Lemming

@Best.Korea

I'd bet it could replace 'some human writers.

Some writing is pretty simple.

. . 

Some video games with randomization,

Are pretty fun,

Tell a story of your characters journey,

Even if your 'characters decisions were somewhat randomized, could be interesting to watch.

@NoOneInParticular

South Park- How Family Guy Jokes Are Made

I sometimes worry,

Whether a 'far greater intelligence than humans is possible,

And how it would view us,

Given how we view animals other than humans.

Though intelligence is a wide and vague word.

. . .

Perhaps there is no 'morality attached to that word,

Yet we often use intelligence in moral justification ourselves,

As I said, how we view animals other than humans.

I imagine a city or country could be designed,

That cars are not as much of a necessity.

Though if those lines of travel, such as trains, are ever broken, such as in a civil war,

Personal car becomes invaluable.

Life is 'full of hypocrisy,

Certainly mine anyway.

. .

What do people object to, in animal testing?

Pain and Consent, come to mind.

Though you say  animal research and Phase 1,

Which might have a different meaning.

. .

Live Tissue Training

We already kill pigs, to eat them,

Even eat them for purely 'tasty reasons, rather than health sometimes.

Though arguably we try to kill pigs used as food quickly, painlessly,

Not everyone 'does.

Well, the Live Tissue Training pigs aren't awake, are receiving anesthesia, so the articles say.

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Hm, but in the end it is vague,

Given how many ways animals are used in society,

More often reoccurring value, is the 'lack of value we give animals,

Though often much value, consideration is given,

Contradictions, in the many human actions towards animals.

Animals have learned behavior,

Some groups of animals steal a lot,

Some might see other's use 'tools such as a stone to break something, then repeat.

Ritual often has a 'function.

Nature or Nurture,

Chicken, or the Egg.

Animals probably have a harder time 'passing their culture on,

Lacking many concepts, abilities, and techs that humans have.

Heh,

The people are still alive though,

And as a concept, phoenix revives,

Why bother making a 'new topic thread.

Depends on the culture,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonskin_cap#:~:text=Beginning%20as%20traditional%20Native%20American,and%20Australia%20in%20the%201950s.

Globally, I don't think animal tails are widely popular at the moment,

But might be some places they are fashionable.

I'm not 'nearly as well read as I'd like to be,

And possibly a bit too idealistic, despite a fair amount of pessimism.

Googling,

Guatemala America coup reddit,

Why did the CIA overthrow so many countries reddit

And I 'remember, reading or hearing about that fruit company before,

And ja, 'how 'much the CIA involved in self, in 'so many countries,

Depressing.

Leaders don't necessarily 'listen, agree, or think reports that they read are 'correct,

One see's this often, even in science,

People can be selective about who they listen to,

One can see this with people and news networks,

Or can disbelieve a report because it goes against what they want,

Example we're in a war, I don't want to lose the war, the report is probably wrong.

I could believe the people who wrote and researched the report believe it,

And that it's possible some people who read the report believed it,

But I don't know if 'all who read it, believed it.

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Two more books for my reading list.

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I'd agree American interest and values are often linked,

It's easier to go into a war, by appealing to people's values,

So naturally politicians often take advantage of this, (Though not 'all politicians all the time)

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I agree America has a number of bad actions itself in history,

But I use the Communism examples, as a further show of how extreme I perceive the rivalry in that time to have been.

Personally I think the 'strongest nations,

Are those tied by blood and beliefs.

I've read 'one book about Vietnam, it 'was a big book,

As I recall and Google tells,

After the French got defeated, Vietnam got split in two, though I am uncertain 'why,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_Geneva_Conference#:~:text=Pham%20Van%20Dong%20first%20proposed,of%20Vietnam%20on%2025%20May.

Hm,

Looks like a 'lot of reasons, lot of confusion,

I note a number of people migrated south and north,

I remember reading how Ho Chi Minh tried reaching out to American government in past, similarities in Declaration of Independence to American document.

I'm of the view that American leaders at the time and short after,

Were still big on the Domino theory,

But additionally thought negatively of Communism.

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The destruction would be through conquest,

And if ambition and self interest were America's 'main goal,

I think they would have tried then and now conquest,

As America expanded in previous ages, using conquest.

Short ages before,

But still, America changed.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Events such as the Cambodian Genocide,

Russian Gulags,

Chinese Cultural Revolution,

Cold War,

Did not turn America favorably to Communism,

The Communist International,

States outright I think, for World Communism.

I don't find negative American influence on other countries exceptional,

Whether in the modern era, or past history.

The world had come too far, at the end of WW2,

Isolationism, no longer an option,

No longer an age of wooden boats,

Rather of aluminum planes.

We defeated the Axis,

But in one of our allies, found an enemy,

The USSR.

In an age of nukes, of massive armies,

The Cold War begun.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I'd say in 'hindsight, the Domino Theory of Communism was mistaken,

Though perhaps part of it's failure, was due to Stalin, being more 'Nationalist, than 'Communist (I 'think)

But America was faced with a great enemy,

And viewed Communism much the way it viewed Nazism,

Dictatorship, Force, Tyranny.

. .

The mistake, in 'my view,

Was thinking that the Communists would put the cause before their nations,

But perhaps they 'might have, and it was not so wrong a view.

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Many an American citizen, soldier, and leader,

'Believed in the righteousness of their cause,

Though perhaps too did the USSR.

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If destruction and tyranny were Americas goal,

There would be far more of it.

But speak on, I am curious of your views.

Too much unnecessary sugar and salt in food these days,

I have my 'own sugar and salt shakers, if I want more of it in my food.

@#65

Mostly what I hear as an American, is Americans, telling me how evil America is.

Still, maybe vocal minority on their part, and selective memory on my part.

The Zulu Kingdom expanded through war,

Iraq invaded Iran in 1980.

That's not to say America is 'good, or the Zulu Kingdom and Iraq evil,

But I don't find British or American actions exceptional.

. . .

I think the modern West is more peaceful, than not.

'Yeah! Humans number one!

Well, in many cases,

Though there are groups of humans that don't damage their own environment,

Also humans that don't take intentional actions hostile against one another as enemies.

But I think those humans are more often living in societies we would consider more primitive,

Not that nonaggression or environmentalism is primitive,

Just that when humans bigger enemies were wild animals like wolves and bears, famine,

Was a time before lots of modern tech,

Humans who live more environmental friendly, more people friendly in the modern era, still exist,

But the environment and animals aren't a danger to them anymore.

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I find changes to humanity disturbing,

Though arguably humanity has long changed itself,

Changes to culture, values, results in different natural selection,

Different genes passed on.

. . .

Still, I find the future disturbing to look at,

Too big a change, implications, the 'way it's done too different to what I'm used to.

Designer babies,

Ideas of uploading our minds,

Disturbing.

Either allows us to edit 'greatly 'what a human 'is,

Or places us in a world where we are powerless.

Not that we 'lack for powerlessness in the real world,

'Lot of ways to destroy and change people against their will,

Much stays the same. . .

It's the 'atmosphere, I find creepy perhaps,

Or power concentrated so much in some individuals,

Not that power 'doesn't concentrate on Earth,

But a virtual world, an immortal world, blegh,

At least people die in this world,

Though their actions-

Ah, I'm rambling,

Short to say, I expect to find the future creepy,

I'd have more hope for humans were we to 'not change.

@Best.Korea

If we are to remain human,

I view competition as inevitable.

Even were we to unite into a single country,

Factions remain.

Still, 'populations, might be forced down,

If it becomes a law of the land/s.

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There 'is a danger,

In the single country, 'beyond factions.

For the country will 'change,

The people will change,

Rulers go mad, or corrupt,

People rebel.

. .

Even in Democracies, they eventually fall, not 'always from without,

The 'people change, values, visions,

The ship is not a replica.

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@Self

Yet I wonder at times,

'If a mechanism 'could be made,

Eternally self repeating,

'Existence perhaps, but still I can't account for it's existence,

. . Of the one's mortal made, , though chance may be decreased, I'm not sure it ever could fall to 0.

In the Manga Kaiji,

There are times the protagonist refuses to harm other people, for self gain,

For reasons of empathy, honor.

Though there are 'also times he harms other people,

For reasons of survival, empathy, honor.

An Antagonist, Hyoudou Kazutaka,

Makes a point in one scene, as he pokes the broken leg of a man,

How he does not 'feel the pain of that man, or others, when they are in pain,

Nor he asserts, does Kaiji feel their pain.

Yet I remember the Human Derby,

Rails high up above the ground, thinning in width further on one goes,

The way to win,

To 'push those ahead of you,

One 'wins by going last.

. .

The crowd of rich laughing, watching,

But I remember the tears of the participants,

The empathy (Pain), connection,

I remember Kaiji's refusal to push.

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Heh,

That said, I don't know where will spin my own moral compass,

Doubtless there have been times on either side,

Push, don't push.

I don't know an end until I've come to it,

Better to fight on, not say I've no choice.

Even ends past 'could have been different,

That ends I've yet to reach, I best try be mindful of what I'm about,

For my mindfulness and will, ordained or not, lead to ends.

@zedvictor4

There 'are jobs though, that decrease the worker's lifespans,

Black lung disease for coal miners, for an example,

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung#:~:text=Coal%20workers%27%20pneumoconiosis%20(CWP),most%20common%20among%20coal%20miners.

Though I would imagine but not know,

That technology might have mitigated this some.

I'd also imagine that one might argue that coal miner's 'choose their profession,

But there 'have been and are societies where individuals are 'forced into their professions by government.

Thus some governments have sacrificed X many people's health by X,

To increase the health by X of X many 'other people,

Assuming the country is strengthened by the coal or trade of the coal.

@Savant #10

As I don't expect to have kids,

And  'hope to live to 100 (Probably won't happen)

I sometimes wonder who I would leave my savings to?

(I don't expect to have a close relationship with any nephews, nieces)

Personally I'd rather leave it to a few or single people,

Because I value being appreciated,

Because the change would be more substantial 'looking, than the money spread around,

Though arguably the change might be 'bigger spread around, as many people might need a 'little money at times in their life, to get out of holes,

While once a 'single person has a certain amount of money, they are out of the hole,

Hm, maybe I ought leave it to many.

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Of the 'harm question, of life,

. . 

I think it'd be better to use 'examples,

Many people recoil due to non harm values, at the 'concept,

Yet 'situational, behave different.

It's all just a bunch of arbitrary values though, in my view.

Arbitrary actions influencing values,

Some person is nice to you, you value that person 'slightly more,

Then weigh it against some value you have, such as fine living.

. .

School shooters, have been known to spare people who have been nice to them,

They value their insane misguided stupid revenge,

Yet also value other people,

Or perhaps value their revenge and think the person doesn't factor into it,

Though their revenge is still stupid anyhow, misguided, wrongful.

. . . .

At work, were I a boss,

I'd rather 'everyone pitch in to some task,

Than 'one person take it easy,

All suffer together, a bit less.

Though the above assumes a 'contract, all agreed to work, assumes anyone can 'leave if they want (Barring financial straights that come with not working)

I value fairness, honoring one's word.

. .

Though I also value not being in pain, one could also argue the boss has a 'different contract/job,

But if the different job was not also painful, I think I might choose to share the pain of the task (Probably),

I value not feeling guilty.

Were I in a lifeboat,

I don't think my family would appreciate me killing another person, so they could eat more,

I value my families will.

I don't think 'I would appreciate killing a person so I could eat more,

I value not being grossed out by cannibalism,

I 'do value other people,

It might not extend my own life.

Hm. . .

. .

Yet people more easily make decisions where they are not 'close,

Encourage war, or trade, blood diamonds.

I think it likely, that if I could live substantial longer, say 200 years (Though preferably 'much longer), there might be 'no amount of people, I'd not be willing to sacrifice, if all it took was a word.

I value myself.

But I could be wrong of myself.

A thought I had a bit ago,

How 'much participation is required to say an individual 'made something?

I did not pain the portrait, the brush and oil and canvas did,

Many painters 'did go for a photorealism, rather than personal touch, as 'much as a camera as possible,

But 'still I'd think, 'very intentional, very much effort throughout.

I did not build the building, the workers did,

Yet architects designed the plans, bosses directed to workers, someone financed.

I didn't design the art, the artists did,

Yet the end product of a video game, 'someone selects, intentionally brought about.

Yet I feel you,

Be silly if someone ordered someone else to paint something, then claimed they painted it themself,

Yet, a hand of many, in what came to be, still is had.

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Forum still has 'some activity,

But could be more active I suppose,

Niche site,

I compare it to Reddit or a WoW forum, but those platforms are 'huge in popularity.

Always nice you were an active voter, Slainte.

And though it goes without saying, I say anyway,

Best not to let praise keep one on tasks they don't want to prioritize over other pursuits in life.

The way 'Freud meant it, I doubt it.

Assuming he meant that all or nearly all girls experience such.

But it wouldn't surprise me if 'individuals can develop complexes, over various differences in life.

Depending on the individuals nature and nurture.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . 

Though I've never read either myself,

Just a passing thought,

Though I'm doubtful 'most people have either envy.

@NoOneInParticular

That you don't know what a gun is, is bewildering.

Eh, Let's say China attempts to invade Taiwan,

Wouldn't surprise me if America chose to world stage recognize Taiwan, one second before saying, we are now sending military aid.

By your definitions,

Sounds like that's a fine response,

So long as America calls Taiwan a country before sending military aid, all good.

Eh,

Let's say I have a metal tube with a wood stock and a trigger, it has a hammer and accepts bullets,

Ah, but it's not a gun,

Because I don't 'call it a gun.

Eh, talks like a duck, walks like a duck.

Pedantry, to avoid truth of a situation.

That countries claiming Taiwan is not a country,

Is merely convenient lie, to assuage China,

Yet Taiwan, has it's own government, laws, officials, army, borders enforced.

Hm,

China does not seem to be able to enter 'Taiwan 'borders so easily,

Not able to imprison those within who claim independence from China.

'Sounds like an embassy.

Most places are already populated,

What is the difference between a new nation and new government?

America existed as a place, a society, part of Britain before revolution,

America declared independence from Britain,

Is this new country or 'just new government?

Faith is commonly used as a statement of belief in a person or organization to take some action.

I do not have faith that the world will act in a way to effect large climate change.

Hairsplitting.

I do not have faith in 'world to control the world,

Nations self interested,

Interested in what 'they gain,

Interested in letting 'other countries sacrifice,

Unwilling to bow so easy to other countries regulations.

Better to assume world will break,

Better to focus on own country and allies,

Focus on improving climate in 'own country,

Focus on building shelters in own country,

Focus on building infrastructure and walls to keep out hordes.

Countries are not always recognized because they are 'worthy or not.

Pevensie post #76, is an example of such.

'Worth, also has various meanings as a word,

Worthy financially,

Worthy morally,

Worthy militarily,

Worthy because of consequences from another country.

And so on.

. . . . . . . . . .

No, you have forgotten my earlier post, #17

Catalan was not able to reach a position of strength to gain 'any recognition.

You mock that recognition in post #18,

But you underestimate the 'significance of it, seems to me.

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It's geographical location is landlocked,

I am not aware of it receiving any military supplies from other countries,

I am not aware of it being successful in keeping it's leaders from being locked up, unlike Taiwan.

My conclusion is that the situations in Taiwan and Catalonia, possess 'significant differences.

Certainly we disagree on whether Taiwan is a country or not.

'What wars would you fight in?

Would send your children to fight in?

Why?

From my view,

The history of American actions and statements, shows America consideration of Taiwan as an ally, and obligation,

'Even if American officials 'avoid stating this to Chinese officials.

You are not addressing the worthiness of Taiwan as a country to support or to not support, in post #84.

Your statements there could be applied to 'any war, including whatever wars you mean in post #72 "some wars are worth fighting " Vegasgiants

But you do not say 'what wars, or 'why they are worth fighting?

Taiwan is 'more than the convenience of having a cheaper computer chip for a flat screen TV,

Additionally my TV is not a flatscreen.

I am not familiar with the Tibet situation,

So I don't have a strong opinion this moment.

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Taiwan is an important location economically, militarily.

Is important as a 'sign of American commitment to allies.

Similar reason for us to support Ukraine,

Or why the Allies 'ought to have supported the countries Hitler was going after right before WW2.

Certainly that's a valid perspective one could take, I'd agree.

Though I look at it a bit like the cup of water,

Half full,

Half empty.

It's 'always the people fighting the wars,

I'm not arguing that individual Americans should or should not fight in wars for other countries,

I am arguing the American Government should support Taiwan for Humanitarian reasons and American Self interest, of discouraging nations stepping on freedom and attacking other nations.

If China declared war on the 'nation of Taiwan,

And America deployed military strength to support Taiwan,

Quite possible I would give into the reasons I mentioned earlier in post #79,

The social contract I was born to,

The contract I signed 'joining the military some years ago, even if I already served my time, military might activate former members,

I 'do have some patriotism,

The 'shame of not accepting my duty.

Certainly it's possible I 'might run away,

But I can't say until I meet the situation.

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Self interest,

Interest for others,

Both rational, have motivations.

. .

Still, some moments, one wins out over the other.

. .

The hypocrisy doesn't bother me,

People possess 'many motivations, ideals, in conflict with one another, within our souls.

I wouldn't want to fight in WW2 either,

'But the 'ramifications of 'not helping, could be catastrophic then.

. . .

Just an aspect of humans, some situation 'needs be done,

Many train tracks to choose from, all with people tied to them.

Because I like being alive and in comfort,

I think I might be disinclined to fight in 'any war I could hide from, or run from.

Though there are circumstances that might 'bring me into wars,

Public shaming, contract, patriotism.

Those are more likely for my 'own country though.

. . .

Still, I don't see that as the 'real question,

'Most individuals don't 'want to fight in war.

Yet 'government, has a duty in safeguarding their nation,

There are 'many reasons, for the American government to defend Taiwan,

Many reasons 'some people might fight for other countries,

Recall examples given in #53.

America has supported countries before,

Covertly,

As well as covertly and later overtly.

. .

Matters in what vein?

One could say a country matters for American peace, economics, duty.

One could say a country matters for 'itself, being a right cause,

Even if America is not willing to support a country,

Does not mean that cause does not matter.

. . .

Do you not understand that America wants to support Taiwan for various reasons,

Yet also wants good relations with China,

Thus supports 'as an independent country, even without American Government 'calling Taiwan a country?

I do not see how 'official American government recognition, stated to the public world,

Is 'required, to make a country 'worthy of support.

Why would you not fight for a country, not officially recognized by American government?

What makes some wars worth fighting?

Thank you for your service.

Which one?

What are your views on that war?

I'm of the opinion,

That opinions are often influenced by experiences, evidence, facts.

Not 'only by the above, but I 'do think they influence.

Do people not speak to each other,

Present information, argument, logic,

Often in an attempt to change views, change opinions?

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It might tell me more of your motivations,

More of your definitions, views.

That I could better appreciate or influence your view on Taiwan.

As to why I would want to influence your views on Taiwan,

Mainly I think for myself, that I am more assured of my views,

'Or realize some of my views are mistaken.

Also, one enjoys convincing other people, at times.

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Will you not answer though?

Are there any wars in history you would support?

I don't know if I find it nice myself,

I find it somewhat interesting.

I'm also curious of your views,

Might find them interesting, if you spoke more, spoke 'better.

. . .

I would understand 'motivation,

More than pedantry though,

In the case of defining Taiwan as a country.

To a Chinese Nationalist, it might not 'matter,

If Taiwan has it's own laws and officials,

. .

They're still bitter about history,

View an island not under their control, so close, as a potential danger, as USA feared Cuba.

. .

'Desire more power,

As certain Nationalist Americans desired Hawaii, to gain more power.

. .

View Taiwan as rebels,

As during Three Kingdoms period,

The many warlords were sly about when they called themselves their 'own kingdoms, or servants to the Emperor.

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Currently though, I'm going to go out,

Pick up a couple paychecks,

Back in an hour-ish, likely.

Eh, people still have views they prefer,

Ways they go about,

Values they care.

. .

Are there any wars in history you would support?

Jah, from a certain point of view.

Truth. . . Easier in math maybe,

Depends on the rules/laws being used,

In the case of defining a country, there are multiple rules/laws.

Most people agree 1+1=2,

Not everyone agrees on ownership,

Cause of many wars.

From a certain point of view, certainly.

Definitions, ideas, are often multifaceted and vague.