The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[The Batlord]

Literally the one time I've ever heard of it happening, which is why we laughed.

[Frownland]

Jack in the Box takes EBT in most of California.

[WWWP]

Wtf

I had no idea.
Google says BK does too.

[The Batlord]

Maybe we do but we certainly didn't think so and didn't allow it.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by elphenor

the fact that it had to be crushed by force, and that the major countries on BOTH sides of WW2 viewed what was happening in Spain as an existential threat, is a testament to them really being onto something imo

I think they viewed the civil war in general as a potential flashpoint in ww2 not just that one small anarchist segment

As for had to be killed by force..
1) That would be a bit more convincing if they ruled over a sizable state for a substantial period of time... The fact that it didn't break down due to internal strife or mismanagement in the course of a couple years isn't really all that surprising.
2) If you rule out national security as a criteria of viability then you're missing a pretty vital part of the picture imo. Say what you will about the USSR but at the very least they weren't so blindly naive in this one regard.

Tldr they would've been onto something maybe if geopolitics didn't exist.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by elphenor

yeah if the rest of the world is invested in your failure

lol.i just see this as naivety tbh. You don't need some global conspiracy against you, just ordinary geopolitical foes, which there always seem to be in abundance

In this case there was a civil war going on ffs... I think being able to defend yourself militarily (or having someone else who will do it for you) is always a must, but even more so in that specific context.

But we've sorta been over all this before.. you say the nation state has to disappear which means you are talking about a global yet decentralized order manifesting simultaneously...

I think once when we were talking about robots taking over you said "this isn't politics it's science fiction." To me that sci fi scenario is still way more likely, foreseeable, and even relevant than your scenario is.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by elphenor

idk if you're asking me about what is likely or what is right

I don't believe in these absolute statements about human nature, humans are complex, we're totally capable of being selfless as much as we're cruel and independent

I'd say the constant existence of empires and class systems speaks more to the cruel and complacent nature of humanity than it does the selfless and independent nature of humanity.

[DwnWthVwls]

Originally Posted by elphenor

idk if you're asking me about what is likely or what is right

I don't believe in these absolute statements about human nature, humans are complex, we're totally capable of being selfless as much as we're cruel

tribal as much as independent

superstitious as much as logical

romantic as much as cynical

peaceful as much as violent

Sure if you look at humans in total what you say is true.. but thats not the reality of our existence. Groups of violent people attack groups of peaceful people and the peaceful protest the violence. It doesnt matter that humans as a whole are capable of all these examples when they are not likely to exist in each individual.

[DwnWthVwls]

We are not special and will act like every other species driven by their biological desire to procreate which makes conflict inevitable. I can't imagine a justification for believing otherwise.

Originally Posted by elphenor

I see some lady buy a homeless guy she's never met an entire pizza, and yet I'm supposed to believe there isn't something about the human spirit that's revolted by the suffering of strangers?

Anecdote?

[DwnWthVwls]

Sure I have but I didnt see them as a threat to my existence, beliefs, whatever other thing that makes people to terrible things to one another. That's not a good reason for "not believing in human nature".