This weekly roundup thread is intended for all culture war posts. 'Culture war' is vaguely defined, but it basically means controversial issues that fall along set tribal lines. Arguments over culture war issues generate a lot of heat and little light, and few deeply entrenched people ever change their minds. This thread is for voicing opinions and analyzing the state of the discussion while trying to optimize for light over heat.
Optimistically, we think that engaging with people you disagree with is worth your time, and so is being nice! Pessimistically, there are many dynamics that can lead discussions on Culture War topics to become unproductive. There's a human tendency to divide along tribal lines, praising your ingroup and vilifying your outgroup - and if you think you find it easy to criticize your ingroup, then it may be that your outgroup is not who you think it is. Extremists with opposing positions can feed off each other, highlighting each other's worst points to justify their own angry rhetoric, which becomes in turn a new example of bad behavior for the other side to highlight.
We would like to avoid these negative dynamics. Accordingly, we ask that you do not use this thread for waging the Culture War. Examples of waging the Culture War:
-
Shaming.
-
Attempting to 'build consensus' or enforce ideological conformity.
-
Making sweeping generalizations to vilify a group you dislike.
-
Recruiting for a cause.
-
Posting links that could be summarized as 'Boo outgroup!' Basically, if your content is 'Can you believe what Those People did this week?' then you should either refrain from posting, or do some very patient work to contextualize and/or steel-man the relevant viewpoint.
In general, you should argue to understand, not to win. This thread is not territory to be claimed by one group or another; indeed, the aim is to have many different viewpoints represented here. Thus, we also ask that you follow some guidelines:
-
Speak plainly. Avoid sarcasm and mockery. When disagreeing with someone, state your objections explicitly.
-
Be as precise and charitable as you can. Don't paraphrase unflatteringly.
-
Don't imply that someone said something they did not say, even if you think it follows from what they said.
-
Write like everyone is reading and you want them to be included in the discussion.
On an ad hoc basis, the mods will try to compile a list of the best posts/comments from the previous week, posted in Quality Contribution threads and archived at /r/TheThread. You may nominate a comment for this list by clicking on 'report' at the bottom of the post and typing 'Actually a quality contribution' as the report reason.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Well, it's certainly a perspective, and I can't say it's wrong definitively. Honestly they came to the some of the same conclusions I have.
Well, they name different companies than I've chosen, and they fail to mention any exit point. Personally, if the bubble continues this long, I may start taking profit and hoarding cash if JD Vance's chances look shaky in 2028. I might miss out on gains if he wins, but I'm at a point in my life, and a point in my wealth, where it's more about preservation than growth. I'd rather miss out on 20-50% gains between Oct 2028 and Feb 2029 than take 50-80% losses over the same time period.
I think the other thing they fail to take into consideration is that just because the bubble might pop, doesn't mean there won't be winners, and not merely through government bailouts, though there will always be those too. Lots and lots of money is going to be burned up chasing AI investments that don't pan out, but someone is going to win. Either because they'll find the AI technology that returns on investment, or they buy it for pennies on the dollar when the company that over invested in an underwhelming application goes bankrupt.
What you really need is a plan to avoid being one of the five people AI keeps alive to torture for all eternity. I'm a handgun fan myself, but there are lots of perfectly valid options. Rope is a solid choice too. I hear AI will even help you with the knot.
Holy fuck lmao
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link