I recently spend a number of months traveling around America and to be honest at the end of it I thought it was visually a bit dull. The reason for this seems to be the unadultarated mass roll out of large corporations throughout America. Town after town city after city you just get a rollout of the same shops, gas stations and motels. To name a few Wal Mart, Starbucks, Holiday Inns, McDonalds, KFC, 7/11 the list goes on. In fact after 50 KM or so driving on the freeway it was like was constant deja vu. The only thing that seems to vary are the bars (not inc Hooters). Also there are hardly any independant gas stations or motels throughout Amercan unless you really go out into the sticks.

Does this mean the end of Amercian culture is here?

What impact will this continuing monopolisation have on society?

Do you have a preference for shopping at small independants or is shopping more about convenience for you?

Are you guilty of having helped destroy the culture of small towns?

:soapbox:

its not just in America, its here too (in Australia). it really is quite sad when you see the big corporate companies just take over the smaller independant companies. I mean, i try to support local struggling petrol stations (they usually have better service anyway) and shops and greengrocers, but sometimes you have to go fully out of your way to go to them, so you just end up going to a shop like Woolworths and just getting your stuff from there. It's also bad because we dont support our local farmers who are struggling at the moment.

its not just in America, its here too (in Australia). it really is quite sad when you see the big corporate companies just take over the smaller independant companies. I mean, i try to support local struggling petrol stations (they usually have better service anyway) and shops and greengrocers, but sometimes you have to go fully out of your way to go to them, so you just end up going to a shop like Woolworths and just getting your stuff from there. It's also bad because we dont support our local farmers who are struggling at the moment.

Its the same in great britain, people are sick of americanisation to the point that people here are starting to detest america, and are thankfuly starting to look back towards europe where we belong. all that ensure's american influence in great britain is the media, after a civil war and a few trial's of treason we could sort them out and have some entertainment as thankfuly I think we still hang for regicide, and treason if not after a civil war we could just do it anyway.:fright:

Does this mean the end of Amercian culture is here?

It hasn't ended - it has become the alternative.

It hasn't ended - it has become the alternative.

Don't quite understand you, to have an alternative is to have a choice?

What I am saying is that the american culture, overall is changing into this homogenized, sterile, corporate-owned shit - but there is a sub-culture of people who are still trying to grasp and hold onto what is disappearing.

What I am saying is that the american culture, overall is changing into this homogenized, sterile, corporate-owned shit - but there is a sub-culture of people who are still trying to grasp and hold onto what is disappearing.

we are all trying to hold on to our roots, our heritage, our future and avoid being dragged in to this (american capitalist ideals based on greed and suffering). thankfuly I feel we are looking at the end of capitalism as it cannot afford to suppport itself much longer, I will be happy to see the back of this savage excuse for greed

Advertising shoudl be made illegal. Companies would not be able to expand to too large a consumer market keepin business localized and small, and much more importantly I don't have to deal with these fucking annoying, manipulative ads anymore.

thankfuly I feel we are looking at the end of capitalism as it cannot afford to suppport itself much longer, I will be happy to see the back of this savage excuse for greed

There's always hope.

thankfuly I feel we are looking at the end of capitalism as it cannot afford to suppport itself much longer, I will be happy to see the back of this savage excuse for greed

I too would love to see the back of capitalism, but can you explain further how you see its downfall? I can't see your average highstreet suddenly being replaced with independants!

Advertising shoudl be made illegal. Companies would not be able to expand to too large a consumer market keepin business localized and small, and much more importantly I don't have to deal with these fucking annoying, manipulative ads anymore.

You know I haven't thought about this before but your right we are allowing these maneating companies to try, and sometimes succeed at brainwashing us and worst our children. It is fundamentally not healthy. If you walk around the centre of London you can't look anywhere without seeing an advert. They appear on taxis, bus stops, on bill boards, newpapers, on transport, on the back of tickets etc etc.

What we need is a real president/leader to come along and actually have the balls to make these and other similar changes and save the human race this kind of mental enslavement.

What I am saying is that the american culture, overall is changing into this homogenized, sterile, corporate-owned shit - but there is a sub-culture of people who are still trying to grasp and hold onto what is disappearing.

Trouble is we are fighting a losing battle. My wife and I are fortunate in that all the fruit and vegetables we eat are grown locally. We avoid supermarkets like the plague but they have so much money and political influencethat it's easy to lose heart.

I too would love to see the back of capitalism, but can you explain further how you see its downfall? I can't see your average highstreet suddenly being replaced with independants!



You know I haven't thought about this before but your right we are allowing these maneating companies to try, and sometimes succeed at brainwashing us and worst our children. It is fundamentally not healthy. If you walk around the centre of London you can't look anywhere without seeing an advert. They appear on taxis, bus stops, on bill boards, newpapers, on transport, on the back of tickets etc etc.

What we need is a real president/leader to come along and actually have the balls to make these and other similar changes and save the human race this kind of mental enslavement.

I used to see myself as a bit of a crank for opposing all this rubbish, so it's nice to see that I'm in good company.

Trouble is we are fighting a losing battle. My wife and I are fortunate in that all the fruit and vegetables we eat are grown locally. We avoid supermarkets like the plague but they have so much money and political influencethat it's easy to lose heart.

I hear you.

We try to buy as much locally as we can, but even living in a fairly rural environment, it's difficult and sometimes expensive.

When you have coporate owned farms shutting down family farms AND getting subsidized to do it, there is something seriously wrong.

Corporate owned retail stores shut down all the locally owned stores and those who owned the stores, end up working for them - then Walmart pats itself on the back for the jobs they create.

Change has to come from legislation, and that has to be forced by the people.
Neither will likely happen.
Shit products we don't need from China are cheaper, so people don't want the tarrifs that Reagan repealed to be reinstated - plus the corporate giants have deep pockets and so do the politicians.

I think the most important step we need to take is serious, comprehensive campaign finance reform.

I too would love to see the back of capitalism, but can you explain further how you see its downfall? I can't see your average highstreet suddenly being replaced with independants!
.

It is quite simple,
minimum wage has gone up 25% in 25-30 years, house prices have gone up 250%.
as inflation keeps increasing less people are able to afford products,
the companies must inrease their prices to avoid profit loss eventualy the companies outprice themselves,
The average wage (which the government balances it's budget to) is in a false ecconomy. in england the average wage is supposed to be 28.500 per annum, if you check any job paper,job centre and take a calculator you will see that the average wage is 19.000-21.000 per annum the difference is made up by 'fatcats' who get ridiculous wage rises i.e. if 3 people at the top of your company gets a wage rise of 3.2 million and you give your base workers a rise of 200 a year the average will balance out that your workers wages have gone up with inflation, but only on paper which is what the government looks at.
thing's which we need to live heating,water,shelter are becoming unavailable to a large percentage because they cannot afford them.
british gas makes 1,400£ per minute yet a large percentage of elerly people do not heat themselves adequately.
it takes is one bad winter a lot of elderly die till they will listen,
it takes one hot summer for a few hundred people to die of thirst because they cannot afford water rates.
America is facing one of it's worst financial reccession's
U.k. is facing one of its worst reccessions to the extent that the country is basicaly bankrupt with the average householder owing over 100,000£ (motgage,loans etc) and spending over 10% of it's annual income just on heating and cooking fuel.
Soon people will not be able to put in their car which means difficulty in traveling to work (in zimbabwe last year they increased fuel so much that nearly all the working populous walked to work tv reports show thousands of people on the motorway walking to work.
the stealing of oil to ensure you can carry on as long as possible.
the list is endless...........................

capitaism peaked a long time ago and if it had been kept balanced may have worked but the greed behind the ideals of capitalism were never truly meant to work it was just a way for a group,class,race of people to make as much money as possible of the majotity. Savage realy when you think that world renowned companies use slavery to make their products and funny how these companies are nearly all american and use third world countries, yet they claim to be civilised :crazy:

I think the most important step we need to take is serious, comprehensive campaign finance reform.

the government has no ears, how can we make them listen without revolution

the government has no ears, how can we make them listen without revolution

Elect people locally who are actual public servants rather than politicians and force change upward.

It's not the government's fault - it is the people's fault.
No one in any democracy or republic has teh right to blame the government for a damned thing.

There will never be an end to capitalism.
The problem lies in the ridiculous notion of Laissez Faire Capitalism in particular.

Elect people locally who are actual public servants rather than politicians and force change upward.
Agreed, i feel that money and power breeds nothing but corruption
It's not the government's fault - it is the people's fault.
No one in any democracy or republic has teh right to blame the government for a damned thing.

just because somewhere claims to be a democracy does not mean it is democratic.
its the government's fault when they stopped working for the people, the people are kept in a state of media induced blindness to what is going on

Capitalism is dying my friend

just because somewhere claims to be a democracy does not mean it is democratic.
its the government's fault when they stopped working for the people, the people are kept in a state of media induced blindness to what is going on
If you vote to elect the government, then nothing can be blamed on the government - just those who cast ballots.

Capitalism is dying my friend

You may be right - I just can't see it.

If you vote to elect the government, then nothing can be blamed on the government - just those who cast ballots.
.

I feel we are voting for different faces, which work to the same agenda diguised as an alternative

I feel we are voting for different faces, which work to the same agenda diguised as an alternative

Exactly my point.
We are voting for politicians, rather than public servants.
We vote for whomever the hell we want to vote for - so the jackasses in office are there because of the jackasses at the polls.

Take a look at George Binette if you want to see a real public servant in action in the UK.

They are called franchises. Owned by mom and pop or any schmoe who invests in one. The idea behind them is that if you like to run into a 7-11 so do other people.

It is quite simple,
minimum wage has gone up 25% in 25-30 years, house prices have gone up 250%.
as inflation keeps increasing less people are able to afford products,
the companies must inrease their prices to avoid profit loss eventualy the companies outprice themselves,
The average wage (which the government balances it's budget to) is in a false ecconomy. in england the average wage is supposed to be 28.500 per annum, if you check any job paper,job centre and take a calculator you will see that the average wage is 19.000-21.000 per annum the difference is made up by 'fatcats' who get ridiculous wage rises i.e. if 3 people at the top of your company gets a wage rise of 3.2 million and you give your base workers a rise of 200 a year the average will balance out that your workers wages have gone up with inflation, but only on paper which is what the government looks at.
thing's which we need to live heating,water,shelter are becoming unavailable to a large percentage because they cannot afford them.
british gas makes 1,400£ per minute yet a large percentage of elerly people do not heat themselves adequately.
it takes is one bad winter a lot of elderly die till they will listen,
it takes one hot summer for a few hundred people to die of thirst because they cannot afford water rates.
America is facing one of it's worst financial reccession's
U.k. is facing one of its worst reccessions to the extent that the country is basicaly bankrupt with the average householder owing over 100,000£ (motgage,loans etc) and spending over 10% of it's annual income just on heating and cooking fuel.
Soon people will not be able to put in their car which means difficulty in traveling to work (in zimbabwe last year they increased fuel so much that nearly all the working populous walked to work tv reports show thousands of people on the motorway walking to work.
the stealing of oil to ensure you can carry on as long as possible.
the list is endless...........................

capitaism peaked a long time ago and if it had been kept balanced may have worked but the greed behind the ideals of capitalism were never truly meant to work it was just a way for a group,class,race of people to make as much money as possible of the majotity. Savage realy when you think that world renowned companies use slavery to make their products and funny how these companies are nearly all american and use third world countries, yet they claim to be civilised :crazy:

I can see that some of the observations you've made above are leading to less money in the average pocket but what I can't see is that any of them are a catalist for a global meltdown of corporations or a change to the way the high streets currently look like. Companies are clever they know more about their supply and demand than any of us. Cutting prices just enough to entice spending in their stores, raising prices just enough so that we can still afford to purchase goods from them, cutting costs at production just enough to increase their profits and keep prices low, buying out competition etc.

You say the end of capitalism is here (which I would welcome with open arms) yet I have listed below the current profits for some major corporations.
There is no indication that they are strugling, quite the opposite in fact. Which doesn't point to any change in the high street.

So maybe the end must come about not from the gradual decline of various corporations but rather a major overhall of either 'the system' or something that cause the colapse of society like a house price crash or perhaps a reccesion.

The worst case scenario is that we resign to the fact that it's here to stay. Capitalism is a clever beast and so far has been able to get through previous reccesions and I fear it will continue to as we are living in consumer and convenience society.


MCDONALDS

FAST food giant McDonald's has seen its global sales top $20 billion (£11bn) for the first time. Full-year revenue rose 7 per cent in 2005, boosted by strong sales in the US and a turnaround in its fortunes in Europe.
McDonald's has been revitalising its global business, adding salads and chicken strips to menus traditionally known for burgers and fries. McDonald's said its net profit for the year rose to $2.6bn, from $2.2bn in the previous year.

During the final quarter, sales in Europe rose by 2.8 per cent.

SHELL

The Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell today announced record profits for a British company of $22.9bn ( £12.9bn) on the back of soaring oil prices.

STARBUCKS

Net income for the fiscal third quarter rose to $126 million, or 31 cents per share, from $98 million, or 24 cents per share, a year ago, and beating the Wall Street consensus target by a penny per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Net revenue rose 21 percent to $1.6 billion. In the United States — the company's biggest market — revenue increased 20 percent to $219 million due to new store openings and price increases that helped push up same-store sales 7 percent.

International revenue rose 32 percent to $262 million, helped by new retail outlets and more sales, the company said.

WAL MART

The world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, said customers flocked to its stores in the three months to July, helping to lift profits by 26%.
The company said it made net profits of $2.04bn (£1.3bn), compared with $1.62bn a year earlier.

20 years from now youll be saying 'remember Sarbucks, man i loved that place'- think its called nostalgia.

I can see that some of the observations you've made above are leading to less money in the average pocket but what I can't see is that any of them are a catalist for a global meltdown
No one point is a catalist, they are all factors of demise, the catalist (if there is one ) is the reccession as the companies MUST make their profits no matter what.
or something that cause the colapse of society like a house price crash or perhaps a reccesion.
that is what is happening now
.
MACDONALDS

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=317131&in_page_id=2

resopnsible for creating fast food culture, causing an obesety epidemic worldwide.
profit's(written 2004)'quote' profits are now at there lowest for at least a decade having peaked in 2001 at 104mil (uk) .profits slumped the year before from 83mil down to 23mil.

SHELL

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jan/31/royaldutchshell.oil1

'quote' the company denied any reduction in energy demand as a result of any US or global economic slowdown.

STARBUCK'S

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/applications/blogs/pressoffice/2006/10/starbucks_opposes_ethiopias_pl.html

coffee growers are practical slaves earning $2.10 a week for 60-70 hr weeks.
it is no wonder that starbucks oppose fair prices for coffe growers. coffee shops sell coffe at 14£ a pound yet the farmers get just 30p-59p for their ENTIRE CROP.

WALMART

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/business/worldbusiness/16walmart.html

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/15/business/walmart.php

they have also found loss in profits........


I feel the capitalism failiure is this... o'k i made 1.5 mil profit last year but i only made 1mill this year so if i try to make 2.5 next year i should be able to make up the loss.
2 years later o'k i made 2.3 mil profit last year covering for the .5 loss two years ago, but this year we made 2.0 mil so i need to make 3.mil next year to make up my loss and guarantee i don't make a loss on profits next year............and this goes on.
I believe their should be a profitasation cut off point on humanitarian basis, I.E you can only make 1billion profit (after all bills wages,expenses etc)
then any profit is put into the country where the profit is made, subsidising tax monies spent on health,educatio,welfare, infrastructure needs. which should mean less tax
if you combine the profits made by these companies, where will the banks get the money from to pay interest on these sums, which are greater than at least 10% of the worlds countries total annual income

Omg, I had to reply to this ludicrous thread. What loss of culture? It's all IN YOUR HEAD!

America has always been a capitalist society. It didn't have much of a culture and if you think mcdonalds and walmarts aren't a defining characteristic of american culture, you are all idiots. Walmarts cater to the lower to middle-class. And yes, they want that shit because it's the best they can afford. They sure don't shop at nordstrom, which by the way has high quality products made in china. Products are made in relation to the target demographic.

Mom and pop stores and non-franchise motels?? You call that culture? lmfao.

Even going green, local, and organic is simply an outcome of the negative impact of cancer, obesity and pollution. It had nothing to do with culture.

How old are you people? I guess stupidity has no age! At least get your premise correct. LOL

What I am saying is that the american culture, overall is changing into this homogenized, sterile, corporate-owned shit - but there is a sub-culture of people who are still trying to grasp and hold onto what is disappearing.

*chuckle* Orly? As if this is new and recent?? As if corporations and franchises haven't been a dominating aspect of american culture and life. Maybe you're just seeing for the first time. lmao

As if gas stations, grocery stores, kmarts, malls, restaurants etc and all semblance of industrialization and 'sterilization' are something new altogether. Ooh, that's news to everybody. As if a private grocery store and a non-franchise gas station is anymore green, healthy or quaint. Geezus christ. focking idiots!!!

America has always been a capitalist society. It didn't have much of a culture and if you think mcdonalds and walmarts aren't a defining characteristic of american culture, you are all idiots.

america may not have a culture, but other places do perhaps if these companies stayed in america things wouldn't be so bad, keep all the shit in the toilet bowe,l trouble is america like bacteria spreads where it is not wanted

*chuckle* Orly? As if this is new and recent?? As if corporations and franchises haven't been a dominating aspect of american culture and life. Maybe you're just seeing for the first time. lmao

As if gas stations, grocery stores, kmarts, malls, restaurants etc and all semblance of industrialization and 'sterilization' are something new altogether. Ooh, that's news to everybody. As if a private grocery store and a non-franchise gas station is anymore green, healthy or quaint. Geezus christ. focking idiots!!!

so you do not see a global reccession caused by failed capitalist greed. the whole world is economicaly sound (yeah right)thats fockin ignorance, if your happy buying produce made of the back of slavery then you are a true american lol.
INDIANS,BLACK'S, NOW ASIAN CHILDREN ,AND BLACK'S AGAIN(but it's in africa so it's ok) how proud you must be lol

so you do not see a global reccession caused by failed capitalist greed. the whole world is economicaly sound (yeah right)thats fockin ignorance, if your happy buying produce made of the back of slavery then you are a true american lol.
INDIANS,BLACK'S, NOW ASIAN CHILDREN ,AND BLACK'S AGAIN(but it's in africa so it's ok) how proud you must be lol

Excuse me, that's not what this thread is about now is it? It was about the socalled loss of american culture. You know, like there aren't gas stations where there is a joe to pump your gas for you. That's because we live in a faster-paced society and today you need to pump your own gas etc.

Capitalist greed and corporations are a different subject altogether.

Excuse me, that's not what this thread is about now is it? It was about the socalled loss of american culture. You know, like there aren't gas stations where there is a joe to pump your gas for you. That's because we live in a faster-paced society and today you need to pump your own gas etc.

Capitalist greed and corporations are a different subject altogether.

I was a bit over the top with my analogy, i give a little apology.:o

the corporations are fueled by capitalist greed...y/n which in turn is disintergrating all sub-cultures in the way
I would rather by fair trade than products made off slavery (in a modern world) and i'm sure you would to. the planet is not America. The human race is not here to create profits for a handful of conglomerates.

I was a bit over the top with my analogy, i give a little apology.:o

the corporations are fueled by capitalist greed...y/n which in turn is disintergrating all sub-cultures in the way
I would rather by fair trade than products made off slavery (in a modern world) and i'm sure you would to. the planet is not America. The human race is not here to create profits for a handful of conglomerates.

Yes, of course. My basic point was that america was always on the road to capitalist conglomeracy. It's just that now, it's gotten to the point it's backfiring so people are taking notice. They are losing jobs to outsourcing, local farmers get squashed etc. It wasn't until the greed and exploitation started to rear it's ugly head toward americans that they started to complain. You see?

But sometimes tides like these are positive in the long-run as it can be a catalyst for positive and progressive change for everyone.

The greed has sickened many including americans, some even nauseated with themselves. The trend toward research into alternative clean fuel sources and environmental consciousness as well as global consciousness is a step in the right direction, not only for americans but other countries and the entire planet.

Yes, of course. My basic point was that america was always on the road to capitalist conglomeracy. It's just that now, it's gotten to the point it's backfiring so people are taking notice. They are losing jobs to outsourcing, local farmers get squashed etc. It wasn't until the greed and exploitation started to rear it's ugly head toward americans that they started to complain. You see?
Yes
But sometimes tides like these are positive in the long-run as it can be a catalyst for positive and progressive change for everyone.

I agree with this but between then (the change) and now there will be a number of war's both civil and national, and a lot of tears and pain to live in a humane and safe enviroment where we do not have these savage ethics, a lot of civilisations have been destroyed in history some of them was down to economic's like rome (to big to look after itself) too selfcentred to think outside of rome.

The greed has sickened many including americans, some even nauseated with themselves. The trend toward research into alternative clean fuel sources and environmental consciousness as well as global consciousness is a step in the right direction, not only for americans but other countries and the entire planet.

I can agree with this. i find it easier to listen and agree with you if you are not calling me a fockin idiot or stupid,plus you have got your point across better

The best of USAmerican culture springs from hard times, not affluenza. The harder we fall, the cooler we'll get up.

Stand back- You ain't seen nuthin yet.

The best of USAmerican culture springs from hard times, not affluenza. The harder we fall, the cooler we'll get up.

Stand back- You ain't seen nuthin yet.

:roflmao:
I thought NKOTB was the best of American culture lol

The best of USAmerican culture springs from hard times, not affluenza. The harder we fall, the cooler we'll get up.

Stand back- You ain't seen nuthin yet.

You sure ? Coz we kinda need your Agriculture market to open up a bit.

We're starting our spring garden around my little homestead. What would you like for us to grow for you? :m:

I am american and it is particularily hard for me to see how the corporate-capitalist culture has practically taken over parts of the world. Large American buisnesses have come into towns and have actually destroyed the real american culture! What America used to be was a melting pot of other cultures (i.e, just visit chinatown :D), but now America has been leaning towards a country overrun by conservative money-hungry corporations. If I were to advocate for change in America, I'd probably want corporations heavily controlled by the government (by people's chioce), or just turn America Socialist. :D

I can see it now! The USSA (the United Socialist States of America)

American culture isn't gone this has just become American culture. Just roll with it. And now that I think of it. Stores don't give a city its culture. Culture is all around you in certain cities you can feel it. Even though cities like Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Fransisco may all have the same stores the cultures of the cities are all very different.

American culture isn't gone this has just become American culture. Just roll with it. And now that I think of it. Stores don't give a city its culture. Culture is all around you in certain cities you can feel it. Even though cities like Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Fransisco may all have the same stores the cultures of the cities are all very different.

Gone, changed, or however you want to say it. I just don't like the average sight I am seeing every day! Of corse, when you get into the big cities, then you see their own unique culture and everything like that. I live in Madison, which even though has a pop. of 250,000, has been often nicknamed the "Kremlin of the US." :D

What I was mentioning is that corporations are shaping national culture, but not local american culture.

I can see it now! The USSA (the United Socialist States of America)

LOL:roflmao:
i'm sure that would go down well...lol

To name a few Wal Mart, Starbucks, Holiday Inns, McDonalds, KFC, 7/11 the list goes on.

I think a very strong can be made that you are listing American Culture. And it is not simply the individual stores with their tacky aesthetics that is american but the business ideas behind them: franchises, mass production, extreme pragmatism, kitsch, demeaning outfits, and so on. It is one part of American culture and where these 'values' can lead to good things, this is what happens in excess. Where you have down-to-earthness and a lack of pretension you open the door for kitsch. Where you have pragmatism, you open the door for mass production. I see these (admittedly horrible) companies as very american. Hyperamerican. Like GI Joes with enormous muscles and no sense of irony.

Where you have pragmatism, you open the door for mass production.

I disagree.
A pragmatist is only interested in the end results.
If the results are negative, the path is wrong.

I disagree.
A pragmatist is only interested in the end results.
If the results are negative, the path is wrong.
If the results of interest are money.....

In a sense I do not disagree with you. I am not making an attack on pragmatism, I am saying that cultural tendencies that are positive or even neutral can lead to problems when made extreme. I think the real roots of pragmatism in American Culture are a kind of what gets the job done banalness, that in many instances is preferable to European practices where one must spend time and money showing that this is civilization, we are special, there is a sacred dimension and so on. But when taken too far this 'pragmatism' - which is really like a character trait from which philosophical pragmatism and kitchy mass production can both spring from like that species from which the apes and humans sprang - can lead to some of the phenomena the OP was bemoaning.

I disagree.
A pragmatist is only interested in the end results.
If the results are negative, the path is wrong.

Off topic, but this is what I find a major problem in research these days.

Negative data which goes against expected outcome is not published for fear of funding potholes. Which means that a lot of research gets buried and is not reviewed. To me, this is WRONG. Negative data is information and it is important to put it out there so people don't repeat the same procedures or figure out why the actual outcome is different from the expected.

This aspect of research has been a major disappointment to me as a scientist wannabe.

The best of USAmerican culture springs from hard times, not affluenza. The harder we fall, the cooler we'll get up.

Stand back- You ain't seen nuthin yet.
Well said.

Tis true - Americans are best on the rebound - I'm hopefull for this. Right now i'm with One Raven, everything is shit. Cheap, Plastic, hyped up, shit.

Does this mean the end of Amercian culture is here?



If it is the end, then it is also the beginning of the Chinese and Indian culture?

Is it? Do you break out dancing while romancing every few minutes or fly out slicing or dicing your vegetables? :D

Tis true - Americans are best on the rebound - I'm hopefull for this. Right now i'm with One Raven, everything is shit. Cheap, Plastic, hyped up, shit.

Um, notice the title of the thread. the point being the cheap, plastic, hyped up shit is very american. The thread started disingenuously implying the culture around you was somehow not of american origin. bullbologna. Plastics have one great, redeeming value and that is they don't break like glass. :D

My plastic laptop (designed in U.S by AMerican company) is made of plastic not wood. Last year fell of desk, flipped over landed on hardwood floor and it still workey.

Whats so funny is that when once it did break i called tech support and sure enough where was i calling INDIA. It was not really support because well i couldnt understand him, And what i would like to know is are there any Indians named Joe? I really dont think so, was he lying to me or what?

Terrible what this world has come to. Ter rib bull.

Whats so funny is that when once it did break i called tech support and sure enough where was i calling INDIA. It was not really support because well i couldnt understand him, And what i would like to know is are there any Indians named Joe? I really dont think so, was he lying to me or what?

Yea, I remember reading somewhere on slashdot that those indians working in support have their westernized call names like Joe, Bo, David, etc.

Yeah, it happens all the time too. You get a female and you hear 'hello my name is Cindy' but i dont really mind helping some poor family in Calcutta or Bombay.

20 years from now youll be saying 'remember Sarbucks, man i loved that place'- think its called nostalgia.
Vastly less likely than a individualized cafe with the peculiarities and nicities of an individual. That there will be Starbuckslike cookie cutter cafes is more than likely.
People will miss the work of individuals more than they will the sterile franchises. They can always go to another sterile franchise.

But really how many coffee houses were around before Starbucks and dunkin donuts? There are still small cafes and sandwich shops all over the place. You have to admit starbucks was a stroke of genius.

Starbucks actually helps small businesses a lot. For example, let's say there is an obscure coffee house, and then, a few months after they open, a Starbucks moves into town. This is widely publicized and so everyone goes there before work, to loiter, etc. but then, the Starbucks gets busy and therefor the lines get long (Cappuccino takes fucking forever to make), so the people look for another place and find a little "homey" coffee shop and decide to try it...

I know this from experience.

Starbucks actually helps small businesses a lot. For example, let's say there is an obscure coffee house, and then, a few months after they open, a Starbucks moves into town. This is widely publicized and so everyone goes there before work, to loiter, etc. but then, the Starbucks gets busy and therefor the lines get long (Cappuccino takes fucking forever to make), so the people look for another place and find a little "homey" coffee shop and decide to try it...

I know this from experience.

Perhaps, but this is not the case everywhere...

Yes, I do support smaller corporations as well as large, respectable, corporations. But as many people can be exploited by large corporations as well as the seemingly "unlimited power" that capitalism has granted it. Currently, corporations such as this are a disease of this earth, as all they do is buy and consume more and more of our culture for their own selfish gain. If life is to be improved here in america (or the rest of the world for that matter), people must see what capitalism has done to our culture. If most of the people in this world have the least bit of sense in them, we must abolish the power that all of these "imperial" corperations hold against us.

Capitalism IS out culture; it is those tiny corner shops or even wal-mart. Capitalism is everything America has, is, and probably always will be.

Capitalism IS out culture; it is those tiny corner shops or even wal-mart. Capitalism is everything America has, is, and probably always will be.

Not really, when I mean capitalism, I mean things capitalism will let large corporations do that other economies wont. Such as putting a logo (figuratively) on something historical to our society.

Not really, when I mean capitalism, I mean things capitalism will let large corporations do that other economies wont. Such as putting a logo (figuratively) on something historical to our society.

There are many other things that a capitalist corporation's can do that other economies will not...........

Making large profits by exploiting third world countries through paying slave wages to children/poor regions (yet brag on the millions made). Holding their heads up saying " at least we give them something " yet the countries are bound to the US through national unpayable debt.........
Denying humanitarian basic needs/rights to types of people, because it won't be profitable.................To these corporations the human race is their just to feed there finances, to them we have no other purpose.
Thank goodness only a few companies do this

There are many other things that a capitalist corporation's can do that other economies will not...........

Making large profits by exploiting third world countries through paying slave wages to children/poor regions (yet brag on the millions made). Holding their heads up saying " at least we give them something " yet the countries are bound to the US through national unpayable debt.........
Denying humanitarian basic needs/rights to types of people, because it won't be profitable.................To these corporations the human race is their just to feed there finances, to them we have no other purpose.
Thank goodness only a few companies do this


Hey, friend, I suppose you hand wove that adidas shirt you're wearing. Practice what you preach, much?

Hey, friend, I suppose you hand wove that adidas shirt you're wearing. Practice what you preach, much?

I'm worse than that I've got nikey's on.
But I try to but fairtrade, free range etc when I can.
Its hard to be Righteous in the true name of the word but hey I'm no saint and your statement gets a:bravo:from me for admitance of the problem, and as I am no Yankeedoodle I question WHY DOES MY GOVERNMENT TRADE WITH NATIONS THAT SUPPORT SLAVERY IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM it is becuase of Greed without Ethics, Finance over morality.
I believe in not harming the innocent/nature and hence do not kill animals if I can help it, to the point of if I see a fly stuck in the water I will fish it out and hold it till it is dry..lol, I have on my phone 10-15 minutes of me holding a dragonfly on my finger which I fished out of a pool filter blew on it till it was dry and then it wouldn't go , (to be inches away from it and see every tiny movement as it watches you is amazing).love the planet dude it keeps you alive.
But don't get me wrong the same does not apply to humans I'm tagged at the mo for beating a doofus up who disrespected me I laughed at the police as they arrested me, and he knows to stay away or I will hurt him when I see him.
I do practice what I preach when I can
In a loud John Hagee voice
NO LAW,
NO NATION,
NO RELIGION,
NO MAN,
SHALL STAND IN THE WAY,
AS WE DO WHAT MUST BE DONE......

LOL

Yes, many people are like you. This board is full of them. You fit right in with plenty of hate to go around. big business, big government, the "blind public", the religous establishment, the local authorities and list keeps going until it's just you and the dragonfly...........And everyone else is in denial aren't they?

Yes, many people are like you. This board is full of them. You fit right in with plenty of hate to go around. big business, big government, the "blind public", the religous establishment, the local authorities and list keeps going until it's just you and the dragonfly...........And everyone else is in denial aren't they?

And you save your hate for individuals like him. Strange where you think the problem is. Does he seem to have too much power? Are you feeling victimized by him?

Are we witnessing your politics and your participation in the solution?

Yes, many people are like you. This board is full of them. You fit right in with plenty of hate to go around. big business, big government, the "blind public", the religous establishment, the local authorities and list keeps going until it's just you and the dragonfly...........And everyone else is in denial aren't they?

No not at all, I am lucky I came over from Germany just old enough to remember and all though I have grown up in England with English friends I have watched them change with media sway their Ideals, Outlook and aleigence most of my friends now are not White English people I know some still to pass the time of day .
But know they know not who they are, they rely on being told/contantly fed 1 perspective outlook till it becomes their outlook/brainwashed. Perhaps I find a continuum of thought pertaining to what our roots/heritage/respect to the giants whose shoulders we stand and we know different as some of the indeginous people in england have never lived outside their village/town let alone another country/values/Ideals/ethics.
As a chef I spent 10/11 years traveling all over the country working/ blending in/watching /observing/becoming/learning all aspects needed for life. And it is from working in Italy/France (and probably the 11 time I spent in Amsterdam)
working with the French/Italian that I realised I am not alone, I am not different, I am one many that will sacrifice everything for the survival of man and our biological needs, the realisation that the years of feeling different was not the difference in me but I realise now it was the change in them. The thought hit me that this had such evil undertones disguised as an accepted norm that who are they, are they English,British,United Kingdomish are they an American State are they a European State who are they......? They were my friends, we were the same.
I think you will find that my pespectives, perceptions have foundation and reason for concern and I am lucky in the life that I live, I am the sighted man in a room of blind people yet it is me that cannot see.............?


"To ensure our biological survival we must deny everything that our biology does not reqiure"

And how do you fight a Faceless System :scratchin:Terrorism:scratchin:Ghost in the Machine:wallbang:or ask them politely to stop

But know they know not who they are, they rely on being told/contantly fed 1 perspective outlook till it becomes their outlook/brainwashed. Perhaps I find a continuum of thought pertaining to what our roots/heritage/respect to the giants whose shoulders we stand and we know different as some of the indeginous people in england have never lived outside their village/town let alone another country/values/Ideals/ethics.


You sound like you need to vent. Tell me more abou this part. Who are they? Who are they not, in your words?

You sound like you need to vent. Tell me more abou this part. Who are they? Who are they not, in your words?

I was talking about my friend's (they) and their roots/heritage.
Oh I vent on a regular basis much to my own Amusement sometimes.

How can a system which is driven by greed over ethics, and finance over morality be a mode accepted by anyone with rationality I don't know.

Is it just the addidas that put a bug up your a*s.
because you havn't commented on my other post's?
you didn't comment on slavery?
you didn't comment on anything I said except for your quote above ,
and I feel that was for humour for the word "they",
And yet you are arguing on culture, but have only questioned my dress,catagorised me without knowledge, and commented on my anger
if you are not commenting on the points I tried to make what is your point, or are you just having a vent?

So, all of your white friends put greed over ethics?

So, all of your white friends put greed over ethics?

No............
I put "White English Friends" on purpose.
If you had read the post I'm talking about moving to England and I questioned whether the Engish are aware of themselves.
I do not mention race at all, the sentence you refer to you should read again, (it just so happens that the boarding school and comp. i went to were peromatly white, as i am). I still have plenty of White friends.

And the " greed over ethics " was a in a previous post with relation to "why does government my government trade...etc"

So as you now make no sense,
and conclude with no purpose.

I ask you again What is your point.....What is your pleasure Mr Bond.!!

I ask you again What is your point.....What is your pleasure Mr Bond.!!

People take notice when someone talks about "revolution" and using "terrorism to fight a faceless system". I'm trying to follow your madness but it's difficult. Forgive me.

People take notice when someone talks about "revolution" and using "terrorism to fight a faceless system". I'm trying to follow your madness but it's difficult. Forgive me.

you are twisting words to suit you I asked "how do you fight a Faceless System" and gave that as one of three possible way's.
If you see something simple as revolutionary then Pppfff:crazy:.
your not reading the context of the post at all, just looking at words that stick out to you and stringing then together to create a perspective I have not shown, or written but you expect to see...?

Page 1
the government has no ears, how can we make them listen without revolution

Page 1

If something has no ears and you make it hear is that not revolutionary.
When did I write that?
In what context?

Page 1

Oh I see page 1 of this thread....don't see the problem still

Lawrence E Richards
7272 Landsdale St.
Brooksville, Florida 34601
Law_richards@yahoo,.com
352-585-5466
Why are Citizens being attacked? Mar. 11, 08
Nothing in this world is more alarming then the fact that United States Citizens are being attacked
and done harm by the Homeland Security Satellite Program.
I was attacked while in Ohio early last year, March and April, after some traveling to Oklahoma,
and on to Amarillo, Texas. Apparently, this torturing started before my trip West, for I suffered
substantially, prior to that time, not realizing what was happening to me.
Throughout 06-07 winter, October until the time I went on my journey West in March, I suffered
an agonizing experience of an equal consequence. At that time, I consider it much more evil and
more deadly, for it was done within my home, day and night, while sleeping, while eating, while
using the bathroom.
I’’m sure you are extremely hesitant about even thinking such a thing is happening. Yes, this was
my first thought when Satellites defense technology came to mind, ““is it possible?”” ““Could it
be, someone like me, being under surveillance, being attacked by such high tech equipment?””
{No Way!} I thought. But, after weeks of suffering its affect, I discovered truly, satellites are
involved. Of course, it wasn’’t an overnight revelation.
.Sadly, nearly all affected citizens have no idea as to why they are in pain—only a few who are
involved would understand such uncivilized tactics. Spying and harm is going on today and now.
Are you willing to believe such evil, as it happens, is going on in my home? The End.

How can a system which is driven by greed over ethics, and finance over morality be a mode accepted by anyone with rationality I don't know.

A point in which I find myself lost in thought about everyday...

Oh dear I hope so, no one damaged this world more than fucking liberals.

A point in which I find myself lost in thought about everyday...

Everyday I wonder how we have regressed, to live in a system of rule which is of no benefit to the Populous only to a small minority. And that minority is dragging us all back to the brink of 100 years ago.
Is it the same savage ideals and greed that have wiped out all the other dominating power in history, are we on the brink of civilization change, the colapse of the old , the birth of the new.............?

People like Clusteringflux who do not read what is written but pick out words which they associate with negatives then put the words together to make something which they can vent their anger and frustration at...
I feel this is done because the dis-illusionment felt with knowledge that what/who you believe are doing whats right for you (as the government should) is in fact doing what is right for themselves and the people are nothing but funders.

Oh and clusteringflux if by some chance you think i'm some sort of loopy fanatical terrorist I'm afraid i'm not.....And perhaps if the US government had ears and listened, then there would be no need for " reign of terror" because it could have been sorted out...............or perhaps they just picked words out.....?
Look if you take the words above and mix them up we can create all sort's of different sentences and I can be what ever you think I am....Mad possibly..Wrong, no chance Coco