I would agree that capitalism unrestrained is an ugly enterprise at best, favorable to only a few in society, but to compare what Brendan does here for Suzuki to the rancid excesses of Wall Street is grossly unfair. What Suzuki does here is far from predatory: the fact that the announcement appears in a forum known for honest, often brutal opinions of what's out there for harmonica players indicates, to me, that the good folks at the company to stake their claim in an area where response is anything but a rubber stamping approval. From what I've read since I've been here that what operates on this forum is not just a free market for harmonica products and associated gear, but also a free market of ideas, where what is offered the members is subjected to a critical discussion that Suzuki cannot control. Within certain limits, what Brenden does here is appropiate for the forum. No amount of amateur Marxism will change the fact that Suzuki does here benefits the consumer. ---------- Ted Burke http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu ted-burke.com
Both business and government are operated by people, who vary widely in their avarice and need for control of others. The negative qualities of humankind are not exclusive to any one philosophy, economic system, or governmental approach.
There are many historical examples of socialist/communist/Marxist central planning in the name of economic fairness ending badly for the citizens. There are also examples of businesses exploiting others and acting as a destructive force.
If the growth of business is likened to cancer, why not also the growth of governmental control and regulation? I have worked in government and the appetite of bureaucracy is endless.
How can one attribute only the worst motivation to those in business, but view those who espouse burgeoning governmental central control as benign?
Ultimately, any unfettered institution or system devised by humans can be detrimental to humans/environment, etc.
It is a balance that is needed. On this forum Adam and the moderators monitor and act to balance the forum.
I like to see posts with innovative products, techniques, customizations, etc. I appreciate that the moderators and Adam give wide latitude and warnings before intervening.
I see nothing predatory in the posted video on an interesting new harmonica. ----------
@pistolcat & eharp - reminds me of a paper I wrote in college (38 years ago) -" something something and "the religion of capitalism" can't remember the whole thing - ah the luxury of abstract philosophical navel gazing and the pleasures of a misspent youth.
@Dean unbridled consumerism asside- is innovation a good thing? How would you develope and produce your 'next gen' harmonica? What innovations can you name that came out of non capalist countries (outside the social welfare realm)? Luckily for us , China, USSR et al where so non innovative- that they kept the ancient vacuum tube factories alive. ----------
what the hell happened to this forum? Another whitewash of useless crap to read. I thought this was about Harmonica. Not having a bitch about greed or capitalism.
Take it somewhere else and get back to playing your damn Harp.
Thanks for posting Big Blind; after reading your post I clicked on your youtube channel to see amongst other things if you really were blind. All I can say is that I have just stolen some of your riffs; you know what they say about imitation. I'll get back to playing my damn harp ---------- Lucky Lester
Last Edited by on Aug 05, 2012 3:18 PM
it is very funny, in my mind, that this thread is getting better life than the actual announcement! that has to say something about the make-up of the forumites.
Noam may well be the most knowledgeable, credible and cited geo-political analyst of our time. Here is a five minute overview of how socialism has been perceived in the West since the mid-nineteenth century, particularly in the New England mills where its nemesis, capitalism, established its beachhead in the US.
This C-Span feature may be seen in its entirety here
An urge to preach; the assumption that although you're immune to whatever social ills you describe, we're all naive fools who need your guidance (and even reading lists!); frequent claims of truth for what's obviously arguable; the assumption that failure to agree is evidence of naivety (a classic rhetotical crutch) ...hmmm. What's your stance on train imitations?
My apologies to the forum for posting this in response. I don't mean to prolong the thread in a political vein - I would respond privately, but Dean had no e-mail posted, so....basically Noam Chomsky has major credibility problems IMHO.
"The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum." -- Noam Chomsky
Noam still maintains Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin in Dallas, which basically makes Chomsky full of it. An interesting dissection on this website. Again, my apologies for prolonging the political offshoot of this thread:
http://www.oilempire.us/chomsky.html
"Professor Noam Chomsky, one of the country's most famous dissidents, says that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in Dallas. Anyone who still supports the Warren Commission cover-up after almost a half century of countering proofs is either ill-informed, dumb, gullible, afraid to speak truths to power or a disinformation agent. Chomsky is obviously well informed and intelligent."
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2012 3:54 AM
I thought this was intriguing - who is the "keyofcaviar"? I have my suspicions...
I became very wealthy early in life and I have a tons of very rich friends whom I love to socialize with and help out anyway I can and for those who have everything, now I know what to get them for our favorite Holiday... Christmas - Thanks Brendan for the new Ultra Bend Harmonica...I'm going to make sure my good friend Clint Eastwood gets 2 of them!
Sincerely, KeyofCaviar
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2012 4:37 AM
Damn Dean - I thought you where finally giving me some props after my smug 'lumpenprolotariat' and 'dialectical materialsm' references. My actual first name is Noam. Ah well - Like Rodney said "I don't get no respect". I will watch the 'other' Noam's video anyway. ----------
