That’s why I vote Green my friend. We’re on the same side. I just dont know if the existing stable “socialist” nations you cite really meet the definition or are any closer to the outcomes I’m sure you and I agree are indicators of real success.

I’ll read what you’ve linked though, and share my thoughts. Cheers!

Apparently nobody does, because I don’t see them attracting massive numbers of immigrants. But that could not be for lack of desire - I don’t really know. I do know Chinese people and their feelings vary - we have lots of Chinese migrants and multigenerational citizens. You seem to have access to a very patriotic perspective they don’t share with you.

Care to share with me a well sources explainer video or something to educate me? I have gotten most of my recent understanding from PolyMatter, and other non-Chinese sources.

I’m judging here on the basis of adherence to the most progressive interpretations of Marx and other philosophers and thinkers, and how it’s going for the people in each nation more than anything - social justice and equality, healthcare, welfare, personal freedoms, security, standard of living, etc.

Tell me, where do you live? I’m fortunate enough to be from New Zealand. I certainly wouldn’t want to trade my passport for any other country, or wish to have been born there. Maybe Luxembourg then I’d be stacked I guess, and maybe be able to do more to help the rest of the world get their shit together.

I don’t disagree that the west got to where it is brutalizing everyone else. That is beside the point when we’re talking about the present.

China is a terrible example of democracy and of communism. It has some effective social programmes and top down organization which has been efficient at rapid economic growth and reducing poverty, but there remain severe class divides, suppression of minorities and in some cases outright slavery with the Uighurs. Forget about LGBT rights too, of course. China may yet emerge as the paragon of human civilization the way the world is going now, but it’s a few serious reforms away from that, including having actually democratically elected representatives.

Any other examples?

Name one AES state that isn’t authoritarian, and suppressing of numerous human rights and dignities, that a greater percentage of the population enjoys in the west.

From what I can tell, few people are lining up to move to these countries, now or in the past. That suggests something isn’t working.

Which ones? Cuba is alright I guess.

I’m not. Fascism is a variant of authoritarianism, and describes very well how the USSR, China, and other successful so-called communisms have operated.

“Fascism is characterized by support for a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived interest of the nation or race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.” -Wikipedia

I believe in left wing ideology, it’s just only ever seemed to emerge successfully from non-violent system-internal populism. Changing of hearts and minds in other words. Never through violence. Which makes sense, because proper humanitarian leftism is obviously antithetical to ends justify the means approaches to societal problem solving.

The crazy thing is successful armed uprising in the name of these left-wing movements generally ended up with fascist leadership.

I think in theory leftism isn’t interested in guns, but obviously as a slave accepting your chains won’t evoke change. Problem is guns are not very effective against the state military apparatuses in the modern world now. Not unless those militaries mutiny.

I don’t think leftist like guns, but otherwise makes sense.

Lucky for some!

Did anyone see…

Not sure it ever had a name. Just something on Rotten I suppose. Anyway, it haunts me to this day much more than Goatse.

I can only imagine. 🫠

That’s a result of Tokyo and the other biggest cities only separating into recyclable bottles, non-recyclable or non-burnable material (i.e. inorganics) and all the rest which is as you say incinerated.

They also have some, if not the most clean burning incenerators in the world, and they use the waste material for construction and land reclamation.

Burning plastics at very high temperatures is far more environmentally friendly than sending them to landfills or attempting to recycle them.

Nevertheless they are known for excess packaging and obviously my arguments about standardization still apply to Japan as much as anyone else.

Yes, but the main issue is how mixed the materials are in our consumables. Mixed recycling is basically bullshit. We should have more standardized packaging and more categories of separation strictly enforced. Japan does this pretty well.

You could opt in to pay extra for sorting if you can afford it sure.

And emissions need to be better taxed, and illegal dumping and discharge into rivers and such a jailable crime with big fines for businesses with accountability going right up the chain to investors.

When’s day?

I mean sure but better if all in attendance vote for a better future at the ballot as well.

I would have much preferred a connections Republican party over what we got.

If revolutions bring ultimately successful, examples?

I know there are some, with the obvious one being the American Civil War that ended slavery. But, wars come with an intense cost to human life, and sounds be a list resort. Precisely because most around the world have not been successful, and have lead to things like military rule.

Why do you think change from within impossible?

That’s exactly what Trump and MAGA did to the Republican party.

Violent revolution brings change but rarely the kind of change most of those who engaged in it actually wanted.

And how will we do that?

Organizing to do what?

You can and should support them as they align with your values, but you’ll never get enough votes for them to have any chance of overthrowing the big two. It has to be changed from within, unless you’re prepared to try violence.