tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post8689019750580607456..comments2023-10-28T09:25:39.790-04:00Comments on The Atavist: Do greedy capitalist pigs have a warm and fuzzy side?The Atavisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-57010145757857735482007-04-18T08:25:00.000-04:002007-04-18T08:25:00.000-04:00No offense taken, Galt. To me everything boilds d...No offense taken, Galt. To me everything boilds down to the simple fact that opportunity is everywhere. All you have to do is be open to it, take advantage of it, work hard, be frugal, be responsible, and everything will work out. That, unfortunately, is too much work for some. Bitching is a lot easier.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-72820769870695935552007-04-17T21:57:00.000-04:002007-04-17T21:57:00.000-04:00Sieg, I had to chime in here and hope you were not...Sieg, I had to chime in here and hope you were not offended by some of my blog posts where I use the term "OMFR or Old-Money, Filthy-Rich". It seems pretty clear we're on the same wavelength as far as that seems to go. You don't appear to hold a high opine of them yourself.<BR/>What it all boils down to is, those who work and produce get awfully sick and tired of looking around and seeing those who do not and will not filling their faces at their expense, then bitching about how we're not doing enough.<BR/>Running a close second to "racism" as being the most overrated problem in Western Civilization is "economic disparity": If someone doesn't like being poor, living on the dole and not having much, they can get up off their broadening backsides and go to work, and I won't raise a finger to stop them. All too often, (alleged) poverty in the West is more a form of justice than a case of poor circumstance. The average "poor" American lives in a better home, drives a better car and eats far better than the average non-poor European or Asian! If you are lazy, dishonest and irresponsible, you are going to be poor, and stay that way until these habits change...It's that freaking simple. And you can whine and plead to politicians and the media, write blog posts and books about how "unfair" everyone else is for not kissing your a** and find all manner of religious ways of covering your bigotry, but in the end, what you receive is what you give out.<BR/>You can only reap what you sew.TheWayfarerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15074292938877766871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-57663490037852968842007-04-13T19:53:00.000-04:002007-04-13T19:53:00.000-04:00I read the exchange between you and Chani with gre...I read the exchange between you and Chani with great interest, too. I don't feel that I can add anything of value, but I leave this bare comment like a calling card.<BR/><BR/>I took the verification letters off my blog months ago and have not had a single piece of spam. Besides, if it appears, it's easy to delete.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-76912815305612490962007-04-13T09:20:00.000-04:002007-04-13T09:20:00.000-04:00Thanks, Pam: I have always enjoyed Ayn Rand, incl...Thanks, Pam: I have always enjoyed Ayn Rand, including her little book called "Anthem," a book I would often read when times were really, really tough and I needed a boost of spirit.<BR/><BR/>It is nice that you enjoy coming here. I get much pleasure and a sense of tranquility when I see the beautifully serene art you produce on your site.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-51437077065366372812007-04-13T08:53:00.001-04:002007-04-13T08:53:00.001-04:00First, I want to say how much I enjoy your blog an...First, I want to say how much I enjoy your blog and the exchange of ideas and opinions that follows.<BR/><BR/>Second, I would like being more involved in the conversations but seem to be able to express myself and my beliefs better on an artistic or verbal plane, so I read here every day but don't always write.<BR/><BR/>And last, after reading this post I understand why you like "Atlas Shrugged" and "the Fountainhead." They are excellent books.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14040757371778588395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-61617203181988545252007-04-13T08:53:00.000-04:002007-04-13T08:53:00.000-04:00Caro: Interesting idea, that: a book made up of ...Caro: Interesting idea, that: a book made up of two people having a dialogue.. Hmmmm. Thanks for your kind words.<BR/><BR/>Chani: I agree that much has to change. We might disagree on exactly what or how, but the core values people have has to be a significant factor. Without values, everything is done based on expediency and that is not enough.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-64698715458988376742007-04-12T23:04:00.000-04:002007-04-12T23:04:00.000-04:00I believe that if joy can be incorporated into sel...I believe that if joy can be incorporated into self-sufficiency, many more people will be self-sufficient. <BR/><BR/>The time I enjoyed most when I was working was when I accepted contracts. The independence was good and it prevented "corporate culture" issues. <BR/><BR/>So... I still say use of language and change of heart would be the place to start. And there has to be more than just material prosperity as a gauge.<BR/><BR/>So, when "aiming for the stars", what's the prize? Acculturation provides the answer to that. <BR/><BR/>The primary thing, I would think, is that self-sufficiency brings choices. Choices are always good. <BR/><BR/>Silly example.. but I think you get what I mean. <BR/><BR/>I like Thomas Sowell, too. :)<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for getting rid of the security words. It's so frustrating to deal with them. I hope you don't get any spam.. at all. :)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Peace, <BR/><BR/>~Chanithailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-49566280564583384222007-04-12T22:46:00.000-04:002007-04-12T22:46:00.000-04:00If ever you guys decide to write a book together, ...If ever you guys decide to write a book together, I'll be the first one to buy it. My thanks to both of you for offering some of the most fascinating dialogue I have read in years. It just doesn't get any better than this...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-91729914343310682452007-04-12T22:20:00.000-04:002007-04-12T22:20:00.000-04:00No, Chani, I am not familiar with Lee Kwan Yew, bu...No, Chani, I am not familiar with Lee Kwan Yew, but I understand what you are saying. I did say though that I paraphrased my parents' admonishments to us. My parents simply meant that we could live a better life than they had had in Germany, Poland and Siberia, but it was up to us to get it, and not to expect others to give it to us.<BR/><BR/>The world is not a perfect place and it will never be so. But, let's take a black youth from Brooklyn or from Atlanta as an example. Will he do better if he is encouraged to get an education, work hard, and aim for the stars, or if he is told that he will always be a victim and that no matter what he does he will never amount to anything, because the white man wants to keep him down. Three American writers I greatly respect are Thomas Sowell, Larry Elder and Walter Williams -- all black. Each would take offense if they were told that they couldn't compete with similarly qualified white men. If you aren't familiar with them, Google them. They make very interesting reads.<BR/><BR/>And, Chani, just for you, I am going to try to do away with those security words again. Maybe the spammers will stay away this time.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-37439468576495769502007-04-12T22:05:00.000-04:002007-04-12T22:05:00.000-04:00Are you familiar with Lee Kwan Yew? He built his s...Are you familiar with Lee Kwan Yew? He built his social engineering campaign with the following primary statement: "Look after yourself, cultivate yourself. Look after your family. Look after your country. All is peaceful under heaven."<BR/><BR/>The reason I quote this is because changing minds a use-of-language issue, too. How people respond to ideas is largely based on the way the ideas are presented. <BR/><BR/>Saying to someone, "make something of yourself" implies that he or she is nothing to begin with. <BR/><BR/>You see what I'm saying? <BR/><BR/>I won't even bother going into the issue of pride. Geez, you'll ban me from your comment box. :)<BR/><BR/>As for the issue of race, I think we are probably in agreement that racism is systemic in North American culture. (It's also something Thai culture needs to work on.. but that's another issue.. :) A person seeing you without knowing your background would likely afford you privileges that a Black man or even a Hispanic man might not get. It's just a fact of history. <BR/><BR/>I was raised in a very privileged environment, as I may have mentioned. It was truly the gilded ghetto ~ and I spent all of my young years hearing how these people talk to each other, what they say. I'm familiar with privilege. <BR/><BR/>If we really want to see people become self-sufficient, there needs to be a range of possibilities ~ and there also needs to be a change of heart. <BR/><BR/>As for the security words, I don't have them and have had only one piece of spam since I began the blog. I'm not sure why some get it and others don't. My readership is not huge.. maybe that is what protects me. All I know for sure is that I can't read them.. not with double-vision. If it was a straightforward word, I wouldn't have any trouble but they are warped and often the letters are run together. My average is four tries for every comment. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Peace, <BR/><BR/><BR/>~Chanithailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-85965598627289689962007-04-12T21:53:00.000-04:002007-04-12T21:53:00.000-04:00Chani: Another thing... I agree with you that mat...Chani: Another thing... I agree with you that material prosperity is not a prerequisite to happiness. I am no happier now than when I was dirt poor. But, I have always been happy by nature. I like that I can do things that I couldn't do if I had nothing, but to me the most important things are family, peace of mind, and being comfortable in my own skin.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-54582692286092670832007-04-12T21:49:00.000-04:002007-04-12T21:49:00.000-04:00Luckyzmom: Thank you. The world is a frustrating...Luckyzmom: Thank you. The world is a frustrating place, for most of us. I feel helpless much of the time when I look around at how screwed up things are, and that generation after generation there is no improvement.<BR/><BR/>Chani: Those damn security words are a pain, but without them we end up bombarded with spam comments.<BR/><BR/>Sorry about the misunderstanding about economic vs. race privilege. Increasingly, it's the white males who are getting screwed, so as to 'balance the scales' in favour of women, gays, other races, etc. I don't like discrimination of any type, including reverse discrimination which is basically what is going on today. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, when we arrived in Canada, German immigrants after leaving erstwhile Nazi Germany, we were not exactly welcomed with open arms. Would things have been more difficult for me had I been other than a Caucasian male? Maybe. Maybe not. <BR/><BR/>Becoming self-sufficient is something that is possible for anyone, regardless of race or predilection. All it takes is the will. My siblings and I were taught by our parents basically: "This is a land offering you opportunity to make something of yourself. Don't screw it up. And don't let us down by being other than fair, honest, and responsible. Make us proud." I am paraphrasing, of course, but that was the gist of it.<BR/><BR/>That would be good advice from any parent to any child.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-32820045311315291082007-04-12T21:12:00.000-04:002007-04-12T21:12:00.000-04:00Thanks for the post. I get some of your points. Th...Thanks for the post. I get some of your points. There is one thing I wanted to clarify though: When I said that you have experienced white male privilege, that isn't the same as economic privilege. <BR/><BR/>In a culture where racism is institutionalized, as it is in much of north American culture, there are advantages you might have experienced that others would not, simply because of your race. <BR/><BR/>That is what I meant. <BR/><BR/>In many ways, I think economic poverty is very different than spiritual poverty. <BR/><BR/>I live on a small income but in general feel quite wealthy. My basic needs are met. It all goes back to the world being quite often the way we perceive it. Not to go all Whitehead on you but in many ways, reality IS perception. <BR/><BR/>In that regard, the solutions you are seeking more likely need to be addressed from a different angle entirely. <BR/><BR/>It's not about how much money we have. Certainly basic needs must be met ~ but perhaps looking at the cultural edict that determines human value by material prosperity is the place to begin. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Peace, <BR/><BR/><BR/>~Chani<BR/><BR/>(After five iterations of the "security word" stuff, I might be off the grid until after surgery. I simply can't read them and have to try too many times.)thailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-44414582159230134382007-04-12T20:57:00.000-04:002007-04-12T20:57:00.000-04:00I am taking this opportunity to say that I agree ...I am taking this opportunity to say that I agree with you for the most part ("There is no good reason, not a single reason, why people have to be poor, either here or anywhere else in the world."- there are places in the world and circumstances that create reasons,but...."For most of us, every action we take and every step we make, lead us to where we ultimately end up in life."- I agree), but feel frustrated and unable to adequately express myself. <BR/>Yours truly,<BR/>The Love Rangerluckyzmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04176703683321469118noreply@blogger.com