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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Holly Tuna Batman!
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Chance Inner circle 1385 Posts |
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critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
I don't think she was an idiot in the strictest sense. I think she had a pretty high level of intelligence.
I do believe that she was a full fledged sociopath with absolutely no redeeming qualities outside of her intellect. I have read much of her fiction and non-fiction. Her fiction glorifes anti-social "heroes" and her non-fiction is basically the clinical criteria for an antisocial personality disorder written in the format of instructions.
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Eat more fish.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
Are stick fish undangered? Fish sticks are right up there with corn dogs on my list of all time greatest inventions.
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-21 07:47, uhrenschmied wrote: Is there indication that Atlantic bluefin tuna is NOT in danger of being over fished? Why was the ban proposed in the first place?
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
Back in the 80's I read Atlas Shrugged to basically see what all the fuss was about. The whole idea that if the elite ( my word, not her's - but the same meaning however ) went on strike, the whole world would collapse. That the rest of society was full of " parasites ", " looters " and " moochers " and would take over ( by force, if my memory is correct )..well that to me, was all crazy talk. The more Goldman Sucks and Bernie Madoff's we put out of business..the better off we'll all be.
Also Rand claimed to be an atheist, but to me she did worship a God..a god of money.
Self concept is destiny..
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
But of course you little people need me you fools!
:)
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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scaevola Loyal user 251 Posts |
Wow a thread about whether or not Rand was all there and no one brought up her idolizing of William Edward Hickman? He was, according to her, "born with a wonderful, free, light consciousness -- [resulting from] the absolute lack of social instinct or herd feeling. He does not understand, because he has no organ for understanding, the necessity, meaning, or importance of other people ... Other people do not exist for him and he does not understand why they should." (Journals, pp. 27, 21-22; emphasis hers.)
And that makes me shudder. |
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Magic Spank Veteran user Las Vegas 320 Posts |
I read books but I'm careful not to read too many. I'd rather not fill my head with the ideas of others, it leaves no room for your own.
My opinion of Ayn Rand is that she was obviously brilliant and an exceptional writer. It's hard to take either of those things away from her. Maybe something she said got you upset (obviously) but she's far from being an idiot. |
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-26 17:57, critter wrote: Not to worry, there is no fish in fish sticks...
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
Yes, she was obviously very smart (not an idiot, but by no means brilliant), but she was only a barely passable writer (her understanding of sentence structure is up there with Richard Nixon's understanding of fair campaign tactics) and a complete sociopath. She was selfish, self-centered, and held a murderer up as the ideal human. That she has garnered as much praise as she has suggests to me, though I'm loathe to admit it, a lot of people might be as stupid as she thought they were. Fortunately for most of us, those people are generally the ones that think she was a genius.
What would Wavy do?
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Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
When applied to individuals, the fundamental problem with the idea of "informed self-interest" is that people in this country are so dismally informed. They are also easily mislead and mis-informed, as well as easily manipulated to do what *feels* to be in their emotional interest but actually is in their physical dis-interest.
When applied to corporations, their "self-interest" is very short-term. Publicly traded corporations *have* to be primarily concerned about the next quarter. Very few have the foresight or luxury to think about next year, let alone many years from now. This leads to short sighted gains that create long term problems. In the end, the problem with Ms. Rand's economics is the same as with most classical economists. She expects decisions inside her model to be rational. Which is against most of human nature.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
The sum of individual interests <> to a society's interest. A society is a much more complex system.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-07-19 13:06, Cyberqat wrote: Two other problems are that some interests are not readily quantifiable, and some things that are irrational are nonetheless true. Is it in one's "rational self-interest" to play the Lotto? Hint: It's a trick question.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
Depends on what you want out of it.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-07-19 13:36, LobowolfXXX wrote: Which is ironic since the Lotto itself is a trick (con) perpetrated on the people by their own government. I'm not actually against gambling, per se. In a perfect vacuum, where the costs and benefits are clearly and honestly spelled out, I think its fine for someone to decide that they want to put a quarter in a machine and pull the lever in order to see the wheels spin. That the emotional charge they get out of it is worth the actual cost which is somewhere a bit under 25 cents, depending on the odds. in that sense, its no different from a videogame. For all that the Vegas gambling was built by criminals, its a very honest and above board system. State run lotteries however are NOT so honest. They don't necessarily clearly disclose the odds, and they run serious advertising campaigns that push false belief systems about the game to the poor and under-educated. California was one of the worst in this regard. I had an uncle years ago who observed that when he was a kid in NYC there was a game where you picked some random numbers and paid for a chance to win. It paid off 90%. It was called "the numbers racket" and was illegal. Today in California they have a game where you pick some numbers and pay for a chance to win, it pays of 30%, its run by the state and is called "the California Lottery" and is completely legal.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Perhaps we should be a little clearer about
* rationality * rational self interest * rational choice theory As they all appeal to slightly different conceptions of "rational". Or would that spoil the fun? John :angel:
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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stoneunhinged Inner circle 3067 Posts |
Right.
But who would listen to me? John, your last tag was better, because Neil Postman relates to this precisely. The devision between real discourse and entertainment is becoming so extreme that I'm thinking of exchanging my philosopher's hat for a joker's hat. Who cares? But we're off on a tangent, since it is probable that no one noticed you changed your tag and no one knows who Neil Postman is. I do. And you have my love and respect. But you knew that. And Ayn Rand? She wasn't an idiot, but she was an idiot. |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Love back Jeff. I read the book on your recommendation. Thank you.
John
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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