the poor DO NOT get more money from the rich than the poor...that is absolutely, positively false. If 5/6th of every tax dollar goes back into corporations, and those corporations are primarily owned by rich people then they receive more money than the poor. You try arguing this point all the time and it's a lie...stop doing it.
the poor DO NOT get more money from the rich than the poor...that is absolutely, positively false.
You're right. The poor, however, do get more forced money from the rich than the rich get from the poor, which was my claim. Please read my post.
You try arguing this point all the time and it's a lie...stop doing it.
It's not a lie. The budget of the US government is public information, you may review it yourself.
I'm not telling you that there is not exploitation of the poor by the rich. There is. I'm telling you to stop pretending that there is not exploitation of the rich by the poor. And justice is not found in two crimes.
ran a monopoly, has pushed his way around the law, and somehow you consider him successful?
How could you NOT consider him successful?!!?! Money in out society indicates success! By the way, there is no such thing as a monopoly. Within a free market, that thing you are refusing to accept, human nature, takes hold. There will eventually be a competitor. Mononpolies are bullshit. Yes, I have a huge respect for Bill Gates.
Please...the dude lied, stole, and cheated his way to the top.
Proof, please?
He didn't work hard, that's just what corporate television owned by the really rich people in the US want you to believe...
TV didn't tell me shit. You don't just show up and go "Today, I think I'll just be the richest man in the world. Seems like a good day to change history forever. OOOOooo I'll invent software and change lives for everyone. Thats as easy as cutting hair or bagging groceries."
...that way when 26% of the US lives in poverty it isn't there fault even though every significant ecomonic 'advancement'
Yes. It. Is. Evo. Lution. Survivial of the fittest. The lazy lions don't eat.
(which is what your HS Macroeconomics teacher told you)
Nobody ''told'' me anything. My teacher, you can view his website here, is brilliant. He taught me how to think, not what to think.
...has resulted in economic gain, on the whole, for the really rich, and, as a result, has widened the gap between rich and poor. Subsequently, in a country that is run on capital, this gap has allowed the really rich to enjoy better education, food, health, access to better lawyers, jobs, etc. just by being born into it.
Well, bro, I wasn't born into ''it''. I was in advanced classes from the beginning of my 12 years. I worked my ass off every year and continue to do so. I'm gonna have a great life, and the Florida lotto might pick up my tab at UF. If not UF, I'm gonna go to a U Cal school and get some scholarships. Its evolution.
Sure there are a few examples of hard work=success, but that's not always the case.
Yes it is. Nobody's laziness brought success.
Listen to PJ's version 5/31/06 Unemployable for the Eddie Vedder explanation.
I love Eddie as anyone else on this board, but Eddie is a musician. I am not an impressionable idiot who relies on someone else's explanation to form my own opinions.
They're gonna tell you where to walk
When to smile and just what to say
They say have your own fun...
So... are Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole-Smith people we can proudly hail as American Success stories?
While I don't really agree with the point the original poster made (money no longer is a universal indicator of value), the two people you mentioned are American Success stories.
While I don't really agree with the point the original poster made (money no longer is a universal indicator of value), the two people you mentioned are American Success stories.
...
Yeah, I suppose that getting born into wealth and marrying into wealth are considered achievements in America. We should also include Kevin Federline into the the American success Hall of Fame, while we're at it.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
...
Yeah, I suppose that getting born into wealth and marrying into wealth are considered achievements in America.
Be honest. Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole Smith have both produced millions of dollars on their own by selling an image.
We should also include Kevin Federline into the the American success Hall of Fame, while we're at it.
Celebrity is a talent. It's not the talent of a great artist or engineer, but it's still a talent. Furthermore, there is much value found in those talents as evidenced by the people who spend millions of their dollars buying the "products" produced by these people.
I'm not saying it's a good thing or even a healthy thing, but it is a thing consistent with the wills of those involved.
I think Paris Hilton is a cunt. But, stupid sells. The idiots eat that shit up. Materialism. I'm convinced she reads John Locke when shes at home and one day she's going to shock us all. Or die from alcohol poisoning. But, nevertheless, she is successful.
They're gonna tell you where to walk
When to smile and just what to say
They say have your own fun...
Be honest. Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole Smith have both produced millions of dollars on their own by selling an image.
Celebrity is a talent. It's not the talent of a great artist or engineer, but it's still a talent. Furthermore, there is much value found in those talents as evidenced by the people who spend millions of their dollars buying the "products" produced by these people.
I'm not saying it's a good thing or even a healthy thing, but it is a thing consistent with the wills of those involved.
...
Still... for some reason... it makes me ill. I hate the thought of my beloved America reduced to this. We are the resurrection of decadent Rome.
...
Personally... I don't view her as a success. To me... monetary wealth means nothing, compared to the character of the spirit.
What you are telling me is that, in general terms, not you specifically... America values money over all others. That it DOES matter how much you have... what car you drive... who's shirt you wear.
To me... that is a sad commentary on America today.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
...
Still... for some reason... it makes me ill. I hate the thought of my beloved America reduced to this. We are the resurrection of decadent Rome.
Meh....every culture has its fair share of idols, some with more talent than others. I hear where you're coming from on that though!
I'm much more concerned about business owners who makes their money via laws that actively suppress their competition than I ever will be about a hotel heiress that sells an image of her lifestyle. The latter can be ignored. The former is armed.
Meh....every culture has its fair share of idols, some with more talent than others. I hear where you're coming from on that though!
I'm much more concerned about business owners who makes their money via laws that actively suppress their competition than I ever will be about a hotel heiress that sells an image of her lifestyle. The latter can be ignored. The former is armed.
...
You mean, like a software company who tells Application Development companies that he will supply them with the source code for his operating system so they will be able to bundle them together... assuring them that he is not in the applications business, he is in the operating systems business... then, turns around and builds applications of his own based upon the programs given to him and builds around the COMPLETE operating system source, not the skeletal source he had previously provided, and bundles his own applications with his operating system and forces them out of business?
Yeah... dirty tactics work... and I guess they can be considered a success... by those whom approve of dirty tactics.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
...
You mean, like a software company who tells Application Development companies that he will supply them with the source code for his operating system so they will be able to bundle them together... assuring them that he is not in the applications business, he is in the operating systems business... then, turns around and builds applications of his own based upon the programs given to him and builds around the COMPLETE operating system source, not the skeletal source he had previously provided, and bundles his own applications with his operating system and forces them out of business?
Yeah... dirty tactics work... and I guess they can be considered a success... by those whom approve of dirty tactics.
Umm...I'm assuming the software company you're referring to is Microsoft. Which "Application Development" company are you referring to?
...
Still... for some reason... it makes me ill. I hate the thought of my beloved America reduced to this. We are the resurrection of decadent Rome.
...
Personally... I don't view her as a success. To me... monetary wealth means nothing, compared to the character of the spirit.
What you are telling me is that, in general terms, not you specifically... America values money over all others. That it DOES matter how much you have... what car you drive... who's shirt you wear.
To me... that is a sad commentary on America today.
Why does Paris Hilton or Bill Gates being rich make you so pissed? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can SEE why But why not be pissed about things you can control. I look at people like that, and think fuck that, I'm smarter than these idiots, I'm going to do something about it to use my talents.
I agree with a lot of your underlying beliefs about materialism, but people need incentives. Most people don't really want to do anything, so they value money. I don't think that's the case with most people here...probably everybody here. Obviously there are exceptions, but capitalism gives most of us the opportunity to follow our talents. Money is not really a priority to me...so I really don't worry about it being the focal point in other people's lives.
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Umm...I'm assuming the software company you're referring to is Microsoft. Which "Application Development" company are you referring to?
...
The folks that developed WordPerfect (MS Word), QuattroPro (Access) and I forget who the spreadsheet was... possibly Lotus123.
Another "Character Trait" MicroSoft employed was raiding the developer's resources... hiring away the company's talent. This is now the norm... in the olden days, it used to be that the company would be bought out. But, it is simply cheaper to hire away the talent and leave all of the 'worthless' people, like secretaries, receptionist... you know, talentless nobodys... to die when the company went belly up.
In fact... these people are so worthless... we can get someone in India to do their bullshit job for pennies on the dollar. That is success in America. Because, seriously... who really gives a shit about those 'useless, talentless, worthless' people? Their kids? Who cares? As long as I can have a lot of money and drive a new Ferrarri in my new Armani suit... America will worship me as a success... someone they would like to be... just like me.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Why does Paris Hilton or Bill Gates being rich make you so pissed? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can SEE why But why not be pissed about things you can control. I look at people like that, and think fuck that, I'm smarter than these idiots, I'm going to do something about it to use my talents.
I agree with a lot of your underlying beliefs about materialism, but people need incentives. Most people don't really want to do anything, so they value money. I don't think that's the case with most people here...probably everybody here. Obviously there are exceptions, but capitalism gives most of us the opportunity to follow our talents. Money is not really a priority to me...so I really don't worry about it being the focal point in other people's lives.
...
Read back a little... the point was stated that in America... monetary wealth is the indication of success. I refuted that statement by saying that Paris Hilton was born into wealth and Anna Nicole-Smith married into money... does this make them American success Stories... that America should be proud of?
And I was responded to with a, "Yes"... they are successes in the eyes of America... and Americans.
I replied, that if that is true... that is a very sad commentary on America today.
...
I can give a rat's ass about Paris Hilton and probably will not shed a tear when she is found dead of a cocaine overdose in the penthouse of the Beverly Hilton.
Gates, on the other hand... well, there's a reason why he was sued by so many others early in his career... he did some pretty dirty deals... they weren't illegal... unscrupulous, maybe... but, found to be legal. His actions allowed the playing field to get just that much nastier than it already was. Yet, he is hailed as such a great success... mainly because of his money.
Sure, Melinda is spending Bill's money, now... it's just the way he attained it... the American way? Stomping all over the other guy? We're proud of that? Not me... I'm old school... I still want us to be the good guys.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
...
The folks that developed WordPerfect (MS Word), QuattroPro (Access) and I forget who the spreadsheet was... possibly Lotus123.
MS Word grew out of Multi-Tool Word for Xenix. Word predates WordPerfect. Excel grew out of Microsoft Multiplan. Lotus123 failed because they developed for IBM's OS/2 while the world was quickly adopting Windows. When Lotus attempted to reinvent 123 for the Windows platform, it failed miserably. Access is a relational database, whereas QuattroPro was a spreadsheet similar to Excel/Lotus123.
With the birth of Windows, application development drastically changed and allowed developers to do things they couldn't previously do on Intel platforms. To suggest that Microsoft's previous behavior with DOS would remain the same in a Windows world is ridiculous. Microsoft, as they had done before with the changes in the hardware environment, correctly predicted the direction and needs of the market and acted accordingly.
Another "Character Trait" MicroSoft employed was raiding the developer's resources... hiring away the company's talent. This is now the norm... in the olden days, it used to be that the company would be bought out. But, it is simply cheaper to hire away the talent and leave all of the 'worthless' people, like secretaries, receptionist... you know, talentless nobodys... to die when the company went belly up.
In fact... these people are so worthless... we can get someone in India to do their bullshit job for pennies on the dollar. That is success in America. Because, seriously... who really gives a shit about those 'useless, talentless, worthless' people? Their kids? Who cares? As long as I can have a lot of money and drive a new Ferrarri in my new Armani suit... America will worship me as a success... someone they would like to be... just like me.
First and foremost Microsoft has been an aggressive acquirer of other companies. The list would span pages. Secondly, Microsoft does target the best talent it can find. What's wrong with that? If Microsoft was kidnapping these people, then I'd agree with you. Google recently lured away some Microsoft execs. Should we be up in arms about that?
...
Read back a little... the point was stated that in America... monetary wealth is the indication of success. I refuted that statement by saying that Paris Hilton was born into wealth and Anna Nicole-Smith married into money... does this make them American success Stories... that America should be proud of?
And I was responded to with a, "Yes"... they are successes in the eyes of America... and Americans.
I replied, that if that is true... that is a very sad commentary on America today.
...
I can give a rat's ass about Paris Hilton and probably will not shed a tear when she is found dead of a cocaine overdose in the penthouse of the Beverly Hilton.
Gates, on the other hand... well, there's a reason why he was sued by so many others early in his career... he did some pretty dirty deals... they weren't illegal... unscrupulous, maybe... but, found to be legal. His actions allowed the playing field to get just that much nastier than it already was. Yet, he is hailed as such a great success... mainly because of his money.
Sure, Melinda is spending Bill's money, now... it's just the way he attained it... the American way? Stomping all over the other guy? We're proud of that? Not me... I'm old school... I still want us to be the good guys.
I read the correspondence....my point is...is that it's more of a comment on human nature, as opposed to American society.
Stomping all over the other guy is where we disagree. We aren't forced to do anything. We all make choices and sometimes the confrontation with a really tough decision is excused as being "forced" to do something. Anyways, I'm getting off track. Mindless idiots view Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole as "successes." (sorry ffg,,,I don't mean you, I get your point, I'm talking about the ET crowd) but do you really think Paris and Anna are happy??? I really don't care what people think about that crap, I just tune it out.
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Invention and talent are a person's possession. But when they decide to share the knowledge and know how of their creation with the world to mass produce then they have to share the profits with those whom without there wouldn't be any profit. You are only as good as the amount of product you can produce with your own to hands. The workers are necessary to produce these goods, they have the power and should have a good share in the profits. If people would only realize this and stop being slaves who buckle under any pressure then they could pull all of the strings. People still think of themselves as being owned.
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
Invention and talent are a person's possession. But when they decide to share the knowledge and know how of their creation with the world to mass produce then they have to share the profits with those whom without there wouldn't be any profit. You are only as good as the amount of product you can produce with your own to hands. The workers are necessary to produce these goods, they have the power and should have a good share in the profits. If people would only realize this and stop being slaves who buckle under any pressure then they could pull all of the strings. People still think of themselves as being owned.
What if people want to be owned? That sounds awful, but that's how I look at everyone in my family and everyone I grew up with. Going through life that way is the easy way, and I know that there is an inequity in opportunity for some, but generally speaking, I believe that path is a choice.
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
I read the correspondence....my point is...is that it's more of a comment on human nature, as opposed to American society.
Stomping all over the other guy is where we disagree. We aren't forced to do anything. We all make choices and sometimes the confrontation with a really tough decision is excused as being "forced" to do something. Anyways, I'm getting off track. Mindless idiots view Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole as "successes." (sorry ffg,,,I don't mean you, I get your point, I'm talking about the ET crowd) but do you really think Paris and Anna are happy??? I really don't care what people think about that crap, I just tune it out.
...
And so do I.
I just worry about America... I believe we DO place too much value on money... like money can some how make you a better person. That is how and why someone like Paris Hilton, who was born into wealth, is viewed as a success by educated people. I can see Conrad Hilton being viewed as a success... but, not his spoiled, punk-ass grand daughter.
A scumbag with a billion dollars is nothing more than a scumbag with a billion dollars, to me. I refuse to acknowledge him a success... let alone an American Success Story, based solely upon the number of zeros in his bank account.
And I don't believe in status symbols, such as cars or clothes or homes. Anyone who would judge my, or anyone else's character, based on the kind of car we drive... is someone I really don't care to meet.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
What if people want to be owned? That sounds awful, but that's how I look at everyone in my family and everyone I grew up with. Going through life that way is the easy way, and I know that there is an inequity in opportunity for some, but generally speaking, I believe that path is a choice.
I know they have a choice, that's why I said 'act' like they are owned. People complain and hate their jobs but most seem cowardly to do anything about it. They are scared to take a chance. They should take a page from Emma Goldman.
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
I know they have a choice, that's why I said 'act' like they are owned. People complain and hate their jobs but most seem cowardly to do anything about it. They are scared to take a chance. They should take a page from Emma Goldman.
Or Milton from Office Space
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
...
And so do I.
I just worry about America... I believe we DO place too much value on money... like money can some how make you a better person. That is how and why someone like Paris Hilton, who was born into wealth, is viewed as a success by educated people. I can see Conrad Hilton being viewed as a success... but, not his spoiled, punk-ass grand daughter.
A scumbag with a billion dollars is nothing more than a scumbag with a billion dollars, to me. I refuse to acknowledge him a success... let alone an American Success Story, based solely upon the number of zeros in his bank account.
And I don't believe in status symbols, such as cars or clothes or homes. Anyone who would judge my, or anyone else's character, based on the kind of car we drive... is someone I really don't care to meet.
I would guess there is a negative relationship between level of education and positive attitudes towards Paris Hilton. I think most people think she's a joke. A lot of people find her as entertainment, and as something to gossip about. I think you're overblowing her public appeal.
And like I said, I agree with you on many of the materialism issues...but from my experience, materialistic people are the most miserable. So why bother worrying about what they are doing? If someone were to really delve into their inner beings, they would be the ones envying people like us.
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Listen to PJ's version 5/31/06 Unemployable for the Eddie Vedder explanation.
That was a bullshit speech. 4.6% unemployment. Rockin' economy. I'm going to write a song called "Employable." I'll have to live half the year in Hawaii smoking doobies to find inspiration first. Things change. Out with the old, in with the new. It is the way it is.
That was a bullshit speech. 4.6% unemployment. Rockin' economy. I'm going to write a song called "Employable." I'll have to live half the year in Hawaii smoking doobies to find inspiration first. Things change. Out with the old, in with the new. It is the way it is.
No kidding. Ed is the last guy I'd listen to for political advice.
Low unemployment (not everyone is employable, and not everyone wants to work, so it's getting about as low as it will go), low inflation, gas/oil prices plummeting, the Dow approaching an all-time high.
At this point you'd have to make an effort to be unsuccessful.
"I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
Comments
You're right. The poor, however, do get more forced money from the rich than the rich get from the poor, which was my claim. Please read my post.
It's not a lie. The budget of the US government is public information, you may review it yourself.
I'm not telling you that there is not exploitation of the poor by the rich. There is. I'm telling you to stop pretending that there is not exploitation of the rich by the poor. And justice is not found in two crimes.
Proof, please?
TV didn't tell me shit. You don't just show up and go "Today, I think I'll just be the richest man in the world. Seems like a good day to change history forever. OOOOooo I'll invent software and change lives for everyone. Thats as easy as cutting hair or bagging groceries."
Yes. It. Is. Evo. Lution. Survivial of the fittest. The lazy lions don't eat.
Nobody ''told'' me anything. My teacher, you can view his website here, is brilliant. He taught me how to think, not what to think.
Well, bro, I wasn't born into ''it''. I was in advanced classes from the beginning of my 12 years. I worked my ass off every year and continue to do so. I'm gonna have a great life, and the Florida lotto might pick up my tab at UF. If not UF, I'm gonna go to a U Cal school and get some scholarships. Its evolution.
Yes it is. Nobody's laziness brought success.
I love Eddie as anyone else on this board, but Eddie is a musician. I am not an impressionable idiot who relies on someone else's explanation to form my own opinions.
When to smile and just what to say
They say have your own fun...
Need vinyl, doggs.
So... are Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole-Smith people we can proudly hail as American Success stories?
Hail, Hail!!!
While I don't really agree with the point the original poster made (money no longer is a universal indicator of value), the two people you mentioned are American Success stories.
Yeah, I suppose that getting born into wealth and marrying into wealth are considered achievements in America. We should also include Kevin Federline into the the American success Hall of Fame, while we're at it.
Hail, Hail!!!
Be honest. Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole Smith have both produced millions of dollars on their own by selling an image.
Celebrity is a talent. It's not the talent of a great artist or engineer, but it's still a talent. Furthermore, there is much value found in those talents as evidenced by the people who spend millions of their dollars buying the "products" produced by these people.
I'm not saying it's a good thing or even a healthy thing, but it is a thing consistent with the wills of those involved.
When to smile and just what to say
They say have your own fun...
Need vinyl, doggs.
Still... for some reason... it makes me ill. I hate the thought of my beloved America reduced to this. We are the resurrection of decadent Rome.
...
Personally... I don't view her as a success. To me... monetary wealth means nothing, compared to the character of the spirit.
What you are telling me is that, in general terms, not you specifically... America values money over all others. That it DOES matter how much you have... what car you drive... who's shirt you wear.
To me... that is a sad commentary on America today.
Hail, Hail!!!
Meh....every culture has its fair share of idols, some with more talent than others. I hear where you're coming from on that though!
I'm much more concerned about business owners who makes their money via laws that actively suppress their competition than I ever will be about a hotel heiress that sells an image of her lifestyle. The latter can be ignored. The former is armed.
You mean, like a software company who tells Application Development companies that he will supply them with the source code for his operating system so they will be able to bundle them together... assuring them that he is not in the applications business, he is in the operating systems business... then, turns around and builds applications of his own based upon the programs given to him and builds around the COMPLETE operating system source, not the skeletal source he had previously provided, and bundles his own applications with his operating system and forces them out of business?
Yeah... dirty tactics work... and I guess they can be considered a success... by those whom approve of dirty tactics.
Hail, Hail!!!
Umm...I'm assuming the software company you're referring to is Microsoft. Which "Application Development" company are you referring to?
Why does Paris Hilton or Bill Gates being rich make you so pissed? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can SEE why
I agree with a lot of your underlying beliefs about materialism, but people need incentives. Most people don't really want to do anything, so they value money. I don't think that's the case with most people here...probably everybody here. Obviously there are exceptions, but capitalism gives most of us the opportunity to follow our talents. Money is not really a priority to me...so I really don't worry about it being the focal point in other people's lives.
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
It was already a plain fact that the New York Times is not a communist newspaper. Try not to fail in future quests to bring enlightenment.
The folks that developed WordPerfect (MS Word), QuattroPro (Access) and I forget who the spreadsheet was... possibly Lotus123.
Another "Character Trait" MicroSoft employed was raiding the developer's resources... hiring away the company's talent. This is now the norm... in the olden days, it used to be that the company would be bought out. But, it is simply cheaper to hire away the talent and leave all of the 'worthless' people, like secretaries, receptionist... you know, talentless nobodys... to die when the company went belly up.
In fact... these people are so worthless... we can get someone in India to do their bullshit job for pennies on the dollar. That is success in America. Because, seriously... who really gives a shit about those 'useless, talentless, worthless' people? Their kids? Who cares? As long as I can have a lot of money and drive a new Ferrarri in my new Armani suit... America will worship me as a success... someone they would like to be... just like me.
Hail, Hail!!!
When to smile and just what to say
They say have your own fun...
Need vinyl, doggs.
I don't have to try. It's very easy to be a dick when you want to be.
Read back a little... the point was stated that in America... monetary wealth is the indication of success. I refuted that statement by saying that Paris Hilton was born into wealth and Anna Nicole-Smith married into money... does this make them American success Stories... that America should be proud of?
And I was responded to with a, "Yes"... they are successes in the eyes of America... and Americans.
I replied, that if that is true... that is a very sad commentary on America today.
...
I can give a rat's ass about Paris Hilton and probably will not shed a tear when she is found dead of a cocaine overdose in the penthouse of the Beverly Hilton.
Gates, on the other hand... well, there's a reason why he was sued by so many others early in his career... he did some pretty dirty deals... they weren't illegal... unscrupulous, maybe... but, found to be legal. His actions allowed the playing field to get just that much nastier than it already was. Yet, he is hailed as such a great success... mainly because of his money.
Sure, Melinda is spending Bill's money, now... it's just the way he attained it... the American way? Stomping all over the other guy? We're proud of that? Not me... I'm old school... I still want us to be the good guys.
Hail, Hail!!!
i prefer anarchism. and i also prefer real capitalism to state-supported capitalism.
MS Word grew out of Multi-Tool Word for Xenix. Word predates WordPerfect. Excel grew out of Microsoft Multiplan. Lotus123 failed because they developed for IBM's OS/2 while the world was quickly adopting Windows. When Lotus attempted to reinvent 123 for the Windows platform, it failed miserably. Access is a relational database, whereas QuattroPro was a spreadsheet similar to Excel/Lotus123.
With the birth of Windows, application development drastically changed and allowed developers to do things they couldn't previously do on Intel platforms. To suggest that Microsoft's previous behavior with DOS would remain the same in a Windows world is ridiculous. Microsoft, as they had done before with the changes in the hardware environment, correctly predicted the direction and needs of the market and acted accordingly.
First and foremost Microsoft has been an aggressive acquirer of other companies. The list would span pages. Secondly, Microsoft does target the best talent it can find. What's wrong with that? If Microsoft was kidnapping these people, then I'd agree with you. Google recently lured away some Microsoft execs. Should we be up in arms about that?
I read the correspondence....my point is...is that it's more of a comment on human nature, as opposed to American society.
Stomping all over the other guy is where we disagree. We aren't forced to do anything. We all make choices and sometimes the confrontation with a really tough decision is excused as being "forced" to do something. Anyways, I'm getting off track. Mindless idiots view Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole as "successes." (sorry ffg,,,I don't mean you, I get your point, I'm talking about the ET crowd) but do you really think Paris and Anna are happy??? I really don't care what people think about that crap, I just tune it out.
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
What if people want to be owned? That sounds awful, but that's how I look at everyone in my family and everyone I grew up with. Going through life that way is the easy way, and I know that there is an inequity in opportunity for some, but generally speaking, I believe that path is a choice.
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
And so do I.
I just worry about America... I believe we DO place too much value on money... like money can some how make you a better person. That is how and why someone like Paris Hilton, who was born into wealth, is viewed as a success by educated people. I can see Conrad Hilton being viewed as a success... but, not his spoiled, punk-ass grand daughter.
A scumbag with a billion dollars is nothing more than a scumbag with a billion dollars, to me. I refuse to acknowledge him a success... let alone an American Success Story, based solely upon the number of zeros in his bank account.
And I don't believe in status symbols, such as cars or clothes or homes. Anyone who would judge my, or anyone else's character, based on the kind of car we drive... is someone I really don't care to meet.
Hail, Hail!!!
I know they have a choice, that's why I said 'act' like they are owned. People complain and hate their jobs but most seem cowardly to do anything about it. They are scared to take a chance. They should take a page from Emma Goldman.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Or Milton from Office Space
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Awesome movie!!
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I would guess there is a negative relationship between level of education and positive attitudes towards Paris Hilton. I think most people think she's a joke. A lot of people find her as entertainment, and as something to gossip about. I think you're overblowing her public appeal.
And like I said, I agree with you on many of the materialism issues...but from my experience, materialistic people are the most miserable. So why bother worrying about what they are doing? If someone were to really delve into their inner beings, they would be the ones envying people like us.
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
That was a bullshit speech. 4.6% unemployment. Rockin' economy. I'm going to write a song called "Employable." I'll have to live half the year in Hawaii smoking doobies to find inspiration first. Things change. Out with the old, in with the new. It is the way it is.
No kidding. Ed is the last guy I'd listen to for political advice.
Low unemployment (not everyone is employable, and not everyone wants to work, so it's getting about as low as it will go), low inflation, gas/oil prices plummeting, the Dow approaching an all-time high.
At this point you'd have to make an effort to be unsuccessful.