A Vocal Argument...

[Nippy]

Wow. I've just read an argument on The Register and was slightly amazed. This link takes you to an argument by a journalist in The Guardian (a British newspaper). Firstly, what do you think of it? Quite strong, yes?

Now look at some of the comments given to him. (If you dislike profane swearing disregard this link.) This is incredibly vocal.
This link takes you to his reply to critics on the site, and this link takes you to his responses in The Guardian.

Firstly, now we have the facts out of the way, I'm going to ask a simple question; who agree's and why? If you disagree feel free to reply, I want to get a broad opinion on this, after all, we have Europeans and American's here, along with everyone else from Australia etc...

[Weasel]

Where to start...or is it even worth starting to read. Should we start with his opinion a regulated European Network has more of a moral high ground than any other country? Or maybe we should start with his opinion about "a bunch of renegade merchants and rebellious slave owners"? Or maybe this would be better.."political tradition which can counter US constitutional imperialism."?

I sometimes wonder, does the educational system in SOME European countries forget to teach where MOST the people of the US came from.

This will be my last post on this subject...mainly because I will be called being on a Moral High Horse for stating Europe needs to study it's own history.

[dragon wench]

I find Thompson's attitude exceedingly self-rightious (it takes me back to hearing my parents incessantly proclaim how Europe is superior to North America in every way.... ). Nonetheless, I do think he makes some very valid points.

While I am uncomfortable at curtailing the freedom of expression that can be found on the net....... it is not unreasonable for nations to desire that their cultural values be respected...be it in "Real life" or on the "World Wide Web."

Further, the net has in many regards become a basis from which to launch some of worst excesses of US-style corporate capitalism..... From shady business dealings, rampant advertising and self-promotion... to the invasion of email spam (much of which is highly offensive...).

I may write more later....it is still slightly early for me.... and I am not yet fully caffeinated.

[Nippy]

LOL DW, get some coffee!

As stupid an argument as this may sound, I draw your attention to this link. Hatemail for a pretend takeover of the US, but look at their reactions. Hmmm...

[dragon wench]

@Nippy, thanks for the link, I'll explore it more thoroughly when I have a bit of time..

I have been giving Thompson's article some more thought, and one of the things that strikes me, is that the issues he raises connect very directly to the debates concerning ethnic relativism (in brief: the notion that other cultures should be considered independently from our own cultural norms and values), and cultural imperialism (essentially, the opposite of the above).

While, on the surface, cultural relativism holds some strong appeal, and to reject it could be considered racist or intolerant, it must also be considered that at some point there is a line..... To use a pertinent example that relates to some parts of Thompson's argument..... What do we do, for example, when repressive regimes attempt to restrict their populations from viewing sites that deal with women's rights? As opposed to countries simply reacting against excessively corporate-driven agendas......

I recognise that what I am saying is slightly off topic, since Thompson largely discusses Europe and the US, but I do think his thoughts on cultural hegemony tie into these questions.

Of course, most nations with repressive governments are also extremely poor, thus much of the populace, in all probability, barely knows what a computer looks like, let alone has internet access.... and this opens up yet another can of worms.....

Thoughts?

[Nippy]

I will reply to you soon DW, that women's issues deals a lot with you, what with your whole thesis being based on it!

Oh, by the way don't take the last link (about the 'invasion') too seriously, it's from Stand On Guard, I just added it to give an example to people...

[dragon wench]

Originally posted by Nippy
I will reply to you soon DW, that women's issues deals a lot with you, what with your whole thesis being based on it!

Oh, by the way don't take the last link (about the 'invasion') too seriously, it's from Stand On Guard, I just added it to give an example to people...

lol !
Truthfully.... with my example I was thinking of issues such as female circumcision, or the right for women to be literate.....or the question of reproductive rights......

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

A bit off-topic, sorry about that.

Originally posted by dragon wench
or the question of reproductive rights......

Ermm, I probably should know this, but what exactly are reproductive rights? Unless it's the abortion debate then this is the first time I've heard of reproductive rights.
Many thanks for any explanations.

[Nippy]

Oooh, me, me! I'll answer if thats okay Ode and DW.

I think it is the simple right for females to a choose if they have children or if they want them aborted or to not even have sex at all.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally posted by Nippy
Oooh, me, me! I'll answer if thats okay Ode and DW.

I think it is the simple right for females to a choose if they have children or if they want them aborted or to not even have sex at all.

Cheers Nipster, your explanation is doubtless as good as anyone elses.
So basically it is more or less the issue of abortion. My thoughts on the matter closely echo Nippy's, but with some more considerations. If either parent does not want a child (in a family situation) IMO it is not really fair on the child to bring it into a home in which it will not be fully loved. IMO the father (once again in a family situation) should have at least some sort of input into the decision to have or abort a child.
In the case of children concieved through one night stands or similar situations, the father of the child (if they are told that they have concieved a child) should pay at least half of the cost of abortion, but should not be required to pay child support if he does not want a child and the woman chooses to have the child irrespective of his wishes. In that case it becomes the woman's choice, and hence her responsibility, to care for the child.
Likewise (in the previous situation) if a woman chooses not to have the child, but the 'father' (sorry if that looks bad, but I couldn't think of any other way to put it) of the child wants her to have the child, then the woman has every right to have an abortion regardless.
These are my views, make of them what you will.
EDIT-And it is the right of anyone, man, woman or otherwise , to choose not to have sex IMO.

[Beldin]

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper

And it is the right of anyone, man, woman or otherwise , to choose not to have sex IMO.

Right you are, mate, but WHY someone should CHOOSE this escapes my (not so ) limited imagination...

No worries,

Beldin

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I'm sure there are reasons, even if I can't quite bring them to mind at the moment...

[Nippy]

You can't? I can't even find the words!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Most of them would probably get blocked by the censor...

[Nippy]

Censor? God himself would come down and stop me from typing them.

[Beldin]

No worries, there are ways.....

Thoughts are free, after all ...

Beldin

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally posted by Nippy
Censor? God himself would come down and stop me from typing them.

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, the censor seems the more likely problem there...

[Nippy]

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, the censor seems the more likely problem there...

damn you atheists...

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Originally posted by Nippy


damn you atheists...

I'm an agnostic, technically speaking , but if God does come down and stop you typing them then please tell.

[Nippy]

LMAO, God will come down on you, especially when he's English