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Jeff G.'s avatar

"They wouldn’t believe that in 2023 instead of flying cars we’re having a societal meltdown over the definition of a woman..."

John Prine:

"We are living in the future

I'll tell you how I know

I read it in the paper

Fifteen years ago

We're all driving rocket ships

And talking with our minds

And wearing turquoise jewelry

And standing in soup lines

We're standing in soup lines..."

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

It's not even good soup either!

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Argo's avatar

"Anyways, that’s just an idea. I’m also biased because I live in South East Asia and every day I drive my motorcycle behind black smoke billowing dump trucks and I’m fucking sick of it."

Japanese secondhand trucks, poorly maintained or very old, tend to do that. Bear with us, we don't have the funds.

That being said, I think that hybrids will take over heavier vehicles while EV's can have the moped/e-bike/motor scooter market. Electric vehicles have a really hard time with higher carry weights and power density.

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

Totally fair. I'm not a physics denier or utopian thinker, and I understand the power density of diesel. EV dump trucks and other large equipment could be a great solution. Or even just gradually getting cleaner burning diesel engines here, would be a nice start.

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Patrick Dziedzic's avatar

Regarding your potential subscribers stipulation

The degree that you are radical is in the eye of her the radicand.

(Stupid math pun but couldn’t resist)

As for part 2

While reading my first thought was If unions were taken into consideration with this research. Skimming the paper I did find them mentioned. I am aware that unions have been on the decline for some time though they are flexing there muscle lately.

Will have to go back and dive in when I have the time. But seems interesting.

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

The paper does cite unions and other interest groups. I believe that it finds while unions have a limited effect in lobbying for the average citizen, these impacts are outweighed by the lobbying efforts of larger, pro-business pro-wealthy organizations.

And as you mentioned, unions have been losing power for decades. From the brief time I've spent reading about this though, there does seem to be a bit of hope that perhaps this process has bottomed out and unions are going to be gaining in strength from here on out.

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IPHawk's avatar

The wealthy have done an excellent job dividing America in Red/Blue factions amplified by the media and even more so with social media to further their agendas: staying wealthy and in power.

The middle/lower classes need to recognize they are on the same team getting screwed over by the 1%.

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

Indeed. I feel the same way. Red/blue factions and also race factions. I think a working class African American and white guy from Alabama have a lot more in common than say, a random guy from Harlem and Barack Obama. These divisions they push are a way of keeping people from realizing how much they have in common.

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Amrita Roy's avatar

Absolutely brilliant!!

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

Thanks Amrita!

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Moody Millennial's avatar

I think Whatifalthist is right about a far-right backlash. What happens to a society when people stay single for longer, men can't make enough to marry, and the majority of jobs don't pay enough to survive? As Doug Casey says, nothing is more dangerous to a country than disgruntled single men.

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The Unhedged Capitalist's avatar

Disgruntled, single young men who are poorer than ever and see no hope for the future. Not a good combo :x

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