Fucking darkies

[mashman]

I would disagree - the presence of beneficiaries indicates that the society is NOT advanced at all ... (except for the pensioners - those beneficiaries are justifable).

I would disagree - the presence of beneficiaries indicates that the society is advanced, as technology has replaced human beings... along with not killing those who are seen as surplus to requirements.

However we can do much much better, so much so that you'd look back on how we currently live and piss yourself with laughter that some thought we were civilised.

[Banditbandit]

I would disagree - the presence of beneficiaries indicates that the society is advanced, as technology has replaced human beings... along with not killing those who are seen as surplus to requirements.

Yes - I agree with that bit ... I do not agree that an advanced society would create a group of essentially parasites ... beneficiaries (except for pensioners and DPBs) are parasites ... there is a need for that class in our current society - created by the capitalist society we live in - which is not advanced because we pay people to do nothing ...

However we can do much much better, so much so that you'd look back on how we currently live and piss yourself with laughter that some thought we were civilised.

Yes ...

[avgas]

I would disagree - the presence of beneficiaries indicates that the society is advanced, as technology has replaced human beings... along with not killing those who are seen as surplus to requirements.

However we can do much much better, so much so that you'd look back on how we currently live and piss yourself with laughter that some thought we were civilised.

Bring on the automated soilent green factory then?

[mashman]

Yes - I agree with that bit ... I do not agree that an advanced society would create a group of essentially parasites ... beneficiaries (except for pensioners and DPBs) are parasites ... there is a need for that class in our current society - created by the capitalist society we live in - which is not advanced because we pay people to do nothing ...

As you say, there is a need for that class in society within a financial system too. Inflation la di da. Being advanced is accepting that that is the case and instead of deriding potentially useless fuckwits/beneficiaries, (and catching a few innocents along the way), why not accept that they need to be providing for, because "we", the economy, have not provided one for them... after all, they are where they are by design (the financial system requires people to be unemployed).

Bring on the automated soilent green factory then?

Wonder what that stuff tasted like (was supposed to taste like)? I'm going for chicken and broccoli.

[Zedder]

As you say, there is a need for that class in society within a financial system too. Inflation la di da. Being advanced is accepting that that is the case and instead of deriding potentially useless fuckwits/beneficiaries, (and catching a few innocents along the way), why not accept that they need to be providing for, because "we", the economy, have not provided one for them... after all, they are where they are by design (the financial system requires people to be unemployed)

Interestingly enough, Asian countries including China are looking to the Nordic model for guidance. The system includes not only welfare, which is in need of more stringent means testing according to some observers, but it also incorporates market mechanisms to make it work more efficiently.

[mashman]

Interestingly enough, Asian countries including China are looking to the Nordic model for guidance. The system includes not only welfare, which is in need of more stringent means testing according to some observers, but it also incorporates market mechanisms to make it work more efficiently.

Sounds good on paper. I guess it'll depend on how serious they are in terms of "reform".

[Zedder]

Sounds good on paper. I guess it'll depend on how serious they are in terms of "reform".

The mere fact they are doing it speaks volumes mashamundo.

[mashman]

The mere fact they are doing it speaks volumes mashamundo.

Is that gonna be in the same vein as the US wanting to move to a more ACC based model? Hope it works for them.

[Zedder]

Is that gonna be in the same vein as the US wanting to move to a more ACC based model? Hope it works for them.

From what I understand, it's going to be a bit like the NOW system but more of a CHOW system.

[mashman]

From what I understand, it's going to be a bit like the NOW system but more of a CHOW system.

Ahhhhhh the NHS. Before politics took over.

[Ocean1]

We are not amused.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment...reverse-racism

[Zedder]

We are not amused.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment...reverse-racism

The word reverse shouldn't even be there.

[Ocean1]

The word reverse shouldn't even be there.

Until I read that I'd have said there wasn't any such thing as reverse racism.

But I think that unsavoury wee oik may actually be the first valid example I've come across.

[Tazz]

That's not like you to revert to the dictionary ...

But it is a serious question .. who decides what "advanced" is ? It's a much-contested position - and there is likely to be wide spread disagreement on what it means.

If you like reading, the start of 'Guns, Germs and Steel' by Jared Diamond covered this a little, although maybe more from the 'intelligence' angle.
The guts that I took from it in relation to this is that 'advanced' is basically a society of people who have lost all their survival skills and rely on technologies that they have no idea how to replicate/reproduce, and are pretty screwed without them

Probably a bit of a tangent from the answer you're looking for, but to ponder (and the book is awesome if that sort of stuff holds your interest).

[Ocean1]

If you like reading, the start of 'Guns, Germs and Steel' by Jared Diamond covered this a little, although maybe more from the 'intelligence' angle.
The guts that I took from it in relation to this is that 'advanced' is basically a society of people who have lost all their survival skills and rely on technologies that they have no idea how to replicate/reproduce, and are pretty screwed without them

Probably a bit of a tangent from the answer you're looking for, but to ponder (and the book is awesome if that sort of stuff holds your interest).

Not sure I read that definition in the book, it's an adequate description of a cargo cult, though.

Specialisation is definitely a marker of advanced technical capability, and therefore higher standard of living, sure. But a society that has lost significant elements of it's specialisation's capabilities is at the mercy of those that retain them. Most of the western world, for example.

Excellent book btw, should be compulsory reading in school.


Maybe it is...