tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post277914908627051789..comments2024-01-02T06:46:03.449-05:00Comments on Nick's Bytes: The Voiceless OnesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-47283952713397061472011-09-13T19:48:47.760-04:002011-09-13T19:48:47.760-04:00Thomas, we 4 with tape over our mouths, like well ...Thomas, we 4 with tape over our mouths, like well trained social workers, went through the system first. When that failed, we turned to the capitalists.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-27434726749285966422011-09-13T18:38:43.096-04:002011-09-13T18:38:43.096-04:00It's interesting that once they got past the c...It's interesting that once they got past the cops they went supplicant and asked for the money. It didn't occur to anyone to just <i>take</i> it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-17840835971317864162011-09-13T16:32:49.448-04:002011-09-13T16:32:49.448-04:00Thanks for posting again. I have just reread it fr...Thanks for posting again. I have just reread it from a new perspective.Lucky Owlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-49603358079942866782009-06-20T22:27:46.246-04:002009-06-20T22:27:46.246-04:00Free market works as long as no individual knows m...Free market works as long as no individual knows more things the market as a whole do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02574662859640444845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-78642709785768197622009-06-20T22:25:19.600-04:002009-06-20T22:25:19.600-04:00It's been a year already.... but still
Intere...It's been a year already.... but still<br /><br />Interesting experiment. <br /><br />ThomasLB said:<br />"Once you get a parasite class of stockholders who take the profits without doing any work, corruption soon follows. The Western world has a situation now where wealth and work are completely divorced from each other, and if that doesn't change, then the current financial unrest is just the opening bell of for the troubles that will follow."<br /><br />Agreed. However, I believe the current system is good enough. The only reason there can be a class of 'stockholders' who doesn't work is because not everyone is a stock holder. It is ridiculous THE most essential aspect of the economics of our society are not taught to students in high schools. <br /><br />People these days, after they graduate from high school, learn to invest in stocks after watching TV shows, listening to Oprah programs, internet Ads, and friends gossip. But usually when the subject of stocks pop up in those places it means the market is about to crash... And then they get burnt and not invest anymore. <br /><br />Whilst the lucky ones who stumbled on stocks in opportune times get richer and richer and take all the money off the table.<br /><br />If everyone had been given equal knowledge of stocks to begin with the separation between wealth and work wouldn't even have appeared.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02574662859640444845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-32213397433439916162008-09-20T21:53:00.000-04:002008-09-20T21:53:00.000-04:00That sounds like a really interesting experiment. ...That sounds like a really interesting experiment. I wonder how the professor came up with it?<BR/><BR/>www.silverneurotic.weebly.comNikki Neurotichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699784181113365713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-30398234648254443202008-09-20T10:30:00.000-04:002008-09-20T10:30:00.000-04:00One of the problems I have with capitalists is tha...One of the problems I have with capitalists is that they seem to think that capitalism and democracy are the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-3917291567903952192008-09-19T01:41:00.000-04:002008-09-19T01:41:00.000-04:00How accurate: Your voice is not heard until you h...How accurate: Your voice is not heard until you have money. Perfect simulation.Baba Doodliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17967246168152075492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-81811274786994581622008-09-18T18:48:00.000-04:002008-09-18T18:48:00.000-04:00Mama: Simulations can be an excellent tool for cha...<B>Mama</B>: Simulations can be an excellent tool for changes a person’s frame of reference. But to achieve that change on must be fully engaged in the “game.” I believe that the “money-mongers” you speak of are too engaged in the game of Greed to allow themselves the freedom to risk changing their frame of reference.<BR/><BR/><B>Pamela Terry and Edward</B>: Well said! I’ll even add <I>amen</I>! Truly!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-76615740229731765112008-09-18T15:23:00.000-04:002008-09-18T15:23:00.000-04:00I have always found it most significant that Chris...I have always found it most significant that Christ chose to spend most of his time with the voiceless ones. I think when we speak of success, we need to better define it. True success in this life has little to do with money.Pamela Terry and Edwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746603636884819522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-58212284836119306712008-09-18T14:31:00.000-04:002008-09-18T14:31:00.000-04:00Your description of the simulation experience was ...Your description of the simulation experience was quite interesting. I can't imagine that greedy money-mongers would ever take anything away from such exercises, though, and would counter with some sort of socio-economic Darwinist crap. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thoughtful provocation.Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12200721586093812619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-46384387887419397652008-09-18T13:11:00.000-04:002008-09-18T13:11:00.000-04:00Akelamalu: Thank you. I believe that I shall make ...<B>Akelamalu</B>: Thank you. I believe that I shall make additional future posts describing the simulations I have experienced!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-62073971243376692512008-09-18T13:08:00.000-04:002008-09-18T13:08:00.000-04:00Thomas: You may be right, Thomas. One element that...<B>Thomas</B>: You may be right, Thomas. One element that the Capitalism Simulation lacked as the element of <B>greed</B>, which I believe is the primary evil of the 21st Century version of capitalism.<BR/><BR/><B>Dana</B>: Darlin’, you need not be concerned about posting your opinion. I have known for a very long time that you and I are on opposite sides of the eco-political spectrum.<BR/><BR/>That said, I am not sure that capitalism has had that much to do with the success of the United States. It had nothing to do with the country for the first hundred or so years of its existence. I rather believe that freedom and democracy are the reasons for our success thus far and they have no relationship to capitalism.<BR/><BR/><B>Peter-at-Large</B>: Thank you. Of course, had it not been my reading your blog this morning, the idea of this post would not have come to my mind!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-51785157314696616262008-09-18T12:58:00.000-04:002008-09-18T12:58:00.000-04:00A very interesting post Nick and an even more inte...A very interesting post Nick and an even more interesting simulation!Akelamaluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234268568845148285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-88487722387680105442008-09-18T12:49:00.000-04:002008-09-18T12:49:00.000-04:00Carol: It is an excellent simulation, although I r...<B>Carol</B>: It is an excellent simulation, although I rather suspect that the four of us “voiceless ones” gained more from it that the other players. Another powerful simulation is based on who will be approved for kidney dialysis and who will not and thus die. I have played/used that one more than a dozen times and I still cannot understand why the Native American who fathered 28 children is always refused dialysis and life.<BR/><BR/><B>John Torcello </B>: I suppose that our life experiences teach each of was different things. That is partly what I have found to be the power of simulations. <BR/><BR/>I commend you for your work telephoning folks. It isn’t an easy thing to do. Doing the “'right' thing” for others is critically important in our world. Each time I have officiated a Eucharist over the past several years, I have included this line from the UCC Book of Worship in the Eucharistic prayer: “We look toward the day when sharing by all will mean scarcity for none.” Economic justice has become a very important part of my ecclesiastical theology.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-78976369625318452862008-09-18T12:32:00.000-04:002008-09-18T12:32:00.000-04:00Sweets: Thank you. I had a course in grad school o...<B>Sweets</B>: Thank you. I had a course in grad school on using simulations with groups. I also had two professors who used simulations as teaching tools, one of whom I just wrote about as the G.O.D. <BR/><BR/><B>Celebration of Life </B>: Yes, it was thought provoking—at least for me. Using simulations as a teaching tool and also being a participant is quite a few have raised what I consider to be some crucial questions that have challenged by views about many things.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-20455591250061949042008-09-18T12:24:00.000-04:002008-09-18T12:24:00.000-04:00Shivz: Thanks for the comment. There are many simu...<B>Shivz</B>: Thanks for the comment. There are many simulations that can be used as teaching tools as long as the teacher is willing to risk the results. I have had some really interesting experiences using simulations, including the time when, during a simulation on world hunger, I informed the table representing Africa that they had to select one of their number to “die” from starvation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939152657551690867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-69007035120319803832008-09-18T11:19:00.000-04:002008-09-18T11:19:00.000-04:00Thanks for posting this thoughtful response, Nick....Thanks for posting this thoughtful response, Nick. What a great lesson in the human repercussions of capitalism and the greed and anger that it provokes.Peter Clothierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-25599050690940081402008-09-18T10:13:00.000-04:002008-09-18T10:13:00.000-04:00I likely shouldn't post this comment, but will ......I likely shouldn't post this comment, but will ...<BR/><BR/>This country has been as successful as it is *because* of capitalism, not in spite of it.<BR/><BR/>It is one thing to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, and yet another to breed mediocrity - most people will not work as hard if they know the benefits they reap for doing so will do nothing more than benefit someone else.Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05427053242655177097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-15891734768472188892008-09-18T09:44:00.000-04:002008-09-18T09:44:00.000-04:00I think the free market works, but only on the fam...I think the free market works, but only on the family-owned level.<BR/><BR/>Once you get a parasite class of stockholders who take the profits without doing any work, corruption soon follows. The Western world has a situation now where wealth and work are completely divorced from each other, and if that doesn't change, then the current financial unrest is just the opening bell of for the troubles that will follow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-21808109106551713142008-09-18T09:37:00.000-04:002008-09-18T09:37:00.000-04:00Over the past few years, my company donated (for u...Over the past few years, my company donated (for us) a significant number of dollars each year to a local FoodBank that makes each dollar given = 5 meals.<BR/><BR/>This year we don't have the funds to donate; so, I instead donated my time and efforts in making fundraising phone calls for them. <BR/><BR/>Contrary to (I think?) some of the conclusions one might gather from your game story; people I called, who discovered I was both a volunteer AND a supporter, were more willing upon receiving a call, to take pause, listen to my message/request, bear with my apparent 'newbie' stature as a phone canvasser and actually donate funds (matching funds by the way) to the cause.<BR/><BR/>I played a little part (I think), along with these patient/generous donors, in taking a few more pieces of tape off of people's mouths who were having difficulty doing it themselves...<BR/><BR/>I think this example shows it isn't so much about striving to play the game of the 'haves' in order to get a voice (Get $20). Those people were absent from the game altogether; instead, it's about people's willingness, by example, to just do the 'right' thing for someone else...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-24886894137954722942008-09-18T09:06:00.000-04:002008-09-18T09:06:00.000-04:00What a powerful teaching! I could feel the frustr...What a powerful teaching! I could feel the frustration you four experienced as I read this. So many feel that frustration every day. And then we wonder why they do what they do in order to get THEIR $20.<BR/><BR/>I agree with shivz that this game should be done in all schools.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Nick!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05996426286997454518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-26562783249455275112008-09-18T09:01:00.000-04:002008-09-18T09:01:00.000-04:00Wow! Very powerful and thought provoking game, in...Wow! Very powerful and thought provoking game, indeed!<BR/>JoCelebration of Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076490429135579587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-73263549479702387932008-09-18T06:42:00.000-04:002008-09-18T06:42:00.000-04:00excellent idea! very interesting post to read Nick...excellent idea! very interesting post to read Nick :)Sweetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362438172459556642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12709723.post-48983917359194509082008-09-18T06:36:00.000-04:002008-09-18T06:36:00.000-04:00Now there's a game to get all school children (esp...Now there's a game to get all school children (especially at wealthier schools), all university students, all politicians and business people to play, actually pretty much everyone should play this game!!!! I thik it sounds fascinating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com