Why do you think so many people are bad at maths?

[dcc]

I don't think Australia is in a position to criticise other countries' denial of history just yet.

That's fortunate, as I do not represent Australia in any capacity.  I am not a nationalist.

Are we playing dress-up as a country? Can I play too?

Spot on.

[ninwa]

I don't think Australia is in a position to criticise other countries' denial of history just yet.

That's fortunate, as I do not represent Australia in any capacity.  I am not a nationalist.

But you were replying to what appears to be an insult to the "Aussie Spirit". And I don't see Mao representing China in any capacity.

[dcc]

But you were replying to what appears to be an insult to the "Aussie Spirit". And I don't see Mao representing China in any capacity.

Infer what you will, my point still stands.  Just because you THINK I have a certain position does not necessarily entail that I do.

[Mao]

I'm assuming that statement criticizes the 'chinese spirit', provided that freedom is a 'good' thing. Morality is relative. Maybe stifling freedom turn us on?

I think you misunderstand.  Freedom (which I characterise as property rights) is devoid of morality.  China lacks these rights (indeed, actively opposes them).

Then similarly, 'rights' is also relative. Vegetarians do not see meat as essential. Chinese people may not view freedom as an essential right to have, then whose place is it to say this is such a bad thing?

[Glockmeister]

I'm assuming that statement criticizes the 'chinese spirit', provided that freedom is a 'good' thing. Morality is relative. Maybe stifling freedom turn us on?

I think you misunderstand.  Freedom (which I characterise as property rights) is devoid of morality.  China lacks these rights (indeed, actively opposes them).

Then similarly, 'rights' is also relative. Vegetarians do not see meat as essential. Chinese people may not view freedom as an essential right to have, then whose place is it to say this is such a bad thing?

Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Just because a certain set of people view something as bad, or not essential, does not mean that it is bad, or not essential. I do not believe for a second that 'rights' are inherently relative to a particular social set.

Another thing is that the analogy between Vegetarians and Chinese people is a false analogy. Vegetarians, by definition would find meat as unessential. Chinese people, on the other hand are not defined by their lack of recognition of the rights to freedom.

[tim2541]

i think it might also be the CBF factor aswell lol. most people when it comes for doing maths their just lazy and dont do anything which is why they fail.

[xXNovaxX]

AHHHH, that holy factor, of course

[lukeperry91]

Another reason why Mao's analogy is false is that it has been proven that meat is not essential (at least to human health), whereas freedom cannot be proved to be inessential.
Also, abstaining from eating meat doesn't hurt/impose on anyone, whereas not have freedom does.

[xXNovaxX]

this thread is now locked *sigh*, only like 1/4  of the comments were relevant, most was about freedom, ethnicity, etc etc. *sigh*, well it was sort of funny to read at first, but yeha, .

[dcc]

MOD ACTION: Unlocked thread.

@xXNovaxX:
You shouldn't lock a thread just because you think that it's not going in the direction you wanted it to.  If you have an issue about relevance with any individual posts, report them so that moderators can take action upon them.

[EvangelionZeta]

Another reason why Mao's analogy is false is that it has been proven that meat is not essential (at least to human health), whereas freedom cannot be proved to be inessential.
Also, abstaining from eating meat doesn't hurt/impose on anyone, whereas not have freedom does.

Your argument is fallacious.  You've acknowledged that freedom cannot be proved to be inessential - why does this necessarily mean it can be proved to be essential as well?  If something is either A or B, and we can't prove it to be A, it doesn't necessarily mean it is B.

And the hurt/impose argument isn't even an argument - it's a statement.  Give evidence of your claim, or it doesn't amount to anything other than you posting your emotional response to a certain line of thought.  You have failed to actually address anything, and furthermore it's not as if the Chinese people are oppressed slaves in the first place.  They are allowed to work in the field they want, choose who they want to marry, wear what they want, travel wherever they want - etc.   

I do not believe for a second that 'rights' are inherently relative to a particular social set.

Justify this.  Why do we need rights?  What are the negative effects of not having the rights Chinese people don't have?

[lukeperry91]

"If something is either A or B, and we can't prove it to be A, it doesn't necessarily mean it is B."
Sum of probabilities equals one.
"travel wherever they want" LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"doesn't amount to anything other than you posting your emotional response to a certain line of thought." LOL!!!! You better not be Chinese!

[lukeperry91]

"What are the negative effects of not having the rights Chinese people don't have?"
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tiananmen+square

[ninwa]

"travel wherever they want" LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a question: what have your experiences of living in China been like?

[enwiabe]

The right to freedom is self-evident and universal.