kens,
thanks for posting that very clear example of why a “collectivist” ideology is ultimately doomed to fail.
It is simply human nature. It is hardwired into our DNA, the so-called selfish gene, that need to compete and push ourselves further than those around us.
Humans did not evolve as ants and bees did to be part of a colony with individualized duties, breeding stock and workers. We evolved around a high investment of time to relatively few offspring as an evolutionary strategy to ensure the progression of that line.
To attempt to unplug from this evolutionary reality and attempt to fit our society around a group ideology is to deny what science has long understood.
This is not to say that our rationality cannot prevail and allow us to do things for the greater good, certainly there are many examples of people who sacrafice daily and sometimes with the ultimate price. It is to say, that as a group, human beings, acting in concert, the prevaling movement is one of striving towards a better position amongst others, the better to ensure our own “immortality”, however fleeting that notion may be.
i think living on the gowanus makes people more resilient. someone asked for the data showing higher cancer rates around it, and honestly i dont think there are any. people have been living near the gowanus for like ever. there’s tons of old ladies living in that area who are cancer-free.
what is it they actually want to do with it anyway? just clean up the site and leave as is, or drain it completely? pave it over? people always mention paris by the canal and that’s just barfy. i think the gowanus area is funky in it’s own right and should be left as is. people are always talking about preserving the character of a neighborhood, and this is a good example of which i can agree it should be left as is. the whole superfund thing reeks of exploitation and scandal (those arent the right words… ah, corruption is the right word to use)
awww I want to see that Garfield cat at the Associated!
DH – try Bloomingdales for a couch
trust me – there stuff lasts DECADES and it’s not as expensive as you might think – also they are MUCH more willing and able to give you a few hundred dollars off on a big ticket item them the sales guy at Crate and Barrell for instance
I think you would be happy with their choice of selection as well
we have a chocolate brown leather couch from Bloomingdales that we bought over 6 years ago and it hasn’t start to crack or peel or anything -looks just as good as the day we bought it
Slopefarm, I was just busting chops. We had the discussion on my politics before. I vote for a person and ideals not a party (eventhough I guess I tend to view more things as “republican” than “democrat” eventhough I lean more towards giving to the poor as well). Don’t know enough about politics as much as you guys to argue all the specifics so I avoid butting in :-). I just read and learn.
Cobble, GOOD LUCK with the interview, whenever it happens!
DH, I third Room and Board but I also like CB2/West Elm but not sure of the durability of their couches. I know a place that sells the same Door Store furniture but at cheaper prices so if you like anything there, let me know. For cheaper, I would go with IKEA. Their leather couches are actually really nice and hold up well. A friend has one for a few years now and it looks brand new. I got one of those American made sofa bed couches with real high density foam matresses as cushions. Really comfy to sit on and sleep on. It turns into a Queens Size bed and none of that futon crap.
Thanks kens!
Will do, DIBS!
kens,
thanks for posting that very clear example of why a “collectivist” ideology is ultimately doomed to fail.
It is simply human nature. It is hardwired into our DNA, the so-called selfish gene, that need to compete and push ourselves further than those around us.
Humans did not evolve as ants and bees did to be part of a colony with individualized duties, breeding stock and workers. We evolved around a high investment of time to relatively few offspring as an evolutionary strategy to ensure the progression of that line.
To attempt to unplug from this evolutionary reality and attempt to fit our society around a group ideology is to deny what science has long understood.
This is not to say that our rationality cannot prevail and allow us to do things for the greater good, certainly there are many examples of people who sacrafice daily and sometimes with the ultimate price. It is to say, that as a group, human beings, acting in concert, the prevaling movement is one of striving towards a better position amongst others, the better to ensure our own “immortality”, however fleeting that notion may be.
Another clear example, the Olympics.
also – does anyone know when the Greenwood Cemetary Trolley Tour takes place? I must go this year!
Yeah, CGar. Still don’t get the big deal about hockey yet. But I am happy that they are happy.
sounds like i got alot of sitting to do. thanks folks
i think living on the gowanus makes people more resilient. someone asked for the data showing higher cancer rates around it, and honestly i dont think there are any. people have been living near the gowanus for like ever. there’s tons of old ladies living in that area who are cancer-free.
what is it they actually want to do with it anyway? just clean up the site and leave as is, or drain it completely? pave it over? people always mention paris by the canal and that’s just barfy. i think the gowanus area is funky in it’s own right and should be left as is. people are always talking about preserving the character of a neighborhood, and this is a good example of which i can agree it should be left as is. the whole superfund thing reeks of exploitation and scandal (those arent the right words… ah, corruption is the right word to use)
*rob*
*rob*
awww I want to see that Garfield cat at the Associated!
DH – try Bloomingdales for a couch
trust me – there stuff lasts DECADES and it’s not as expensive as you might think – also they are MUCH more willing and able to give you a few hundred dollars off on a big ticket item them the sales guy at Crate and Barrell for instance
I think you would be happy with their choice of selection as well
we have a chocolate brown leather couch from Bloomingdales that we bought over 6 years ago and it hasn’t start to crack or peel or anything -looks just as good as the day we bought it
Yo Cgar!
Slopefarm, I was just busting chops. We had the discussion on my politics before. I vote for a person and ideals not a party (eventhough I guess I tend to view more things as “republican” than “democrat” eventhough I lean more towards giving to the poor as well). Don’t know enough about politics as much as you guys to argue all the specifics so I avoid butting in :-). I just read and learn.
Cobble, GOOD LUCK with the interview, whenever it happens!
DH, I third Room and Board but I also like CB2/West Elm but not sure of the durability of their couches. I know a place that sells the same Door Store furniture but at cheaper prices so if you like anything there, let me know. For cheaper, I would go with IKEA. Their leather couches are actually really nice and hold up well. A friend has one for a few years now and it looks brand new. I got one of those American made sofa bed couches with real high density foam matresses as cushions. Really comfy to sit on and sleep on. It turns into a Queens Size bed and none of that futon crap.
I was just joking with DH, *rob*, since he said he’s looking for “big boy” furniture. ^^^
Hey etson! I see you brought the Canadians good luck.