11–20 of 54 posts
It seems like this is almost a requirement any time a new country is created as people & especially governments are very likely to sell you land, but not sell you control.
> I have a hypothesis, that the most life-capable beings are those, who are able to cope with risk and fear, cross the line of comfort zone, and explore new unknown areas. In this manner, America inherited the best ones in the world, and I think this is one of the reasons why America is the wealthiest country, according to several measurements. Uh, this is the first time I have heard that Americans are somehow geneti…
It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risks. Some of that will have been passed down to their kids, not genetically but how they were raised and educated. It was simply a much bigger gamble to head across the Atlantic than it was to cross the English Channel. You still see this today, altho' to a…
As JetSetWilly pointed out, this lack explanatory power. For instance, it does not explain why the USA is a global power whereas Agentina, Brazil and Mexico are far from it. So while this may be necessary, it cannot be sufficient.
America was founded by political dissidents, religious nut bags, criminals, and paranoid sociopaths who couldn't cut it in civilized Europe.
Today, America is controlled by billionaires that profit from and exploit that same paranoia and fear. Yes, America is a nation that is nearly entirely crippled by fear. Originally, we were afraid of spirits, and later we were afraid of werewolves, and then witches. Now, we're afraid of terrorists, gays, education, and essentially anyone who is different than us.
Also: Why in Xolotl's name is this on Hacker News?!?
> I have a hypothesis, that the most life-capable beings are those, who are able to cope with risk and fear, cross the line of comfort zone, and explore new unknown areas. In this manner, America inherited the best ones in the world, and I think this is one of the reasons why America is the wealthiest country, according to several measurements. Uh, this is the first time I have heard that Americans are somehow geneti…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risks. Some of that will have been passed down to their kids, not genetically but how they were raised and educated. It was simply a much bigger gamble to head across the Atlantic than it was to cross the English Channel. You still see this today, altho' to a…
> Anyone who is working or has moved overseas is likely to be among the most ambitious of their peer group from back home. Also likely to be from a wealthy or otherwise privileged background: wealth offers opportunity and permits risk-taking.
Maybe likely - but not required. It sounds nice, but until you have a source for this, I'm not likely to believe it.
If anything, especially with these types of endeavors, where there's not just money, but life to be lost - I'd presume that the wealthy would have more to lose than someone with nothing.
In other words, with a wealthy person taking risks has a much higher opportunity cost than someone with nothing to lose.
As an aside, you can move abroad to asia & live for a fraction of the cost that you'd require in the states. International travel & work isn't just the domain of the wealthy anymore.
On the contrary, we need fewer countries, fewer borders and more decentralization.
> more decentralization
Pick one. More countries means more decentralization.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risks. Some of that will have been passed down to their kids, not genetically but how they were raised and educated. It was simply a much bigger gamble to head across the Atlantic than it was to cross the English Channel. You still see this today, altho' to a…
> It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risk As JetSetWilly pointed out, this lack explanatory power. For instance, it does not explain why the USA is a global power whereas Agentina, Brazil and Mexico are far from it. So while this may be necessary, it cannot be sufficient.
On the contrary, we need fewer countries, fewer borders and more decentralization.