Ask a Communist

[Max zero]

But all we haveto go on is life under THIS system? Have you ever thought that a lot of the so-called 'human instinct' for greed is merely learned, adapted and ingrained behaviour brought about by the system we live under?

Make a buck. Get ahead. Make a buck. Get ahead. Make a buck. Get ahead.

It's like the clacking of railway wheels on a long-arsed journey. We don't even notice it anymore.

And does someone else getting ahead make you feel like you are falling behind?

 

[Scotland]

The top and bottom are defined by difference not equality. If no one is different then we are all the same.

If no one is rich then we are all average.

Yes but in the communist utopia the average will be higher.

It doesn't matter than you're an unskilled labourer or shop assistant, you will be able to drive a BMW because rich lawyer from Double Bay will only have one and not 10.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

And what's wrong with being average? I'd like to be average. I'd like to meet Max Zero on the street, shake his hand and say 'There's Max, the brother from another mother. He's just like me!'

I guess that's why socialism complements my existing mindset.

 

[Max zero]

Yes but in the communist utopia the average will be higher.

It doesn't matter than you're an unskilled labourer or shop assistant, you will be able to drive a BMW because rich lawyer from Double Bay will only have one and not 10.

But if everyone has a BMW does having a BMW mean anything?

 

[Max zero]

And what's wrong with being average? I'd like to be average. I'd like to meet Max Zero on the street, shake his hand and say 'There's Max, the brother from another mother. He's just like me!'

I guess that's why socialism complements my existing mindset.

And is it okay to aspire to be more then average?

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

And does someone else getting ahead make you feel like you are falling behind?

Nah, not really. I don't want a ten-car garage. I don't want to live in a mansion. I'd feel uncomfortable in Armani leisurewear.

I'm not jealous of the rich, nor envious. I think its waste, that's all.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

And is it okay to aspire to be more then average?

To my mind it's a waste - but I suppose if you've got to do it at least don't do it by stepping on the heads and toes of others as you proceed. Exploitation I find more abhorrent than mere social climbing.

 

[Max zero]

Nah, not really. I don't want a ten-car garage. I don't want to live in a mansion. I'd feel uncomfortable in Armani leisurewear.

I'm not jealous of the rich, nor envious. I think its waste, that's all.

A waste of what exactly?

To my mind it's a waste - but I sppose if you've got to do it at least don't do it by stepping on the heads and toes of others as you proceed. Exploitation I find more abhorrent than mere social climbing.

I would have no problem with that. The problem I have is with the Coups of the world who want to take a large portion of what I have regardless of how I got it simply because I have it.

 

[Scotland]

But if everyone has a BMW does having a BMW mean anything?

It means you have a good quality automobile. If cars determine status for you, then it's pretty meaningless.

I'm curious to know where I'll live in the communist utopia. Right now I can't really afford a place in Peppermint Grove, and despite everyone and everything being equal I think I'd rather live there than Marangaroo. Who is going to live in Peppermint Grove? Can I? I've got a red t-shirt with CCCP on it and everything. Bought from some market stall in Moskvar.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

A waste of what exactly?

A waste of money. A waste of effort. But I can be real about this, I guess. I don't find pleasure in the things people who strive to be above the average do. To me that world is alien, and I can't understand the need to have so much, and keep wanting more.

As I said, I'm not jealous of the rich. Their world is not mine.

 

[Max zero]

It means you have a good quality automobile. If cars determine status for you, then it's pretty meaningless.

I'm curious to know where I'll live in the communist utopia. Right now I can't really afford a place in Peppermint Grove, and despite everyone and everything being equal I think I'd rather live there than Marangaroo. Who is going to live in Peppermint Grove? Can I? I've got a red t-shirt with CCCP on it and everything. Bought from some market stall in Moskvar.

Its funny for reliability Japanese cars slaughter German made ones.

Peppermint Grove is boring and pretentious.

Grew up in Armadale and would probably live there.

 

[Max zero]

A waste of money. A waste of effort. But I can be real about this, I guess. I don't find pleasure in the things people who strive to be above the average do. To me that world is alien, and I can't understand the need to have so much, and keep wanting more.

As I said, I'm not jealous of the rich. Their world is not mine.

I never understood the wanting more. For me wealth is a means to an end. Once I have enough so that I can comfortably retire I will become a full time world explorer.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I'm curious to know where I'll live in the communist utopia

Avoid Gerro. You wouldn't last ten seconds...

 

[Scotland]

To my mind it's a waste - but I suppose if you've got to do it at least don't do it by stepping on the heads and toes of others as you proceed. Exploitation I find more abhorrent than mere social climbing.

The bolded is key. What's important to you isn't important to others, and vice versa. Withni reason, who are you or I or anyone else to say what people can and cannot do?

Without putting too fine a point on it, social climbing is in large part by definition at the expense of others. Every promotion one gets, another does not. When you move into a house in Vaucluse or Toorak or wherever then someone else cannot. Etc. Everyone's motivations are different. Maybe you want to live in a giant house or the best area or have 10 cars or go full Scrooge McDuck and have a vault of money to swim in, maybe you thrive off the status that comes with being the best in your field or a socialite etc. If I choose to own a Lamborghini instead of a Corolla it doesn't really affect you, and if you have no interest in supercars it doesn't really affect me. Each to their own for mine, just don't expect me to pay for anyone else's choices. The main thing that annoys me about 'wealth' in Australia is real estate and our cultural obsession with (and absurd tax oncessions promoting) hoarding property. 'The rich' can have as many shares in Woodside and 17th century French paintings as they like, but a system whic turns shelter into a commodity and benefits those that don't actually need it is sad. Anyway, I digress...

I don't really get the obsession with material wealth either, but I still strive to get ahead. If given the choice between my simple house in upper middle class area (I guess that's what you'd call it?) and a place on the river, I'd pick the place on the river. If given the choice between whatever I have in savings now and $10m, I'd take the $10m. For mine the more you can earn the less you need to worry about having to earn, and that's important. To others $10m isn't enough, and their driver is to keep accumulating more than they will ever need. I can't relate to that.

 

[Scotland]

Avoid Gerro. You wouldn't last ten seconds...

I've been to Gero. Probably not my version of utopia if I'm honest. Not the worst place, though.

 

[Scotland]

Its funny for reliability Japanese cars slaughter German made ones.

Peppermint Grove is boring and pretentious.

Grew up in Armadale and would probably live there.

I'd still prefer a 5 series to a Honda Accord.

Peppermint Grove is leafy and not 30km from the city. It will be less boring when the aristos are turfed out anyway.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I never understood the wanting more. For me wealth is a means to an end. Once I have enough so that I can comfortably retire I will become a full time world explorer.

I don't really get the obsession with material wealth either, but I still strive to get ahead. If given the choice between my simple house in upper middle class area (I guess that's what you'd call it?) and a place on the river, I'd pick the place on the river. If given the choice between whatever I have in savings now and $10m, I'd take the $10m. For mine the more you can earn the less you need to worry about having to earn, and that's important. To others $10m isn't enough, and their driver is to keep accumulating more than they will ever need. I can't relate to that.

See, reading these posts you two seem to be saying that you want to stay ahead primarily because the current system necessitates it. You aren't really defending the system as much as recognising that its setup makes you do things in a certain way, and prioritise things accordingly.

 

[haden1999]

But if everyone has a BMW does having a BMW mean anything?

does it mean anything now?

I honestly feel sorry for people like you who place value on things like that. You're lost.

You don't need validation and approval from others, just yourself!! and don't BS me that you already value yourself because it's obvious by your posts in this thread that you rely on the approval and validation of others.

At the very least can you aim for approval from more interesting people than the ones that look up to people just because they drive a BMW.

 

[Max zero]

See, reading these posts you two seem to be saying that you want to stay ahead primarily because the current system necessitates it. You aren't really defending the system as much as recognising that its setup makes you do things in a certain way, and prioritise things accordingly.

No I want to stay ahead because I am keen to achieve my goals. I would act the same way under any system.

 

[Max zero]

does it mean anything now?

I honestly feel sorry for people like you who place value on things like that. You're lost.

You don't need validation and approval from others, just yourself!! and don't BS me that you already value yourself because it's obvious by your posts in this thread that you rely on the approval and validation of others.

At the very least can you aim for approval from more interesting people than the ones that look up to people just because they drive a BMW.

I guess you missed the point where I said I would be more impressed with a Japanese car over a German one if we are talking about reliability? BMWs are barely above Holdens and Fords when it comes to reliability. Complete waste of money.

Before you go off on a rant you might actually want to read what is written instead of replying to the strawman in your head.

Armchair psychology from a teenager what next?

 

[Max zero]

I'd still prefer a 5 series to a Honda Accord.

Peppermint Grove is leafy and not 30km from the city. It will be less boring when the aristos are turfed out anyway.

/slap

 

[Contra Mundum]

Don't be touchy? I wrote 4 lines, you read one and missed 3 and ended up with a complete strawman. If you are coming at me with a smarmy attitude you better have all your ducks in a row.

And its a limited point. The divide between public and private funding has only be a real divide in recent times. Historically it has been far more lopsided. Are you willing to concede that? For every Davinci (and even that is a stretch since I did mention patronage and wealthy families) I can name a Tesla, Edison or Galileo.

Tesla _ that Chunt Edison ****ed him over but Westinghouse funded him - I suppost hard to argue public private before the existence of the nation state so I take the point.

Capital won't fund pure or long range research

 

[Contra Mundum]

I don't care what Marx intended I care what about what actually happened.

Actually mediocrity is the only thing we can share. The poor are rich compared to non western countries but actually poor when compared to the rich in western countries. We can't all be at the top otherwise it is no longer top but the average.

The top and bottom are defined by difference not equality. If no one is different then we are all the same.

If no one is rich then we are all average.

If peddling cliches were gold you would be Bill gates rich

 

[Contra Mundum]

I have already reported the thread to the People's Committee on Unsocial thought™.

The re-education will begin soon.

* me - someone should ban Orwell cliches - 1984 references have become Newspeak themselves - history and it's love of delicious ironies

 

[Contra Mundum]

If peddling cliches were gold you would be Bill gates rich

Can anyone remember William F Buckley - a conservative who actually had read Marx and did not peddle these boring recycled arguments