London riots
Aug 9th 2011, 1:15 pm
#151
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: London riots
...American TV isn't all violence and nonsense...if it was why aren't the Americans out looting and burning every time a toerag is shot by the police? (the easy answer being their police shoot rioters and looters first and homeowners can also open fire on anyone who comes onto their property without permission).
N.
N.
As to the "easy" answer: easy it may be, but it may also be 80% of the answer.
Aug 9th 2011, 1:18 pm
#152
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: London riots
One of the very basic tenets of capitalism is actually false, that more choice makes people happy. It's been studied and shown to be false in a number of studies.
The trick isn't to impose limits on companies, but to make sure that some of their gain is distributed throughout society. I think that's where people need to adjust their thinking about capitalism, its a tool for bringing wealth to people that will (hopefully) allow them a better quality of life. It's not an end unto itself or some magic bean that will make life better through existence. It should serve us.
There are plenty of small guys out there still successfully taking the fight to the big boys in most industries. We do need to put this "too big to fail" concept behind us though, it's just not in the nature of fair play.
The trick isn't to impose limits on companies, but to make sure that some of their gain is distributed throughout society. I think that's where people need to adjust their thinking about capitalism, its a tool for bringing wealth to people that will (hopefully) allow them a better quality of life. It's not an end unto itself or some magic bean that will make life better through existence. It should serve us.
There are plenty of small guys out there still successfully taking the fight to the big boys in most industries. We do need to put this "too big to fail" concept behind us though, it's just not in the nature of fair play.
Aug 9th 2011, 1:47 pm
#153
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: London riots
The trick isn't to impose limits on companies, but to make sure that some of their gain is distributed throughout society. I think that's where people need to adjust their thinking about capitalism, its a tool for bringing wealth to people that will (hopefully) allow them a better quality of life...
anyway i agree with the overall concept of equality, but in some ways it has gone too far in scandinavia. you can earn the same money sitting in the till at the local supermarket as you can by being a teacher. yes it means that more people are happy, but for the high achievers it is not that great. for example if you earn too much money you will be viewed with suspicion..weird really..
Last edited by norsk; Aug 9th 2011 at 1:48 pm. Reason: spolling
Aug 9th 2011, 1:50 pm
#154
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 283
Re: London riots
I have read most of the posts today, bringing in the army, not sure that is a solution, in a response to trouble that the police, government are not dealing with. I grew up with the army in my country (NI), and whilst it was a different situation, I am not sure it helped, also I don't think rubber bullets and water cannons helped either, maybe they did, I was a child growing up there. Nothing really helped in NI, but it is possibly the most progressive (housing prices haven't fallen that much, and there are many jobs) area in the UK at the moment. So someone must have down something for the youth in NI. I don't know what the solution is. 
Aug 9th 2011, 2:01 pm
#155
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,240
Re: London riots
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Aug 9th 2011, 2:12 pm
#156
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: London riots
Aug 9th 2011, 2:32 pm
#157
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 5,965
Re: London riots
nice to see there is still some community spirit- this is from Clapham Junction- my old home :-)
Thanks to my friend Nic for posting it on Facebook
Thanks to my friend Nic for posting it on Facebook
Aug 9th 2011, 2:43 pm
#158
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Windscale....
Posts: 5,712
Re: London riots
Seems to me that a sector of British society is reacting with the modern day three 'R's - Rage, Resentment and Revenge.
Aug 9th 2011, 2:45 pm
#159
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: London riots
at kittycat's picApparently this pic is also doing the rounds
Aug 9th 2011, 3:01 pm
#160
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Windscale....
Posts: 5,712
Aug 9th 2011, 3:25 pm
#161
Concierge
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 29,625
Re: London riots
haven't read entire thread too long, but I am appauled to see what is happening, why don't the looter take Kay Burley out?
Aug 9th 2011, 4:22 pm
#162
Yes, I know i'm awesome.
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 624
Re: London riots
My point about American TV is not the violence and nonsense, its the fact that a large proportion of our youth and those younger than 40 are saturated in foreign influence and have been dumbed-down: that has eroded a large part of any sense of national identity. (Not that Crucifixion Street and Eastenders are a cohesive or stabilising influence.)
As to the "easy" answer: easy it may be, but it may also be 80% of the answer.
As to the "easy" answer: easy it may be, but it may also be 80% of the answer.
Lets blame the Americans shall we?
Aug 9th 2011, 6:49 pm
#164
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 361
Re: London riots
Anyone suggesting that individuals or Parents should take responsibility for the actions of their children are often vilified. Its always someone elses fault or responsibility.
Aug 9th 2011, 6:58 pm
#165
Excess Baggage
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,479
Re: London riots
The real problem is that despite these kids having playstations, cool trainers and smartphones, it's just not enough. The UK is dominated by a culture of greed. A dirty insatiable greed that manifests itself in resentment and disatisfaction. A greed that rejects society and negates their personal responsibilites for their own lifestyle.
Anyone suggesting that individuals or Parents should take responsibility for the actions of their children are often vilified. Its always someone elses fault or responsibility.
Anyone suggesting that individuals or Parents should take responsibility for the actions of their children are often vilified. Its always someone elses fault or responsibility.