An experiment in socialism

Stars and flags. Flags and stars. The currency of ATS. People earn this currency by providing thought provoking threads, interesting posts, stirring debate. Some people gain enough currency to get silver or even golden banners. These are earned regardless of who you are, or what you believe.

Here's the experiment. With the help of the ATS administration, I'd like to "redistribute" the wealth. The top ten posters who are ferverent supporters of "social justice" and redistribution of wealth can have their banners, stars and flags provided to new members. I know they haven't earned this currency, they haven't posted, written, articulated enough to earn it, but why should that be a detriment to having this currency. It is unfair that some have banners and points while others don't.

I'd like volunteers, but if we can't get enough volunteers then we "encourage" those to step up to the plate and provide for those who haven't earned stars, flags, banners, to have some redistributed wealth.

What do you think ATS? Good idea?

*mods, please move if in a wrong area.

It's an idea I have mentioned before, as a self confessed leftie, I am quite happy to redistribute my stars and flags to those without them. The silver border can go too, I have no need for these things. Vive la revolution

Seems like the silver borders gone already

reply to post by woodwardjnr

And we have our first volunteer for our grand experiment. Thank you, and the people who didn't earn it thank you as well, sir.

If you take out the ideas of merit, competition and aspiration you eventually reap apathy. Thats why any form of socialism always leads to decay. Latest example: Greece and Venezuela, which are drowning in self-manufactured problems made by removing merit.

The virtual world of the Internet is already pretty much socialist where everyone demands stuff for free and information is de-valued by too much being available everywhere. The rewards of stars, flags and points arent even REAL rewards, they are purely virtual...and yet there all still some who feel "offended" and "discriminated against" if they have less stars, flags and whatever than others.

The errant assumption of the socialist mind is that any sort of competitive and playful competition is somehow "bad" because it causes "inequality". Hence modern "teachers" discourage young boys from wanting to win in sports (they`ll say "everyone is a winner") and the internet-socialists are strictly against flags, stars and reward.

reply to post by beezzer
Actually, the ones "encouraged" would be the "rich" or "middle class" right wingers. IE you for example. You do understand that most socialists volunteer to spend other people's resources.

Hey

...

where's my star? (I know I haven't even posted in this thread yet! Just "feeeeling" entitled t'day...)
beeze you are a "troublemaker".

reply to post by beezzer


If they volunteer does that not ruin the whole premise of your idea? ‘Redistribution of wealth’ through the government does not ask for volunteers yet you are.

deposit homeless unearned stars here please; "thenk yoo".
They are after all "tax deductible"pm for a receipt for tax purposes...

Originally posted by sonofliberty1776
reply to post by beezzer

 

Actually, the ones "encouraged" would be the "rich" or "middle class" right wingers. IE you for example. You do understand that most socialists volunteer to spend other people's resources.

I know, but I wasn't willing to wait for a prog to volunteer my points.

Originally posted by 46ACE
Hey

...

where's my star? (I know I haven't even posted in this thread yet! Just "feeeeling" entitled t'day...)
beeze you are a "troublemaker".

Just trying to redistribute the wealth good sir. Just like our president.

Why not distribute some truth?.. Funny thing about truth, it requires no meaningless stars, and flags to impress the masses..

Originally posted by Misoir
reply to post by beezzer

 

If they volunteer does that not ruin the whole premise of your idea? ‘Redistribution of wealth’ through the government does not ask for volunteers yet you are.

As in our system, anyone is free to "give" more to the goverment then they already owe. If you owe 5,000 in taxes and pay 10,000 they will accept it.

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by 46ACE
Hey

...

where's my star? (I know I haven't even posted in this thread yet! Just "feeeeling" entitled t'day...)
beeze you are a "troublemaker".

Just trying to redistribute the wealth good sir. Just like our president.

I understand he's a"blek man"
Who knew?and when did they know it?

Originally posted by TechVampyre
Why not distribute some truth?.. Funny thing about truth, it requires no meaningless stars, and flags to impress the masses..

I'm distributing a microcosm of the US of A.

reply to post by beezzer


Can I just ask for my stars and flags? Or do I have to fill out large quantities of bureaucratic paper work to see if a qualify? Can I only make a certain amount of posts a day if I get accepted to the S&F welfare program?

This is confusing I'm just going to earn my S&F's the good old fashion way.


P.S.

I don't approve of socialist programs that can be exploited by the lazy. But I approve of the ones which give opportunity's to the economically disadvantaged, or those who do not have an education who wish to have one. We must seek middle ground, If we do our country will prosper...right now there are to many extremes.

Originally posted by 46ACE

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by 46ACE
Hey

...

where's my star? (I know I haven't even posted in this thread yet! Just "feeeeling" entitled t'day...)
beeze you are a "troublemaker".

Just trying to redistribute the wealth good sir. Just like our president.

I understand he's a"blek man"

Who knew?and when did they know it?

edit on 15-7-2011 by 46ACE because: (no reason given)

He could be a crying bunny for all I care. It's his policies that are at issue here.

(Is that the line from "Lethal Weapon II"?)

reply to post by beezzer


Ah well I could not contribute even if that was my desire simply because I am not in the top 10 contributors.

Besides I understand the idea is the same (redistribution of flags/stars and wealth) but the last time I checked you could not by food and pay a mortgage with flags/stars.

... Or can I?

Originally posted by TechVampyre
Why not distribute some truth?.. Funny thing about truth, it requires no meaningless stars, and flags to impress the masses..

Well?
ok... We're waiting; lets hear it(i.e. THE "truth")
Now that you have everybodies attention:

A star or a flag is pointless.. Words are key.. use them wisely, and distribute truth widely.. It ain't all stars and glamor.. But hey it's the truth!

And then we shall all be rich with knowledge.

But the redistribution of wealth has been a transition from bottom to top rather than top to bottom. The financial bailouts saw the biggest redistribution of wealth in history. Running with your analogy it's like all members donating all their points to the owners and moderators of the site for fear the site would be closed down.