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georged

Lifer
Mar 7, 2013
5,491
13,920
Those humans who have an overwhelming need to have power over others---to be in charge and endlessly decide what's best for everyone---appear in the population as a regular thing. Like eye color or blood type. They always have, and always will.

Naturally, they use whatever tools are available to satisfy that need.

For all of human history until recently the ultimate tool was physical. Armies, navies, and police forces with clanky, bangy weapons. "Do what we say or we will kill you."

Today, nothing like that is necessary. All they need is "informer-grade" personal information and a way to force compliance based on what that information shows them.

A way that is stupid-easy because it's another facet of the same digital construct: The control of money. "Do what we say or you will be erased. Made into an electronic black hole. Your accounts will be zeroed, attempted purchases will be blocked, and attempts to communicate will be blocked. And the penalty for anyone who tries to assist you black-market-style is THEY will be erased."

Sounds like a science fiction movie, doesn't it?

LOL

The most outrageous intrusion and control Orwell could imagine was a TV screen that looked back at you, spy helicopters that peeked in windows, your friends' children watching you, and newspaper stories being pasted over.

The most outrageous intrusion and control Hitler and Stalin could imagine was an embedded network of organized human spies. A network that ran on paper records.

You do the math.



(Digital oversight and control are not just theoretical, btw. Implementation is well underway in Asia. It's called the Social Credit System. The best part? Much of it was initially developed and coded by Google.)
 

georged

Lifer
Mar 7, 2013
5,491
13,920
Authoritarianism sucks, but useful idiots love it and cheer it on right up until the boot is on their own neck.

The only thing required to be a useful idiot is an inability to think and reason in abstract terms. (i.e. see the future implications of decisions made today)

Since abstract reasoning is closely connected to intelligence, the numbers favor the boot wearers every time:


Screen Shot 2023-01-10 at 6.09.34 PM.png
 
Jun 9, 2018
4,012
12,928
England

With NZ and UK out how will this affect my beloved Malawi? Stock Up NOW !!!
From the article:
"Labour could take similar measures if they get to form a government, with the aim of stamping out a dirty habit that costs the NHS billions each year."


They always mention the cost to the NHS but they aren't as keen on mentioning the billions raised in taxes on cigarettes. The ciggies I buy are over £14 for 20. A very large portion of that is taxes.

Hopefully these "won't somebody please think of the children" fuckwits won't bring in something similar for pipe tobacco. Trouble is, pipe tobacco often gets lumped in with cigarettes when it comes to legislation. Over here it does, anyway.
 

Briar Tuck

Lifer
Nov 29, 2022
1,109
5,737
Oregon coast
The only thing required to be a useful idiot is an inability to think and reason in abstract terms. (i.e. see the future implications of decisions made today)

Since abstract reasoning is closely connected to intelligence, the numbers favor the boot wearers every time:


View attachment 193676
Intelligence factors in for sure, but I know a lot of otherwise intelligent people who are useful idiots. They are slaves to their ideology and abandon all logic and reason when it conflicts with their ideology and feelings. Instead, they will use their intellectual abilities to do mental gymnastics to rationalize away logic and reason.
 

Brendan

Lifer
May 16, 2021
1,412
7,533
Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
From the article:
"Labour could take similar measures if they get to form a government, with the aim of stamping out a dirty habit that costs the NHS billions each year."


They always mention the cost to the NHS but they aren't as keen on mentioning the billions raised in taxes on cigarettes. The ciggies I buy are over £14 for 20. A very large portion of that is taxes.

Hopefully these "won't somebody please think of the children" fuckwits won't bring in something similar for pipe tobacco. Trouble is, pipe tobacco often gets lumped in with cigarettes when it comes to legislation. Over here it does, anyway.


Yep. Tobacco is tobacco in the eyes of the nanny state of Oz, eventually it will all be taxed the same, one weight/tariff as our overlords have done to us.
 

georged

Lifer
Mar 7, 2013
5,491
13,920
Intelligence factors in for sure, but I know a lot of otherwise intelligent people who are useful idiots. They are slaves to their ideology and abandon all logic and reason when it conflicts with their ideology and feelings. Instead, they will use their intellectual abilities to do mental gymnastics to rationalize away logic and reason.

Indeed.

There are those who simply can't, and those who won't.

The size of both groups together is historically overwhelming.

Trouble is, throwing your stuff in a wagon or on a ship and leaving the BS behind is no longer an option.
 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
9,602
14,666
Today, nothing like that is necessary. All they need is "informer-grade" personal information and a way to force compliance based on what that information shows them.

A way that is stupid-easy because it's another facet of the same digital construct: The control of money. "Do what we say or you will be erased. Made into an electronic black hole. Your accounts will be zeroed, attempted purchases will be blocked, and attempts to communicate will be blocked. And the penalty for anyone who tries to assist you black-market-style is THEY will be erased."
(Digital oversight and control are not just theoretical, btw. Implementation is well underway in Asia. It's called the Social Credit System. The best part? Much of it was initially developed and coded by Google.)
The so-called "vaccine passports" were an attempt at establishing the social credit score system, and the current CBDC (central bank digital currency) being worked on is the same...as well as the "carbon credit" schemes.

Most will simply dismiss all such concerns even though it's all painfully obvious. The western world is sleep walking into it. You can never overestimate the power of normalcy bias.

normalcy-bias.jpg