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[Bauglir]

Nikov, history textbooks and society in general have a significant bias against the concept of socialism because of its association with Nazi-ism and Soviet communism (neither of which were actually socialist, but used a lot of the rhetoric; fuck, the Nazis is just an abbreviation for National Socialist Worker's Party), and because of the Cold War-era "Capitalism is everything good and pure" mindset that most of our current politicians and media personnel were educated under.

I'm sure you do understand what socialism actually entails, and there are valid reasons to oppose it, don't get me wrong. But it's complete bullshit to argue that any society that seriously entertains the idea that somebody can simultaneously be a socialist, a Nazi, and a Muslim extremist understands anything about what any of those terms actually imply, except that they believe them all to be synonymous with evil. I don't intend to argue that any of those are good, but just that the fact that these arguments even get MADE is proof that too many people's educations have failed them.

[Eagle_eye]

Did you know that all "Americans" are the vocal minority of conservative fanatics in the country that fanatically believe Fox News' slogan and that all Muslims are trying to destroy the American way of life which is exclusively whatever brand of Christianity they happen to cleave to murder us?  It's true.  I should know, because I'm an American and I'm exactly like that.

I'm speaking from personal experience, not from an over-publicized minor political party's display in the media. Most people I know would accurately be described by that, to some degree or another, and I live in a fairly liberal area. If you're offended by "Americans in general" then by all means, tell yourself I'm directing it towards the far right.

[Neonivek]

Actually it is more that history books are written in a way as if it was always made to be that way.

Heck just read history books of the early interactions between the Europeans and Native Americans and it will sound like America is practically established and they are dealing with minorities they don't want to talk to.

This inspite of the fact that for a very long time the Natives were the majority. Heck can I even say "Majority"? The USA didn't exist yet.

[sonerohi]

Plus, the majority of the education system is not thinking and analyzing, it is the shut up and memorize sort of busy work. Kids get this flippant attitude and never actually learn, they just spit out big words they know without understanding what it means or the context or the source or anything besides "this big word means evil".

[Duke 2.0]

Would you like a more formal citing or will this do?

It does support the claim, but it's still one book. And note I'm only here to argue that using this as evidence that our culture as a whole is like this is a bit sketchy, I have no interest in engaging the main subject here. I'll look into my own collection of history books that were not damaged in the recent flood, some of them made in the early 90's.

If you're offended by "Americans in general" then by all means, tell yourself I'm directing it towards the far right.

Then shouldn't you have directed it at the far right in the first place? Not to avoid offense but for accuracies sake.

[Neonivek]

Plus, the majority of the education system is not thinking and analyzing, it is the shut up and memorize sort of busy work. Kids get this flippant attitude and never actually learn, they just spit out big words they know without understanding what it means or the context or the source or anything besides "this big word means evil".

I was told that Hitler was evil for a very very VERY long time. It took until Highschool until someone would tell me why the heck why.

Possibly the reason why I don't really believe in evil people. People just tell me who is evil as if it is an inherant trait, hense why I reject spiritualist systems that include "Evil" when applying to people. People rarely faulter to pure evil but rather virtue perverted into vice.

[Eagle_eye]

 Then shouldn't you have directed it at the far right in the first place? Not to avoid offense but for accuracies sake.

because they're not the only individuals with an incorrect understanding of it.

[Neonivek]

Anyhow from what I understand Socialism like Feminism is actually a broad range of beliefs rather then a single belief.

There are very sound socialist theories out there in the same way that there are a lot of outright incorrect capitalist theories

[Nikov]

You're right, cherry picking it won't prove it either way. I could probably find a pro-socialist comment in the very same book he claims is anti-socialist.

Shouldn't we not be directing slurs against anyone? Doesn't that only spoil the debate?

[Realmfighter]

Thats the best part the of the debate.

The hate.

[Ioric Kittencuddler]

Well maybe I'm jumping to conclusions and misinterpreting your post as another general American bashing thread.  I immediately jumped to the conclusion that you were doing the same thing you were condemning by bashing something you know nothing about.  Such blatant hypocrisy really pisses me off and I'm kind of a negative person I guess, so I just sort of assumed that that was what you were doing.

[Neonivek]

You're right, cherry picking it won't prove it either way. I could probably find a pro-socialist comment in the very same book he claims is anti-socialist.

Shouldn't we not be directing slurs against anyone? Doesn't that only spoil the debate?

I don't know it is a lot like how Feminism is hated a lot

It is hated for the insane theories when in there are a lot of sane ones.

[Little]

You're right, cherry picking it won't prove it either way. I could probably find a pro-socialist comment in the very same book he claims is anti-socialist.

Shouldn't we not be directing slurs against anyone? Doesn't that only spoil the debate?

I don't know it is a lot like how Feminism is hated a lot

It is hated for the insane theories.

Are you kidding? Females striving for equal representation and equal pay are suddenly spouting "insane theories"? We aren't hairy lesbians who never got out of the sixties, thanks. Feminism is a justified and respected movement where women look for equal rights and representation. Is that insane?

[3]

I like how someone posts something about feminism and the next post is the obligatory knee-jerk response from someone who clearly didn't read the prior post.

[Earthquake Damage]

I like how someone posts something about feminism and the next post is the obligatory knee-jerk response from someone who clearly didn't read the prior post.

Yeah.  This thread delivers.  Not sure what, though.