What's wrong with Society?

**Byzantine Prince** · 07-16-2005, 05:47

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

By the way, put the Sarte down, go read some Ayn Rand.

I haven't really read Sartre properly yet. I haven't read his book twice, and it's a very hard one. Too hard for most people to finish IMO. Regardless to what you may believe I don't agree with most of the things I read in philosophy, especialy Sartre, who reminds too much of JAG

. They all have their flaws in relation to the way that I see the world. But regardless they all have something useful, a part that's tailormade for you and can shake your opinion or even the way you look at things or people. You don't have to agree with everything they say. You shouldn't be afraid to read books like the Communist Manifesto for example because it lead to communism, there are plenty of things in it about capitalism and how it has some very good qualities(yes you heard right

). I for example read Kierkegaard, even though he believed in God. It doesn't bother because he was the one to first question faith and probably the first existentialist(or something like it).

It's right to learn, even from your enemies. Why do you think I hang around the backroom?

Just jk.

**bmolsson** · 07-16-2005, 07:14

I don't think there is something wrong with society. Just filled with more challanges than before.....

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-16-2005, 07:18

If we allow our majority to be this idiotic how can we trust them to vote with an informed opinion, or even serve society correctly for that matter? It's a frightening thought for me.

The fatal flaw of democracy.

I disagree with many of my fellow conservatives on this point. I think democracy is messy. I would much rather have a ruling class based on the military.

**Byzantine Prince** · 07-16-2005, 07:34

Originally Posted by PanzerJager

The fatal flaw of democracy.

I disagree with many of my fellow conservatives on this point. I think democracy is messy. I would much rather have a ruling class based on the military.

Something like this: link - junta

Don't think that would work that well either. Oligarchies have gone wrong in ancient greece as well.

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-16-2005, 07:51

I was really refering to America.

In my opinion, the American military is home to the best and the brightest patriots we have in this country. There just good people who want the best for this country, not themselves (for the most part).

I trust them far more than the politicians to remain loyal to the constitution and the american people. After all, they do put their lives on the line for those things.

In any event, if there were ever a major attack or a crisis in confidence, I wouldnt mind a justified transfer of power or even a military coup.. but thats probably the Prussian in me speaking.

**Papewaio** · 07-16-2005, 08:55

What you read is not what you are.

Case 1.
Reading Playboy does not make you a Playboy.

Case 2.
Reading Philosophy does not make you a Philosopher.

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People read for many different reasons. Information, learning, knowledge, work, brain dumping, relaxation, broader understanding, connectivity etc.

When I was doing my physics degree I was reading physics textbooks for knowledge and fantasy books for relaxation. I still read fantasy books because they take me away from my very real data centric job to something else.

I have also read the first three Harry Potters...
a) To find out what all the fuss is about... turns out it is essentially Dungeons and Dragons set in modern day UK. Nothing particularly orginal about mixing up ancient mythology and magic for a book.
b) To try and figure out how I too could make a million dollars writing a book... turns out her writing style is quite vivid and humourous, and hence difficult to emulate that same mass appeal to youngsters... a very hard market to crack, but if you do they tend to swarm towards the latest fad as a massive group... just compare music choices for the young and how they rapidly diversify as they get older.

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And some of you have to read about group intelligence theory. It essential boils down to the fact that a lot of simple agents can find the best fit solution to a problem quicker then a few expert agents.

Democracies also have the ability to adapt the societies they control quicker. While juntas have an issue with any change. Adapt and Thrive or Freeze and Die.

**bmolsson** · 07-16-2005, 10:01

Originally Posted by Papewaio

Reading Playboy does not make you a Playboy.

Uhu.....

**BDC** · 07-16-2005, 11:20

Society is fine.

I mean I never would have dressed up as a wizard last night for a while so people can go and get a book at midnight in the past would I?

Assuming you can count it as a book and not just a random stream of words.