Happy Birthday Maggie!

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

What did this mean then "how about comparing it with other systems past and present to see how the peoples mental health is shaping up?"?

you seem to have a lot of difficulties holding a conversation ...are you like this in a verbal situation ...constantly having to ask the obvious?
it must get very tedious for everyone down at pub.

Former Member

There's lot of irony going round here at the moment. That statement of yours that I quoted seems to imply that you think that I think there might be a system in the past that was better. If you didn't mean that then fine, but you heavily implied it.

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

a system in the past that was better. .

totaly ignoring the fact i also said present.
pasat and present ...perfectly normal unloaded question.

Former Member

You also assume that I think there is a system in the present that is better.

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

You also assume that I think there is a system in the present that is better.

i haven't assumed any such thing ...i'n trying to have a conversation.
why do you have a problem with me asking if it is possible to make comparisons?

Former Member

Your questions are based on assumptions - look at the way you worded them. I'm questioning those assumptions - its called "debate".

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

Your questions are based on assumptions - .

the one waving assumptions about is you blag.

Former Member

Whatever, mr. I really can't be bothered.

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

Whatever, mr. I really can't be bothered.

i noticed.

Former Member

what is the debate about again?

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

i noticed.

whatever

Former Member

turlough wrote:

what is the debate about again?

it's now about wether it's the fault of capitalism that blag has gone insane.

Former Member

It's always capitalisms fault...it's capitalisms fault i'm not going to heaven aswell.

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

it's now about wether it's the fault of capitalism that blag has gone insane.

If you're gonna have a pop, at least read the fucking thread first.

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

can we have some comparisons here please with other political systems?
past and present ...

this seems to be where the thread fell apart for blagsta ...only capitalism can send you insane.
has capitalism realy traumatised you this much blag?

Former Member

Listen you antiquated hippy, I'm asking you what good a comparison will do? It has nothing to do with the thrust of my argument at all.

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

have a think about it.

:crazyeyes

Former Member

I notice you haven't answered my questions.

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

Listen you antiquated hippy.

Where did you pull that from.

Yes it is important to make comparisons to past civilisations, I know you like to talk about social contexts and all that but the fact is we're not totally alien to our ancestors

Former Member

Look - I'm not claiming that things were better in the past or that there is some system I can point to in the present that is better. A class analysis is a way of looking at the world, seeing how our economic system influences our society. I am not a complete economic determinist and have never claimed to be. However, without an analysis and understanding of how capitalism works, we cannot understand the world around us and cannot understand in what ways it could be better. See?

Former Member

I'm not quite sure how capitalism works myself..in fact anything to do with economics confuses me. However, I genuinely think some form of socialist style economic capitalist system would be the best if that makes sense.

Former Member

Blagsta wrote:

without an analysis and understanding of how capitalism works, we cannot understand the world around us and cannot understand in what ways it could be better. See?

and a much wider view and understanding would be possible if instead of just looking at capitalism we compared it with what else there is ...what has been and what may possibly be yet to come.
the way you talk of mental health problems growing because of capitalism, yet not being willing to look how other systems may have done the same ...how the systems we like to hope for in the future might also do the same or worse ...means your not debating at all ...just airing your hostilities to capitalism.

Former Member

I can however point to certain situations in the past that show certain possibilities that would be worth striving for - the Spanish Revolution, the Paris Commune, recent happenings in Argentina etc

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

and a much wider view and understanding would be possible if instead of just looking at capitalism we compared it with what else there is ...what has been and what may possibly be yet to come.
the way you talk of mental health problems growing because of capitalism, yet not being willing to look how other systems may have done the same ...how the systems we like to hope for in the future might also do the same or worse ...means your not debating at all ...just airing your hostilities to capitalism.

You should pay closer attention to what I post then if that's what you think.

Former Member

I think I have identified your inspiration Blagsta.

He sounds just like you I know you have mentioned him before........

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,6000,1605276,00.html

Former Member

If you paid more attention to my posts, you'd have seen me reference Chomsky more than once.

What was your point caller?

Former Member

That is why I said I have seen you mention him......

I just thought it was interesting that you sound so much like him.........

Former Member

I'm flattered

Former Member

I didn't say it was necessarily a good thing........

Former Member

So what was your point then? Either say it or shut it, quit being snide.