As a thought:

We use money as a convenient way to describe the value of someone’s labour. But, it removes all context. It’s kind of like having a multi variable equation to describe the economic value someone has, and either using approximations, derivatives, or substitutions, to simplify the equation into a single variable.

Then, we use markets to do the same thing with the needs of people. It’s a simplified representation of what the real quantifiable needs of people and society are.

It’s sort of like instead of asking everyone what they need and want, prioritizing the needs, and figuring out how much labour time is required to meet those needs, then figuring out how much labour time is required to meet the wants. We decided it is easier(true)/better to assume that each person will only choose to trade the amount of labour time they are willing to commit to trading for their needs/wants.

If someone in this situation is able to have more money than their labour value (theft, inheritance, etc.), they are disconnected from the effort required to meet their needs/wants. Thus, they have the money required to meet their needs, plus extra that is unearned, and an imbalance of power under this arrangement. It becomes possible to offer more for resources that are either scarce, or close enough to being scarce, thus driving up the price without any additional labour from that individual.

I bet it is possible to invent a new metric (besides money, but maybe unnecessary) and/or a new distribution tool (instead of the “market”) that prioritizes needs and wants more than simply money/capital.

I’ll call this work:

Crapital volume 1

The line go up economic model wins again at making the line go up.

You have to take yourself seriously if you want to wipe out the scourge that is the communists

I mean, if a government keeps saying we need more guns in schools to prevent school shootings, are you surprised that they are also saying this?

I’ve always found (in my experience teaching first year uni science students) teaching something directly, especially if it goes against someone’s fundamental understanding, is not very fruitful.

So saying “we are a product of the world we live in” might help, but usually isn’t too effective.

If you ask probing questions that lead to the person discovering reality themselves, that is a lasting impression. Trust that people are smart and capable. Even if they do dumb things (we all do).

Example would be asking someone what causes the seasons on Earth, and getting them to reason it out. Albeit, a non-political question is easier, the same tactics can be used for anything really.

Keep it very simple at first. It’s common (but maybe not natural ;) ) to think linearly. If x changes then y changes proportionally. (y=mx+b)

But that’s a simplified version of reality.

Maybe using ideas like: If I go for a walk in the forest, the forest affects me. It makes me feel calm, I can see the beauty, etc. But I also affect the forest. When I am there, fewer animals are in my vicinity. I leave foot prints, and maybe eat berries so that there are fewer for the animals.

I think starting with this give and take sort of idea can provide a foundation.

It’s just a small step to: the system influences my behaviour and I influence the system through “these” real things.

Let me check with my parents

I’m glad you’re here doing Mao’s work. Otherwise the “pro-empire” folks would have an uninhibited platform.

When I was in the army I didn’t have time to add milk/sugar, nor did I want to use old warm milk from my pocket.

Now I’m a coffee snob and can’t drink coffee anywhere but at home… It’s all too weak and watery…

They could also stop abstaining from votes pertaining to Palestinian statehood. Start expanding our options for trade, be more aggressive with the “rule of law” with regards to our trade relations with the US.

There’s a lot more that can be done than supplying the weapons and funding used to kill Palestinians. In fact doing nothing would be better

To be honest, if Zelensky could find a way to convince the Ukrainian people to ally with Russia and China, I suspect they would find far more serious allies than what they have now.

It would also be hilarious

What if I don’t want to be enemies with those guys? Can’t I just democracy it away? WE JUST NEED TO GET ALONG!

Seriously though, can we stop being the bad guys?

Obviously. To minimize the effect of what little say citizens have, you make it as difficult as possible to vote.

Given that the existence of the US as it is (i.e. 5 companies in a trench coat) is completely dependent upon continued neo colonialism, I’m surprised it took this long to auto-enroll citizens for the draft

I like how the reactionary communities post shit that isn’t thought out. Then you got a couple of… Left communities where they post thought out essays. Too long to read but probably mostly true

Decrease civilian crime in favour of state crime. Woo.

I think it would be wise for them to open state distribution outlets. Have the cops seize drugs, then resell it at a discount. It would help pay for the cost of policing and increase the GDP!

I think you are right (erasing culture is part of a genocide). But why target scientists specifically? To boycott, divest, and sanction (BDS) a country committing genocide, you target what you can. A university can divest from Israeli companies, and boycott their universities through the cancelling of visiting academics, joint research projects, etc. beyond that the university has little direct action they can take.

Why would you believe this? First you would have to answer why the scientists are being shunned. Then, is this the same problem in these other countries? Then you have to ask why would it be a bad thing for them to work elsewhere? What about the countless good scientists in the west who are unemployed? Why not be worried about them going to other countries?

I suspect you aren’t involved in science at all. The default is that scientists travel between countries for opportunities. There are far more scientists than jobs for them, especially when you consider the scientists trained in very specific fields. To be concerned with the shunning of a specific nationality of scientists ignore why they may be shunned. And to be concerned with where this specific group will then go, is low-key racist.

Well there are always going to be drawbacks.

You want to serve more customers? Great! But you need help. Have a probationary period to make sure you and this other person aren’t antagonistic, then they have the same voting rights as you

Compensation is determined collectively. Maybe you have a base pay plus you both earn a bonus from the profits. Many options.

Unlike under capitalism, moving beyond capitalism means you only get paid for the work you do. Setting up a business brings no value to anyone but you, so you pay yourself with income potential.

When you consider Purchasing power, Russia is fourth.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true&year_high_desc=true