Good argument I'll gladly and openly discuss further. You state that the main reason is ignorance and people can be educated out of it. My counter claim is that much of that ignorance is either willful, or a product of the lack in intelligence of those people. If a person, having access to the education currently provided in modern states, is still ignorant, then that is a choice or a result of lack of intelligence. Every school child today is taught Socrates' cave analogy, but most dismiss it as a story without realizing it applies to their world view. Who hears the story and starts questioning? Those who are naturally question-Askers, which is one characteristic of intelligence. As you say, and I agree, they follow the default, the reason being, the default is easy, and most people want easy. They want to outsource difficult tasks to institutions, that is easy for them. Of course it is also easier to survive by not questioning.

I agree 100%, and as a European I am disgusted by the political elites here and have been since the Iraq War when I marched in protest against their obvious violations of international law. But the so called democracies of Europe are in many ways plutocracies beholden to the plutocracy of the US. I've voted, protested, written in the papers and been part of organizations, yet my opinions are by the majority considered radical and unrealistic. But at least in Europe, people like me are not put behind bars.

Yeah, and Pakistan and Indonesia have done what exactly? The Saudis have sanctioned and oil embargoed the US? Egypt has forced aid through the Gaza border? Turkey has seized American military bases? Right? Right? No.

Everyone is complicit. More or less every nation would rather have peace and comfortable political discussions, rather than stand up against the world hegemon. Some tried, Libya, Iraq, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran. Find me one country that has opposed the US in this? And before you say Spain, let me note that they haven't even kicked out their ambassador. What do you want from Europe that no other country is willing to do?

Yeah, I mean, yeah, but... the problem with anarchism isn't that it's stupid, it's that people are stupid. Most anarchists are smart and see the world through their perspective, which is, people are empathetic, rational, and interested in nuance and complexity. Unfortunately, a large number of the populace is not that smart, nor that interested. Anarchist societies don't exist or if they do, they don't last, because the premise is wisdom, which so many people lack, that they would rather have a king, than deal with the complexities of being one's own master.

Anyone feel like Xcom enemy unknown plot is real? (the 90s original)

He's literally wanted by the ICC!

1. That must be quite frustrating and difficult for your self esteem.

2. You may be right, but you might be putting your own insecurities on to the motivations of others. The world from other people's perspective don't always align with what we think. Could what you describe be as easily explained by something else, perhaps even your insecurity about it?

3. Have you discussed this issue with friends / family and gotten their honest thoughts? Do they agree that what you say could pose a problem?

4. Have you attempted to make yourself look older with makeup and such? Are the results the same with as without?

5. Do you have male friends you can ask if you are attractive?

6. Are there republican conventions nearby? If the men there show interest and say you're mature for your age, you may want to A. Run B. Conclude that your features may be a challenge.

7. If men don't approach and talk to you, try approaching and talking to them. Showing you're interested and available is usually a turn on. Men are simple.

Best of luck.

Argh. As a Wikipedia supporter this grinds my goat, if I can maul two expressions at once. On the other hand, reading the article I see that AI is scrubbing Wikipedia already and it's driving up costs. What wiki is doing is creating a model where AI companies will pay them for what they're currently doing anyway.

I don't like it, but until they can be blocked or otherwise prevented from access, at least wikimedia should get something out of it. However I fear that this will lead to dependency on AI money, and that, that's not good.

It'll be especially dangerous since they're gonna have slashed tires so often.

Hi, Norwegian here, we have 5 weeks vacation per year, mandated by law. Oh, and the government takes 10% of your paycheck every month and pays it all out in July, so you have the money to go on vacation. Strong labor unions is the recipe.

Norwegian here. I can still hear the gasping from the laughter of the nobel committee in Oslo. And I'm on vacation abroad.

Ancient Rome had privatized fire department. Caesar's friend Crassus got the job and used it to extort people to sell their homes in a neighborhood when a fire broke out. As a result he became one of the richest people in history. He was also killed by the Persians who poured liquid gold (or silver, depending on source) on his decapitated head and sent it back to Rome.