The internet

[Henk]

There's a problem with communication. This is what Peter Hammill, the great musician, also stressed.

@AnotherSpin Sergii, you know I value ethics and philosophy. You rather go against or ignore it and you tried to persuade me. Is it strange that we don't get along then? And I still distrust your comments, your behaviour. I have my feelings and it has to do with the world, not you in particular. It doesn't mean I distrust you as a person. I just want to stay connected in good faith with everyone here.

[AnotherSpin]

If I distrust it, I distrust it. You can try to convince me, but you can't change my feelings.

No problem, perfectly fine with me

[Henk]

When I write there's a problem with communication, I mean for instance:

I think you depend too much on the thought of others, and not enough on yourself (at least what I've seen on this forum).

I responded with 'That's fair to say'. But by this I don't admit I can't think for myself or that I haven't shown that here or else. Maybe my response has given rise to suspicion.

I admit that too much philosophy or ethics can be a problem. And I'm also aware of this problem and I do my best not to lose myself in it.

I'm not a group-thinker, that's all I can say.

[Henk]

You're mistaken, it just seemed that way. I'm asking completely sincerely. If you find something interesting, please share it. The only reason I visit this forum every day is that I discover interesting things from different members.

Not particulary interesting, but quite essential if you want to use Vivaldi for GMG: When you reply on a comment the text doesn't scroll if you are typing in the text box. You have to click on the area outside the text box if you want to scroll.

And as I wrote: for a album cover or picture that you have found on the web to post you need to download it first. At least when I tried to link it directly it didn't work.

[AnotherSpin]

There's a problem with communication. This is what Peter Hammill, the great musician, also stressed.

@AnotherSpin Sergii, you know I value ethics and philosophy. You rather go against or ignore it and you tried to persuade me. Is it strange that we don't get along then? And I still distrust your comments, your behaviour. I have my feelings and it has to do with the world, not you in particular. It doesn't mean I distrust you as a person. I just want to stay connected in good faith with everyone here.

You have already formed your opinion, and that suits me; I am not going to try to convince you or anyone else of anything. At most, I can share how I see one thing or another, but under no circumstances will I demand that anyone agrees with me. I have no need for this

As for ethics and philosophy, this is how I see it. Ethics is not a beginning, but an end. People who know the truth lack nothing and have no reason or motivation to act unethically. Philosophy can be entertainment or a distraction, but it cannot change a person or their life. Philosophy works with the mind, and the mind is beyond control.

[drogulus]

You think I am the enemy?

    Oh no, they are totally alien to this planet and our life form, and totally dangerous.

[AnotherSpin]

I like Peter Hammill, both his solo projects and Van Der Graaf Generator.

[hopefullytrusting]

When I write there's a problem with communication, I mean for instance:

I responded with 'That's fair to say'. But by this I don't admit I can't think for myself or that I haven't shown that here or else. Maybe my response has given rise to suspicion.

I admit that too much philosophy or ethics can be a problem. And I'm also aware of this problem and I do my best not to lose myself in it.

I'm not a group-thinker, that's all I can say.

No offense intended, but most of what you say on here, in threads like these, seems parroted.

[Henk]

Oh no, they are totally alien to this planet and our life form, and totally dangerous.

I don't know who you mean by 'they'. I agree though there are a species of humans that don't befit. Let's win the struggle.

[Henk]

You have already formed your opinion, and that suits me; I am not going to try to convince you or anyone else of anything. At most, I can share how I see one thing or another, but under no circumstances will I demand that anyone agrees with me. I have no need for this

As for ethics and philosophy, this is how I see it. Ethics is not a beginning, but an end. People who know the truth lack nothing and have no reason or motivation to act unethically. Philosophy can be entertainment or a distraction, but it cannot change a person or their life. Philosophy works with the mind, and the mind is beyond control.

Yes, but philosophy and ethics often amount to the same thing: a better or happier life, a better society, better science or art etc...

[Florestan]

Yes, but philosophy and ethics often amount to the same thing: a better or happier life, a better society, better science or art etc...

Check your PM, buddy!

[71 dB]

Yes, but philosophy and ethics often amount to the same thing: a better or happier life, a better society, better science or art etc...

...less hate and greed. 

[Henk]

...less hate and greed. 

It's not unusual nowadays for people to own three cars.

It's almost in our culture that you don't count if you don't own a car.

I contempt this.

[AnotherSpin]

It's not unusual nowadays for people to own three cars.

It's almost in our culture that you don't count if you don't own a car.

I contempt this.

We have two cars in a family of three. But we need both, because we live in two different places an hour's drive apart, so it is merely a necessity. Nevertheless, I walk a lot, and every day I take a long walk, on average about 5 km, though sometimes much longer.

[Henk]

We have two cars in a family of three. But we need both, because we live in two different places an hour's drive apart, so it is merely a necessity. Nevertheless, I walk a lot, and every day I take a long walk, on average about 5 km, though sometimes much longer.

In my opinion the government or administrations should make policy so that cars are less of a necessity.

In some places this goes well. Paris for example.

[AnotherSpin]

In my opinion the government or administrations should make policy so that cars are less of a necessity.

In some places this goes well. Paris for example.

In cities where everything is densely arranged, public transport is well organised, or there are cycle lanes, or cheap taxis/Ubers are available, one can easily do without private cars. Metro in Paris makes a difference. But in places where the focus is on individual means of transport, public transit is underdeveloped and distances are large, personal vehicles are essential.

When I lived in India, even in big cities like Jaipur or Chennai, I managed perfectly well with tuk-tuks - tiny three-wheeled motor rickshaws with cabins for two-three passengers. Cheap, fast and terrifying, what more could you want for a bit of fun?

[Henk]

In cities where everything is densely arranged, public transport is well organised, or there are cycle lanes, or cheap taxis/Ubers are available, one can easily do without private cars. Metro in Paris makes a difference. But in places where the focus is on individual means of transport, public transit is underdeveloped and distances are large, personal vehicles are essential.

When I lived in India, even in big cities like Jaipur or Chennai, I managed perfectly well with tuk-tuks - tiny three-wheeled motor rickshaws with cabins for two-three passengers. Cheap, fast and terrifying, what more could you want for a bit of fun?

We all need to emigrate to India. 😀

One can travel by train through Europe instead of flying.

I agree that individual transport remains necessary. I only object to cars because as a non-car owner one has to deal with the bad consequences. My main objections are that they are everwhere, they're ugly, they dominate public space. There are solutions to address these problems. Part of the problem is people's mentality. People can easily walk or take their bicycle for many things, but they are addicted to their cars.

[AnotherSpin]

We all need to emigrate to India. 😀

One can travel by train through Europe instead of flying.

I agree that individual transport remains necessary. I only object to cars because as a non-car owner one has to deal with the bad consequences. My main objections are that they are everwhere, they're ugly, they dominate public space. There are solutions to address these problems. Part of the problem is people's mentality. People can easily walk or take their bicycle for many things, but they are addicted to their cars.

Our flat in the heart of Odessa is on one of the main streets, perhaps the very central one, and I am entirely in favour of closing the entire city centre, all the central blocks, to any traffic, especially cars driven by idiots blasting rap at full volume.

As for India, it is not quite so straightforward. Life there is not easy for every foreigner; adapting to many aspects can be challenging. I used to travel to India every year from 2007 onwards, spending increasing amounts of time there. I even considered making a more permanent move, but property rights are severely restricted for foreigners.

Everything came to a halt during the pandemic. I visited once more in 2024, though that may well have been my last time. India has changed considerably under Modi's leadership. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say that some friends of mine who lived in India for 20 or 30 years are now planning to leave the country for good. All good things must come to an end, and I am glad I had the chance to be there.

[71 dB]

It's not unusual nowadays for people to own three cars.

It's almost in our culture that you don't count if you don't own a car.

I contempt this.

This is perhaps true in the US. I live in Helsinki, Finland with good public transportation. I don't own a car nor do I need one.