Open question thread

[Zavon]

Is nationalism a bad thing? Good?

[Ziel]

What kind of nationalism?

[Alex Mars]

The question is too broad, nationalism can lead to good or bad things.

[Asquiol]

Who doesn't like a 25% attack bonus when fighting in friendly territory?

[Mute]

Is nationalism a bad thing? Good?

Only if you can understand the concept of nationalism.

Who doesn't like a 25% attack bonus when fighting in friendly territory?

Communists.

[Asquiol]

Nonsense. United Front, Nationalism, Planned Economy, Socialism, and Communism are all under the same policy tree.

[Zavon]

Well, its an open question its supposed to be broad. I assume there will be a gut reaction and/or response based on some sort of projection from the reader.

Just talk about whatever or however you define it, and talk about the flaws or virtues. Make your own statement

Edit: If you are all like, "omg its still to vague, I'm a faggot" them you can answer the question: Is America the greatest country in the world? Of all time?

[Asquiol]

I think at one time America was the greatest country in the world, I don't think its been that way in a very long time though. Since before my generation and probably my older brother's generation. I would give my reasons, but the easiest thing to do is post a quote.

"There's absolutely no evidence to support the statement that we're the greatest country in the world. We're seventh in literacy. Twenty-seventh in math. W're Twenty-second in science. Forty-ninth in life expectancy. A hundred and seventy-eighth in infant mortality. Third in median household income. Number four in labor force and number four in exports. We lead the world in only three categories: Number of incarcerated citizens per capita, number of adults who believe angels are real, and defense spending, where we spend more than the next twenty-six countries combined, twenty-five of whom are allies.

Sure used to be. We stood up for what was right. We fought for moral reasons. We passed laws, struck down laws, for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed. We cared about our neighbors. We put our money where our mouths were. And we never beat our chest.

We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and we cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars. Acted like men.

We aspired to intelligence. We didn't belittle it;it didn't make us feel inferior.

We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't, oh, we didn't scare so easy. Ha. We were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed. By great men. Men who were revered. First step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore." ~Will from the Newsroom

Edit: That about sums it up for me, cause that speech is what actually started me watching the show.

[Valec]

Is nationalism a bad thing? Good?

On some level, I think Nationlism is quite good. People should take pride in their nation as ideally it's a reflection of the people as a whole.

Of course, we all know nationalism can go very wrong.

As for your other question, I don't really know if America(USA) is the greatest country in the world. Once upon a time I think that would have been an easier question to answer. I think it could​ be the greatest country in the world and has been in the past. But now? Not so much.

[Dumah]

I am generally against most isms, as they are usually assigned with some kind of unearned extraneous stigma, be it positive or negative. I'm not referring to something so broad as racial stereotypes, but it's in our nature to differentiate ourselves from the next person down to the nth degree. It's one thing to find a group of traits that might help identify one individual or mindset from another, but I find labels of any kind to be harmful and anti-productive. For instance, my heart has never swelled with pride to be an American, or with shame whenever the Cincinnati Bengals take to the field. Accident of birth is a pretty lame reason to feel pride for oneself or disdain towards another.

To break it down further, political ideologies are just as bad, because that introduces an "us vs. them" mindset. But most folks are too stupid or lazy to rely upon their own free thinking, so joining a group to tell them what to believe is a pretty attractive option for most.

[Andile™]

I am generally against most isms, as they are usually assigned with some kind of unearned extraneous stigma, be it positive or negative. I'm not referring to something so broad as racial stereotypes, but it's in our nature to differentiate ourselves from the next person down to the nth degree. It's one thing to find a group of traits that might help identify one individual or mindset from another, but I find labels of any kind to be harmful and anti-productive. For instance, my heart has never swelled with pride to be an American, or with shame whenever the Cincinnati Bengals take to the field. Accident of birth is a pretty lame reason to feel pride for oneself or disdain towards another.

To break it down further, political ideologies are just as bad, because that introduces an "us vs. them" mindset. But most folks are too stupid or lazy to rely upon their own free thinking, so joining a group to tell them what to believe is a pretty attractive option for most.

Like.

[Boxy Brown]

Would you rather:

1) Never eat bacon again.
2) Never have your favorite kind of sauce again.

[dr.wang]

2. I can live with my second favorite sauce.

[Andile™]

My favourite sauce is bacon sauce.

[Valec]

Would you rather:

1) Never eat bacon again.
2) Never have your favorite kind of sauce again.

I should kill you for even putting this to the question.

[Mute]

Would you rather:

1) Never eat bacon again.
2) Never have your favorite kind of sauce again.

Easy question. Never eat bacon again.

[Draconian]

Same answer, I'd pick Frank's over bacon for the rest of my life without a 2nd thought.

[Ziel]

I'd rather have bacon.

And with that said, I'm all for baconalism

[Boxy Brown]

Would you rather:

1) Be able to eat for free at any restaurant, but you can ONLY EVER eat in restaurants.
2) Be able to shop for free at any food store, but you can ONLY EVER eat at home.

[Zoobi]

Would you rather:

1) Be able to eat for free at any restaurant, but you can ONLY EVER eat in restaurants.
2) Be able to shop for free at any food store, but you can ONLY EVER eat at home.

Easy question, free food from store. Costs a lot more in gas money to go to a restaurant everytime I want to eat :P.

[Boxy Brown]

Easy question, free food from store. Costs a lot more in gas money to go to a restaurant everytime I want to eat :P.

I live downtown so there are a tons of restaurants within walking distance.

[Zoobi]

I live downtown so there are a tons of restaurants within walking distance.

Lucky you, nearest nice restaurant for me in several miles. I wouldn't want to live off of fast food :P.

[VKhaun]

Would you rather:

1) Be able to eat for free at any restaurant, but you can ONLY EVER eat in restaurants.
2) Be able to shop for free at any food store, but you can ONLY EVER eat at home.

Assuming 'home' is loosely defined as where I'm living and I don't starve to death if I stay in a hotel or move, then I'll take the food store. If 'home' means one location on earth and no where else, I'll take restaurants.

[Andile™]

Home. I cook better than most chefs.

[Valec]

Definitely at home. I can't cook, but I think under those terms, i'd fucking learn.