The iPad?

[Zorak]

So you're happy that culture is dictated by corporations for profit? Think of all the great culture they've kept from us because they don't think they'll make money from it.

Like what?

the internet has changed the economic model for our culture. It's being paid for, those embracing the future are making money by doing so, it's just the new economy won't support the large corporations. Their time has come.

and by the way, what on earth has communism got to do with it???

I doubt that very much.
People were saying the same thing when the little guys starting making IBM compatible products, the fall of the giant, and all that...
If a large corporation falls, a larger one takes its place. So it goes.

You think the economy has changed, but I'd argue it hasn't, just the avenues of business have changed. And they've been changing for 1000's of years.
The economy remains the same as ever - wealth is representitive of mass and product.
In feudal Europe the economy was driven by the mass of land and it's product.
In the British East India Company it was masses of affordable labour along with specialist product.
Now in the information age and beyond, it's mass of advertisement.

The internet is no more indicitive of a new economy than the invention of windmills. The grain will still get ground, just in a different way.

 

[Minor Axis]

So you're happy that culture is dictated by corporations for profit? Think of all the great culture they've kept from us because they don't think they'll make money from it.

That is an interesting statement. One of the short comings if every aspect of our lives are driven by profit? I need to think about that. But is there a healthy alternative?

I admit to have used a bootleg copy of a photo manipulation program for years. I believe it was wrong to do so, but my rationalization was that it was too expensive for me to justify and I just fooled around with it. So the company in question did not loose any money from me because I would have never purchased it, I just would have found another product to use. If I had ever reached a point where I was using it in a business, I'd of been happy to pay. Since then I have purchased the consumer version of the same product which is much more reasonably priced.

 

[NicAuf]

Ok I don't feel like reading all the previous posts, so I am just going to give all of you my two cents on the iPad.

No Flash, no thank you.
No multi-tasking, no thank you.

iTunes, I've used for quite some time now. I've tried to use other music players, and nothing can replace iTunes, at least for me.

 

[Tangerine]

So you're happy that culture is dictated by corporations for profit?

"Corporations for Profit" are nothing more than a large group of people earning a living. Without them, the alternative is massive unemployment and EVERYONE with no livelihood. Why do so many people think profits are bad? Profits are what enable every single one of us to earn a paycheck and support our families.

 

[Minor Axis]

"Corporations for Profit" are nothing more than a large group of people earning a living. Without them, the alternative is massive unemployment and EVERYONE with no livelihood. Why do so many people think profits are bad? Profits are what enable every single one of us to earn a paycheck and support our families.

I would not say it requires large corporations for people to make a living but that is where we have arrived. Large corporations are centers of power good or bad depending on how you view them. When the leadership acts responsibly I like them, but in the last many years, much of the leadership seems to be all about greed.

 

[Tangerine]

I would not say it requires large corporations for people to make a living but that is where we have arrived. Large corporations are centers of power good or bad depending on how you view them. When the leadership acts responsibly I like them, but in the last many years, much of the leadership seems to be all about greed.

Can you not agree that "greed" benefits a LOT of people, though? Anyone and everyone who has their future riding on a 401(k), for example, has lots to gain from corporate "greed." As do the thousands and thousands of people employed by these "greedy" corporations. Would you prefer they be "thrifty" and cut loose large percentages of their employee base?

 

[Minor Axis]

Can you not agree that "greed" benefits a LOT of people, though? Anyone and everyone who has their future riding on a 401(k), for example, has lots to gain from corporate "greed." As do the thousands and thousands of people employed by these "greedy" corporations. Would you prefer they be "thrifty" and cut loose large percentages of their employee base?

I equate greed to more of inflate manager salaries, with huge bonuses for upper management, while cutting lower tier employee wages and benefits because they are expendable. Also greed management tends not to give a damn about where the company will be in 10 or 20 years, only inflating short term profits so those in charge can retire with their golden parachutes if you get my drift.

My former company, owned just about everything, until the new robber baron owners showed up, sold everything, then leased it all back through companies they owned and pocketed 100's of millions of dollars, equity stolen directly from the company. Then when the company went bankrupt, it was no difference to them. What they did was legal, the new American way. Bastards. And it would be better if I did not tell you the name of this company.

 

[edgray]

"Corporations for Profit" are nothing more than a large group of people earning a living. Without them, the alternative is massive unemployment and EVERYONE with no livelihood. Why do so many people think profits are bad? Profits are what enable every single one of us to earn a paycheck and support our families.

Profit has nothing to do with wages. Wages are not part of profit, they're part of operating costs. Profit goes to lazy ass capitalists that sit and earn money off the backs of the workers.

 

[Tangerine]

Profit has nothing to do with wages. Wages are not part of profit, they're part of operating costs. Profit goes to lazy ass capitalists that sit and earn money off the backs of the workers.

Without profit there is no business, and with no business there are no wages to be paid. When businesses dry up and go away, so do lots of jobs for people in those business and many connected. Look at how the economic crashes of the last few years are now affecting local governments and school systems in the US. It's all connected.

I also strongly disagree with your vision of "lazy ass" capitalists. It's not like there are a handful of fat men sitting around a table smoking cigars and countings stacks and stacks of hundred dollar bills. The vast majority of corporate profits in the US go to shareholders, which in huge quantities consist of everyday people like me and you who have a handful of stock investments or a 401(k) or other mutual funds.

 

[Zorak]

Without profit there is no business, and with no business there are no wages to be paid. When businesses dry up and go away, so do lots of jobs for people in those business and many connected. Look at how the economic crashes of the last few years are now affecting local governments and school systems in the US. It's all connected.

I also strongly disagree with your vision of "lazy ass" capitalists. It's not like there are a handful of fat men sitting around a table smoking cigars and countings stacks and stacks of hundred dollar bills. The vast majority of corporate profits in the US go to shareholders, which in huge quantities consist of everyday people like me and you who have a handful of stock investments or a 401(k) or other mutual funds.

it's alright, EdGray moved to Costa Del Sol to enjoy the working mans lifestyle, and campaign against the capatalist way :24:

 

[edgray]

Without profit there is no business, and with no business there are no wages to be paid. When businesses dry up and go away, so do lots of jobs for people in those business and many connected. Look at how the economic crashes of the last few years are now affecting local governments and school systems in the US. It's all connected.

I also strongly disagree with your vision of "lazy ass" capitalists. It's not like there are a handful of fat men sitting around a table smoking cigars and countings stacks and stacks of hundred dollar bills. The vast majority of corporate profits in the US go to shareholders, which in huge quantities consist of everyday people like me and you who have a handful of stock investments or a 401(k) or other mutual funds.

not at all, there are many non-profit workplaces, or workplaces that share profits amongst the workers. Profit is what comes after the wages have been paid.

shareholders account for small amounts of shares in most corporations, the lion's share will belong to a handful of people - lazy ass capitalists.

If you remove the profit system, you'll still have people who can work, and work that needs to be done.

 

[edgray]

it's alright, EdGray moved to Costa Del Sol to enjoy the working mans lifestyle, and campaign against the capatalist way :24:

I wouldn't say I enjoy the working mans lifestyle which is basically wage slavery. Always campaigning against capitalist ways though.

 

[Tangerine]

not at all, there are many non-profit workplaces, or workplaces that share profits amongst the workers. Profit is what comes after the wages have been paid.

shareholders account for small amounts of shares in most corporations, the lion's share will belong to a handful of people - lazy ass capitalists.

If you remove the profit system, you'll still have people who can work, and work that needs to be done.

You are highly misinformed on how large corporations work.

 

[edgray]

You are highly misinformed on how large corporations work.

so please correct me.

 

[Peter Parka]

This is a thread about the iPad?:dunno

*Shrugs and leaves thread*

 

[edgray]

This is a thread about the iPad?:dunno

*Shrugs and leaves thread*

it was. now apparently I'm going to be schooled in how corporations work... :shrug:

 

[Minor Axis]

Without profit there is no business, and with no business there are no wages to be paid.

Profits are not the problem. Excessive profits to enrich "me" is the problem.

Lets get back to the ipad!!! No java!!! :humm: