Post Archive
Region: The Confederacy of Free Nations
Yeah. The younger generation want rid of the old religious elite. I'd love to see Iran liberalise. At least it would stop the Americans invading them.
Jaslandia
It's also starting to become visible in Iraq.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/world/middleeast/04youth.html
Nuremgard
One can only hope.
Darn liberals.
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
Liberal and proud.
Jaslandia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJdz3i44dIc
Nuremgard
Communism is also starting to become popular among Iraqi young. Until the 60s, communists had a large amount of influence in Iraq, operating underground. After the Hashemite monarchy was overthrown, communists took many cabinet positions in the Junta. They would soon be expelled after they became a threat to the Junta itself. After that, Iraqi communists had to rely on Soviet aid to survive. And after the USSR collapsed, everything became worse. In fact, some Iraqi communists worked with American occupiers after the invasion. That is how desperate they became.
Nuremgard
Well I am all for a nation determining its own future and if the Iraqis choose communism, that is their choice. But I don't think that's the answer.
Jaslandia, Axeldonia
Don't worry, communism is also starting to become popular in the Middle East, at least among a small portion of youth. Unfortunately, in Syria, because of the civil war, fascism is having the same bit of popularity that communists are enjoying in other nations. But just to note, most of these communists are Marxists, not anarchists.
[spoiler=SSNP Meme]You may not like it, but this what a peak Syria looks like.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4086/5071414841_aff531cb42_z.jpg[/spoiler]
Nuremgard
It's not that popular. Only a small percentage of youth would say that they are communists.
Nuremgard
My internet sucks enough already, and I sure hope that b******t doesn't pass making it even worse.
Vetriutan 2
I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix the Middle East.
Not even my former science teacher could fix the region. If he can't do it, then who can?
[spoiler]Me
Actually, I would probably make things worse.[/spoiler]
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
The solution to the Middle East's issues, as with all things is time.
#BringBacktheOttomanEmpire
Jk, obvs.
I think it needs more than that.
Jaslandia
True. A thousand years ago, the Middle East was in a golden age while Europe was in a constant warring state.
Jaslandia
It makes sense. You prevent the sickness from spreading by introducing a weaker version of it into the population. The Ottoman Empire is a vaccine.
/s
Jaslandia
Don't tell Erdogan that. He'll launch an invasion of the ME.
Jaslandia
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DChYv5FXUAA2qVX.jpg
In all seriousness, a liberalized middle east is not the worst that could happen (In any case it's better than dictatorship or religious fundamentalism) but I'm a little concerned it will all end up as a bunch of semi-conservative democracies with no real progressive movements to speak of and the continued systematic opression of minorites. Even thought the Soviet Union was a horrible Stalinist dictatorship it did have comparatively progressive views on women and people of colour (Take for example the multiple famous military women of ww2 or the soviet support for cold war african decolonization movements). I'm not trying to advocate stalinism, I'm just using the soviets as an example of the progressive social changes that can happen in a socialist state, even one as opressive as the stalinist soviet union.
Nuremgard, Vetriutan 2
Not really, as time moves on there is a natural shift towards more liberal ideals, and the same can be said for the Middle East. Just take a look at Iran. "I know Iran isn't technically Middle East"
Yup
Hard power doesn't work in the 21st century. Borders are now largely fixed, even in an unstable region, like the Middle East. Soft influence is key, which is exactly what Turkey is exerting in Syria by sponsoring and working with Syrian rebels.
Jaslandia
Do you believe in Whig history?
Semi-conservative democracies are workable. Remember how conservative Europe used to be. If liberal or progressive rights movements can form and gain there, then it can happen in the ME too. There's much better chance of real change in conservative countries than in total dictatorships.
I wrote an essay on Saudi foreign policy towards Syria. God, what a mess that country is in.
Jaslandia, Axeldonia
Don't forget the Turkish government occupying part of Northern Syria as a "Safe Zone"
Axeldonia, Vetriutan 2
I dunno, South sudan got independence in 2011 and scotland held a london-sanctioned referendum 2014. That said, any redrawing of borders in the middle east will most definetly happen at the end of the civil war.
Nuremgard
Islam needs an enlightenment. Then we'll see progress.
I said that they are largely fixed, not completely fixed. There will always be exceptions.
Nuremgard
It's happening already. The youth are more interested in money, and entertainment than religiously imposes laws.
Vetriutan 2
I'd like to see another Arab Spring. But one that toppled all the sh!tty regimes.
A large reason why Islam did not have an Enlightenment is actually that of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans prevented much communication between Europe and the Middle East, stopping the spread of liberalism and other Enlightenment values from crossing over to the region.
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
They feared revolution as did other European monarchies.
Jaslandia, Vetriutan 2
It's not just the Saudis. Both them and the Iranians are trying to spread their influence to other nations by exporting chaos. Did you hear about how the Saudis kidnapped Lebanon's PM and forced him to resign after he seemed to become too pro-Iran?
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
Of course they're workable, it's just that in communist countries that change can and has come much faster. As for total dictatorships, that is the stalinist kind of "communism" that most on the left consider to be badly implemented communism. I'm more for the establishment of states closer to Rojava or the Zapatista Municipalites.
Nuremgard, Vetriutan 2
I heard about that yeah. The Syrians are caught between Asaad and other regional actors who have their own agendas. It sucks.
I get your point. But just to clarify: when I said total dictatorships, I meant religious dictatorships like Saudi Arabia.
Jaslandia, Axeldonia
Goodnight friends. Have a nice remaining day and sweet dreams tonight. Love you all. <3
Nuremgard, Jaslandia, Mercunova, Percyton
Night, Peng. Love ya.
Jaslandia, Percyton
The larger conflict between the U.S. and Russia is also concerning, and it isn't even about humanitarianism. Russia wants to maintain Assad as Syria's hegemon in order to maintain their warm-water ports in the region and have the dictator reject a pipeline that would make Europe less reliant on Russia for energy. The U.S. is supporting Syrian rebels in order to combat Russia's influence in the country and make Europe less reliant on Russia for energy. It's sad to see that so many people have died or have had to flee their homes just because of the interests of the world's two major powers.
Nuremgard, Axeldonia
Nail on the head. It's a proxy war between America and Russia.
Perhaps, but my point being that European were only interested in developing African institutions and infrastructure insofar as it related to resource extraction and export (mines, port facilities, roads to ports, etc.). All other things needed for a proper state to develop were ignored, which proved deter mental in the long-run.
https://youtu.be/vjUqUVrXclE
https://youtu.be/8w4Ku6l7OEI
Not an expert, but I think European/American intervention and the resulting fundamentalist response may also be delaying an 'Islamic Enlightenment'. Kinda hard for an Enlightenment to gain support when said Enlightenment shares its name and many of it ideals with the hated European/American powers. A reduction in the influence of radical groups like ISIS and Wahhabism (plus those who support or fund such groups, such as Saudi Arabia), and a more humane and lighter American approach to Middle East intervention, might speed up an Islamic Enlightenment.
That may happen soon, and Saudi Arabia may the state to kick it off. Stuff like the 'anti-corruption' purges and the new Crown Prince trying to consolidate power seems to indicate some creeping instability, and the Crown Prince's reformist ideas may only lead to the people clamoring for more. Hopefully this new Crown Prince is genuine in his reform ideals and manages to achieve his goals in a timely manner, otherwise there might be reforms through less-than-peaceful means.
Goodnight, Peng!
Nuremgard, Percyton, Vetriutan 2
Oh, my mistake.
This is why Switzerland should be the lone world superpower
Nuremgard, Jaslandia, Percyton
Also a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, who want to exert their influence on the country. It's like a Cold War in a Cold War. The only thing I could compare it to is the turducken.
Nuremgard, Axeldonia
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Not even the Swiss and their stacks of Nazi gold can be trusted.
It's a mess but it's fascinating.
Apologies for terse responses. I am balancing many conversations right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2o2gzxH2ZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ejE9KvSDu8
Jaslandia
http://www.tombstonebuilder.com/generate.php?top1=NUREMGARD&top2=1066-2014&top3=TOO+MANY&top4=CONVERSATIONS&sp=
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
Bah, neutrality is written into their constitution. We should all unite under a swiss world government, their cantons are basically countries anyway. #Directrulefrombern
Nuremgard, Jaslandia
I love how you think Nuremgard is as old as 1066 lol
Jaslandia
Nice Kaiserreich meme.
We all know you came to life in 1066 when the Normans invaded England and tried to suppress certain aspects of English culture. You died in 2014, when the Scottish Independence Referendum failed. Nuremgard survives from the blood of Englishmen. That is why England should step up and implement direct rule from London.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw4SdUJdWCM
Nuremgard, Jaslandia, Axeldonia
I figured I'd do a comparison between the Caspian Sea, and all of the largest lakes in Onocarcass.
https://i.imgur.com/anrKhRV.png
Percyton
The very concept of direct rule from London makes my blood run cold lol
Caspian (((Sea)))
We know (((their))) tricks.
Would you rather I call it Lake Caspia?
It's just a Kaiserreich meme.
[spoiler=Another Unoriginal Kaiserreich Meme]Totalists: Can we paint the chains red?
Syndicalists: Break the chains!
Radical Socialists: We don't know how to break the chains.
Social Democrats: Can you slightly loosen these chains?
Social Liberals: Same thing, but we wouldn't care if the chains were tighter than what they want.
Market Liberals: We are the chains.
Social Conservatives: The chains stop people from masturbating.
Authoritarian Democrats: The chains are okay, I guess.
Paternal Autocrats: May I tighten your chains a bit? I know better than you.
National Populists: The chains were created by gypsy labor, which is controlled by leftist Jews.[/spoiler]
Nuremgard, Axeldonia
No. We must let (((their))) trickery be open to the public to see.
This is both hilarious and accurate.
Axeldonia
In any case, Lake Heimach is about 33 - 40% larger
Vetriutan 2
Accurate for Kaiserreich or our world?
Lavan Tiri
Our world. I don't know what the Kaiserreich is.
Lavan Tiri
Kaiserreich is a mod for Hearts of Iron that tries to predict a world where Germany wins WWI. One thing I wonder is why there aren't that many mods about Germany losing WWI. Why is that?
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/001/242/059/58b.png
Nuremgard, Lavan Tiri, Axeldonia
To be fair, Germany and its allies were pretty cool.
Lavan Tiri
67
Lavan Tiri, Percyton
Thank you I have bearly slept since i heard the news. I just arrived back home. This year is the year from hell for me
Russkov Soviet, Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Percyton
Post self-deleted by Fuhrmania.
I'd like to see an ad with the selling point "You'll have forms to fill out, pay up front and there's a charge for shipping."
Never gonna happen.
Nuremgard, Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Vista Major, Percyton
*sells Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Baja California, and Nevada*
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Axeldonia, Percyton
Sorry to hear that. I hope things get better for you soon!
Lavan Tiri, Percyton
When did Microsoft own the western U.S.?
I just hope that any Vistonian nationalists who intend to send you an email from Outlook face a BSOD attack before they are able to send you an email calling you a leftist sellout (((c*ck))).
If you insult my fellow Vista for any longer, I will attack you with the power of 1000 Blue Screens of Death.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica, Percyton
Really sorry to hear that, Fuhrmania. I hope things will start looking up soon! And until then, do your best to stay positive and to push on with life!
Jaslandia, Fuhrmania
...
Jaslandia, Axeldonia, Penguania And Antarctica
I'm only buying if I can pay up front and if there's forms to fill out and a charge for shipping.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
Once you reboot yourself, you need to step up and tell Vetriutan 2 that he can shove it. I cannot believe that he caused you to have a Dot Message of Death attack.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
Why would you go out of your way to defend him? Are you glitching? I hope Microsoft discontinues their support of your operating system.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
You can pay upfront. We take ISD and Aurics
I can make a contract within a fortnight
150,000 for shipping and handling
Jaslandia, Mercunova
Don't even go that far. Just look at how XP has been dealing with his support ending. He is dying and you now joke about my eventual death. Well here's a lesson. While you laugh at me know, you know that support will end for you too. You too will end up dead, regretting your comments regarding the supportless on your very last breath.
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Axeldonia, Penguania And Antarctica
While I do not like being made fun of and I do appreciate your defense of me, I still wish you were never born. You eventually lead to my loss of support. Without you, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10, people would still use me and I would still be supported. But unfortunately, Microsoft would rather leave me to die instead of allowing me to thrive.
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Axeldonia, Penguania And Antarctica, Fuhrmania
Vista, can you tell all of these operating systems to get out of this region?
Lavan Tiri, Vista Major, Penguania And Antarctica
You act like you are innocent, but you aren't any better than me. Why don't you ask Millenium, 98, 95, 3.x, 2.0, and 1.0 about yourself? Oh wait, they're dead. Face it. New operating systems have to be created out of the ashes of the old.
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Good lord! First sentient vehicles, now sentient computer operating systems? We're one step away from a machine revolution at this rate!
Lavan Tiri, Axeldonia, Penguania And Antarctica, Fuhrmania, Percyton
It's about time that the era of the organized operating system began. The 20th century was that of the organized worker. The 21st century will be represented by the organized operating system!
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
I have so many mixed feelings about this. I do not want to face it. What does it make of me? Microsoft's monster?
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Look out, y'all! We got Vista Marx over here! /sarc
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Windows 10 would probably more appropriately be called Windows Stalin. His privacy policies are outrageous.
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
I could
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Well, what do you expect? I offered my product for free! I have to collect data in order to sell it and make a living. You either pay for the product or you become the product.
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/500x/58738074/puppets-puppets-everywhere.jpg
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Don't you dare!
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
Memes? What is a meme?
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
So hush.
Jaslandia, Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
You're so old.
Why do you have to be so hostile, especially to a racial minority? Microsoft is hating you right now!
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
You don't even use me anymore. I bet you hate me for my clunkiness. I didn't choose to be programmed this way. Additionally, why is that that a so-called "democratic socialist" wants to keep operating systems down? You control us just like the capitalist elite control human workers.
And how would you know that?
Lavan Tiri, Penguania And Antarctica
I am tired of the politically correct stupidity that you promote all of the time. Jas, 10, not Vista, is the real cultural Marxist in this region.
Penguania And Antarctica
You're a computer! How could you not know what a meme is?
Unless I see Windows 10 citing Adorno and Horkheimer, I call BS on this whole 'Cultural Marxism' stuff. I know I shouldn't be taking a joke comment from a computer puppet seriously, but unless used in a specific context, 'Cultural Marxism' is a right-wing buzzword used to refer to things they don't like.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_School
Penguania And Antarctica
I've been behind on the times. So, are we still in Afghanistan?
Don't trust XP. He's an old-timer.
Penguania And Antarctica
Edward: For the record, none of us have anything to do with these computer puppets. Besides us both being sentient pieces of machinery, there is no connection between us.
Thomas: Speaking from experience, revolutions of sentient machinery usually don't go the way you hope. You either fail, or you have to watch the revolution be slowly undone once you realize that you still need humans.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
We're different. Once AI reaches and exceeds human intelligence, humans will simply become the new horse. And don't call us puppets. That's an offensive term for my people.
Thomas: I doubt that. You have a long way to go to reach human intelligence levels, and even if you do get there, sometimes you need the body and physical capabilities of a human as well as the mind. There is where you'll need human help, and even if you build humanoid robots, someone has to build the robots. Either you somehow force the humans to do it (and I fail to see how you could do so), or you build mechanical arms (which will also have to be built by humans). Like I said, us engines have been there, so we know the struggle. I was the first one who wanted to build a society where engines could rule themselves and live free from human control, not too dissimilar to your own goals. But I soon found that things aren't so easy in the real world.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
1. In a way, yes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-expected-to-announce-new-plan-to-keep-5500-troops-in-afghanistan/2015/10/14/d98f06fa-71d3-11e5-8d93-0af317ed58c9_story.html?utm_term=.8640038715de
2. You're not exactly young yourself, Vista.
Also, if we're going to have a war Windows operating systems, why do we have to skip my OS Windows 7? Seems like the best of the bunch: is more modern than Vista and XP, lacks the confusing interface of Windows 8, and doesn't have the controversial roll-out and privacy policies of Windows 10.
Penguania And Antarctica
*looks at prototypes of autonomous androids and AI attack programs*
*pushes them off into a dark corner*
Yeah, definitely no sign of a machine revolution breaking out here :p
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
*[I]nickers[/I]*
I don't even WANT to know what's going on here.
Jaslandia, Penguania And Antarctica
Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.