Apr 27 2012: As far as your statement, "In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge." I do not believe that is true because most people must have a degree to get a job, and from my experience a degree definitely does not dictate whether someone has imagination.
I was agreeing with the point that imagination is extremely important, but their must be at least a superficial knowledge of a subject, preferably multiple disciplines, to utilize one's imagination to its potential.
Apr 26 2012: I disagree that you give us citizens a pass on the debt crisis. If the people were not demanding services that they did not want to pay for there would not be a debt problem. If the people did not want to retire early with big pensions there would not be a debt problem. If the people did not want to have what everyone else had there would not be a debt problem.
For a problem to be solved all parties involved must be considered, or the solution will not be valid and make matters worse.
The people are supposed to be the leadership, but, in the United States, the people have defered their responsibilities over to the government. The citizens caused the problem in the United States by not being responsible for themselves. This gave the government the power to do whatever they wanted. They only have to dangle the carrot of hope in front of them to keep the power the people gave up long ago.
Apr 26 2012: There will probably never be peace, though I praise you for hoping for it.
I have a question or two for you. What are the consequences of total world peace?
Lets consider human nature for a moment. Could it be possible that during an extended period of peace, when the majority of people have become conditioned to this peaceful world, the people would become vulnerable/exploitable to an evil tyrant? For world peace to exist the evil side of human nature must be exterminated.
So, could it possibly benefit the people to always have an adversary? They don't have to be an evil tyrant, but just enough that we don't get soft and weak.
Apr 26 2012: I will agree with you that it is good when people DIRECTLY help each other. However, when a system is designed for people to help their fellow man INDIRECTLY the seeds of corruption are layed.
We are all interdependent. Yet, to facillitate the means by which people are able to be involved in the marketplace only gives way to more corruption and "exploitation". When an individual does not earn their own money they then do not treat that money the same way. Easy come, easy go. Giving people money only makes them more easily used to enrichen the wealthy.
The reason for the convolution of the modern day is because the rich and powerful through legislation are getting competitive advantages and gaining access to new customers; example, the world markets.
I have never read Ayn Rand, though I have wanted to. Nevertheless, I have seen the damage social programs have done to individuals and areas where they are reliant upon those social programs. They are void of ambition and imagination to create their own world. They wait for the next check to continue their monthly existence and are unhappy with the world around them. All the while they are looking for someone to blame for their meager existence.
What you produce is not at all the same as what you take - they are very distinct activities.
I do understand where you are coming from. People have to have the best of everything and consume more than they produce. They drive diesel pickups when they do not need them. They eat till they are so fat they can't move. And the list goes. Where we differ is why this is this way.
Prosperity is a double edged sword. When individuals do not have the developed character to withstand the temptations of a prosperous economy they will be eaten up by it. Just because we want something does not mean we should be given what we want.
Apr 26 2012: The social good? Are we talking about strengthening or weakening the human spirit?
How is it good for society to expand on a sector that is dependent upon government subsidies and private charity?
How does denying an individual or company the opportunity to fail and learn a valuable lesson become good for society?
All you are talking about is Industrializing Compassion. What happens when something is industrialized? Isn't someone getting exploited?
Anyway, the path you are on will only lead to fewer producers and more dependents. Before you expend more energy in this direction try studying human nature. Human nature will dictate the consequences of the "pro-social" avenue you are on.
Apr 26 2012: When a regulation becomes a crutch for someone to fall back on as an excuse for their actions then that regulation is detrimental to the individual. Stack them on top of each other and society crumbles.
It is difficult to take crutches away from crippled people without being burned at the stake.
Apr 26 2012: The point you made about knowledge is true. Information is free and easily accessable, but what I call "lateral thinking" is rare. Lateral thinking requires imagination along with at least a superficial knowledge of subjects to transfer principles/theories from one discipline to another.
From my experiences I have concluded that an imagination is primarily developed from a young age.
Imagination cannot be taught within the typical boundaries of education. I believe imagination is solely developed within a diverse environment where there is the freedom to be creative. Too many rules destroys the imagination.
Apr 25 2012: There is nothing wrong with specializing as long as a person understands when they are no longer special. People get burnt out and actually dislike like their job. Their job becomes just a job and they are no longer advancing their station in life; they then become a burden to their peers.
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A comment on Conversation: In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
I was agreeing with the point that imagination is extremely important, but their must be at least a superficial knowledge of a subject, preferably multiple disciplines, to utilize one's imagination to its potential.
A reply on Conversation: How can we re-frame tax policy to make people happier about paying taxes and/or spending pro-socially?
A reply on Conversation: How can we re-frame tax policy to make people happier about paying taxes and/or spending pro-socially?
A comment on Conversation: The world struggles with debt, and economists see dollar signs, what do think is the solution to the problem at hand.
For a problem to be solved all parties involved must be considered, or the solution will not be valid and make matters worse.
The people are supposed to be the leadership, but, in the United States, the people have defered their responsibilities over to the government. The citizens caused the problem in the United States by not being responsible for themselves. This gave the government the power to do whatever they wanted. They only have to dangle the carrot of hope in front of them to keep the power the people gave up long ago.
A comment on Conversation: Why? Are there still no peace in this world.
I have a question or two for you. What are the consequences of total world peace?
Lets consider human nature for a moment. Could it be possible that during an extended period of peace, when the majority of people have become conditioned to this peaceful world, the people would become vulnerable/exploitable to an evil tyrant? For world peace to exist the evil side of human nature must be exterminated.
So, could it possibly benefit the people to always have an adversary? They don't have to be an evil tyrant, but just enough that we don't get soft and weak.
A reply on Conversation: How can we re-frame tax policy to make people happier about paying taxes and/or spending pro-socially?
We are all interdependent. Yet, to facillitate the means by which people are able to be involved in the marketplace only gives way to more corruption and "exploitation". When an individual does not earn their own money they then do not treat that money the same way. Easy come, easy go. Giving people money only makes them more easily used to enrichen the wealthy.
The reason for the convolution of the modern day is because the rich and powerful through legislation are getting competitive advantages and gaining access to new customers; example, the world markets.
I have never read Ayn Rand, though I have wanted to. Nevertheless, I have seen the damage social programs have done to individuals and areas where they are reliant upon those social programs. They are void of ambition and imagination to create their own world. They wait for the next check to continue their monthly existence and are unhappy with the world around them. All the while they are looking for someone to blame for their meager existence.
What you produce is not at all the same as what you take - they are very distinct activities.
I do understand where you are coming from. People have to have the best of everything and consume more than they produce. They drive diesel pickups when they do not need them. They eat till they are so fat they can't move. And the list goes. Where we differ is why this is this way.
Prosperity is a double edged sword. When individuals do not have the developed character to withstand the temptations of a prosperous economy they will be eaten up by it. Just because we want something does not mean we should be given what we want.
A comment on Conversation: How can we re-frame tax policy to make people happier about paying taxes and/or spending pro-socially?
How is it good for society to expand on a sector that is dependent upon government subsidies and private charity?
How does denying an individual or company the opportunity to fail and learn a valuable lesson become good for society?
All you are talking about is Industrializing Compassion. What happens when something is industrialized? Isn't someone getting exploited?
Anyway, the path you are on will only lead to fewer producers and more dependents. Before you expend more energy in this direction try studying human nature. Human nature will dictate the consequences of the "pro-social" avenue you are on.
Good luck on your journey.
A comment on Conversation: How much regulation are you willing to tolerate (accept?) in exchange for not having to take personal responsibility for your actions?
It is difficult to take crutches away from crippled people without being burned at the stake.
A comment on Conversation: In most professions and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.
From my experiences I have concluded that an imagination is primarily developed from a young age.
Imagination cannot be taught within the typical boundaries of education. I believe imagination is solely developed within a diverse environment where there is the freedom to be creative. Too many rules destroys the imagination.
A comment on Conversation: Super Specialization in a single field of study VS Shallow Knowledge/Understanding of many fields of study
Be good at what you do, but always have a plan B.