Speaking Truth To Powerlessness

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Comments

  • angelica
    angelica Posts: 6,038
    farfromglorified wrote:
    This is all good stuff. I definitely agree with the points you bring up here. We'll have to touch on some of this stuff some more.
    I'm ready when you are! ;)
    "The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." ~ Niels Bohr

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  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    farfromglorified wrote:
    Me too, at least in general.



    Sometimes, yes. However, aren't you also incentivizing the fuck-up by rewarding it? Furthermore, picking up the pieces and finding a means to build a better life rarely requires money as a determining factor. It requires effort and morals.



    Of course. So do the choices of those involved. It's not only about money and it's not primarily about money.

    I know simply throwing money at something won't fix the problem and I don't think it's all that should be done. A little confidence in people along with a boost to get them back on their feet couldn't hurt, imo....good old fashioned help for those in need. But help does require more than the easy method of tossing money at someone and walking away.

    Also...I wish I would get out of the habit of using the *f word* when I feel frustrated about something. It's not very pretty. When you repeated it, it made me laugh.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • baraka
    baraka Posts: 1,268
    farfromglorified wrote:
    I'd suggest that we actual start by looking at what it means to be poor. To me, being poor is not a relative measure against society. Rather, being poor is a relative measure against survival.

    This comment hurt my heart, ffg. See, this is where you and I take differerent paths with our philosophy. I personally couldn't sit by and watch someone drown, I would lend a helping hand. In my life I will never forget those who helped me along the way. I don't look at human suffering & poverty as simply a feeble attempt to survive. It may as well be the case for some, due to disabilities or life circumstances. But in a civilized society, I believe man/woman should help those less fortunate. It's what seperates us from the animals (don't get me wrong, animals are cool too). Another important point that Abook mentioned is the idea of helping someone acheive their potential will only behoove society



    farfromglorified wrote:
    You don't need me to define this. You define it yourself every time you willingly exchange money for a product or service. I do the same. The things I buy have an obvious benefit to me. Buying off the poor, just because they're poor, has no benefit to me. If it has benefit to you, then by all means do it.



    And this is where we reach an empasse in the disscussion. You have, how should I say it, interesting ideas about taxation. As far as benefits (other than feeling good about helping out someone less fortunate) is a more civilized society. Also see Abook's response.
    The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance,
    but the illusion of knowledge.
    ~Daniel Boorstin

    Only a life lived for others is worth living.
    ~Albert Einstein
  • farfromglorified
    farfromglorified Posts: 5,700
    baraka wrote:
    This comment hurt my heart, ffg. See, this is where you and I take differerent paths with our philosophy. I personally couldn't sit by and watch someone drown, I would lend a helping hand.

    Me too. From where in my comment would you think I wouldn't?

    Drowning is a relative measure against survival.
    In my life I will never forget those who helped me along the way. I don't look at human suffering & poverty as simply a feeble attempt to survive. It may as well be the case for some, due to disabilities or life circumstances. But in a civilized society, I believe man/woman should help those less fortunate.

    Me too. From where in my comment would you think I don't believe that?

    A robbery is not help.
    It's what seperates us from the animals (don't get me wrong, animals are cool too). Another important point that Abook mentioned is the idea of helping someone acheive their potential will only behoove society

    It can behoove society. It does not by default, particularly when the costs to society are greater than the benefit.
    And this is where we reach an empasse in the disscussion. You have, how should I say it, interesting ideas about taxation.

    Thanks...sarcasm ignored ;)
    As far as benefits (other than feeling good about helping out someone less fortunate) is a more civilized society. Also see Abook's response.

    Helping someone out does make for a more civilized society. As for a society that forces people to "help" each other....that's a lot closer to the animals you mentioned earlier.

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