Russell Brand for PM

[Him Her]

I really should get round to reading Animal Farm.

I doubt you'd learn more about Communism than you already know!

Anyway, back to RB, love him or loathe him he's an eloquent chap and obviously not short on brain cells. The problem with this kind of Blue Sky stuff (like Anonymous et al) is they have no solution do they? It's okay to complain about stuff and he's right, there ought to be a better way. There is, but you won't get it because it means the people in power giving up too much, like cash, yachts, power and so forth.

That's activists for you!

 

[hamba]

What I hate is all the talk about a meritocracy as if it is an ideal to strive for. Who decides what or who has merit.

 

[Spectre]

I thought I'd have a quick look at this video.

"A socialist egalitarian system based on the massive distribution of wealth..." - We'll start with yours then Russell, how about giving your fortune away?


He should stick to being unfunny and performing sexual favours for strangers in Soho pub toilets.

 

[Him Her]

"A socialist egalitarian system based on the massive distribution of wealth..." - We'll start with yours then Russell, how about giving your fortune away?

I missed the video but it has been considered for some time that if the wealth of the planet was equally divided amongst the population it would not take long before rich people emerged. There's no data but I'd guess under 12 months.

People want different things so equality can't work, neither can meritocracy because people value different things.

 

[D 8 RCS]

I doubt you'd learn more about Communism than you already know!

Anyway, back to RB, love him or loathe him he's an eloquent chap and obviously not short on brain cells. The problem with this kind of Blue Sky stuff (like Anonymous et al) is they have no solution do they? It's okay to complain about stuff and he's right, there ought to be a better way. There is, but you won't get it because it means the people in power giving up too much, like cash, yachts, power and so forth.

That's activists for you!

I loathed the guy but he went up in my opinion because at least he voiced the fact that the majority are being screwed for the sake of the minority. Revolution ? as you say it will never happen as apathy reigns.
Activists ? usually the reason why more people don't support their real beliefs because they see the face of extremism of their own belief.
The rich and powerful will always stay rich and powerful because they only have a minority to convince what is right for them and not have a conscience about how they do it. Today's society has made it even easier for them because they do not even have to pay a pretty penny to get others to do their dirty work, they just give them a title................................How many "Managers" does business have today ? and how many of these "Managers" think because of their title they are "Middle Class" ?
They are not "Middle Class" they are "Kiss my ass (arse.. dependant on geographical location)" and they no longer even get paid a judas bonus for doing it !
It is this group that are more likely to be egalitarians but their equality is achieved by bringing levels down to achieve a majority of equality.

 

[Him Her]

Is it not simpler? Going back to the @little_pob post referring to 'equality of opportunity' and 'equality of outcome' let's say all schools are equally good, all are fee-free and open to all, all have sufficient staff to help the slower student pass the exam(s) so students leave with 'equality of opportunity', right?

But some of them are still thick (sorry, excuse my French, but some people are thick, doesn't make them bad ffs).

So, they get jobs but the bright ones move on faster as there's no-one to help the thick ones who have the same qualifications. The 'equality of opportunity' part just went for a shit! Sorry, just doesn't work. The difference between bright and thick could be rewarded differently but you'd have to be careful, why be a smart-arse if you just get a £1 an hour more than a dopey bar-steward?

Sorry, Devil's Advocate hat on here, anyone got a solution???

 

[D 8 RCS]

Is it not simpler? Going back to the @little_pob post referring to 'equality of opportunity' and 'equality of outcome' let's say all schools are equally good, all are fee-free and open to all, all have sufficient staff to help the slower student pass the exam(s) so students leave with 'equality of opportunity', right?

But some of them are still thick (sorry, excuse my French, but some people are thick, doesn't make them bad ffs).

So, they get jobs but the bright ones move on faster as there's no-one to help the thick ones who have the same qualifications. The 'equality of opportunity' part just went for a shit! Sorry, just doesn't work. The difference between bright and thick could be rewarded differently but you'd have to be careful, why be a smart-arse if you just get a £1 an hour more than a dopey bar-steward?

Sorry, Devil's Advocate hat on here, anyone got a solution???

The solution is that we don't have equality for all and sundry, nor would I ever advocate equality for all at all levels.
A skilled surgeon saving lives deserves to be paid more that the guy sweeping the street and I personally cannot see how anyone can argue against that (there are other jobs that are highly paid but are not deserving of that wage, but that is a different subject).
The equality that needs to be achieved is the right to a living wage and an acceptable social life (whether that be holidays, a meal out or just a pint down the pub) and the necessaries to live that life.
We need to ensure that people are not treated as commodities to be utilised only when required and then discarded, this is a treatment that could be described as worse that slavery, because if you were a slave then at least your master would ensure that you are treated well enough to be fit to carry out any duties required of you as it would cost the master more to buy a new slave.

 

[little_pob]

Is it not simpler? Going back to the @little_pob post referring to 'equality of opportunity' and 'equality of outcome' let's say all schools are equally good, all are fee-free and open to all, all have sufficient staff to help the slower student pass the exam(s) so students leave with 'equality of opportunity', right?

But some of them are still thick (sorry, excuse my French, but some people are thick, doesn't make them bad ffs).

So, they get jobs but the bright ones move on faster as there's no-one to help the thick ones who have the same qualifications. The 'equality of opportunity' part just went for a shit! Sorry, just doesn't work. The difference between bright and thick could be rewarded differently but you'd have to be careful, why be a smart-arse if you just get a £1 an hour more than a dopey bar-steward?

Sorry, Devil's Advocate hat on here, anyone got a solution???

Standardised testing (GCSE, A-level) and a Government set curriculum are supposed to level the playing field, at least in state schools. But I don't think anyone would try to argue that equality of opportunity is the same as people being equally able.

I suppose the (overly) simplified question is, should those with ability be deigned the opportunity to achieve greatness based on the socio-economic "misfortune" of their parents? Or, to put it another way, is it fair that those with the means often appear to be afforded opportunities over those with an equal or greater ability?

“I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.” - Stephen Jay Gould

 

[D 8 RCS]

Standardised testing (GCSE, A-level) and a Government set curriculum are supposed to level the playing field, at least in state schools. But I don't think anyone would try to argue that equality of opportunity is the same as people being equally able.

I suppose the (overly) simplified question is, should those with ability be deigned the opportunity to achieve greatness based on the socio-economic "misfortune" of their parents? Or, to put it another way, is it fair that those with the means often appear to be afforded opportunities over those with an equal or greater ability?

That is why I advocated "The equality that needs to be achieved is the right to a living wage and an acceptable social life (whether that be holidays, a meal out or just a pint down the pub) and the necessaries to live that life" this would then ensure that everyone would at least have the means to achieve the chance of advancement should the ability be there.

 

[Spectre]

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[little_pob]

 

[Him Her]

No matter how many you pull down there's always another arsehole on the up

 

[Spectre]

I did suspect that Brand was acting in that interview (since when does Paxman say "arsed"? Bye bye TV standards), after all, he is an "actor".

Brand is a limo-class socialist who is using the real plight of genuine people to make money. He is a millionaire, watch for a book coming out soon.

Russell Brand a revolutionary messiah? Who does he think he's kidding? | Mail Online

 

[Shindig]

When did Paxman grow a beard!
He looks like Trevor Eve!

 

[D 8 RCS]

I did suspect that Brand was acting in that interview (since when does Paxman say "arsed"? Bye bye TV standards), after all, he is an "actor".

Brand is a limo-class socialist who is using the real plight of genuine people to make money. He is a millionaire, watch for a book coming out soon.

Russell Brand a revolutionary messiah? Who does he think he's kidding? | Mail Online

"Acting" is exactly what the politicians do when they state their messages, they also are only self-promoting themselves.
Do I like Russell Brand ? .............No ! Do I like his form of comedy ? ..............No ! Do I think he is a revolutionary messiah ? ........God No !!
Do I think there will be a revolution ? ............No ! Do I think Brand would sacrifice his riches for the benefit of those he spoke of ? ...........No !!
But a least he highlighted the plight of the ordinary man and that alone may make some of the politicians also consider that situation.
For that reason alone he went up in my estimation of him, although that rise probably only raises him just out of the gutter.

 

[Firemouth]

Russell Brand a revolutionary messiah? Who does he think he's kidding? | Mail Online

something about Mr Brand has frightened the Mail. I wonder what it is?
@D 8 RCS my view too.

 

[mas123]

Have yourselfs a look at Russell Brands interview with Jeremy Paxman!!!
does the man make more sense than any politician we have ??
i watched once thru then had to watch again with pause to check
the meaning of some of his words, and he made even more sense,
is it me or does anyone else agree?? Timelord.

I liked the interview, and the things he said were good, but they were all kind of obvious too. I mean, there was nothing original, he want's equality for all and the end to governments pandering to rich corporations. It's like saying I want world peace, no ones going to disagree with me are they? What is he actually doing though, to make this change happen!?

It's all talk and little substance, but good on him for at least speaking up!