New Zeitgeist Movie Trailer

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   Shinkickerposted 13 years ago

   Looking forward to seeing the new Zeitgeist Movie. Thought provoking even if you don't agree with their views
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6QxZZ954YU

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      Cmbeverlyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't agree with all of the views but I do agree with a majority of them. I think they should offer more solutions rather than just point to the problems and then maybe more people will notice them. Not crazy non practical solutions but legitimate real world solutions that people can't disagree with.

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         Shinkickerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the reply Cmbeverly.
         
         I suppose that Jacques Freesco might argue that he is ofering solutions that are realistic. Many things he was saying back in the 70's seemed outlandish but now seem prophetic. e.g. recycling energy, even downloading music onto computer
         
         Have you seen his famous interview with Larry King from 1974? It's on Youtube. Sorry I can't provide a link.

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   Evan G Rogersposted 13 years ago

   Zeitgeist makes some seemingly plausible arguments, but then you realize that it doesn't make much sense.
   
   For example: how could a prison company create crime? It would have to pay for people to go out an commit crime (perhaps by buying illegal drugs? or perhaps by inciting the populace to become disorderly?)... but how could "paying some guy money to commit a crime" at all be profitable?
   
   Prison Company: "Hey, i'll pay you $200 to go out and get arrested! then we'll treat you really nice IF you get into our prison! Sure, you won't be able to lead a healthy life - no girlfriends, no sex, no video games, no nothing... but WE'LL be making a profit!"
   
   ... it just doesn't make sense. The natural order of supply and demand don't allow such nonsense.
   
   And what if they got caught by (somehow) creating a profit in such a way? They'd be torn down brick by brick! When some private prison guard beat up an inmate (from what i understand, a pretty routine event in most prisons), there were calls throughout the media to not only have that prison thrown out, but to abolish the entire private-prison system altogether!!

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      Cmbeverlyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't want to seem argumentative but private prison companies can create crime just not in a direct way. You almost hit the nail on the head with the statement
      "perhaps inciting the populace to become disorderly" 
      A private corporation lobbying the government to pass its own agendas can  "incite" disorderly conduct by creating an environment of inequality denying citizens basics like a proper education and or opportunities. There have been numerous studies that clearly show most petty crime is related to poverty and an uneducated populace. Let me put it this way, If all you ever knew since childhood came from television, then you would not have an accurate view of the world. Further more if all you learn is that you need to struggle and only a small percentage will make it out then why would you care? Just like you don't understand the connection to crime and private corporations, criminals don't understand the connection between working and receiving fair compensation. In closing I would just like to say this; If the goal of a private "company" is to turn a profit and the "product" the company leverages is "inmates" then logically the company isn't going to want to stop crime and put itself out of business. They can't pay people to commit crime but they can pass petty and trivial laws into practice that penalize ordinary people for things that do no harm to themselves or others, ie going to jail for not paying parking tickets or not paying child support... I hope this all made sense.

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         Evan G Rogersposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         "There have been numerous studies that clearly show most petty crime is related to poverty and an uneducated populace."
         
         But were they able to show causation?

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            Neil Sperlingposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Interesting - There have been studies that clearly show most white collar crime is related to greed and power tripping within a very educated segment of the populace.
            
            But were they able to show causation?

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      Shinkickerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That reminds me of  the movie 'Capitalism: A Love Story' by Michael Moore where a local judge in the US was sending juveniles to a detention centre because he was making cash from the private company running the centre. The kids were incarcerated for really trivial misdemeanours

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   Absolutely! They trade prisoners on the stock exchange like cattle. More prisoners=more profit=better for the bottom line.
   One of the most scary things to come along in a long time.
   
   And I also totally agree that certain segments of society are disadvantaged for a reason. It's easier to recruit people to do your dirty work for you if they're desperate for money. Much like war!

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