It's more like individualism is used as an excuse to reduce social welfare and government accountability.
Miscellaneous News
- Thread starter bd popeye
- Start date
Americans are extremely individualistic in their consumption patterns, only; with each person consuming as many categories of good as possible. However, what they consume is wholly driven by psychological conformity. So, even tho’ everybody has everything they want, they all want the same things. In their knowledge, beliefs, perspectives, experiences, desires, life-choices, et c., and, most importantly, in what they, independently, produce/create, Americans are as conformity-driven as any other. In fact, their extremely-individualistic consumption is an expression of this conformity.
Unfortunately, I see that this pattern is what’s most idealized by America admirers, globally, and I do see its influence in Chinese consumption patterns, as well. Although most folks, globally, are still primarily communitarian consumers, when it comes to such things as meals, cars, and homes, I do see a creeping cell-phonization of consumption patterns globally. And, remember, even telephones used to be communitarian commodities at varying levels of community.
We can look at this in two ways, at least. From one perspective, it’s good for business growth; from the other, we might question whether, or not, business growth should be the primary motivator of human activity, i. e., are we simply farm-animals for the farmer to fatten for the slaughter.
I’ve coined the term ’unitarian vs communitarian consumers“ for this dichotomy. My question is which of these actually empowers true individuals most and is better for society, as a whole.
Last edited:
I don’t know why they act like it’s not a political persecution and then proceed to make it as painfully obvious that it is in fact is one. You got the judge openly coming about how furious she is because Trump isn’t in jail yet. Not to mention that jurors were openly showing their bias in public interviews several months ago on the case.
The need for belonging is universal for humans regardless of culture. While the culture may value certain traits like individualism it does not change the human needs underneath. They either behave as communal unlike what their mouth say, the few that do not behave communal suffer from loneliness. The result health consequence from loneliness is twice as predictive of mortality than obesity, which is extremely high.
And, January 6th was a “peaceful protest”, too, right?
And, let me guess, the “War of Northern Aggression ” wasn’t about negro slavery, but states’ rights, right?
Actually, the federal case should start on January 6th, not 2nd!
That's why China should ensure its allies grow wealthy and gain more allies. A lot of BRI money has been spent with little to show for. There should be more investment into friendly countries and countries that might become friends. Central Asia and western Asia are the best options here, the US is not liked there and landlocked countries don't have the same options as countries like Indonesia.
In terms of military Chinese partners are actually very strong. North Korea is bit of meme but they do have ICBM and nukes. Pakistan is a nuclear power too. Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal and third best conventional military. Iran is a powerhouse in middle east and is developing their own nuclear capability. That is 3 nuclear powers already besides China, and another upcoming nuclear power. For US, they have France, UK, Israel, also 3 nuclear powers. India is also a minor nuclear power, but they are not aligned to US yet.
Kazakhstan and Iran, for starters should be primary destinations for massive investment and infrastructure development. Success in Iran could be leveraged towards greater access in Iraq, eventually leading to Syria and Lebanon.
And, do not neglect North Korea; although a tricky situation, there is room for growth and development, there!
Industrial outputs only measure one dimension of the economy - producers. The problem with China + partners - indeed the very problem affecting it today - is demand. You can't have growth without increasing demand, which is why the present slow down in China has been difficult to solve via supply side support.
China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and even if you count Pakistan though it's an US "ally," are not collectively bigger than the EU + US + Australia + Canada + Japan + South Korea. The problem is that we live in the shadows of the Age of Colonialism, during which Europeans literally tripled or quadrupled their territory. They have control of more of the world's resources than China and its partners do, there's no question about that when you combine all the countries in the Western alliance.
I am not saying that China is only beating them because of population. I am saying that China's population is one of its greatest advantages. If China was the size of Japan, a head on fight vs. the Western alliance would be impossible. Japan was CRUSHED by the US, first militarily during World War 2, and then again economically during the Plaza Accords, despite having arguably superior policies, industrial processes, and a more productive population.
Today Japan is the lap dog that it is because the US has demonstrated to Japan that it can't win in any kind of fight. Weight class matters.
Everything I've talked about relies on government competence. After all, we're talking about policies here. I agree that the key to China's - and any country's - success is government strategy and execution.
The cruelty of factory farming, already barbaric enough when applied to animals, has now been applied to humans.
It has been unfortunate that the Chinese traditions of Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian mercy have been abused and trampled by the imperialists.
North Korea has some potential but they run into the issue of competing with Vietnam.
I think an important step is to get Vietnam on side. Make a deal with the CPV to crack down on anti-China propaganda and grant more market access in exchange for allowing them to keep a few SCS islands and turning a blind eye to them going after the Philippines. This is very low hanging fruit.