Godwin makes everything better.
It is often claimed the the free market produces the most efficient distribution of resources. There are many ways to criticize this, but I will choose two: Nazis and happiness.
Efficiency as an end in itself
There is something seductive about efficiency. It draws you in. It's almost like the thrill of an action movie, explosions and guns and no point at all. There's where the problem comes in: What is the point of efficiency? By itself it is nothing; a tool at most. Tools are useless without something to work on and are terrible is used for the wrong purpose.
Enter the Nazis. They were efficient in many tasks. Such as killing millions of people. Despite the hyping up of health care, Obama's death panels would have a hard time killing millions of people in less than a decade. No matter how many Hitler mustaches and swastikas you paint on him, he is not as efficient as the Nazis.
The Holocaust was efficient, but clearly, efficiency itself is not a noble cause. In contrast modern factories are very efficient and that let's us all (exclude those who are excluded) have a higher standard of living. That is good. But again, efficiency in itself is not good. Instead what matters is the purpose of the efficiency. What goal does the market have? That goal is the true measure of it, not its efficiency.
Efficient happiness
The market produces optimal distribution of goods by allowing us to maximize our happiness through rational exchanges of goods and products. Right? Well that depends on what you're measuring.
If we are looking for the total happiness in the world, then huge gains would be made if you were half as wealthy and that was divided up among the poor. This isn't due to some socialist enlightenment or freedom from materialism. It's simple diminishing returns. Having a car, house, refrigerator, and computer will yield a huge gain in happiness compared to not having those. Spend that amount again fora bigger house, better food in the fridge, and faster computer and you won't have double the happiness. In fact, you're likely to have less, due to additional stress from work and financial strains to afford the luxuries. In terms of arbitrary numbers, it's a case of 100+5+5+5+5+5+5+5+5+5 being less than 90+10+10+10+10+10+10.
If we are looking for individual happiness, well then the free market works very well if you're on the 100 side of the addition, less so on the 5 side.
You are bad and should feel bad
Individual happiness and total happiness are different measures and are unlikely to be reconciled, unless one thing changes: tie individual happiness to total happiness. In other words, give rich people a huge guilt trip.
That's not likely to happen. If someone doesn't feel guilty about corporate policies that cause pandas to be killed by orphan child soldiers, what could possibly cause them to feel guilty?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Creationism will lead to witchcraft
Creationism is based largely on an inability or refusal to objectively evaluate evidence.
Creationism is based on active misinterpretation of a book of parables based on the unchallenged assertion that it is absolute literal truth.
Put these together and what do we arrive at? Active suppression of thought and objectivity. Suppression of experimentation, of controls, of science and knowledge. What will take its place?
Some would like it to be Christianity. That is the plan of the Creationists. And in all likelihood, it will happen. Partially.
But ignorance and stupidity are not innately drawn to any particular system of beliefs, or any system at all. They drift and fumble in the dark, grasping at whatever they stumble across.
Much of what the ignorant find will not be Christianity, but older religions, or even older still, spirit-worship, voodoo (which actually is somewhat new, but the ideas of it are old), and all manner of heretical beliefs and practices. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that should creationism drive science out of teaching, we will see a rise in witchcraft.
Prepare for unintended consequences.
Creationism is based on active misinterpretation of a book of parables based on the unchallenged assertion that it is absolute literal truth.
Put these together and what do we arrive at? Active suppression of thought and objectivity. Suppression of experimentation, of controls, of science and knowledge. What will take its place?
Some would like it to be Christianity. That is the plan of the Creationists. And in all likelihood, it will happen. Partially.
But ignorance and stupidity are not innately drawn to any particular system of beliefs, or any system at all. They drift and fumble in the dark, grasping at whatever they stumble across.
Much of what the ignorant find will not be Christianity, but older religions, or even older still, spirit-worship, voodoo (which actually is somewhat new, but the ideas of it are old), and all manner of heretical beliefs and practices. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that should creationism drive science out of teaching, we will see a rise in witchcraft.
Prepare for unintended consequences.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The most dangerous cult of our time
It's not radical Islam.
It's not even Christian extremists.
No, it's the fallen Cult of the Free Market.
This was once a peaceful, loving faith. They spread their gospel and virtues of hard work, perseverance, and prosperity. Sure, they were a bit backward, but it was a backward time known as the past. The early worshipers can be excused their harmful acts towards children and polluting the air and water, for they did not yet know what they did. And it was for a greater good, in addition to their own gain.
But this once great religion, this worship of freely-chosen economic decisions based on maximizing personal gain, it has fallen. Where it once followed the spirit of freedom, it now follows only in word. In place of the benevolent invisible hand, the cult now has a malicious and untouchable pantheon known as the Corporations.
These beings do not seek to bring balance. They do not seek prosperity. Instead they seek only their own power and profit, without regard for the harm they cause to the heathens or the faithful. These new gods are beyond reproach, held unaccountable for their actions. To question them in any way is heresy. To point out the truth, that they are not the once-benevolent spirit of the free market, is to invite personal attack and public scorn.
As Christianity rose in power it branded all other faiths as Pagan and devil-worshiping. Mirroring this, the rise of the corporation has brought the equally false labeling of any dissenters as socialist.
The cult of the Corporation is truly that, a cult, a religion. It has ceased to be a valid economic system, for it no longer cares about economics as a science. Science questions and examines and the corporations want nothing more for there to no questioning, only obedience. Followers have infiltrated all branches of government, written its scripture into law, and attack the separation of church and state at a scale that a few misplaced Ten Commandments could not even approach. As they write more loopholes and exemptions and shelters, the houses of worship for the cult have gained the same tax-immunity as any church would.
The time has come for two revolutions. First, government must be cleansed of the influence of the cult. Second, it is time for a reformation, a return to proper worship of the Market and the Invisible Hand, the benevolent forces which created our world; and the rejection of the Corporate Pantheon which is destroying it.
It's not even Christian extremists.
No, it's the fallen Cult of the Free Market.
This was once a peaceful, loving faith. They spread their gospel and virtues of hard work, perseverance, and prosperity. Sure, they were a bit backward, but it was a backward time known as the past. The early worshipers can be excused their harmful acts towards children and polluting the air and water, for they did not yet know what they did. And it was for a greater good, in addition to their own gain.
But this once great religion, this worship of freely-chosen economic decisions based on maximizing personal gain, it has fallen. Where it once followed the spirit of freedom, it now follows only in word. In place of the benevolent invisible hand, the cult now has a malicious and untouchable pantheon known as the Corporations.
These beings do not seek to bring balance. They do not seek prosperity. Instead they seek only their own power and profit, without regard for the harm they cause to the heathens or the faithful. These new gods are beyond reproach, held unaccountable for their actions. To question them in any way is heresy. To point out the truth, that they are not the once-benevolent spirit of the free market, is to invite personal attack and public scorn.
As Christianity rose in power it branded all other faiths as Pagan and devil-worshiping. Mirroring this, the rise of the corporation has brought the equally false labeling of any dissenters as socialist.
The cult of the Corporation is truly that, a cult, a religion. It has ceased to be a valid economic system, for it no longer cares about economics as a science. Science questions and examines and the corporations want nothing more for there to no questioning, only obedience. Followers have infiltrated all branches of government, written its scripture into law, and attack the separation of church and state at a scale that a few misplaced Ten Commandments could not even approach. As they write more loopholes and exemptions and shelters, the houses of worship for the cult have gained the same tax-immunity as any church would.
The time has come for two revolutions. First, government must be cleansed of the influence of the cult. Second, it is time for a reformation, a return to proper worship of the Market and the Invisible Hand, the benevolent forces which created our world; and the rejection of the Corporate Pantheon which is destroying it.
Friday, January 22, 2010
I want my country back
The Supreme Court had decided that corporations, which are not people (which I hope is obvious), have free speech and therefore can spend however much they want to bribe... I mean finance elections.
Why should something which is not a citizen have any say in internal American politics? These are not Americans we're talking about here. They are corporations. They are international and care nothing for America except as it advances their own interests. That's their point: to make money, not to look out for the best interests of any state or national populace. This means that inevitably when their profits and national interests conflict, national interest will lose. This isn't mere theory and projection; it already happens on a routine basis.
Corporations are not even human. They pretend to be in order to manipulate and exploit, but that hardly justifies giving them any human rights. Do we give the vote to dogs who act like people and dress up for calenders? Of course not. That would be incredibly stupid.
Non-People should not have have free speech, or really any at all. They're not people and therefore should it is pointless to even consider the question of human rights in their case.
I want my country back. It is being taken from me by activist judges.
Why should something which is not a citizen have any say in internal American politics? These are not Americans we're talking about here. They are corporations. They are international and care nothing for America except as it advances their own interests. That's their point: to make money, not to look out for the best interests of any state or national populace. This means that inevitably when their profits and national interests conflict, national interest will lose. This isn't mere theory and projection; it already happens on a routine basis.
Corporations are not even human. They pretend to be in order to manipulate and exploit, but that hardly justifies giving them any human rights. Do we give the vote to dogs who act like people and dress up for calenders? Of course not. That would be incredibly stupid.
Non-People should not have have free speech, or really any at all. They're not people and therefore should it is pointless to even consider the question of human rights in their case.
I want my country back. It is being taken from me by activist judges.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Well shit.
It's amazing how 41 people saying "we don't care if you live or die" can inspire people to vote... in favor of them.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Would you vote for Jesus?
Let's go through some facts:
Fact: Born in Bethlehem, a Palestinian-controlled area.
Fact: Had conflicts with the Jewish authorities.
Fact: Had long hair.
Fact: Traveled the current Muslin world, preaching.
Fact: Had a small band of devoted followers, one of which eventually committed suicide.
Fact: Was motivated to "die for our sins."
Fact: Attacked the Temple, disrupting both Jews and bankers.
Fact: Speaks frequently of peace and brotherhood.
I don't know about you, but this sounds a like like a Muslim extremist with a lot of ties who seeks to undermine our national defense. I'd keep an eye on supporters of this guy.
Fact: Born in Bethlehem, a Palestinian-controlled area.
Fact: Had conflicts with the Jewish authorities.
Fact: Had long hair.
Fact: Traveled the current Muslin world, preaching.
Fact: Had a small band of devoted followers, one of which eventually committed suicide.
Fact: Was motivated to "die for our sins."
Fact: Attacked the Temple, disrupting both Jews and bankers.
Fact: Speaks frequently of peace and brotherhood.
I don't know about you, but this sounds a like like a Muslim extremist with a lot of ties who seeks to undermine our national defense. I'd keep an eye on supporters of this guy.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
In 50 years China will be Communist
On it's not Communist already. Does it look like they live in a roughly equal worker's paradise?
No, instead China has, without telling anyone (quite rude of them), jumped back to a feudal system. The peasants and craftsmen toil away on land which they do not own. The nobility (government) takes all the profit and gives no freedom. And is utterly useless and has power only because it has power. Nobility in all but name and blood.
But capitalism is rising there. Economic freedom, slowly, is emerging. They're getting richer. The idea of property is growing. And eventually, the capitalists will be powerful enough to displace the nobility.
But the Chinese are not as big on consumption as other cultures. They are learning, but perhaps not fast enough. They do produce a lot though. Eventually we're going to run out of money to give them. So they will have a crisis of overproduction.
At this point China will be industrialized but with plentiful farmland and excess products. Cue Marxist Communist revolution.
And then Google will move back in.
No, instead China has, without telling anyone (quite rude of them), jumped back to a feudal system. The peasants and craftsmen toil away on land which they do not own. The nobility (government) takes all the profit and gives no freedom. And is utterly useless and has power only because it has power. Nobility in all but name and blood.
But capitalism is rising there. Economic freedom, slowly, is emerging. They're getting richer. The idea of property is growing. And eventually, the capitalists will be powerful enough to displace the nobility.
But the Chinese are not as big on consumption as other cultures. They are learning, but perhaps not fast enough. They do produce a lot though. Eventually we're going to run out of money to give them. So they will have a crisis of overproduction.
At this point China will be industrialized but with plentiful farmland and excess products. Cue Marxist Communist revolution.
And then Google will move back in.
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