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#191 Re: The Garden » Climate Change » 473 weeks ago
There's a lot of money in global warming being a real thing. Therefore it's a real thing.
There's also a lot of money in maintaining the status quo and burning fossil fuels, therefore climate change is not real?
Let's just focus on the scientific arguments, shall we?
#192 Re: Guns N' Roses » Axl Rose joins AC/DC » 473 weeks ago
You have to consider that he is singing in E rather than Eb while with AC/DC. Once he gets back to GN'R his voice will ironically get some much needed "rest".
Good point, that should make a difference.
#193 Re: The Garden » Everyone's a Libertarian, they just don't know it. » 473 weeks ago
By the way, I don't understand the title of this thread. How does that graphic support the idea that everyone's a Libertarian? I'm sure there's plenty of people that don't support the separation of church and state, or would like to ban all guns. How would they be libertarians?
#194 The Garden » Climate Change » 473 weeks ago
- TheMole
- Replies: 24
I think you overestimate how informed 99% of people are. I had always assumed that everyone had a well read and thought out basis for their beliefs, and following them to their conclusion would show any logical inconsistency.
That's not the case and it took me 15 years to realize it. Most people treat politics like football and root for the same team their parents did. Asking them to explain why is like asking climate change advocates to explain what study sold them on the idea. You'll get some queer looks, hand waiving and maybe a link to an article they probably didn't read. But nothing you say or question is going to sway them.
I was completely with you right up to the point where you mentioned climate change. Of course there's no single study that sold anyone on the idea of climate change, the entire point of scientific research is to build consensus over time by continuously investigating and questioning emerging and even existing theories. The sheer volume of studies that all independently come to the same conclusions is what sells people on climate change; the comparatively almost non-existent amount of credible studies that deny man-made changes is what sells people on climate change. Anyone who reads one study and changes his/her mind because of that doesn't understand science.
Completely agree on the political hooliganism though, the whole "rah rah, my team's the best" mentality has gotten way out of hand. That's what you get for keeping people dumb and uninformed though.
#195 Re: The Garden » Everyone's a Libertarian, they just don't know it. » 473 weeks ago
I consider myself a Libertarian (or 'Liberal' as the closest equivalent here in Europe is typically called, the polar opposite from the 'Liberals' in the US as far as economic policy is concerned), but US Libertarians are too dogmatic for my tastes (and to be effective), a bit more pragmatism would suit them well. Same goes for conservatives, by the way. It's always important to remember that the end goal is not to prove the superiority of a given political philosophy, but to continuously increase the quality of life of your citizens. Once in a while that means you'll have to deviate from abstract theoretical ideals.
Specifically, it doesn't help if Libertarians "believe in generously helping those in need" if they don't correct for the fact that a good deal of the population is more selfish than them, and thus a correction via legislative means (aka a social security system) is an absolute must-have in a modern day society. The smallest feasible government possible is not the same as a small government.
#196 Re: Guns N' Roses » Axl Rose joins AC/DC » 473 weeks ago
He's having a great time, he's in the public eye and for the first time in a decade and a half the press and the wider public see him as the hero, not the heel. Why wouldn't he want to do more shows?
Exactly because of those things you mentioned. Public opinion is a fickle thing, if he's not careful he'll give the naysayers the ammunition they need to shoot him down. If he really likes doing it so much, he should learn how to pace himself so that he can keep doing it.
#197 Re: Guns N' Roses » Axl Rose joins AC/DC » 473 weeks ago
Especially in Hells Bells, he's struggling to bring the rasp in a controlled way. His voice tends to 'overshoot' the higher notes at the end of lines that need to be delivered with power, making him sound pitchy as hell and uncontrolled at times (and honestly, for all the problems he's had with his voice in the past, to my recollection Axl was very rarely off pitch in GNR)
It's by no means really bad as such, but the way it's been declining is what worries me. I just hope the 5 shows he still has to do don't show a further decline and he gets to have some rest afterwards. It's also worrying to read that Axl apparently doesn't seem to be able to measure himself, if it's true that he keeps asking AC/DC to add more shows.
#198 Re: Guns N' Roses » Axl Rose joins AC/DC » 474 weeks ago
For those hoping he'll sound as good when he gets back to GNR, I think the lack of Mickeyness in Axl's voice in the AC/DC songs is down to the songs themselves. Listen to this, somewhat softer song that they just played in Prague yesterday, almost no rasp at all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=500nwYyYiHc
Luckily, he still doesn't sound out of breath or pitchy or any of the other 'symptoms' he had during the CD era.
#199 Re: The Garden » 2016 Presidential Election Thread » 475 weeks ago
In the unlikely scenario, Sanders beat Hillary via Super Delegates. Would the Sanders supporters call it undemocratic?
As much as I would like to see him take the nomination, it would be wholly undemocratic for him to win the vote via super delegates. I like that he's still in the race, as it allows him to keep bringing his progressive message, trying to get Hillary to pick up as much of his platform as possible. It's also wise for him to stay in, just in case the republicans or media finally manage to make their slander campaigns against Hillary (Bengazi, email scandal) stick for some reason.
#200 Re: The Garden » 2016 Presidential Election Thread » 475 weeks ago
So, for those that support Trump, what do you think his income Tax plan is going to be like if he gets elected? He's floated a few balloons that go in different directions (more taxes on the rich, less taxes on the rich, flat rate, different rates, ...), but I'm guessing his voters would take one assumption or the other as to what he's really planning, so I'm curious.