I have For the New Intellectual on audio book. You could say I've "read" it many times as I have a long commute.
  13. I recommend a book I read several years ago: Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers, by S. E. Frost, Jr., Ph.D. The edition I have was published by Anchor Books, and to the best of my knowledge, it is not available on Kindle. I'm trying to reduce the volumes of paper books on my shelves, but when I paged through it at my local Barnes and Noble, I had to have it. It was originally published in 1942. At that time, Ayn Rand had yet to release The Fountainhead. The book includes brief explanations of the ideas of nearly every relevant philosopher (and a few I'd never heard of before) in Western Civilization up to that date. I was very impress with the descriptions of key points with regard to specific philosophers and their teachings. It was very useful in reinforcing my understanding of the arguments made in Ayn Rand's, For the New Intellectual. I hope you find this book as helpful as I did, and I hope For the New Intellectual is also on your list. I doubt if I'll ever commit to a formal education in philosophy, but self-education has proven to be satisfactory. Best of luck.
  14. Actually, I did watch the Frontline video about a month ago. It is entertaining, and I would recommend.
  15. I'm not sure if there's a question being asked here, but I can offer some commentary: Nothing would change "immediately." The institutions currently in place will not suddenly cease any more than Catholicism or slavery in the South ceased to exist in spite of horrific wars intended to abolish said institutions. Whatever program(s) set forth to reduce and ultimately liberate people from government dependency could only succeed long after the people accept the expanded concept of self-governance. To expect the sudden popularization of this notion of increased personal responsibility is unrealistic, to say the least. If explained properly, the answer to who will administer the maintenance of public utilities is answered in your second sentence. Politicians gladly step up to administer that function. The United States originally flourished under a mixed economy of coerced taxation and voluntary financing, and in some forms, this still exists, we still flourish, but the greater reliance on coerced taxation is unpopular and destructive. In the early years, voluntary means, such as, lotteries and government bonds covered the cost of the construction of highways and canals. I can't say with certainty as to the degree of vigilance comptroller oversight made the difference, but those projects were highly successful. One idea that would not be popular today is the idea that many of the public services we've come to rely on could be eliminated, and replaced by privately owned institutions. (A fine example is the highly controversial Affordable Healthcare law, which is a result of public mistrust of private institutions.) An argument could be made that Americans already have a "voluntary" pay system. We voluntarily "hired" certain personalities to administer and construct finance plans to provide us with all of the security one needs from cradle to grave. The voluntary persons pandering to the masses, pleading for your vote, and promising the moon. Furthermore, I believe many if not most are quite sincere in their delusional quest to solve the problems of the world and alleviate all suffering. Whether it comes in the form of Christianity or socialism, the spirit of altruism is fundamental to every successful candidate, because the majority want to believe the problems of the world can be solved through collective action and/or the Blessings of God. We allow these shepherds of the common good to take control over their flock, because no one calls into question the very evil from whence dictatorship originates: Altruism. While early Americans did indeed hold a voluntary sense of common good, Christian charity, an allegiance to the safety, and well-being of their neighbors, it was the crucial component of personal guidance, self-governance and self-reliance that defined Jeffersonian Democracy. Over the generations, the Jeffersonian concept of individual freedom has eroded, (and arguably for many valid reasons). Today, the individual is taught at an early age that government must take the place of one's parents upon adulthood. At the same time, we learn how corrupt our system is, and we are told that the only way to deal with it is to disregard any respect for lawful governance (in the same way we might disobey our parents or the school principle), or to "fix it" by heaping more government on top of the already festering pile of bad laws. Voluntary organizations do work, but they must undertake only the causes that are worthy of their efforts. Otherwise, you wind up with the same self-proclaimed do-gooders that currently stagnate real progress. On the idea of voluntary taxation, consider this: The power to tax is the power to destroy. I don't believe any rational persons would volunteer to destroy themselves.
  16. Factions are a reality of politics, as you have pointed out. I would not entirely with your statement that factions are a define threat to our Republic. In general, I agree with the intent of this statement, but the threat is not the divisions in civic leadership. Rather, it is the ideological or philosophical influences most widely accepted in our society. Factions have existed within every society, from the tribal, to the superstate. In the case of our present day democracy, it is the people, the majority, who decide the persons in leadership. But if they choose between one statist over another, they will only wind up with another statist. If your vote goes for the candidate(s) that will fix your street, the guy on the other street has equal justification for outrage. Rather than entangle this message with alternatives to democracy, I believe there are other ways to vote, such as with one's wallet or one's feet. If Americans were to embrace a more laissez faire political system, a more just system of public appropriation and expenditure might emerge. While this would certainly be a hard sell in these times, advocacy of individualism, capitalism, reason, and Objectivism would be the best way to begin the long journey of reaching the desired goal of a more just social order.
  17. Scott Ostrem, of Colorado, may be added to the rogues gallery of psychopathic mass murderers, whose victims were selected at random. Inasmuch as Ostrem survived, authorities may learn thing about his deranged mental condition. As with so many of the others in that rogues gallery, ranging as far back as Charles Witman, the 1966 Texas Tower Sniper, no one may ever learn exactly what motivated their crimes. I have no doubt that there are professional psychoanalysts with theories. Sayfullo Saipov, the Uzbeck immigrant responsible for the mass murders last Tuesday, stated his motive loudly and proudly. He had a support system in the form of ISIS. As more facts become known, the likely conclusion will likely be that Mister Saipov was more than less motivated by his faith. It what be foolish, as well as tragic, to even attempt to regulate peoples' beliefs via government coercion. Immigration regulation is a proper function of government. While there's no reason for hysterics in the form of mass deportations, I see no reason why the government should not be more discriminating with regard to immigration.( I think Trump's proposed wall would be a bit expensive, ineffective, and unnecessary, and Uzbekistan is not on his "banned nationality list.") Domestically raised terror (Islamic or not) has also appeared in recent years to be on the rise. (2046, the sarcasm is noted; government restrictions on infants would not play well in most countries, other than China.) Omar Mateen, the Pulse nightclub shooter, was reported to have had mental problems unrelated to his faith, and yet it seems his faith played a role in his hatred of homosexuals. Dylann Roof was another one strongly motivated by his hatred of African-Americans. While government force may never eliminate the impulse for murder, nor screen out immigrant mass murderers, I advocate for personal support systems for the rational, i.e., lend a little support to those with doubts about their religious and/or ideological beliefs. I've talked with people expressing racist tendencies, and found them to reluctantly admit that their fear of blacks is irrational. It is always my habit to assure anyone who has broken with their religious past that they are right with regard to their doubt. Ask not what your government can do to prevent fanaticism, ask the fanatic why he holds his beliefs. This forum is certainly an example of one such support system.
  18. I believe I covered that in this post: If I'm a collectivist for seeking a more secure, comfortable, and rational society, count me in.
  19. Terrorism certainly qualifies as an act of commission. And while I must agree with everyone (including Nicky and Invictus2017) that there are a great many things more threatening than religion-inspired acts of violence, Islam is a massively popular religion, one that includes verses intended to inspire violence. People practicing Islam peacefully pose no threat; the people practicing Islam violently are very threatening, and yet both groups are being true to their faith. To be sure, I consider an appropriate defense against anything that may threaten me. Nonetheless, it is normal, if not rational, to fear that which threatens me. The automobile accident is far more likely to cost me my life. I fear the event of a head-on collision, and I take appropriate actions to prevent such a tragedy. What prevention can one take against the suicidal/homicidal maniac? Other religions have inspired violence, but could you tell me one that has inspired as much carnage in the past seventeen years as Islam?
  20. No accident? Are you suggesting tetanus victims contract the disease intentionally? Tetanus is preventable with vaccine; death by Jihad warrior is not. In America, tetanus is rare; terrorists or mass murderers, Muslim or non-Muslim, also are rare in the US. Nonetheless, Muslim terrorists act out in part from inspiration derived from their Holy Koran. I find this disturbing, others find it scary, especially when people are being told that Islam is perfectly harmless. The Muslim terrorist is in part motivated by his religion. What motivation does a tetanus virus act upon, other than its nature as a virus? What exactly is your point?
  21. We could make a long list of preventable scary things, including automobile accidents. But the incident that happened in New York yesterday was no accident.
  22. All joking aside, Islam is a scary religion, and the senseless deaths of eight Americans should be regarded with the same sobriety as 3000 deaths. Among Westerners, "Alluah Akbar" has become commonly associated with mayhem, the battle cry of an irrational and deadly Jihad. Nonetheless, it is the faith of choice for millions of people around the world, many living in the United States. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of American Muslims are as rational as their Christian and Jewish counterparts. They are not an organized army. They are individuals, and as their generations are more exposed to our culture, I believe more will abandon their faith, just as many Christians and Jews have abandoned theirs. While you've brought up the subject of Stephen Paddock, the Las Vegas shooter, after an entire month of analysis, no one is any closer to understanding the motive of his crime. I do not wish to "psychologize" the pathology of any mass murder; I am not qualified for that. However, how do we know that he did not have an inspired revelation from his spiritual friend(s)? Please don't construe this statement as a hypothesis; it is not. I'm merely saying that religions other than Islam have inspired violence. Religion in general can be a catalyst for self-destruction. I wish for a future where religion is a subject studied in history books, as a means of understanding the past. Presently, people no longer have to conceal their atheism as they did in the not-so distant past. Faith versus atheism is a false set of alternatives; the focus needs to be on rationality, a belief in objective reality. We may never know why Stephen Paddock went berserk; we only know that his actions were irrational to the extreme. On the other hand, we have plenty of evidence that religion has played a role in organized mass murder in America, before as well as after the Colonial Period, from September 11, 2001, to the crimes of the KKK, to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, to the hanging of Quakers.
  23. We don't that it wasn't an attempt to divert the national media attention from the ongoing Russian-collusion investigation. It's the sort of thing that works for Frank Underwood. (Bad taste, you might say? Yes, but someone told me I should be more fun. Trick or Treat.)
  24. Of course, one can derive satisfaction from day-by-day successes. In the context of the main argument, success, whether major or minor, is for some, the measure of a good life, as opposed to trying to be popular-especially if one compromises one's principles (or lacks principles) in the process of becoming popular. You make a valid point. Perhaps I should have clarified my statement. I suppose for some, popularity would be a major factor contributing to a good life. But as for me, a life of personal accomplishment is much more satisfying than fitting in with a large crowd, most of whom would be mere acquaintances. I have had success in both areas of my life, and I prefer accomplishment. It was not my intent to imply that success must be grandiose or driven by a sense of duty; the knowledge that I earned that which is mine gives me enormous satisfaction. Earning the right sort of companionship (i.e. without compromise of one's values and principles) is a major success that many might never achieve. Until then, successes both minor and major are quite satisfactory. In the quest of expanding the popularity of Objectivism, I maintain that any attempt to impose one's beliefs on an unresponsive audience for any other reason than the cause of justice is a bad idea. Arguing for recreational purposes can be amusing when one has the time, but when challenged, I will defend myself and my beliefs, even when the cost is a loss in public approval ratings.
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