Topic: Amused to Death

[FallinG_StaR]

Try putting history, math and geografy togheter... and what do you get? World economics... I never saw so many Power Point presentations in my life... XD

[sidzero]

There's quite a bit more to world economics than just history, math and geography. Actually, geography has very little to do with it, if you consider politics as part of the equation. In that case, the only thing geography has to do with anything is availability of resources. But when you actually get into economics, and start understanding the effects of trade, resource availability becomes more of a political than a geographic factor.

On that subject, there is one thing I must say. First off, this current "economic crisis" we're in is nothing more than something we've been delaying for the past 80 years or so. I wouldn't even call it a crisis so much as the early stages of an economic revolution that's been waiting to happen since the fall of imperialism. Various countries have been using various methods to put it off as long as it has been, and many countries having suffered greatly for it (the entire third world, for example). As much as we may have to suffer through this, ultimately, it will be for the betterment of the entire world, as it's going to force a restructuring of the entire political-economic system that mankind has cobbled together over the past 6000 years. What I want to say is this, I am glad to be living in the time that I'm living in, because in my lifetime, I may get to see the restructuring of the entire world society. It's going to be fun to watch.

[FallinG_StaR]

Hmm... politics???

Nah... You must be seeing it from a diferent point of view... Because what I learned is that economy itself outdates any politics... and geography as lots to do with economy... not just for the resources... and they have nothing to do with politics...

Btw, how does politics affect trade? Even if a country blocks trade with another (by political reasons) do you think that the blocked country won't be able to trade anymore???

And geography plays a big role on economics... Your not going to make shipyard on a mountain with no lakes rivers or sea near it... (stupid example but it works)

But... what the hell, I could be wrong after all its not that I study it or something...

Don't take my word on it...

The economy is the realized social system of production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of a country or other area. A given economy is the end result of a process that involves its technological evolution, civilization's history and social organization, as well as its geography, natural resource endowment, and ecology, among other factors. These factors give context, content, and set the conditions and parameters in which an economy functions. An economy does not have to be a specific size. An economy can mean the economy of a city (local economy), a country (national economy) or the world as a whole (international economy), provided that it is involved in the production of goods and services. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy

Anyway... I just wanted to say that from what I've learned... The economy is what makes politics...

And even so I forgot the most important thing of them all... People. 

[cata]

I have Geography as a subject and it's not just resources that matter in economics. We study population growth and cities' development, which include ways of travelling, commerce, buildings, aging of population, etc.

[sidzero]

Btw, how does politics affect trade?

It's a dynamic I don't think I can fully explain. At least not by myself. But it's not just something simple like one party versus another party. There's a whole world out there. 200+ countries with their own political parties, perspectives, needs and wants. To understand the scope of it all is something beyond even my capabilities.

And geography plays a big role on economics... Your not going to make shipyard on a mountain with no lakes rivers or sea near it... (stupid example but it works)

That's just an example of availability of resources. What? You don't think waterfront estate counts as a resource just as much as a mountain full of gold, or an oil reservoir under a desert?

The economy is what makes politics...

I agree with this, but I can't ignore the fact that the influence between the two works both ways.

[FallinG_StaR]

Hmm... I think you missed the point there on my example... its not about resources... It about location/terrain... and then all things that cata mentioned.

But one thing is for sure... no matter how you see it... everything and anything are sure to be labeled as a resource...

Even us people are labeled as resource... do you remember the movie "The Matrix"?

Here's something I think its funny:

This is what we are now...
#Invalid YouTube Link#

This is what we should try to achive in the next decade or so...
#Invalid YouTube Link#

[sidzero]

I didn't miss your point, I just think you're wrong. This kinda stuff is something I've been observing and analyzing for more than half of my life. I can give many examples from throughout history that can serve to dispute your claims of location and terrain being so important, but it would be more trouble than it's worth to really get into it. If you want to understand the dynamics of the world stage a little better, since we're referencing video games (with your EVE Online reference), then might I suggest you go pick yourself up a copy of one of the Civilization games? By the time you're able to beat a marathon game on at least Immortal difficulty, I'm sure you'll have a pretty good idea of how it works, because that game does a pretty damned good job of emulating world politics.

By the way, your idea of how the world is and how it should be, it's quite a bit... off. It's actually NOT an ogliarchy. It may look that way because our weak government has come to rely too heavily on private corporations to keep the country going, and while those corporations may have influence over that government, they do not control it. And a democracy? A democracy is a dream that cannot TRULY work as a system of government, much the same way communism was the same thing. Democracy didn't work in ancient Greece, and it's not working in the modern world, either. People are just too stupid for it to work properly. They're easily deceived and easily manipulated, especially now that we have such things as mass media and the internet.

No, in the end, no matter how many brains get together and try and come up with the "perfect government", there is no such thing, as it is the very idea of government that is the core of the problem in the first place. Someday, mankind will realize that we don't need such things as government or religion telling us how to live, and we will cast such foolish abstracts aside and live the way we were meant to live. Unfortunately, it's not something I will live to see.

[FallinG_StaR]

Oh... please... it's hard enough for me to explain this in english... because I'm not... and I learned it in portuguese...

But, I'm still trying to make my point in why I think Geography is more important than politics in the Economy. But whatever... no matter how much I try you seem to just don't give a damn about others opinions and knowledge...

And the videos are not my view of the world... Well the second one is... but we can be optimistic about the future? Or do we have to be like you?

Just because of the videos you said all that... about democracy and government... I didn't even say a word... and wont.

The funny part about your post is the one you say:

This kinda stuff is something I've been observing and analyzing for more than half of my life.

What where you observing & analysing since your 14 years old? Politics?!

Anyway... say whatever you want... I've been around enough (forum) to know that no matter what I do you still wont leave politics alone...

Btw, I have the Civilization game series.

Edit: Warning: This post may contain sarcasm

[FallinG_StaR]

[cata]

Thank you Falling! You are this Forum's savior (also mine xD)!
I totally agree with you.

Falling, do use that type of pics as an anti-stress? xD

[Kroptik]

Politics...politics and economy...some geography put into it...
First rule of japanese porn....
WTF?  8|

Lol that was such a sudden change that I started laughing. XD

And about everything you guys we're talking about, I'd rather not discuss it because I hardly udnerstand anything about it. XD
But let me just say something to sid:
You said democracy didn't work in ancient greece, and that is true, but their idea of democracy and the current one is quite different.
Don't ask me how, I didn't quite grasp it, but I did learn that about a week ago.

[sidzero]

But, I'm still trying to make my point in why I think Geography is more important than politics in the Economy.

Then explain why certain nations/empires/civilizations or whatever you want to call them have succeeded and others have failed, historically, when they were in the same geographical locations? Hell, explain why the same nations/empires/civilizations/whatever were so powerful at certain points in history, and so easily collapsed even just a few hundred years later? Rome is a good example. Babylon is another. Geography is relatively unimportant in the greater scheme of things.

What where you observing & analysing since your 14 years old? Politics?!

Politics, economics, all those things that a would-be world conqueror would have to know. And it's more like since I was 12. Of course, by now I've realized that ruling the world would be more hassle than it's worth, but that never stopped my interest in these things.

Just because of the videos you said all that...

I wouldn't say it's just because of the videos. They may have triggered the post, but I just rant. I speak my mind. It's just what I do.

their idea of democracy and the current one is quite different.

You're right. Democracy actually doesn't exist in this world (just like communism never existed). What we have in this world today is a republic. Which, by the way, obviously didn't work in ancient Rome (which our current system is actually based on) either. Actually, the ancient Greek system was more of a republic than a democracy, too.

[FallinG_StaR]

This is my final post related to the offtopic...

By reserved101 at 2009-04-05


Please don't take it to seriously... after all this is the Amused to Death topic...

[cata]

Sidzero! Falling and myself have said this more than one time and I'll repeat it:

HERE'S WHAT GEOGRAPHY IS ABOUT:

Physical geography (or physiogeography) focuses on geography as an Earth science. It aims to understand the physical lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, pedosphere, and global flora and fauna patterns (biosphere).

Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes that shape human interaction with various environments. It encompasses human, political, cultural, social, and economic aspects. While the major focus of human geography is not the physical landscape of the Earth (see physical geography), it is hardly possible to discuss human geography without referring to the physical landscape on which human activities are being played out, and environmental geography is emerging as a link between the two.


For more info, please visit and READ CAREFULLY the following link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography#Physical_geography



BACK TO TOPIC:

Okay, you do NOT want to miss this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko3q3hiX920

I wish I could do that!

[Cosmic King]

Glad to see this topic is still alive,lumaholics :icon_mrgreen:

I guess I will have to invite you dinner for keeping the funny randomness alive _/-\o_