NationStates Jolt Archive

We got cars that has crumple zones and airbags.

Which is bad because we want car accidents to be a horrifying as possible.

Children "self esteem" are valued over them actually doing the job right..

Which is mostly mythical and is bad because we don't want kids to actually feel good about themselves. They need to be prepared to be the oppressed corporate drones of the future.

We try to tell people that they are dumbasses in the nicest possible way in order to "spare" their feelings..

When telling people things in a way best designed to hurt their feelings is so much more fun and productive.

Playgounds are now soft, and low to the ground, not like the death traps I had growing up! .

Children these days are clearly coddled. I mean when was the last time they were sent down the mine shaft? Those were the good old days.

We try to ban anything and everything that might be harmful to us.

When instead we should want as much harmful stuff near us as possible. Just to make the day more interesting.

"Self esteems" really really matters!.

True fact. It really, really does matter.

No one is wrong, they are just incorrect.

You are incorrect.

What happened to the world? I mean jeez, I want the times where you can tell people that they are wrong, that they are dumbasses, where kids took themselves out when they did stupid things. I want back the times where we didn't try to ban every last harmful thing, instead, we held the person who did the stupid thing responsible. I mean jeez, this world is about 5 steps away from being an espisode of Mr. Rogers. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play some lawn darts.

Yes, the world was a much better place when kids "took themselves out" (i.e., were killled or maimed) on a regular basis.

That Mr. Rogers was evil.

i think we're expecting too much of the magic wand of legislation and often doing more harm then good, but i won't go along with those who try to claim there isn't a need or place for it.

if anything is over regulated it is the private life of the individual and not industry and the corporatocracy.

=^^=
.../\...

It certainly isn't us trying to make the world soft. The democratic powers are trying to turn us into molly-coddled sheep too damn fluffy to overcome the guard dogs and actually get a worthwhile leadership around here.

The most important element of freedom is self-responsibility. By denying us this responsibility we're being denied our basic rights for self-determination in our lives. Once upon a time, children didn't need to go and find excitement in gangs, drugs or petty crime - there was enough legitimate exhilaration just in dodging cars when you played football on the streets, or rode a bicycle without a helmet down a hill, or played with a slingshot next to a river bank.

The best things in life are no longer free. We have to pay for our excitement, not because its more fun but because the law says that thats how much safety costs. We're in a voters gulag, surrounded by fences of fear. How can we grow as people if we have no opportunity to make mistakes, to really learn, to experience the painful side of life? Without suffering to provide a counterpoint ones experience will be a bland mush, resulting in dissatisfaction and alienation. We're constantly told we should be so happy and rationally we know it to be true, but being told about suffering and pain and actually experiencing it is somewhat different. If we just had a few moments we could look back on when we were in fear of our lives with no-one to blame except ourselves we might have a better appreciation in our society for self-responsibility. Of course, the democrats can't have that - goodbye blame culture, goodbye lawsuits, hello people waking up and wondering why we keep electing people we despise instead of looking for someone better.

When telling people things in a way best designed to hurt their feelings is so much more fun and productive.How about simply being blunt and honest; don't aim to make it offensive, but don't sugar-coat it either. Keep it detached and reasonable. If you do and they take offense, that's their problem entirely.

*soaking stuff with a gardenhose* Not soft. Muddy. :)

It certainly isn't us trying to make the world soft. The democratic powers are trying to turn us into molly-coddled sheep too damn fluffy to overcome the guard dogs and actually get a worthwhile leadership around here.

The most important element of freedom is self-responsibility. By denying us this responsibility we're being denied our basic rights for self-determination in our lives. Once upon a time, children didn't need to go and find excitement in gangs, drugs or petty crime - there was enough legitimate exhilaration just in dodging cars when you played football on the streets, or rode a bicycle without a helmet down a hill, or played with a slingshot next to a river bank.

The best things in life are no longer free. We have to pay for our excitement, not because its more fun but because the law says that thats how much safety costs. We're in a voters gulag, surrounded by fences of fear. How can we grow as people if we have no opportunity to make mistakes, to really learn, to experience the painful side of life? Without suffering to provide a counterpoint ones experience will be a bland mush, resulting in dissatisfaction and alienation. We're constantly told we should be so happy and rationally we know it to be true, but being told about suffering and pain and actually experiencing it is somewhat different. If we just had a few moments we could look back on when we were in fear of our lives with no-one to blame except ourselves we might have a better appreciation in our society for self-responsibility. Of course, the democrats can't have that - goodbye blame culture, goodbye lawsuits, hello people waking up and wondering why we keep electing people we despise instead of looking for someone better.

So it's only Democrats' faults?

So it's only Democrats' faults?
Of course it is. I swear, I think you could replace "it's the commies" from the Cold War era with "it's the Democrats/liberals/godless secularists" and you wouldn't see much of a change. Rain when you had golf planned? Liberals did it.

So it's only Democrats' faults?

He's British. He wrote "democratic," not "Democratic." Step away from the US-centrism. I doubt he gives a fuck about the Democrat-Republican pseudo-parties.

He's British. He wrote "democratic," not "Democratic." Step away from the US-centrism. I doubt he gives a fuck about the Democrat-Republican pseudo-parties.

Considering Tony Blair is taking it like a good little prison bitch from the Bush Administration, still can be a valid observation.

Considering Tony Blair is taking it like a good little prison bitch from the Bush Administration, still can be a valid observation.

Bush is not a Democrat.

Bush is not a Democrat.

No, but it is a habit of Bush supporters to blame everything on Democrats up to and including Original Sin.

Cat-Tribe: 'Middle ground' ... ever heard of it?

i would be happy if the law was set up to recognize that you cant idiot proof everything. that if it really was your fault, you dont get to sue for it. we should do away with the need to label the hairdryer with a "do not use in the shower" tag.

we dont need to be mean, we just need to stop the notion that every bad thing that happens to you deserves monetary compensation from someone. sometimes its your own damned fault; sometimes its just an unforeeable accident.

Cat-Tribe: 'Middle ground' ... ever heard of it?

Indecisive crap is what the "middle ground" is.

Indecisive crap is what the "middle ground" is.
Ok. So which would you prefer—a world too harsh or too soft?

i would be happy if the law was set up to recognize that you cant idiot proof everything. that if it really was your fault, you dont get to sue for it. we should do away with the need to label the hairdryer with a "do not use in the shower" tag.

we dont need to be mean, we just need to stop the notion that every bad thing that happens to you deserves monetary compensation from someone. sometimes its your own damned fault; sometimes its just an unforeeable accident.

I agree 100%. You'd have to be a fucking moron to either use a hair dryer while you're in the water or let your kids do so.

Same goes for taking the safeties off of microwaves and turning your house in to mini-Chernobyl.

Ok. So which would you prefer—a world too harsh or too soft?

You're saying The Cat-Tribe's ideas are "soft", eh?

So, I suppose we should return to beating our children with sticks and ripping their calves with barbed switches when they question authority?

You're saying The Cat-Tribe's ideas are "soft", eh?

So, I suppose we should return to beating our children with sticks and ripping their calves with barbed switches when they question authority?
No. But we shouldn't let them run lawlessly all over the place and be considered blameless for everything they do wrong. That's what I meant by a "middle ground". :rolleyes:

No. But we shouldn't let them run lawlessly all over the place and be considered blameless for everything they do wrong. That's what I meant by a "middle ground". :rolleyes:

Well then, my mistake. I thought it was just another lame cover for being indecisive.

The one thing I wish the government would quit trying to protect us from is ourselves. What chemicals we willing and knowingly put in our bodies is our business. If we, as grownups, wish to forgo helmets and seatbelts, it's our business. If two or more consenting adul7s wish to have some funky fun together, even for pay, let them. Adul7s may need protection from somethings, but what's the use of being one if you can't make any decisions for yourself.

I really wish the first couple of posts hadn't disappeared. I'm not entirely sure what the opening point was:(

I really wish the first couple of posts hadn't disappeared. I'm not entirely sure what the opening point was:(


Well then, take this chance to make one up.

Well then, take this chance to make one up you sexy, sexy Indian princess!
I won't put words into Cat-Tribe's mouth. Your mouth, well, that's another issue!

I won't put words into Cat-Tribe's mouth. Your mouth, well, that's another issue!


you know I believe in being pre-emptive. I'd insist on filling your yapper first.

Is this getting pornographic, or is my filthy little mind at it again?

He's British. He wrote "democratic," not "Democratic." Step away from the US-centrism. I doubt he gives a fuck about the Democrat-Republican pseudo-parties.

He wrote "the democrats." I assumed.

Is this getting pornographic, or is my filthy little mind at it again?
Well, it isn't your filthy mind that is causing me to get all sticky:)

Is this getting pornographic, or is my filthy little mind at it again?


You must have seen the pattern before. If I'm in a thread, its two posts away from being porno.

I cant help it. Sin often completes me.

Okay, that is seriously freaky...I just posted that last post, and it says, 'edited by Posi', though nothing was changed. WTF????

You must have seen the pattern before. If I'm in a thread, its two posts away from being porno.

I cant help it. Sin often completes me.
I think you mean that I 'finish' you.

I think you mean that I 'finish' you.

someday, my buckskin clad nymph.

He wrote "the democrats." I assumed.

He wrote "The democratic powers...". You didn't just assume, you didn't read.

Where the frack is the rest of this frakkin' thread???

Where the frack is the rest of this frakkin' thread???[

Learn to read announcements posted at the top of the fora, and go into the Technical forum.

I agree 100%. You'd have to be a fucking moron to either use a hair dryer while you're in the water or let your kids do so.

Same goes for taking the safeties off of microwaves and turning your house in to mini-Chernobyl.

Even if those activities were safe, what would be the point? I dont mind a label discouraging people from doing dangerous things, but just doing dumb things for no reason pises me off.

He wrote "The democratic powers...". You didn't just assume, you didn't read.

Of course, the democrats can't have that -

Stop being such a douchebag.

Stop being such a douchebag.

Yes, and what was a that reference to? Oh, the democratic powers he wrote about earlier in the post. Reading comprehension - it's all about context.

And you should have not tried to be a douche bag with your "it's all the Democrats' fault" comment if you don't want others to be douche bags back.

"douchebag" is one of my favorite words.

However, Eutrusca- I cant stand "frack" anymore. I dont know why.

I dislike it almost as much as "meh".

Yes, and what was a that reference to? Oh, the democratic powers he wrote about earlier in the post. Reading comprehension - it's all about context.

And you should have not tried to be a douche bag with your "it's all the Democrats' fault" comment if you don't want others to be douche bags back.

Are you done with your anti-US-centric rant? You have one of these daily. I admitted I assumed. You wrote "He wrote "The democratic powers...". You didn't just assume, you didn't read," attacking my reading ability, even though he clearly said "the democrats", which is what my assumption was based on. You're wrong. Get over it. And stop being a dick.

Are you done with your anti-US-centric rant? You have one of these daily. I admitted I assumed. You wrote "He wrote "The democratic powers...". You didn't just assume, you didn't read," attacking my reading ability, even though he clearly said "the democrats", which is what my assumption was based on.

Yes, I do attack your reading ability, as the first instance of democrat he wrote was "The democratic powers." Nothing about the "Democrats." It is apparent that his comment later on about "democrats" was a reference to that - the fact that it was not capitalised should have tipped you off. As I said: You didn't just assume, you didn't read. And, again, reading comprehension isn't about understanding a sentence out of a text - it is understanding it in it.

You're wrong. Get over it. And stop being a dick.

Ditto.

Ditto.

We're done here. Enjoy your high horse, for you never make mistakes.

If Fass and Sdaerji are anything to judge by, people don't die from getting pissy with each other, so maybe we could afford to temper our manners with some honesty once in a while, eh?

We're done here. Enjoy your high horse, for you never make mistakes.

I call him "Buttons" and feed him sugar lumps and hay.

*from the peanut gallery*

I've haven't seen such an example of fassinine behaviour in a long time. The last time, he'd been recently dumped and we escalated to the point where we had sworn to put one another on ignore...thankfully we avoided such drastic measures and regained our sanity. Are you okay, Fass?

Ok. So which would you prefer—a world too harsh or too soft?

How about a world based on common sence? Or has that gone out of fashion?

*from the peanut gallery*

I've haven't seen such an example of fassinine behaviour in a long time. The last time, he'd been recently dumped and we escalated to the point where we had sworn to put one another on ignore...thankfully we avoided such drastic measures and regained our sanity. Are you okay, Fass?

Not really, but I don't want to go into it. I'll just leave the forums.

My OP was erased, so here it is in Reader's Digest verison.

Basically my point was that we've pretty much bubble wrapped ourselves as a society, we ban anything and everything thats harmful to us, we try to spare people's feelings and self esteem is more important than a good's day work. Also, cars are being made into bumper cars. Nowanddays people don't take responsbility for what they did or their child did. We're about 5 steps away from letting every idiot live because they now live in a society that's covered in bubble wrap, where as in the old days, they would've taken themselves out while doing something stupid. We need to bring back common sense, responsibility, and how to do a good honest day work. None of this safety above all else crap, none of this "Well at least his self esteem is high", none of this "Wow, well, it sure is intresting, and I like how you did it." NONE of that! If your kid is dumb enough to put a fork in the eletrical socket, then he deserved to get shock. If Johnny can't do the work, then he's going to sit there until he does learn. Finally, if someone is a dumbass, don't be afraid to call them a dumbass!

Also, bring back lawn darts.

How about a world based on common sence? Or has that gone out of fashion?
Oh, of course! Common sense? Who needs it?

How about a world based on common sence? Or has that gone out of fashion?

Depends on what you mean by "common sense".

Oh, of course! Common sense? Who needs it?

Hehe

BTW, the harshness of my statement was not directed at you. http://peta-sucks.com/smf/Smileys/default/icon_beerchug.gif

My OP was erased, so here it is in Reader's Digest verison.

Basically my point was that we've pretty much bubble wrapped ourselves as a society, we ban anything and everything thats harmful to us, we try to spare people's feelings and self esteem is more important than a good's day work. Also, cars are being made into bumper cars. Nowanddays people don't take responsbility for what they did or their child did. We're about 5 steps away from letting every idiot live because they now live in a society that's covered in bubble wrap, where as in the old days, they would've taken themselves out while doing something stupid. We need to bring back common sense, responsibility, and how to do a good honest day work. None of this safety above all else crap, none of this "Well at least his self esteem is high", none of this "Wow, well, it sure is intresting, and I like how you did it." NONE of that! If your kid is dumb enough to put a fork in the eletrical socket, then he deserved to get shock. If Johnny can't do the work, then he's going to sit there until he does learn. Finally, if someone is a dumbass, don't be afraid to call them a dumbass!

Also, bring back lawn darts.
Well, with the proviso that we do need some regulation -- companies should not be allowed to poison the environment or sell defective products like cars that blow up from a fender bender; and people should be able to sue for slander, and so on -- I do give the thumbs up to this rant.

Crumple zones and airbags in cars are a good thing for the same reason as lifejackets on boats and parachutes in airplanes. But I do resent bitterly having to live my life according to a standard set by of a bunch of morons who try to pet lions or can't look at the Grand Canyon without plummeting head first to their deaths off the edge or try to dry their hair while standing under water.

And as for self esteem -- don't get me started. I'll just contribute my favorite quote from MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge:

"Self esteem is one of the most dangerous things taught in our schools. More Americans are killed by baseless self confidence than are drowned in bathtubs every year."

My OP was erased, so here it is in Reader's Digest verison.

Basically my point was that we've pretty much bubble wrapped ourselves as a society, we ban anything and everything thats harmful to us, we try to spare people's feelings and self esteem is more important than a good's day work. Also, cars are being made into bumper cars. Nowanddays people don't take responsbility for what they did or their child did. We're about 5 steps away from letting every idiot live because they now live in a society that's covered in bubble wrap, where as in the old days, they would've taken themselves out while doing something stupid. We need to bring back common sense, responsibility, and how to do a good honest day work. None of this safety above all else crap, none of this "Well at least his self esteem is high", none of this "Wow, well, it sure is intresting, and I like how you did it." NONE of that! If your kid is dumb enough to put a fork in the eletrical socket, then he deserved to get shock. If Johnny can't do the work, then he's going to sit there until he does learn. Finally, if someone is a dumbass, don't be afraid to call them a dumbass!
Nature has a way of shaking us out of our complacency. :)

Nature has a way of shaking us out of our complacency. :)

and I'll be waiting with a cold beer when it does. :D

and I'll be waiting with a cold beer when it does. :D
Heh! It would be nice to sit on the margins and scoff at the babbits, but I doubt many of us will have that luxury. As society and technology get more and more complex, the more susceptible they get to disruption, and the more exaggerated and catastrophic any disruption will be. Paradoxically, the more we labor under the delusion that we can control things, the less likely we will be to take precautions necessary to guard against the unexpected.

I suspect we're all doomed unless we can somehow work up enough steam to establish off-world colonies. Sigh.

Indecisive crap is what the "middle ground" is.
I can't think of any facet of life where the happy medium is not the best way to go.

You're saying The Cat-Tribe's ideas are "soft", eh?

So, I suppose we should return to beating our children with sticks and ripping their calves with barbed switches when they question authority?
That's just the other extreme, and it's also a straw man argument.

Where the frack is the rest of this frakkin' thread???
For someone who complains about PC so much you ought to have the guts to use real fucking swear words.

Yes, I do attack your reading ability, as the first instance of democrat he wrote was "The democratic powers." Nothing about the "Democrats."
Do you honestly think that the Abomination was not talking about the US Democrats, or are you just trying to annoy Sdaeriji?

Heh! It would be nice to sit on the margins and scoff at the babbits, but I doubt many of us will have that luxury. As society and technology get more and more complex, the more susceptible they get to disruption, and the more exaggerated and catastrophic any disruption will be. Paradoxically, the more we labor under the delusion that we can control things, the less likely we will be to take precautions necessary to guard against the unexpected.

I suspect we're all doomed unless we can somehow work up enough steam to establish off-world colonies. Sigh.

Yea, I call Mars! :p

For someone who complains about PC so much you ought to have the guts to use real fucking swear words.
Bite me. :D

I wish I could buy enough land in the woods where I could build a small log cabin, raise a family in the woods. At least my kids would know how to be self-sufficence, how to do a hard's day work, and they'll be handling axes (without killing themselves) when they're kids. Hey someone gotta chop the wood for the fireplace.

Sometimes, I think we need to go back to simplier times.

Not really, but I don't want to go into it. I'll just leave the forums.
Well, take care of yourself:(

I wish I could buy enough land in the woods where I could build a small log cabin, raise a family in the woods. At least my kids would know how to be self-sufficence, how to do a hard's day work, and they'll be handling axes (without killing themselves) when they're kids. Hey someone gotta chop the wood for the fireplace.

Sometimes, I think we need to go back to simplier times.
So you want to live in a pre-rational society? No big business, no big government and widespread famine?

So you want to live in a pre-rational society? No big business, no big government and widespread famine?

Yea pretty much. :D . I mean at least bring back common sense, responsibility, and the want to do a hard's day work.

Indecisive crap is what the "middle ground" is.

As Jim Hightower says "The only things in the middle of the road are yellow lines and armadillos."

In a test I did last year the marker had two options they could tick to show our performance "Achieved" and "Almost Achieved" (this was an offical test for an offical qualification aimed at 16-17 year olds). It was just wrong....

My OP was erased, so here it is in Reader's Digest verison.

Basically my point was that we've pretty much bubble wrapped ourselves as a society, we ban anything and everything thats harmful to us, we try to spare people's feelings and self esteem is more important than a good's day work. Also, cars are being made into bumper cars. Nowanddays people don't take responsbility for what they did or their child did. We're about 5 steps away from letting every idiot live because they now live in a society that's covered in bubble wrap, where as in the old days, they would've taken themselves out while doing something stupid. We need to bring back common sense, responsibility, and how to do a good honest day work. None of this safety above all else crap, none of this "Well at least his self esteem is high", none of this "Wow, well, it sure is intresting, and I like how you did it." NONE of that! If your kid is dumb enough to put a fork in the eletrical socket, then he deserved to get shock. If Johnny can't do the work, then he's going to sit there until he does learn. Finally, if someone is a dumbass, don't be afraid to call them a dumbass!

Also, bring back lawn darts.

Lawn darts, drum sets made with sharp metal edges, klick-klacks (bolos for kids), and all the other toys that we cut ourselves on or hurt other kids with. We used to play with toys that could kill you if you weren't careful.

Not namby-pamby video games, no pretending to shoot. We really shot our friends. Air blasters loaded with dirt clods or rocks. Slingshots. Toys with hard sharp metal razor-thin edges to them, or made of materials that don't break before you do!

Bikes without gears, roller skates with metal wheels, more metal! Bring back metal!!! And make it sharp and rusty, dammit!

Lawn darts, drum sets made with sharp metal edges, klick-klacks (bolos for kids), and all the other toys that we cut ourselves on or hurt other kids with. We used to play with toys that could kill you if you weren't careful.

Not namby-pamby video games, no pretending to shoot. We really shot our friends. Air blasters loaded with dirt clods or rocks. Slingshots. Toys with hard sharp metal razor-thin edges to them, or made of materials that don't break before you do!

Bikes without gears, roller skates with metal wheels, more metal! Bring back metal!!! And make it sharp and rusty, dammit!

Damn straight! :D

Do you honestly think that the Abomination was not talking about the US Democrats, or are you just trying to annoy Sdaeriji?

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10582097&postcount=2

I mean at least bring back common sense, responsibility, and the want to do a hard's day work.
Oh yes, totally gone. Now back in the day we had:
Responsibility! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate)
Common Sense! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)
Of course, no one works anymore, that's why our economy is collapsing! (http://www.centrists.org/images/charts_and_graphs/gdp_growth_2000-present.gif)

Oh yes, totally gone. Now back in the day we had:
Responsibility! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate)
Common Sense! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)
Of course, no one works anymore, that's why our economy is collapsing! (http://www.centrists.org/images/charts_and_graphs/gdp_growth_2000-present.gif)

You TOTALLY miss the point of the rant.... :rolleyes:

Not namby-pamby video games, no pretending to shoot. We really shot our friends.
Here's to the Columbine massacre kids, repping for the old skool play!

Ladies, gentlemen.

I'd like to introduce you to - small 'd'.

Democrats - The American party that looks to all us Brits as being a vaguely wishy-washy, middleground sort of party. I.E. Not so quite as ludicrously right-wing as the Republicans.

democrats - The oligarchy of rich scum who use flashy ad campaigns to get morons into power who can be manipulated like puppets by any lobbyist who convinces them that oil companies are a voting bloc. And, worst of all, really believe their own bullshit.

It is these people who are so desperate to manipulate every element of the voters life that they convince us that every little unlikely thing is going to kill us. They program us to fear everything, then establish elephantine committees to 'protect' us, when really all they need to do is teach facts and let people make their own decisions.

But hell, they can't do that! I mean, gods, if children were forced to develop self-esteem on their own why the hell would they need things like parties, racial/sexual/religious voting blocs or any of the myriad other things that divide the people? I mean, they might even decide that ultimately everyone is the same! They might vote for action, instead of more committees to oversee their unique interest groups narrowminded desires! Equality, ye gods!

Or, horror beyond horrors, they might decide that our tax money could be spent on healthcare, security or the poor! Think of their public school friends, jobless on the streets, because the government no longer wants to pay a ridiculous budget for a committee that puts a label saying "do not place in mouth" on toasters.