10 things to think about to make you happier and improve the world

3. If you want laws based on religion, first you must prove god exists and that he/she/it agrees with your position. You are welcome to believe in a god, but do not force your religion on others.

The above surely qualifies as Islamophobia...

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GladysOver: the (piss) artist formerly known as Chopper-Chang

It certainly is not Islamophobia. Can you explain how you reached that conclusion? Christians the world over seek to deny women access to safe abortions and restrict the rights of gay people in the name of god. The many millions of decent Christians and Muslims who just want to worship peacefully and go about their business do not force their religion on others.

If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood.

1. I have no problem with private sector unions. No problem with workers collectively using their leverage to get the best deal possible. But I also have no problem with workers choosing to go it alone. Public sectors unions, though, are a different beast altogether.

2. There is no real solution that doesn't start first and end first with overpopulation that does not result in a decline in standards of living. But no one seems willing to act on that.

3. Agree.

4. Definitely agree.

5. Meh. Art is subjective in nature. I personally really have no interest in viewing most. I would much rather visit a historical museum as opposed to an art gallery, per se. (And yes, I know, there is some overlap to those two, but art aspects of the museum I will skip.)

6. On this one, I take noted exception. Most improvements to society and people's lives throughout history are the result of innovators. Of new discoveries, new inventions, new efficiencies, new ways of doing things. Sure activism has improved certain aspects of life, and I'm not meaning to take it for granted, but the former, what the innovators have gifted society, is an exponentially greater contribution. I mean really think about it. Think about what your life would be like today if not for all the innovators of the past.

7. Agree. I don't think it'll improve the world though.

8. Fine.

9. Fine.

10. Sure.

Interesting responses. Thanks. A few points (in the short time we have left before the boards disappear):

What is the problem with public sector unions? They are workers like all others, and get the same raw deal as those in the private sector. They also have the additional burden of suffering the prejudice of people who seem to believe the myth that the public sector is a bloated sheltered workshop and that the workers are lazy. The country couldn't operate without them.

Visiting art galleries can open up new worlds and inspire great things. I believe that even people with minimal interest in art will get something out of visiting an art gallery. You are correct that I should have included museums.

Great cinema can change the world if people are inspired by it and act. That could be by helping to correct an injustice or simply making more great cinema. Improving the world in a small way is still an improvement.

The improvements I refer to in 6 are primarily political.

If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood.

What's your take on right to work laws?

Not being in the USA, I am not familiar with this so I can't really comment. On looking it up, I discovered that it seems to involve workers (union members) not being required to pay dues to unions that represent them. This is outrageous!

If she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood.

1. Yeah, Public sector unions keep the government honest. Political campaigns are full of the common election mantra of "make government efficient". One might have thought that seeing every politician at every election says he is going to remove inefficiency, that the public service must be super-efficient by now.

2. The country with the worst population problem was pilloried for its (admittedly draconian) attempt to reduce its enormous problem, with which it has had some success. They should be praised rather than continuing opprobrium and hatred.

5. A sign of a mature society is how it sees the arts (including music, and as you say, museums) as a centrepiece of its community, not as a sideshow to keep the people happy.

6. While I suspect this is true, it would be interesting to see a study to prove it. A corollary, that it is the right which promulgates the worst lies that lead to war needs more openness, particularly with the current demon in the House.
Innovation? The greatest by far impetus to innovation isn't access to capital or patent law favouring corporations, but war. I will pass on that one.

7. Cinema is the power communicator of this age. It needs to be acknowledged as such.
We should be giving accolades to Winters Bone and Hidden Figures despite its flaws rather than Zero Dark Thirty or The Hurt Locker

8., 9., 10. 







Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable

That all sounds good to me.


They're all dead Dave