Recent content by JohnG

Yes and it really shouldn't be difficult to assess which method of distribution should apply to any demand or need. Any govt that says education or health care should be privatized for example should not be taken seriously by anyone.

I wonder what the winning percentage is when known entertainers run against non-entertainers. I think it's very high. (one) Problem with Bill is that he doesn't seem to change his opinion in light of better information.

Middle America is a big target audience for a lot of the entertainment industry - music and film.

The idea that capitalism overlays with our natural tendencies is a flawed notion. It has as much scientific merit as a paleo diet.

My coworkers want a 4x10 hr work week as well. Our mgmt isn't budging. Recently they asked us "What would make us happier?" (morale has been very poor) Someone took a long shot and said more money (we have been getting 2 to 3% raises for the last 6 years) - they said no it cant be done (I...

I think, to a conservative, trying to create a public health system is seen as populism, whilst building a wall on the Mexican border is a perfectly sane and politically normal thing to do. You know, to keep all the rapists and murderers out.

I think so too. Israel has been drifting right since the mid-90s. They've lost the plot. I also don't believe Palestine can form a peaceful coalition either. Even the Palestinians that don't support Hamas still want violence against Jews. I feel really bad for the sensible ones, both...

Because I know little about the complexities of the economy, yet I hear lots of opinions that seem dubious considering there are similar issues outside my own country. I google “what’s causing inflation” and it’s pretty unanimous by all accounts that RUS/UKR war, post covid spending (fuelling...

Brexit was a disaster. Let's blame the immigrants. Typical RW fare.

Perspective: MTG is an elected representative (of the people) in her voting district. That could mean a lot (or a combination ) of things. - Enough people in her district are batshit crazy - Conservatives/Libertarians don't believe govt matters so they vote for entertainment value - Democracy...

However the policy of armed attacks against Israel polled at about 80% before Oct 7, regardless of govt. Gazans main critique of Hamas is the corruption, not the violence.

This is certainly true, but I don't think it's ever a good thing to throw a big swath of people under the bus. You could probably draw a straight line from the decline of manufacturing post NAFTA and the attempted fascist coup on Jan 6, for one small example.

I've heard it argued (and it makes sense) that AI can help make business more predatory.

The problem as I see it is you need everyone on board. Viruses can only be contained if you have a huge majority buying in. The anti-science crowd can incubate all kids of nastiness that could make a protected population vulnerable.

It would be interesting if another novel virus came along in the near distant future. How would that play out? I think a lot of people miss how much worse covid could have been if a few things were different. For example, if a vaccine hadn't come along, or if people didn't restrict movements...