With the exception of the ever articulate, albeit anonymous, peanut gallery there seems to be a consensus in this little corner of the web that all is not as it should be in today's world. War, poverty, increasing government control and media manipulation - all in all things could be better.

These forums, however, speak of families, friends, employment and love. Basically it seems that we're all leading our lives as if there is hope for the future - taking care of those we love and trying in our own ways to contribute to our various societies.

So then, my question: If there is a measure of consensus that improvement could occur, is it sufficient that we recognize and acknowledge this situation or are there tangible actions that we should be taking? So there's no misunderstanding - I am neither suggesting nor advocating anything quite so dramatic or misguided as revolution. We all seem to have some stake in the stability of our respective societies.

So, is it sufficient to see the hypocracies and power relationships at play or must this awareness translate into some further form of action?

Looking forward to hearing any ideas on the matter.

Oh you vicious bastard! How dare you throw that little bomb into the cauldron.

While a full reply will take some thought, first let me address this, "So, is it sufficient to see the hypocracies and power relationships at play or must this awareness translate into some further form of action?"

To merely admit a problem exists and then shove your head up your ass hoping it will go away or some one else will fix it is in my opinion one of the biggest problems plaguing our collective societies.

These same people then turn around ten years later when the previously distant problem has arrived at their backdoor and cry out in outrage and lament the conditions of the world. These same lazy bastards put total faith in technology, science and Government to solve all their problems and protect their little corner of the dream.

There are no isolated little corners any more, like it or not we are all connected; be it financially, industrially, environmentally or economically.

If you buy over priced running shoes that exploited children to make a 2000% profit per pair, you support that system and thus perpetuate it. If you shop at a store that moved its’ manufacturing facilities to Honduras from Austin Texas, and then you bitch about the poor employment conditions you are not only an idiot you are an ignorant hypocrite.

Your actions have consequences. You consumer dollars have huge weight collectively. If you want to do something right now. Spend your money buying products from companies to reward their humanity and worldwide actions.

So we spend our way to good citizenship? :lol:

I said nothing about good citizenship I spoke merely of trying to repair some of the damage we have already done by redirecting resources already being spent to companies that try to have some sence of morality and humanity in thier business practises.

I know the list of companies is woefully small but their are some who actually seem to give a fuck, why not reward their behaviour as means of expressing your will in a free market society. You have the ability to spend or not spend, why not make a statemnt as well as be a consumer whore?

I agree that those companies that make an effort should be rewarded, yet I still wonder if there are other ways to meaningfully act upon one's convictions that don't involve being a consumer. Can we not be proactive in our societies in other ways?

I know you said nothing about citizenship. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to have fun with the irony that arose from a willfully simplistic reading of your post on my part.
:-D

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We both know there are but for the majority of people getting any kind of change to happen is only as valid as the convience factor. For most people donating 20 a year to greenpeace is enough to make them feel as if they are doing their part...

My suggestion for the direction of consumer dollars is probably the least painfull and requires the least amout of effort, ergo it has the biggest possibility for implementation in the short run.

everyday I come hre and you losers are crying about some shit, just shut the fuck up nobody cares about you your music or your commie ideas
jesus fuck what a bunch a crybaby lsers

Quote:

hey if you kids can't learn how to play nice I will turn this car around right now and go home!

p.s. work of the sp and grammar

And yet you still come here time after time.....



Did he say crybaby lasers? and Jesus fuck? lol quality

Future song in the making.

Jesus fuck my crybaby lasers
I dont want no star trek phasers
Shoot the criminal with those tasers
In school we all wore old blazers
and so on....