Space
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Re: Space
Oil palm tree plantations are an ecological disaster of their own. Monocultures like palm oil plantations are never good. If you're saying those plantations are a good alternative to rainforest i reckon you're not right. I'm sure Ben will know more.
Re: Space
No, I was definitely *not* suggesting that they are a good alternative. I was mainly responding to Ben saying that soil had poor nutrients & that farmers simply moved on, leaving waste. That happens in some places, but not all.Tangled Metal wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 12:58pm Oil palm tree plantations are an ecological disaster of their own. Monocultures like palm oil plantations are never good. If you're saying those plantations are a good alternative to rainforest i reckon you're not right. I'm sure Ben will know more.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Space
Whilst I'm strongly behind research into space, I don't see private tourism as a particularly useful means to achieve this. I see the change or clarification about getting astronaut "wings" as a good thing in that now the parasitic tax avoiders wont be getting their egos massaged by calling themselves "astronaut" at their tax-haven parties.
I've never understood why private is better/cheaper than Government run. Nothing wrong with sub-contracting aspects but wholesale provision of the entire service to a single company makes the "customer" vulnerable. Competition can be a pseudo-justification to quell objections - how has "competition" helped me get a better cheaper water provision? or how does having the choice between BT or BT for my landline/internet mean I get a better service?
Bezos said it all when he thanked Amazon employees and customers for paying for his jolly; we have record use of food banks, people sleeping on the streets, whilst his employees have to pee in bottles due to inadequate toilet breaks, etc yet his companies are paying minimal tax whilst he spaffs it on his ego.
(I'm a bit angry after having just seen local planning committee approve a development that would normally never get anywhere except for untruths from applicant and likely behind the scenes "direction")
Ian
I've never understood why private is better/cheaper than Government run. Nothing wrong with sub-contracting aspects but wholesale provision of the entire service to a single company makes the "customer" vulnerable. Competition can be a pseudo-justification to quell objections - how has "competition" helped me get a better cheaper water provision? or how does having the choice between BT or BT for my landline/internet mean I get a better service?
Bezos said it all when he thanked Amazon employees and customers for paying for his jolly; we have record use of food banks, people sleeping on the streets, whilst his employees have to pee in bottles due to inadequate toilet breaks, etc yet his companies are paying minimal tax whilst he spaffs it on his ego.
(I'm a bit angry after having just seen local planning committee approve a development that would normally never get anywhere except for untruths from applicant and likely behind the scenes "direction")
Ian
Re: Space
In the 19thC exploited villagers used to club together and erect a monument to the oppressive landowner. One of the most startling is that built by Highland villagers around Goldspie for the Duke of Sutherland who also built Dunrobin Castle.Psamathe wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 1:09pm
Bezos said it all when he thanked Amazon employees and customers for paying for his jolly; we have record use of food banks, people sleeping on the streets, whilst his employees have to pee in bottles due to inadequate toilet breaks, etc yet his companies are paying minimal tax whilst he spaffs it on his ego.
(I'm a bit angry after having just seen local planning committee approve a development that would normally never get anywhere except for untruths from applicant and likely behind the scenes "direction")
Ian
There is an economic system where people are persuaded that in return for their labour they will get enough money to live on and live happy and fulfilled lives. They then discover that what they are really doing is making a few people rich beyond belief. I think it is called capitalism.
John
Re: Space
For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
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"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
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Re: Space
Good to see you back :Dreohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
Re: Space
Powerful stuff and I am delighted to see you resurface. Welcome! How is your motorbike?reohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
John
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Re: Space
Another here who's glad to see you back.reohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
Re: Space
Nice to hear from you again.reohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
It is a shame that the likes of Bezos, Musk and Branson do not use their wealth and influence to make the sort of philanthropic contributions to society that Bill and Melinda Gates do.
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Re: Space
Excellent stuff, though, as I've mentioned before, I prefer 'Parasite Class' to the term 'Elite'reohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5
I also like his link between neoliberalism and lack of empathy. Having just read Ece Temelkuran's 'How to lose a country - The seven steps from democracy to dictatorship', Ece adds, "Who is it that can draw the red line between the normal antipathy that's required to get by in these [neoliberal] times and the excessive antipathy [or should that be apathy] that turns a human into a fascist?"
To address the 'Private industry is more efficient' argument requires more time. Suffice it to say that the 'unfettered capitalism works best' argument assumes no monopolies, no cartels, and accurate and freely available information about every aspect of any transaction. I always like to cite the massive loan that Thames Water took out (and that Thames Water users are paying for) despite having adequate funds for all their commitments. The loan was used to pay for shareholder and executive bonuses. If I object I can always buy my water from.........?
Re: Space
I don't think private space tourism has any significant benefit.Psamathe wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 1:09pm Whilst I'm strongly behind research into space, I don't see private tourism as a particularly useful means to achieve this. I see the change or clarification about getting astronaut "wings" as a good thing in that now the parasitic tax avoiders wont be getting their egos massaged by calling themselves "astronaut" at their tax-haven parties.
I've never understood why private is better/cheaper than Government run. Nothing wrong with sub-contracting aspects but wholesale provision of the entire service to a single company makes the "customer" vulnerable. Competition can be a pseudo-justification to quell objections - how has "competition" helped me get a better cheaper water provision? or how does having the choice between BT or BT for my landline/internet mean I get a better service?
Private investment isn't better or cheaper than government, and for some things, is worse.
However... the economic system, as it currently operates, is driven partly by competition. Rich people battling to get into space is a way to promote development of new technology & simplify space travel. It is arguably a less effective way, but the governments of the US and UK like it because it requires less direct investment on their part. It also does a good PR job for capitalism, individualism, and other values that are shared/promoted by both the Tories, and most US American leaders.
The biggest problem with it is of course that private companies will go to extreme lengths to protect their investments & intellectual property (IP), while governments have the ability, as NASA did for many years, to release IP for industrial use. It also doesn't fix any of the previously mentioned issues of exploitation, quality, lost tax, monopolies, etc.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Re: Space
Me toothirdcrank wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:30pmGood to see you backreohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
Re: Space
I think I'd be a lot less critical of the mega wealthy getting their jollies with a few moments near space if they got their mega wealth after paying a reasonable tax rate rather than through not paying tax. So much wealth from not paying a reasonable tax rate makes them parasites rather than anybody deserving any admiration.
Ian
Re: Space
Sorry - I fail to see the relevance of that video.reohn2 wrote: ↑28 Jul 2021, 7:24pm For those who give credence to the egotistical hyper rich tax dodging morons whose jollies include five minute space journeys on the pretext of furtherment of humanity:- https://youtu.be/JZkXwrtxO5I
I agree with the gentleman that the current societal model is completely snafu, fubar...
None of that changes the fact that Musk is certainly acting towards a larger goal, Beardy much less so, Baldy not at all.
It's a different problem to those which the Gates' foundation is tackling, but that's ok.
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.