Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel (part 2 of 2)

[HomogeneousEurope]

Jared Diamond: Jew. Cultural Marxist, race denier and Zionist Stephen Jay Gould. Jew, Cultural Marxist, and race denier.

Just an observation...

[steviewonder417]

@HomogeneousEurope often those who claim to be against racism and bigotry often resort to the same us and them mentality they wish to end.

[AAAA538]

I didn't look through all the comments on this video but surely someone has mentioned that croperb is talking about Jared Diamond, Not Richard Diamond.

[Noeldiego]

You diss Diamond AND Chomsky? Nothing more transparent than pure envy. Oh and by the way, you only "review" like 25 pages of the book.

[parkt6792]

I watch a lot of your videos cropperb, and appreciate your analysis. I wish that you would have reviewed the actual book itself, though. You didn't pass page 18 in this video. He does describe the violence of tribes and chiefdoms. In order to write a book such as this, it would be very easy to fall into 'racist traps.' Diamond does not do this. I think that he does not judge, and leaves it up to the reader to judge or not after given the facts.Anyway, to use the word 'idiot' here is disingenuous

[toddmuddywaters]

Hey pal, FYI, philosophy is not one of the sciences, at least not anymore. My apologies to philosophers, but they only think about things, ask questions, and make guesses. Real science employes the scientific method which includes testing and replication of it`s findings. Philosophy doesn`t do either of those in any way, shape, or form. If I am wrong, tell me why. You are not qualified to comment on this book. I am an anthropologist, so your lack of knowlage and understanding has been exposed.

[mcc1789]

If philosophy constitutes the guiding force of history, then how does philosophy come to exist? To have philosophy you must have a society that can support philosophers and is also willing. What makes such a society come to be is an issue that Diamond addresses at length. Also the state of hunter-gatherer societies past and present (most of whom have resisted to the death being "civilized" no matter how poor we think their living standards. A good question would be-did you just read the preface?

[hfonge920]

It seems you are confusing progress in "happiness" (however that is measured or quantified) and just plain progress in development.

[Thirdoptionisthename]

This guy talks to a webcam for fun. Internet philosophy.

Someone tell his extended family and friends, he clearly needs the support that he believes is so unnecessary in a Western, civilized world. Loser.

[eslubin]

I don't agree with a lot of the conclusions Diamond made and didn't read his book but I found the Guns Germs and Steel documentary thought-provoking. Also I don't know how much happiness is tied to progress but development is a good thing. We're here so we may as well build something

[Neueregel]

One of the best books ever. This guy is delusional when he thinks that Jared is Marxist. I read the book, there's not reference to Marx at all.

[peterhndz]

you raise some very good points, but i've seen $15.95 go to worse places. i think those writings led to a good discussion there, so don't feel as if you put anything to waste. and i'd also be very curious to know when your book is coming out?

[platermanone]

Richard Diamond.

[hfonge920]

@platermanone Hah, exactly.

[XBOLDENX]

I'm glad cropperb recorded this "critique." These 2 videos prove cropperb has Ayn Rand "up his butt talking for him." Here he outs himself as both a mindless parrot AND a bigot. He didn't read, or didn't understand GGS (not even knowing what "iron-based statehood" is), and he obviously doesn't care. Cropperb is a convict in the mental prison of Objectivism, and a typical, transparent intellectual fraud.  I'll never waste another second of my life listening to his "frickin' drivel." Poseur!

[TheObnubilators]

Good points made, though I wouldn't undermine the rest of Diamonds thoughts just from this.

[AKOBADAGETHXIII]

Jared Diamond's book: Guns, Germs and Steel.

DEBUNKED

watch?v=SquT6wxMIX8

[adjohnson916]

Wait, what about all this is in any way Marxist? I didn't hear anything about economic analysis, class struggle, worker oppression, communal ownership of the means of production. And actually a fundamental tenet of Marx's philosophy was historical materialism, i.e. the story of human progress. So I think a static tribal society would be no interest of Marx's. Essentially what your use of this term boils down to is irrational associations and blatant propaganda.

[dopolavoro1]

The OP was probably referring to 'cultural' Marxism, which is basically Marxism translated from economic into cultural terms, in which the 'bourgeois' dialectic becomes redefined as 'European'.

[Spalg]

@adjohnson916 historical materialism is the idea that the material conditions drive history, not the story of human progress.

[adjohnson916]

@Spalg Marx used it to outline the major stages that develop based on material conditions over time in the structure of human societies. Tribal/Pre-economic -> Feudal/Agriculture -> Monarchy/Mercantalism, Parliamentary/Industrial, etc. I was referring to Marx's associations with the concept since it was Marxism that was referenced in the video. Marx was an failure though. Why do you have to be nit-picky?

[Spalg]

@adjohnson916 it's redefining a major concept to try and say what somebody is doing is propaganda, and seemed to be the bulk of your statement. the difference between historical materialism and the interpretations of history of somebody like hegel or nietzsche is that it is based on the material. the defining characteristic of a historical idea are not that it simply tells history, they all do, but, obviously, with/how it looks at history.

[adjohnson916]

@Spalg It was still a stretch for MrCropper to throw around "Marx" like it was relevant. I doubt Jared Diamond references Marx in his book, nor 90% of Marx's theories. Almost any historical analysis could be accused of exhibiting aspects of historical materialism, as long as it includes reference to relevant material factors, and almost everything involves material factors. Would it be Marxist for a racist to talk about how the material factor of genetics led Africa to be a shithole? Not really.

[Spalg]

@adjohnson916 But genetics is not the material conditions as already has been said, the environment defining history is a marxist concept of history. Genetics are not the environment, are not the material conditions, at all. Cropper might be one to extrapolate that further, but he's more right than you are.

[adjohnson916]

@Spalg I still maintain Marx's contributions to historical materialism made no great point of the role of climate differences between regions of the globe, nor agricultural techniques or animal domestication potential, nor the happenstance of geographical variance in mineral distribution, etc., all of which seemed central. Marx primarily discussed socio-political relations throughout history leading to the form of industrial economy contemporary to his works. This was tangent to Diamond's work.

[Nades129]

ethnocentricism.

this is what this is

[RIEM333]

BOTH OF THESE GUYS NEED AN ANTI-DRUG

[socritic]

You never did get around to actually showing how he is a Marxist. Maybe this should have been a three parter.

[mistertakeda]

Agreed.

[TallBrooklynGuy]

i agree with some of your critique on diamond. i have criticized his work as well but "we know there is not a gd"? and no! we DON'T know where the universe came from. even the most hard lines evolutionists agree. they say "but we're getting there" if you're going to make a video about the critique of a book, stick to the subject please.

[BatuSmoka808]

the downside to our "advanced civilization"= global warming, the killing of our own planet. at least hunter-gatherers worked with nature instead of against it. we come from nature.

[nosefries]

Great video!

[ozerbarmeir]

we know god doesn't exsist wtf how do u know that any way just about everything in this video is flawed if a super advanced martian society with laser beams invaded earth would u advocate that we humans let ourselves be exterminated because they are so much more advanced

[CmdrTobs]

I love this hang over from the 50's of branding people Marxist if they don't advocate further unsustainable consumption. Its so silly, does not look 'cool' or 'hardline' like it did in the 50's.

Diamond just talks about differences in wealth of cultures and explains. His ideas are no that ground breaking. Its been know for a while the oldest city remains are east/west from the fertile crescent. A lot of people still prefer the 'white mans burden' argument. Based on religious made up nonsense.

[Mkundera]

I just finished Jared Diamond's book and saw the National Geographic special on his work. I disagree with Diamond on just about everything - he is a determinist, albeit in this case a geographical determinist and his ideas are not new, they are old. He also tried to disprove things that no serious people advocate anyway. That said, this video is POOR. So many things to attack Diamond with and Mr. Cropper just goes off on a bunch of tangents.

[osanobunaga]

I'm reading the book at the time I'm writing this message and I still don't see where you found marxism in it. And for the record, stop make you look like a fool cause it doesn't help getting a better image of your country that I assume to be America. And onece again, stop the beer !

[Hershey]

what you are saying is just as ludicrous. to suggest that people whose lifestyle you know nothing about nor have experienced is a miserable lifestyle is silly at best. Secondly, the blunt statement that "we know that God doesn't exist" is where you hit rock bottom...I didn't bother listening to the rest of this falderal...

[rarelibra]

Tribal hunter-gatherers weren't miserable necessarily. Their progress involved technological advancement, plain and simple. It increased longevity, ease of work, etc. But it isn't all necessarily good or implies progress towards "happiness." Someone locked into playing Nintendo is not necessarily happier than someone taking in a sunset before sitting by the campfire.

[olalee82]

what page are you on? could you cite this please

[gagolplap]

absolutely right, sir. I thought I was the only one who was fed up with Jared Diamond getting constant awards for stating the obvious along with obvious fallacies, in what is basically a long-winded essay. This video totally made my day XD

[88ragtime]

Diamond and Chomsky probably blow each other.

Excellent video, sir!

[Aristotle100]

I laughed my ass off when I read that, thanks for the laugh I needed it.

[rarelibra]

this dude has no clue what he is talking about. He's probably NEVER been to another culture - let alone one that is "lesser" and seen happy people - even if they don't "progress" towards more technology. Humans CREATE the want/need/desire for more technology - but not necessarily for happiness.

[AlternativePower]

waaaaay off!! Jared Diamond is way off but this guy takes the cake!!!!

[suburiboy]

you fucking racist.

you should have clearly thought this out

and clearly are wrong

you have no friends or family

he doesn't say gov't is bad.

and you ignore the substance of the the book. you are not argue on basis of opinions and not the missed or misinterpreted facts

[bonerbeagle]

Your ideas and comments are unorganized ramblings dabbling in ethnocentrism and fascism. You have an elementary understanding of not only Marxism but also his concept of historical materialism. Diamond's major anthropological premise of the book has absolutely nothing to do with Marx's theories of political economy whatsoever. Cultural relativism is something you sorely need to learn. This disgusted me.

And one last thing- "Richard Diamond" ?

[bluntgent]

did he just said richard diamond?

[ITubeSheTubes]

You just gotta love those "quotation marks" with his fingers.

By the way how is J. Diamond a Marxist? Or an idiot?

Speaking of idiots ...

[harkmiatt]

As someone who seems to take Ayn Rand seriously (and without appealing to authority most professional philosophers don't) your idea that anybody states that all civilizations are equal is naive. Read some Nietzsche and re-evaluate your own values. from your own perspective your civilization is better, from another view it becomes subjective. You are merely imposing your own values on all of us for ill.

[NickDanger0001]

Let's hear something other than your "feelings." "Indonesia or whatever," did you actually hear or read Diamond? What a pathetic person. "Without a doubt," oh, plenty of doubts about your presentation. "Obvious," oh, of course.  Present some actual facts, not your unsupported opinion. "Marxist?" LOL, is that the best you can do?

[shanismaximus]

If Diamond isn't enough for you, read Jung or Freud. They give a comprehensive analysis of civilization vs. more primitive cultures. Reducing the issue to "Marxism" makes me think you were educated in a primitive culture! Lol.

[novazembla]

also, he never said there was no reason to study European culture or that "civilization" isn't better than hunting and gathering. he addressed criticisms that some people might have of his work.

[novazembla]

you're crazy.

Jared Diamond is a materialist. Karl Marx is a materialist. that does not mean that Jared Diamond is a Marxist -- the fact that you said that makes me think that you've definitely never read Marx, and you probably haven't read anything more than Diamond's introduction. did you? if not, why didn't you address any of that?

[exclamation3mark]

4 Geography determines what occurs wildly, thus what you domesticate, what crops/ animals you can share and is the prime reason to move in the first place. If England hadnt crouded iut the tiny istand with colonies ( Ireland, Scotland, Wales) ie geography they would not so urgently needed to move about in search of land.

[exclamation3mark]

2 their history. Geography determines feasibility, what ever your high ambitions. They came before Columbus (a book) will tell you the ambition of one Black price who decided there nust be land beyond the sea. He got in gis boat of what ever magnitude and made it the South America.

[eugeniobb]

To the author of the video (I did not get your name).... I wish to congratulate with you for being the most arrogant idiot ever performing on youtube!

eugenio belgiojoso

Italy

[bak2work]

This guy wants to be famous so bad. I stopped listening after the first few sentences, totally uninteresting. On the other hand, I couldn't turn Jared Diamond's documentary off. I'm so sorry to everyone who's comfort zone is shattered by Diamond's assertions. God forbid anyone shatter the notions of white supremacy for people who have enjoyed it as a warm, security blanket all of their lives.

[whatyoudreamof]

E.g.: you make assumptions based on your personal sense of superiority, such as that members of modern societies are happier than members of hunter-gatherer societies, and take them as self-evident.

THAT assumption is particularly ironic, because everything about your presentation makes you seem like a typically miserable, Amer-Eurocentric, atheist, white, miseducated male.

[whatyoudreamof]

You are frighteningly Amer-Eurocentric in your worldview. You also seem quite shallow, but those traits sort of go hand in hand.

[scrunchymatic]

You ever read the book "affluenza" well if you haven't read it, you should.

[librophile]

..."If that doesn't alert you to something about our culture, you're blind, deaf and dumb"...

Your puerile reply evidences your lack of intellect !!

[librophile]

Jared Diamond received the Pulitzer Price for his book "Guns, Germs and Steel" which is the highest National Honor for the excellence in print journalism and literary achievement. Only when you will be able to show such high qualification in your curriculum vitae, if I was you, I would refrain myself from spewing any irrelevant and unfounded criticism of his work. You sound absolutely moronic, to say the least.

[MrCropper]

"Jared Diamond received the Pulitzer Price for his book "Guns, Germs and Steel" which is the highest National Honor for the excellence in print journalism and literary achievement"

If that doesn't alert you to something about our culture, you're blind, deaf and dumb.

[sekretsauce]

It shows that the Scientific Method and consensus of the Scientific Community is something that you do not agree with. That really shows what kind of person YOU are. You rely on science to tell you how your TV works, how your car runs, why you get sick, yet you don't question them. The second science disagrees with your Hillbilly philosophy, you disregard it.

[sublimesam]

The only observation i'd like to make is that to decrying the notion that our ideas of progress are assumptions by saying that these things are obvious and implied and speaking in sarcastic tones is self-defeating. It should be clear to those of average intellect that these tactics only recruit the opinions of either the choir to whom one is preaching or morons waiting eagerly to jump on the bandwagon of someone who sounds authoritative. So if you've convinced few, dont be suprised. That's all.

[spictaculars]

Your a dummy Jared Diamond is so much smarter than you dont try to hate on him for being smart and rich

[fredday]

Unfortunately this exchange has way too much hate, name calling and mudslinging and not enough facts. I am reading the book and find it interesting to consider geography and the role it plays in society/development. I seek out the facts rather than try to prove a theory or set of values (this is my own attempt to be objective). I suggest toning down one-up-man ship and bringing up some solid facts. Good luck to you all.

[cropperb]

This video, and diamonds book, are not about "facts" but rather ideas.

[fredday]

Hmmm interesting. So do you agree with Diamonds facts that he brings up and his interpretation of the facts that geographic location and teh resources that come with it is a major part in how societies develop? This is the main argument is it not?

[cropperb]

The primary cause of history (human history) is philosophy. As Ayn Rand said, "Other forces are a factor, but the primary force in human history is the science of ideas, philosophy." [I quote from memory].

Diamond's method of looking for determinism couched in the environment is just another behavioristic model. He just gives it a multiculturalist/Marxist spin.

[fredday]

So according to Rand's theory the science of ideas has always been there, even before the existence of societies and civilizations? or am I missing the point? (can you give me Rand's definition of the science of ideas).

[cropperb]

Philosophy is the science of ideas. If humans had it from the beginning, we wouldn't have spent 100,000 years living in caves, hunting and gathering.

Plato was first to organize philosophy as a discipline. Aristotle was first to give a formal method of deduction (extrapolated from the math known at his time).

[fredday]

Thanks for the update. So can we agree that there has always been ideas but the science of ideas is what is unique to some societies? Diamond attempts to go to a time before there was philosophy (which I assume depends on civilization to exist). So your beef is that Diamonds historical materialism on Modern or historically recent societies is flawed?

[cropperb]

My beef is that historical materialism is flawed.

[godofthisshit]

@cropperb

That's a very Eurocentric view. China, West Africa and the middle east also had it's own philosophers. Plato was the first in Europe

[johndoe77774444]

i agree that there are many ways to objectively measure society in which the Eurasians win. to say that western society is equal to khoisan society is false, but it is hardly the point of diamond's book. his point is that the inequivalencies btw societies arose bc of the geographical conditions

[johndoe77774444]

If only diamond had ommited the part about new guinean intelligence and the parts where he argues that comparing societies is too subjective you would be able to see the strong arguments he has for geographical effects on societal development

[SSJSampson]

I have barely read any books in my life, but i have read the first chapter of this book and as AKOBADAGETHV even a layman like me could see through his PC BS!! I was reading it because i want to get into politics and philosophy. Me of all people but i have woken up to the nightmare of multiculturalism and i want to do something.

[DebateTeam]

If you have"woken up to the nightmare of Multiculturalism," then you might start by reading Ayn Rand's book, "For the New Intelectual" - it is an excellent introduction to politics, philosophy, and history.

[SSJSampson]

Hopefully i can get that book in England. I was studying wildlife conservation but because of global warming and globalisation it seems hopeless i would rather save my own race then try to save some doomed species. I aim to go to university to study politics and philosophy, i feel i might be in over my head but i actually have a reason to study for once : )

[tigerfish03]

cropperb, you are a very smart person. I enjoy your videos. I felt the same way about that book. I don't understand why so many Westerners would like a book that demeans them. We have created the greatest civilization in the world, and we shouldn't be ashamed of that.

[ElHuapango]

BORING! Faggot! You need to believe in God... you're un-American... why don't leave America if you don't like it... MORON!

[cropperb]

@Elhuipango

I love America. Its the greatest nation ever ever ever. Ever. Stop praying and read more. And start thinking.

[ElHuapango]

White People Rule... you suck! Go back to where you belong with all of your mud race trash you love so much. You start reading more.

[goat909295]

ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY ARE CULTURALLY NEUTRAL. Diamond treats all cultures as equally valuable. So what? What the hell does that have to do with Karl Marx? Ayn Rand's tome, written during the height of the Cold War, has fogged your mind so that you see commies everywhere.

[goat909295]

TREATING CULTURES AS EQUALLY VALUABLE avoids the genocide committed by countless conquerors since 1492 -- the attitude that, We've got civilization, so get out of the way, or die.

[tigerfish03]

And today the entire third world (gasp can I use that term) want to immigrate to our countries and enjoy what we created. Why would they want to come live with us Westerners (evil whites) if they feel that we created such a barbarous civilization?

[cropperb]

@goat

You are wrong on all counts my friend. Are you walking on your head? because you are upside down.

[ZEEDEVEEL88]

I understand your idea of a teleological progress of history but human progress is not unilineal and if you stepped into a history or anthropology class for a minute you would be crucified for such an opinion. Get over your superiority complex and read the book. Your rant on Marx is starting to sound quite Macarthy-like my friend, inability and intolerance of alternative systems is always a sign of a feeble mind.

[URGGH]

Cropper's is not so much a conception of history as it is a Hegelian brain fart.

[tigerfish03]

It isn't a matter of intolerance, it is a matter of stating things how they are. Is it wrong to say that a society that has laws is better than a society that practices cannibalism?

[shanismaximus]

How does Diamond's evenhandedness (which, apparently, gets your panties in a bunch) taint his analysis of societal evolution? He uses crystal clear facts and stunning logic to explain why certain societies advanced while others did not. This "Marxism" you gurgle and sputter about is simply irrelevant.

[cropperb]

I guess you didn't watch the video. That or your brain was turned off.

[shanismaximus]

Are you actually going to respond to my argument? Or are you just going to throw insults like a nine-year-old?

Tell me: What does this "Marxism" have to do with the actual ideas put forth in the book? Diamond's opinion on western civilization versus hunter-gatherer peoples has literally nothing to do with his pragmatic analysis of societal evolution--which, indeed, is what the book is actually about.

[cropperb]

Respond to your argument? I'm mortal. I'll die soon (50 years?). I don't have time to give you a free basic education, which is obviously what you need. If you pay me, maybe I can find some time....

[shanismaximus]

Wow. You are very immature. Rather than defending yourself with logical reasoning, all you can do is sling mud at me. Similarly, rather than discussing the actual ideas put forth in Guns Germs and Steel, you pinpoint a relatively inconsequential opinion in the prologue and use it to crucify Diamond. You say philosophy is more important than environment in explaining human history? Ha! You clearly didn't read the book.

[cropperb]

I rest my case.

[shanismaximus]

Pathetic

[FartheadOgre]

He's just a moderately educated American attempting to espouse his inbred fanaticism for European dominance. He has no argument and you've revealed this quite candidly.

[bwehrens]

Despite the arrogant name calling tone of this video I agree. Diamond among with a growing number of "intellectuals" are replacing facts and reality for leftist multicultural brainwashing.

[bapyou]

The entire tone of your "crticism" of Diamond's work is merely that of a contrarian. You don't truly engage with Diamond's ideas; you merely refuse them and make an opposite claim. Calling him an "idiot" says everything about you. Name calling is the weakest form of argumentation. Further, you're afraid.

[tigerfish03]

It didn't appear to me that he was only name calling. He carried forth his argument making very rational points.

[bapyou]

With respect to tribal hunter-gatherers and their relative well being, many anthropological studies have show that, in fact, it takes greater amounts of energy to sustain a sedentary agricultural society than it does to sustain a hunter-gatherer society. Worth contemplating.

[cropperb]

The conclusion is that civilization (agriculture) comes at a cost.

[Urdunchimeg]

Hmmmmm more of your racist rantings. Many of the civilizations such as the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas did experience the rise and flowering of civilization. They needed not pig suckled swineheard to show them te way lol.

[DanielM12345678]

What the...he's drinking Natty Ice?!?! Never trust a person that drinks Natty Ice...

[cropperb]

Natty Lite, not Ice. Ice is nasty.

[tariqziyad]

greek culture? greeks dont have a culture, they learned their stuff from the egyptians and hertodus says so himself that they "learned at the feet of egyptians"

african moors brought europe of out barbarism, which "western' culture has just wiped out of history

[cropperb]

You are so severely uninformed that I don't know where to start.... So start by wathicng all my videas and reading Atlas Shrugged.

[whatyoudreamof]

Good God, you are surely flame.

[isese]

You have been so americanized that u don't see the history that you look at is a biased view look at it from another way you sound like an ignorant idiot maybe you should shut up and not talk about htings untill you stop americanizing everything

[nine9s]

So people who are pro-America are biased? Maybe you're biased against America. But what does that have to do with the video?

[johnshipe]

Typical of shallow thinking(yours)is the straining for some kind of orthodoxy, and the attribution of orthodoxy to others. (I find no ortodoxy in Diamond, just good food for thought.)

[cropperb]

You are clearly a victim of the statist brainwashing of the last century. Marxism seems like common sense to you - you can't even detect it. Sad.

[johnshipe]

That's exactly what I'm talking about: "You don't buy my arguments; you must be a Marxist too... without even knowing it."

[johnshipe]

Nope, didn't prove he was a Marxist, nor an idiot. You did prove that you are simplistic who has difficulty with complex discussions about culture and history. You'll make a good radio talk host.

[Klunky4billion]

did he say richard diamond?

[cropperb]

Freudian slip, I think. The familial form of richard is dick, which is what I think Mr. Diamond is. ; )

[laotsu7777]

this guy is turd...what a moron...what is the root of your anger...America is socialist...we just don't call it that as we do not want to offend the sheep...just like the minute men. Diamonds work is in line with most major works of socialogy and archeology anyway...duh...people who don't agree with his take are pretty much the minority hate to say...taxed on three ends in America with no choice but we ain;t socialists? stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid

[cropperb]

" boring enlightenment based individualization "

Hardly an appropriate way to describe one of mankind's most important philisophical events.

And I describe reality ostensibly (by pointing at it) because the five senses are human's only contact with reality.

[Vice81]

As for the individual being a void or creative nothing, that is a far more radical conception to base ones freedom on as opposed to the boring enlightenment based individualization that that silly resentfull girl from Russia could ever formulate. When rationalism is taken as a fixation you bind the individual. Stirner saw that and pushed radical subjectivity to its limits.

[Vice81]

Well considering he coined the phrase I think has for more legitimicy to authentic egoism than bland rand. Certainly he was anti-foundationalist and a big precurser to Neitzsche. Reality for him is something that is constructed, if you think otherwise try descibing the big R without relying on some type of human text.

[Vice81]

Actually the real egoist is Max Stirner who would have called such things as progress and regression civil/uncivil spooks.

[cropperb]

Sterner is NOT an egoist. He is a Cartesian-Hegelian who denies the reality of existence. Whatever else he may babble about, when he denies that reality exists and calls the individual a "void" he is NOT advocating any rational arguments, egoism least of all.

[Theaterkunst]

Close minded perspective from someone who cannot use a valid argument.

[Maestrocanteen]

I could see how it would be easy for someone who's never experienced or known any one who's experienced a family oriented society, to call it marxist and rubbish and not worth a shit compared to modern civilazation and technology, but that would make you egocentric. It's very american of you to hide under the ole' McArthiest banner.

[cropperb]

Egocentric - that's me. McArthy is a stretch. Are you familiar with Ayn Rand's egoism?

[templarart]

Jared Diamond is a flaming idiot! Thanks for exposing this moron!  Don't you need a religion to think like this? Why would a NON-religionist think in an anti-science, reverse-Darwinian manner? Brainwashed, post-modernist idiots!

[MetaMorphy]

How can survival not be better than death. He is a damn fool (everything involves gain and loss, nor does the loss of friends and families necessarily follow from progress). Generally, they are less because we don't need it.