It’s now very common to hear people say, ‘I’m rather offended by that.’ As if that gives them certain rights. It’s actually nothing more… than a whine. ‘I find that offensive.’ It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. ‘I am offended by that.’ Well, so fucking what?<\blockquote>
Stephen Fry, actor and comedian
Category: Friday Quote
Friday Quote – Portia St. Luke
Nothing says “I’m not getting raped (mugged/ beaten) today!” like a large-caliber round to the center chest. Simple, eloquent, and to-the-point.
Portia St. Luke in this blog post.
Friday Quote – Bill Nye
Everyone you will ever meet will know something that you don’t.
Bill Nye, science advocate and television personality
As we go into the new year, let’s remember knowledge and wisdom (not the same thing, just look at a D&D sheet) can come from anyone, at any time, in any place.
Friday Quote – John Adams
There are two ways to enslave and conquer a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.
John Adams, Founding Father and second President of the United States
On an individual level, debt represents both a risk and a cost. A risk because the debt can be called, and if unable to pay, assets can be seized. A cost because a premium must be paid on the money borrowed in the form of interest.
On a national level, the costs (interest) represent services not rendered or additional money pulled out of private hands while the risks represent danger to the economy.
H/t reader David
Friday Quote – Gary S. Beck
Capitalism was doomed-not by its failures, as in Marxian analysis, but by its successes. For according to Schumpeter, capitalism alienated intellectuals, who were unhappy because they are not important players in a decentralized free-market system. Moreover, intellectuals do not like the profit motive that drives this system. But Schumpeter greatly exaggerated the long-run influence of intellectuals on public policy.
-Gary S. Becker, review of Joseph Schumpeter’s Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy.
Another book to add to the pile.
Friday Quote – Scott Westerfield
Sometimes the thoughts in my head get so bored they go out for a stroll through my mouth.
This is rarely a good thing.
Scott Westerfield, author
If you like steampunk, I highly recommend Scott’s Leviathan series.
Friday Quote – Thomas Sowell
The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.
Thomas Sowell, economist, author, and commentator
The fast-food workers demanding that companies pay them $15/hour are also disregarding the first lesson of economics. They are also forgetting that they cannot dictate value. If the worker is not producing $15/hr worth of work, then the company will do one if three things:
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Lower the workforce until each worker is producing the value of being paid $15/hr. This may include bringing in higher levels of automation. Like touchscreen kiosks.
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Lower the quality of the product to make up for additional labor costs (which might work for some low end products, but not in the cutthroat competition of fast food).
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Go out of business. And for those of you who might gloat that big corporations would go bankrupt, they won’t. The small franchisee, on the other hand, will. People who have sunk their life savings into a couple of stores and who do their good works in their local communities.
You want to make $15/hr, then provide the company more than $15/hr worth of value. That might mean stepping up into management, or bringing in some unique skill. It also might mean taking a chance on a new job. If you think you’re worth the money, then prove it.
Friday Quote – Christopher Hitchens
If someone tells me that I’ve hurt their feelings, I say, “I’m still waiting to hear what your point is.”
In this country, I’ve been told, “˜That’s offensive,” as if those two words constitute an argument or a comment. Not to me they don’t.
And I’m not running for anything, so I don’t have to pretend to like people when I don’t.
You do not have a right not to be offended.
Friday Quote – Sean Carroll
We’re not allowed to call the Higgs boson the ‘God Particle’ anymore because now there is evidence that it exists.
Sean Carroll, physicist and author
Giggle, chuckle, HAHAHA!
Friday Quote – Ayn Rand
The question isn’t who is going to let me; the question is who is going to stop me.
Ayn Rand, author and creator of the Objectivist philosophy