Re: MD Cooperation, Profit and Some Thoughts

From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Wed Oct 19 2005 - 17:03:17 BST

  • Next message: Platt Holden: "Re: MD Partisan Politics, Labels and Distraction (was terrorism)"

    > [Arlo previously]
    > So, why is what motivated him so different from what would motivate anyone
    > else? Is he some super-human who aspires to things the rest of us would
    > not?
    >
    > [Platt]
    > No, but he is just one person. People do things from many different
    > motives. Not everyone is a Mother Teresa for God's sake. :-)
    >
    > [Arlo]
    > And why is that? Why aren't more people guided by a Quality that is above
    > profit and fame? Are they (Pirsig and Mother Theresa) above the normal,
    > natural profit-focus of man? Or does man behave with a profit-focus because
    > that is what our culture tells him he must?

    No. Man behaves with a profit-focus because of his nature. He naturally wants
    to keep what he earns for himself, his family and those he values, and to buy
    the goods/services that enable him to earn more to have and do the things he
    considers to be of Quality. He is not an ant who works for some nameless,
    faceless human hive as you seem to think would be ideal.

    > [Platt]
    > I don't think you or Pirsig are in any position to judge whether some jobs
    > are better than others. You can say "I wouldn't want that job" but that's
    > as far as you can go IMO.
    >
    > [Arlo]
    > Then... it's all relative?

    As far as one's work, yes. I don't think you or Pirsig or anyone else
    should be telling others that their work is worthless.

    > [Platt]
    > To slam low paying jobs as being beneath human dignity is the a slam at all
    > those who work at such jobs.
    >
    > [Arlo]
    > No, Platt. It is realize that a system that pushes those jobs on people is
    > dysfunctional. I've worked them in my life, and I've "slammed" them even at
    > the time. I know many people still working these jobs, who slam them every
    > day.

    Somebody has pick up the garbage, clean the dishes and stock the shelves
    at stores.. No reason to "slam" or look down on jobs like that.

    > [Platt]
    > I said Sam Walton was a culturally enriching person because he provided
    > goods and services people wanted in a free market.
    >
    > [Arlo]
    > Then Eminem and Larry Flynt are culturally enriching people too. Yes?

    For some, yes. Not for me.

    > [Platt]
    > You call assaults on the free market "junk, yet attack a free marketeer
    > like Sam Walton. Conclusion: your attack on Walton is "junk." I agree.
    >
    > [Arlo]
    > Horrible logic. By this reasoning, you're attack on free marketeers Eminem
    > and Larry Flynt is an attack on the free market.

    I made it clear that certain parts of the free market are not to my
    liking. But, unlike you, I support the free market. You don't. You assault
    it. You'd like to substitute a Quality market ruled by Arlo.
     
    > After all, Larry Flynt provides products millions want. His empire (a porn
    > empire) provides employment for thousands. His products are cheap. People
    > value them. Hence, Flynt has enriched the culture. Same with Eminem.
    >
    > Conclusion: poor logic, Platt.

    Conclusion poor logic, Arlo. Flynt and Eminem haven't demeaned the culture
    by demanding restrictions on the free market like you want.

    Platt

    MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
    Mail Archives:
    Aug '98 - Oct '02 - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
    Nov '02 Onward - http://www.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/summary.html
    MD Queries - horse@darkstar.uk.net

    To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
    http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Oct 19 2005 - 17:28:52 BST