As long as the virtue of selfishness (to borrow from Rand) is the fundamental impulse of capitalism, charity helps mask that abborhent perspective. Which isn't to say we should engage in acts of charity—monetary and other—but to realize that that behaviour runs counter to, in spite of, capitalist logic. Why not pursue a way of life where social obligation isn't notable for being unusual and contrary, but instead becomes common sense? Make the selfish the freaks of society.Kory wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 12:48pmBut the above is an important point. Right wingers are often citing the act of citizens giving to charity as a way to absolve the government from its social responsibility, which is gross. Of course we should give to charity when we can, but I wouldn't consider that working against the system from within—it's more like surreptitiously tipping your waiter on your way out the door because your parents don't believe in it. It's not going to fix anything because your parents are going to continue not tipping, and you certainly aren't going to change their mind (but you should still do it).
Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
FWIW, I dont know when the quote is from. It is certainly pre-pandemic as I came across it some many months ago.Kory wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 12:48pmMy main point at the beginning was just that it's real easy for someone with 6 million to tell people with considerably less that now is not the time to be dismayed. It reeks of privilege.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 7:55amI understand that position and it can mean practical relief for those in need. So, yeah, there is some genuine value there. But that doesn't beat the system at its own game—it validates it. It says, yes, capitalism is exploitative and malicious and encourages greed, but if a few people act nobly, then all is good. Everyone wins! I no longer believe that it can be brought down from within because that only gives the illusion that it's a benign big tent. Refuse to play the game when you can. Nobody is free from the logic of capitalism—this isn't about purity—but thinking we can have our cake and eat just validates the rot.
But the above is an important point. Right wingers are often citing the act of citizens giving to charity as a way to absolve the government from its social responsibility, which is gross. Of course we should give to charity when we can, but I wouldn't consider that working against the system from within—it's more like surreptitiously tipping your waiter on your way out the door because your parents don't believe in it. It's not going to fix anything because your parents are going to continue not tipping, and you certainly aren't going to change their mind (but you should still do it).
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
I was eating lunch outside and got attacked by one of Kory's Murder Hornets (band name Kory and the Murder Hornets).
Revbob 1 : Murder Hornets 0
Revbob 1 : Murder Hornets 0
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
You really saw one in person? How big was it?
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
Im half kidding. It was a regular hornet in all likelihood. But I do have an allergy so...
I took a racquetball racket to it.
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
I've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
What about arachnids?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
Most spiders are either sent into the basement or outside. Mostly the former when I learned that a vast majority of indoor spiders have never been outside. That seems unfair to exile them like that.Kory wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:23pmWhat about arachnids?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
That was going to be my follow-up. It's tough living with an arachnophobe though. I'm trying to train her that they are good for us.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:26pmMost spiders are either sent into the basement or outside. Mostly the former when I learned that a vast majority of indoor spiders have never been outside. That seems unfair to exile them like that.Kory wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:23pmWhat about arachnids?Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
I'm the same way. Though I don't know what I would do if I encountered a brown recluse.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
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Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
It's noble to acknowledge the wrongs done by their brethren and realization they should not be held accountable. Be the bigger spider. Or something.JennyB wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:40pmI'm the same way. Though I don't know what I would do if I encountered a brown recluse.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
Inside I will kill most insects and crawlies that arent spiders.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
As for Hornets buzzing me while Im outside no fucking way, one of us is going down.
- Dr. Medulla
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Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
The sad thing is that, deep down, wasps would support you in your quest to get "Paranoid" as Track 2.revbob wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:57pmInside I will kill most insects and crawlies that arent spiders.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
As for Hornets buzzing me while Im outside no fucking way, one of us is going down.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
Most decent living creatures would support that. Even Heston I think.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 2:01pmThe sad thing is that, deep down, wasps would support you in your quest to get "Paranoid" as Track 2.revbob wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:57pmInside I will kill most insects and crawlies that arent spiders.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
As for Hornets buzzing me while Im outside no fucking way, one of us is going down.
Re: Return of the Mighty Observations Thread
Not to stereotype, but wasps are noted Sabbath fans.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 2:01pmThe sad thing is that, deep down, wasps would support you in your quest to get "Paranoid" as Track 2.revbob wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:57pmInside I will kill most insects and crawlies that arent spiders.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 1:20pmI've become such a softy that all insects* that I determine ineligible for indoor life get escorted out, not stomped out of existence.
* Wood lice excepted, mainly because they're determined to die rather than accept transportation.
As for Hornets buzzing me while Im outside no fucking way, one of us is going down.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc