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CartsBeforeHorses

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Everything posted by CartsBeforeHorses

  1. What a salad of a sentence. Why don't you use plain language? I know what the words mean, but they're difficult to digest. What is telling here is your evasion. I'm willing to change my view on how to stop terrorism, if you offer a better solution than mine. But you have offered no solution to the problem of terrorism. I will repeat my question: How do you propose that we address the cause of terrorism?
  2. It's easy to criticize the solutions offered by others as ineffective, and I would agree that much of what you mention is ineffective. That said, it's much harder to offer a solution of your own. It's easy to fly around, untethered, and snipe at "collectivists;" it's much harder when you have to stand on and defend your ground. I haven't heard a single solution offered by you to the growing problem of terrorism in the US. No ground where you stand. I've heard minimization of the problem, but minimizing terrorism and comparing it to other things does not make it go away as a problem. It just makes us feel better about it. Yet the problem still remains. Emotions are not tools of cognition, and elation is not a national security strategy. What is your solution? What would President Nicky do about terrorism? She certainly couldn't go in front of the American people after a terrorist attack and say, "Oh, it's no big deal, tetanus kills more people." We elect politicians to protect us from the violation of our rights, not stand around and equivocate. Also, all it would take is one terrorist to get his hands on a nuclear weapon, or a dirty bomb, and all of a sudden terrorism is a much bigger problem than tetanus. Just because it's not a big problem today, doesn't mean that it couldn't be tomorrow. What is your solution to terrorism?
  3. Because people carry philosophy with them when they come here. It's a lot easier for Islamists to radicalize people who are already Muslim, and it's very hard for Islam to spread organically. Most of the growth in the world Muslim population comes not from conversion, but from new births to Muslim parents in the Islamic world. "Statistical data on conversion to and from Islam are scarce. What little information is available suggests that there is no substantial net gain or loss in the number of Muslims through conversion globally; the number of people who become Muslims through conversion seems to be roughly equal to the number of Muslims who leave the faith. As a result, this report does not include any estimated future rate of conversions as a direct factor in the projections of Muslim population growth. " http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/future-of-the-global-muslim-population-related-factors/#conversion The only way for Muslims to reliably increase their numbers in the United States is by immigration. Converting non-Muslims is a difficult prospect for them.
  4. And this is influenced by society. We live in a society which conducts a relentless assault on the individual imagination. You want to be an atheist and think for yourself, experience the wonders of the universe through science? No, you should instead go to church and believe that god did it. You want to play Dungeons and Dragons, a very imaginative game? That's for GEEKS! You should instead play candy crush on your phone, that's much more socially acceptable. You want to be an astronomer someday? Sorry, robots will take all of your jobs. Better go out into the streets and join antifa and agitate for more socialist welfare programs. I could go on. I'm glad that you're able to experience bliss from life itself. I have had similar experiences to what you describe, but I would describe them as ecstasy, an excited enjoyment of my own creativity, rather than bliss which is far more tranquil for me. I am only able to experience bliss in its purest form via meditation. I wonder, is there something different about what I'm doing, than what you are doing? Can our emotions both be the same emotion, but driven by different causes? Or are they different emotions that both of us call "bliss"?
  5. How do you propose that we address the cause of terrorism? The cause of Islamic terrorism is Islamic philosophy, specifically people who read the Koran and take it seriously. If the United States didn't have a diversity visa program, the attack in New York would not have happened. Eight Americans would still be alive. How does getting rid of the diversity visa program not alter the effect?
  6. All this talk about Sesame Street's song "One of these things is not like the other" reminded me of a song which sounds suspiciously similar. But is a lot more awesome. Foo Fighters - "The Pretender"
  7. This is the thread for chatting about car crashes, criminality, cancer, and the collection of calamitous catastrophes in our country. As Ayn Rand wrote in Atlas Shrugged: We are free to fight it. So how do we fight the calamities that I just mentioned, without living in a chronic dread of disaster? Car Crashes You'd better drive defensively, and don't drink and drive. Get an SUV, those have a higher survival rate than little grocery-getters. I hear Google is working on self-driving cars which are safer than humans driving. Maybe invest in one of those if you are concerned with car crashes. Criminality You can get a concealed carry permit and have a handgun with you. If you're ever mugged, pull it out and I'll bet the mugger will think twice about his proposition that you hand over your valuables. If guns aren't to your liking, perhaps invest in some pepper spray. Otherwise, take some basic measures like staying in well-lit areas when you're walking around after dark, locking your door with a deadbolt, getting a home security system, and getting a dog perhaps. Cancer Don't be like Ayn Rand and Peikoff. Don't smoke like they did. Also, make sure that you exercise and eat right. Get good health insurance because cancer is expensive to treat, and you want the best treatment when you get cancer. Terrorism Uh... never go to a public place? Yeah, sorry. Unlike everything that I just mentioned, there is literally nothing that an individual can do to reduce his risk of dying from terrorism. Unless he lives in a chronic dread of disaster and indeed doesn't go out to public places. As Sesame Street would say, one of these things is not like the others. Terrorism is different from all the other threats that people like to compare it to and call "bigger threats." Statistically? They're absolutely correct that terrorism deaths are minuscule compared to deaths from the above items. But from a sense of life perspective? Terrorism is far worse, because we are not "free to fight it" as individuals. Nothing can be done by an individual person to reduce his risk of dying in a suicide bomb, or being run over by a van, or being shot in a dark nightclub. However, there is something that the government can do to reduce the risk of terrorism. Turns out that many terrorists in the United States come from, or are descended from people who came from, Islamic countries. Restricting immigration from Islamic countries would be a sensible thing for the government to do in order to protect its citizens' right to life... the one objective role of government. Instead, we have diversity visas and chain migration. We are free to fight calamity, whether as individuals or the government acting on our behalf. The question is, should we? And will we?
  8. Then where are the suicide bombings in the name of Buddha, Jesus, or Moses? Where is the oppression of religious minorities in Norway, Germany, Italy, or any other majority-Christian countries? If every religion has the potential for the same depravity as Islam, then why aren't they living up to it? Answer: because the philosophy of those religions is different. Let's play spot the difference. One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong: Christianity: Turn the other cheek, love thy neighbor as thyself Judaism: Keep to yourself, follow the ten commandments and a bunch of other rules Buddhism: Attain nirvana through meditation Hinduism: Do good deeds and be reincarnated into a higher life-form Islam: Kill the infidel Statistically you are correct. Brb, making a post about car crashes, criminality, and cancer. Edit: and here it is. Huh, looks like terrorism is objectively different from all of those things, from a sense of life perspective. Looks like, unlike almost every other risk to life, there is nothing which can be done by an individual to mitigate his risk of dying of terrorism. In what way are the taxes in the United States Christian-inspired? Most evangelicals vote Republican, and they're a party which is consistently in favor of lower individual and corporate taxes. Atheists vote 69% Democrat, and they're a party which wants to raise taxes. Source: Pew Research The correlation isn't as clear-cut as you're making it. Rationality does demand perspective. In this thread, the perspective is about radical Islam and how to prevent it in the United States. Our politicians cannot stop heart disease or car crashes. They can stop terrorism. That is their job. Shouldn't they do their job? We can talk about the greater threats in the thread that I just made about calamity. And we can talk about the welfare state in threads about the welfare state. In here, let's please keep the focus on Islam because that's what this thread is about.
  9. Looks like our terrorist buddy was let into the United States from Uzbekistan under a "diversity visa." And this is how we're repaid. Should the diversity visa exist? What selfish purpose does "diversity" serve the United States? How can we prevent terrorists from abusing it, as happened in this case? I honestly don't understand what point you're driving at by saying that "other things kill people too." Are you saying that we should not be concerned that this man was deliberately let into the country under a "diversity visa" ... because tetanus exists? Let the doctors worry about tetanus. It's our politicians' job to protect us from political threats... of which terrorism is clearly one. That is the proper role of government, to protect our rights from violation by others. See above. It's the job of doctors and hospitals to worry about tetanus; that's what they do. It's our politicians' job to worry about malafied human actors. That is the proper role of government, to protect our rights from violation by others. In the case of this terrorist, not let him into the country in the first place. I will single out Islam because Islam is uniquely violent in the world today, and is uniquely violent compared to Christianity. No other religion inspires the kind of carnage that Islam inflicts on the world. That's not to say that other religions are good, but just that they are better behaved. Muslims seek to flee Muslim countries and come to Christian countries. There is no exodus from Christian countries into Muslim ones. Christian countries allow Objectivists the freedom to spread our message. If we were members of this board in Muslim countries, we'd be executed. I'm sorry but there's no comparison. Christianity is a decent religion, as far as religion goes. Islam is a deplorable, depraved religion.
  10. The Coach and Four - "1st First Then Reverse"
  11. Ayn Rand's question is in the title of her piece... what is the source of certain people's seemingly inherent refusal to acknowledge evil's power or potency? What is the explanation for this goodness in certain people, what she called the "inexplicable personal alchemy?" Certain people hold a fundamental conviction in the goodness of the universe. One which we see frequently displayed in children. I suspect that it is the same conviction which enables one to experience feelings of bliss. I don't think it necessarily must be willed into being, but that is the surest way to attain bliss because it is guaranteed. In my experience it is much like a muscle which must be conditioned and trained. How do you personally experience bliss, dream_weaver?
  12. He was probably hungry, and was asking the way to the Aloha Snackbar. The Russia investigation has been ongoing since January. Was the Vegas Shooting a diversion, too? I think that we should investigate every murder that has occurred and received media attention. Clearly Putin is involved. Happy Halloween, made scarier by the religion of peace.
  13. An immigrant to the United States from Uzbekistan who arrived here in 2010 has committed an act of mass murder in New York, killing 8 people along a bike path and shouting "allahu akbar." https://t.co/sQtoZFLdeG
  14. I have achieved bliss voluntarily through psychological methods, whenever I desire it, so I know that it's at least possible for one person--me. I don't know if it's my particular brain chemistry which enables me to do this. That is why I am curious to hear others' methods. Also if others have achieved this through purely psychological means such as meditation. Ayn Rand wrote about the "inexplicable personal alchemy"... she believed the universe to be benevolent, and that certain people had an unknown force of goodness inside of them. It is certainly her most interesting piece of writing as she leaves this question unanswered.
  15. That's a very interesting experience... I have always seen bliss as an emotion which you must actively pursue, but perhaps mine is the wrong way to go about it. It sounds like you didn't pursue bliss at all, that it simply happened to you. Objectivism holds that emotions are the result of our premises, whether conscious or subconscious. Have you examined what premises that you held at the time, that you were focused on? Have you tried meditating upon those premises again? I think that might help you more than another smoothie would
  16. This post is all about the emotion of bliss. How is bliss different from happiness, how do you achieve and feel bliss? Below are my thoughts on the matter. Bliss is a strong positive emotion, more intense than happiness but shorter in duration. Unlike happiness as the result of the achievement of man's values in his general life, bliss is an achievement of sustained mental concentration on the mind itself, from moment to moment. You can walk around happy all the time without even thinking about it, but you can't walk around in bliss all the time. Bliss requires a conscious focus on your internal mental state. What does bliss feel like? It's a tranquil, unconditional feeling of selfish love. It's the kind that wraps you in a warm blanket and tells you that all is well, even if only because this one moment exists. People take drugs, join religions, and do all sorts of crazy or dangerous things to find bliss. Really, we all have the innate capacity to feel bliss just by willing ourselves to do so. The initial experience of bliss results from the acceptance of, and the intense focus on just five simple premises. This requires sustained focus (at first), so I'd suggest sitting in a comfortable, quiet place and repeating the following to yourself. Since these are all either true premises or declarative statements of intent, your mind should have no trouble accepting them. If not then feel free to modify them to suit your needs. 1. This moment is all that matters to me right now 2. I let go of all of my cares and worries 3. I love myself, I am in awe at what a wonderful person I am 4. I deserve to be as happy as I want right now 5. I have the capacity for as much happiness as I desire, and I'm using that ability now. You can help this process along while repeating these premises by visualizing your positive qualities, or your past accomplishments, whatever gets you into the mindset of fully loving and embracing yourself. Also visualizing your cares and worries just floating away like clouds passing overhead... in this moment they do not matter. They cannot matter. The universe is benevolent and is allowing you this moment for you. It takes time to train the "bliss circuits" in your brain to respond to your conscious directive, but respond they will if you are dedicated enough. Eventually--and I'm not sure how much mental conditioning that this takes as I've been practicing bliss for 10 years--but you might get to my level of skill. I am able to feel blissful just by telling myself "time to feel blissful" and focusing on letting the feeling flow. I don't really have to consciously repeat any of the premises I listed above anymore, but they are subconscious assumptions which enable this emotion in me. I've already described the emotional feeling of unconditional selfish love... but the physical, bodily sensations of bliss are also intense, and worth noting. It literally feels like every muscle throughout your body is having an orgasm, for as long as you want it to last, as long as you can sustain the concentration required. Ever get goosebumps, shivers down your spine at the thought of something pleasant? That will be magnified by about 10x as well. Hopefully I'm not overselling this, but I truly do see bliss as one of life's most cherished experiences. We might have our disagreements but I share this with my fellow Objectivists in hope that you too will find the bliss that I have found. You all are truly amazing people and you deserve to feel amazing, too. Or, maybe you've already found bliss. How have you found bliss in your life? What do the emotional and physical aspects feel like for you, and are they different from how I've described it? Far be it from me to claim that my own personal experiences are universal. Eager to hear your thoughts on the matter.
  17. But it does impose an obligation. We don't live in an objectivist society yet, we live in this one. And in this one, his mere presence imposes several obligations on me. 1. He can sign up and collect welfare, paid for with my tax dollars. Same with public education, roads, and other things which the tax burden increases with the number of people here, particularly on middle class people like me. 2. He can vote for socialism for more of the same. 3. The Orwellian-named Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of among other catagories: race, religion, or national origin. If I own a business in San Diego, I am prohibited from refusing to do business with this person. Men with guns would show up and force me to act as a slave essentially. Remove those obligations and then we'll talk. Until then, increasing immigration is a non-starter for me, because of my rational self-interest in preserving my own freedom. Do I have the right to rent a 747 and fly it around above Manhattan? If I indeed have the freedom of travel, I should be able, if I have the money, to go rent whatever plane I like and fly it wherever I like. Of course I could also choose to crash it into a building, but you have no right to stop me since you do not know whether I will initiate force against anyone. Obviously we'd get 9/11 many times over without any restrictions on flight in place, but if the right to travel does indeed exist, I suppose that's the price we'll have to pay for freedom.
  18. Nine Days - Bob Dylan The song is all about inspiration. I don't personally like any of Bob Dylan's work, but I think it's really cool that they inspired Nine Days to make a song that I do like.
  19. My mom is one of the most rational people I know... but for her Christianity. She uses reason in every other area of her life, and accepts the science around evolution and the big bang... she is a "selfish" person in the right sense of the word... but I don't think that she is willing to accept dying and that being that. That being said, she does live her life in "this world" and honestly I think she sees church as more of a social club than anything. I mean, this is a woman who remained married to my dad, an atheist (and later in his life, Objectivist) for 30 years--15 of which he was an atheist for. I would try to convert her to being an Objectivist but I don't see a point. She is already reasonable enough when it comes to morality and politics, the two areas which have the ability to influence others. Should we really care if somebody wants to believe in a god, so long as they're rational as it relates to this universe? We view the universe as a self-contained whole, with nothing on the outside. If somebody wants to place a god on the outside for their own emotional inspiration, is that so terrible? I think it's incorrect, sure. But I don't think that we should be pushing the atheist angle in our marketing as much as we do, because it simply doesn't work for most people emotionally. We can still encourage them to embrace rationality in other areas without making them "full objectivists."
  20. I do not recognize the right to immigrate as you (partially) do. Therefore there is no Pandora's box, practicality need be the only concern for a selfish immigration policy for America's national self-interest. It appears we are at an impasse... I refuse to recognize an irrational right which cannot be justified by the only primary right, the right to life. Every individual has a right to life. (Agreed) He has a right to “take all the actions required by the nature of a rational being for the support… his life”. (Agreed) Productive work is required to support life. (Agreed) Sometimes work requires travel. (Agreed) Thus travel is a right, no matter where the travel starting points and destination are. ( <== The point I would disagree on) Thus, there is a right to travel across international borders. (Also disagreed) Ah yes, the imaginary Russia nonsense. As if having good relations with the second-most powerful country on earth is a bad thing. I would call this off-topic but this is the Donald Trump thread, so I'd say it's related. Vetting fees are but one component. While I agree that immigrants should pay their own vetting fees, you could not hire enough FBI and CIA agents to vet the number of people who would come here under an open system. There simply aren't enough qualified people in America to conduct this task. This is doubly true for countries like Australia and New Zealand whose populations are tiny. Also, if you're asking them to pay, you really can't say that a right exists. Otherwise why not make criminal defendants pay court costs and judge's salaries? Because they have a right to a trial financed with public funds... whether or not those funds come from taxation or some other undetermined "Objectivist government" source.
  21. So no matter how big the population of people who want to come into America, and no matter how small the FBI and CIA is and no matter how few cases they can process in a year, there should be no lines, no wall, no way to ensure that everybody who comes in actually is vetted? Can you see how this is impractical? There is no difference between the moral and the practical. This example alone proves that there is no right to immigrate.
  22. Me neither, but I do think that we need to stop paying for their defense. They have disarmed their own people. If they don't even care about their own national defense, why should we station our carriers to defend their sorry backsides from China? Adding insult to parasitism. Saudi Australia. They are the most basic of jokes. I'm getting off topic now. You call for the abolition of the income tax, yet you say that the CIA and FBI should be out investigating everybody in the world who wants to come here? These things are not free, and the budgets of these agencies runs in the 10's of billions? How could an ideal Objectivist America afford to screen the ten million immigrants a year who would move here if we allowed all comers? There would have to be some sort of line, some sorts of quotas, and some sort of wall or barrier to stop people from queue jumping.
  23. Neither am I, but others might. That is what Objectivism offers you the chance to do if you desire. Again, the entire universe is open to us. Noted. Yeah, and you just tried to pull it off. I never said that fun was a substitute for happiness. I said that it was a virtue and that we should use fun to market our philosophy
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