An experiment in socialism

To be honest I don't really care about the stars and flags thing..........I'm not competing for a popularity contest and the second they make it one I am outta here cuz I could care a less. I say what I gotta say and contribute my two cents worth and thats the end of it.........thats how I see it anyways IMHO of course!

Since earning stars and flags does not influence my capacity to access/evolve in the ATS sphere, I do not value them.

If hypothetically stars and flags were necessary to access/post/inhabit ATS, as money is necessary in the real world, then I would not only readily redistribute mine, I would also advocate for the suppression of the star/flag system.

Some people highly value their hard earned stars and flags. Some people highly value their hard earned money.

Those people are generally just missing the point of life/ATS.

Originally posted by Ismail
Those people are generally just missing the point of life/ATS.

And that point is...?

reply to post by Skyfloating


Certainly not Stars, Flags, or Money.

Being a contributor to the world/ATS I would say.

As opposed to competing with it/other members for meaningless pixels.

reply to post by Ismail


Absolutly..........JUST LIVE! Be you and feel the freedom of being you and here in this existence without. If people get caught up in what they THINK are rewards, which they tend to do here at ATS they tend to go for things that will provide entertainment or shock value rather then things they would just say naturally or think naturally. IMHO of course!

I like how you think Ismail!

Originally posted by iLoGiCViZiOnS
reply to post by Ismail

 

Absolutly..........JUST LIVE! Be you and feel the freedom of being you and here in this existence without. If people get caught up in what they THINK are rewards, which they tend to do here at ATS they tend to go for things that will provide entertainment or shock value rather then things they would just say naturally or think naturally. IMHO of course!

I like how you think Ismail!

What do you consider "rewards" either here or in the world?

Originally posted by Ismail
Certainly not Stars, Flags, or Money.

Being a contributor to the world/ATS I would say.

As opposed to competing with it/other members for meaningless pixels.

Money is a symbol of exchange of value. If you have a lot of it, that means you have been of value to a number of people, it means you have contributed. Unless you commit a crime, the only way to get money is from people who think what you have to give them is worth it. If you have money that means you have been of value to society. Socialists believe the opposite: That if you have money you have de-valued society by robbing it from them. They therefore campaign for taking the money away from the very people who are keeping society together.

Ever travel in socialist countries and notice how everything is just falling apart? The reason is that the people who were building society were deprived of their means to continue contributing.

reply to post by beezzer


If stars and flags were necessary to achieve basic human needs like food and healthcare, it would be a great idea to regularly redistribute them from those who have a lot to those who have not enough, even against the will of those who have a lot, if it was necessary.

Of course stars and flags are not needed for survival and health, so there your analogy fails.

Originally posted by Maslo
reply to post by beezzer

 

If stars and flags were necessary to achieve basic human needs like food and healthcare, it would be a great idea to regularly redistribute them from those who have a lot to those who have not enough, even against the will of those who have a lot, if it was necessary.

Of course stars and flags are not needed for survival and health, so there your analogy fails.

How much money have you actually given to the government above and beyond what they tax you?

reply to post by beezzer


Nothing. Why should I? Dont they already have more than enough?

Originally posted by Maslo
reply to post by beezzer

 

Nothing. Why should I? Dont they already have more than enough?

Well, you said. . . .

If stars and flags were necessary to achieve basic human needs like food and healthcare, it would be a great idea to regularly redistribute them from those who have a lot to those who have not enough, even against the will of those who have a lot, if it was necessary

Obviously they don't, so when are you going to give more? If we're going to redistribute, we can start with you.

So, how much are you "giving"?

reply to post by beezzer


join us on fakebook and subscribe. that's the only way.

Originally posted by beezzer
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.

This is a sh**ty analogy.

PEOPLE DON'T NEED STARS/FLAGS TO AFFORD FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND BASIC NECESSITIES!

Originally posted by NoHierarchy

This is a sh**ty analogy.

PEOPLE DON'T NEED STARS/FLAGS TO AFFORD FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND BASIC NECESSITIES!

Thats right. They need to work.

reply to post by NoHierarchy

Earning money for work, earning stars for effort produced, . . . .

Other than crass remarks, care to elaborate?

Originally posted by Skyfloating

Originally posted by NoHierarchy

This is a sh**ty analogy.

PEOPLE DON'T NEED STARS/FLAGS TO AFFORD FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND BASIC NECESSITIES!

Thats right. They need to work.

People do work. It's called wage-slavery. And the unemployed are NO EXCUSE for the inequality and suffering experienced due to an insane economic system.

The distribution of wealth is NOT Democratic, NOR is it merit-based, it's simply a game where the income bracket you're born into is very likely to be the one you die in. It's an unfair game, you cannot legitimize it with failed ideological platitudes.

reply to post by NoHierarchy

So you don't work?
You didn't buy the computer you're currently using?
You don't buy food?
But art?
Watch tv or dvds?
Don't own a car?
Don't pay utility bills?

Where is the line for toilet paper?

Originally posted by beezzer
reply to post by NoHierarchy

 

Earning money for work, earning stars for effort produced, . . . .

Other than crass remarks, care to elaborate?

I dont think its a crass remark, its the core of the issue you seem to ignore. The redistribution of wealth is justified by the fact that people still need money to acquire basic necessities. If it wasnt the case (such as with stars and flags), then redistribution would not be justified. But it is the case.

reply to post by beezzer


I dont know what this post has with the topic of this thread.