[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Pierce, in my experience they who shout "Arrogance!" are using it as a codeword for a whine of "I don' wanna dooooo that." Pfah!

That can be a reason but that is not the way I am using it. I have learned that it is pointless to look down on people that disagree or live a different lifestyle than me because it is their choice and they are probably looking down on me as well so we go nowhere but down. Acceptance and understanding is not a virtue of the weak UG (there are obvious exception to that).

Frankly, I think at the least a touch of "elitism" is about the only functional way to think of anything: value judgements are essential to good living -- if you actually want to know you're living better. Howling about "elitism" as some kind of pejorative is another way the weak, the specious, and the immoral, trying to drag the inexperienced ones down to their level.

Of course everyone has a touch of elitism, but when it gets out of control it will get you nowhere. Also, it can be seen as insecurity (I know it was for me). The people that are most secure about themselves are usually the ones that are the most accepting. Have you ever heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? Under self-actualization, the highest point you can get, it says acceptance of self, others, and nature. That is not fact but I have not heard much critics about it from people that study psychology.

And beware of being an anti-capitalist. Being that way means being opposed to each and every thing that makes life worth living.

I don't think you understand why I am an anti-capitalist. It is not that I want to be rebellious or I want to be part of something different, just that I believe the current system has many flaws and we should move on to an improved social-economic system. I do not embrace socialism or Communism because I think the economy should mostly be run by the people even though I will support them because I agree with the social and community aspects of it.

I just want to get rid of the capital bullshit. Making money does not make people happy and only causes greed that will take over people. A community based economic system can fix that by helping the community and hopefully bringing it closer together. It is much more efficient to focus on all the needs (I am not talking about basic needs, but all non-superfluous items) of people and not flooding them with unneeded consumerism.

Humans have evolved to be very social creatures that are focused around a community. We get our basic morals from society, we are happiest when we are close to others, we are altruistic, and there are many other reasons why humans work best with a community focus.

I do not have a specific community based social-economic theory that is ran by the people but frankly, if society would change its focus from individual gain to community gain, I would be more than happy.

The liars-about-capitalism try and tell you that only through bad ethics can you realize great wealth in capitalism. They're wrong; you do even better with capitalism conducted ethically.

I think I know what you are talking about but can you explain further. I may be wrong, but I think you are a supporter of small business which I strongly agree with.

Capitalism can be seen as a community based system but that is about as realistic as saying Communism is equality.