TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

2016: A Damnable Year

Go To

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#101: Aug 1st 2016 at 10:10:18 AM

[up]A fair point, though I don't necessarily agree that this year is just as bad/good as others. The other years certainly had a part to play to lead up to where we are now and this year certainly is just a conduit to where we are going, but I'd not say its just the same ol same ol.

NapoleonDeCheese Since: Oct, 2010
#102: Aug 1st 2016 at 11:25:07 AM

Thus we don't hear much about the fact that they've discovered methods of producing petroleum from algae

On the other hand, that's terrible news for an extremely oil-dependant country like ours, because, well, that's our darn livehood and our children's food depending on selling petroleum the old way.

Just to show you how even every 'good news' have their own counterside.

Robbery Since: Jul, 2012
#103: Aug 1st 2016 at 10:08:18 PM

Sure it does. Every technological advancement will put someone, somewhere, out of work.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#104: Aug 21st 2016 at 8:46:05 AM

So to return to this topic, while I have some long term concerns that I might have overemphasized, right now the resurgence of nationalism is probably the most alarming aspect of the past two years.

Now, thankfully, Donald Trump seemed poised to lose in the United States, but I seriously doubt his movement or its European counterparts are going away any time soon.

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#105: Aug 21st 2016 at 9:13:00 AM

Nationalism, like any other ism, never truely goes away. In the case of a Trump loss though, they will once again be defanged, and the GOP establishment still in government (and even those out of it, like the Bushes) will do whatever they can to repudiate said movement, forcing their silence or the creation of a new party.

In Europe however, yes, that is quite concerning. They continue to go from strength to strength. Likewise in Asia.

pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#106: Aug 21st 2016 at 9:13:06 AM

Ultra-nationalism and/or factionalism is what led to both world wars in the first place. Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat them.

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#107: Aug 21st 2016 at 9:14:44 AM

The problem, it seems, is that the generation who learned from said mistakes is now almost in the grave. Their children, on the other hand, think brinkmanship is a free action due to the Cold War. They learned the opposite lesson.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#108: Aug 21st 2016 at 9:29:06 AM

@FF Shinra: The issue is, in part, that parties in the US simply don't have the level of party discipline that European parties dob (in Europe, the issue is that the systems allow for more than two parties, which solves some problems while exacerbating others); the GOP can't stop someone running on Trump's platform again in 2020, and that person will almost certainly win their primaries unless the GOP base undergoes some dramatic changes in the meantime. The western world is currently embroiled in a struggle between nationalism and globalism, and there's nothing the democratic party can feasibly do to defuse those tensions.

It should also be noted that, as of the present, (8/21) Trump seems to be rallying in the polls. He's almost certainly going to lose still, but a landslide seems very unlikely to me, and that's going to make it even harder for the GOP to ditch his base.

edited 21st Aug '16 9:36:12 AM by CaptainCapsase

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#109: Aug 21st 2016 at 10:17:06 AM

That the GOP can change itself is exactly what I'm saying. Not a matter of party discipline but of rules for primaries. Individual lawmakers can still support and be Trumpkins and related policies, but voting one in at the presidential level is not the same thing. Momentum is what normally prevents it from happening, but Trump is shaking things up so much that if he loses, the momentum to keep the status quo would break to prevent him or someone like him from getting the nomination away. It would certainly be messy and might lead to the rise of alternates, but it would be done in order for Establishment types to not be dragged again kicking and screaming to something they do not want.

Granted, that will happen again anyway, but by Cruz and his kind rather than the uber nationalists. Then they will be burned by him too and then they will reform toward moderation as a whole rather than just away from Trumpkins.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#110: Aug 21st 2016 at 10:44:46 AM

Of course this also means that if the Dems screw up (or are perceived to screw up), the world gets saddled with a lunatic in the Oval Office for 4-8 years..

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#111: Aug 21st 2016 at 10:53:32 AM

That would put one hell of a punctuation mark on this year. Damnable indeed...

Advarielle Homicidal Editor Since: Aug, 2016
Homicidal Editor
#112: Aug 21st 2016 at 10:57:13 AM

I personally think that most problems that the world have this year is that moderation is simply ignored. That is certainly not the only factor, but I believe it's the most important one I think.

People seems to believe the effectiveness of something depends on how extreme or radical it is. I also think that is why so many individuals with "special" mindset get chosen to become presidents or leaders.

Moderate methods take time and it, unfortunately, make impatient people become desperate for change. That desperation lead them to make bad choices. People are changing the world the way someone who forgot their password "brute force" their computer.

edited 21st Aug '16 10:58:50 AM by Advarielle

Only an experienced editor who has a name possesses the ability to truly understand my work - What 90% of writers I'm in charge of said.
FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#113: Aug 21st 2016 at 11:11:14 AM

Agreed. I wonder if thats a consequence of technology making so many things instant or otherwise quite fast in the last decade or so. Less opportunity to practice patience bleeding into things that are still slow...

Advarielle Homicidal Editor Since: Aug, 2016
Homicidal Editor
#114: Aug 21st 2016 at 11:32:44 AM

Technology is a factor, but not as much as atmosphere I guess. (I don't know how to word it accurately. I think atmosphere is the closest one in my mind.)

It seems everyone and everything urge the world and its inhabitants (including me of course) to grow and work faster. From culture to media. Everything is always "why haven't it change" or "we need it to change now"

But when chances to change come, everyone and everything fear it and throw it back to where it comes from. It's one beautiful paradox. The way the world operates is confusing now or someone higher up make it more confusing than it's supposed to.

And when you're confused, it's easy to become reckless and make bad choices just to make it end ASAP. If only the world comes with a manual, huh? tongue

Of course, because people keep delaying changes until its inevitable. The changes that we got tend to not be the best or the one that people want. And this time there is nothing we can do to do over.

edited 21st Aug '16 11:48:42 AM by Advarielle

Only an experienced editor who has a name possesses the ability to truly understand my work - What 90% of writers I'm in charge of said.
Robbery Since: Jul, 2012
#115: Aug 21st 2016 at 12:20:36 PM

There's so much emphasis these days on personal ethnicity, I feel it leads eventually to a kind of ultra-nationalism. The line between ethnic pride ("it's great to be me, and I'm as good and deserve all the same rights as everyone else!") and notions of ethnic superiority ("I'm better than you, and should be, if not in charge, completely independent of anyone not like me!"). It seems to form a cycle.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#116: Aug 21st 2016 at 1:01:30 PM

That's...Not really the case to the extent it was in the late 19th century to early 20th century at the height of violent nationalism, scientific racism, and so on.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#117: Aug 21st 2016 at 1:18:13 PM

@Shinra and it doesn't have to be this year/Trump. We could easily end up with Cruz or someone of his ilk in 2020 or 2024. The chance of the Dems winning 4 or 5 elections in a row is pretty slim... scandals add up and no one is perfect. That's why its in everyone's long term interests to bring the GOP back to the center-right.

edited 21st Aug '16 1:19:00 PM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Advarielle Homicidal Editor Since: Aug, 2016
Homicidal Editor
#118: Aug 21st 2016 at 1:19:13 PM

I also think distrust also plays a major role here. When you always assume the worst of others and that others are always trying to stab you in the back. minor clashes can end up becoming a bloodbath of an epic proportion like some sort of disaster domino. Provocative media also don't help.

For example: a harmless complaint from an individual in a minority to someone in a majority can somehow end up causing a manhunt and a riot.

BTW, what do you think about Bernie or Bust movement? An admirable idealists who are unwilling to bend to the Man (or Woman in this case), or stubborn fools who might let Trump win and make the next 4 years interesting?

edited 21st Aug '16 1:28:04 PM by Advarielle

Only an experienced editor who has a name possesses the ability to truly understand my work - What 90% of writers I'm in charge of said.
Robbery Since: Jul, 2012
#119: Aug 21st 2016 at 2:53:26 PM

In a presidential election, one can't really advise taking one's ball and going home.

With increasing globalism, we've created an economic interdependence without creating any real bonds between peoples. It would seem, overall, that globalism has benefited the very rich (by making them richer, obviously) and the very poor (by making them slightly less poor, which is a big deal when you were really poor to begin with) while leaving the middle classes largely behind. And so, you have politicians playing to middle class discontent, and Britain voting to leave the European Union based largely on the votes of English people who don't live in London (who, like non-urban and non-coastal Americans in general, feel largely ignored by their government).

It's difficult in global politics to ask anyone to "take one for the team." Even if it IS "fair," even if it might lead to the most good for the most people (which hasn't entirely been the case with how globalism has been implemented) people have a right to look after their own interests.

edited 21st Aug '16 2:57:03 PM by Robbery

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#120: Aug 21st 2016 at 3:03:03 PM

[up][up]The latter. Hell, I feel that description is too charitable.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Advarielle Homicidal Editor Since: Aug, 2016
Homicidal Editor
#121: Aug 21st 2016 at 3:44:03 PM

[up] Yeah, as much as I'm interested to see what Bernie can do, it's impossible, so they should get over it and choose the candidate that not only can win, but most importantly not Trump.

Sure, Trump isn't at Kadyrov level of crazy, but he is still crazy. And for good or ill, America is also so large that every single of its movement create a ripple effect that affects the entire world. The future of the world may rest on the hand of the Americans. This is one interesting year. Never boring.

Only an experienced editor who has a name possesses the ability to truly understand my work - What 90% of writers I'm in charge of said.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#122: Aug 21st 2016 at 3:53:19 PM

Bernie or Bust stopped being about Bernie when he endorsed Clinton, they've gone beyond him and want their fantasy version of Bernie who hates Clinton as much as they do.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#123: Aug 21st 2016 at 4:22:01 PM

Eventually, there is going to be another severe recession in the US, and when that happens, someone like Bernie will do even better in the polls. We'll get widespread street protest in the US and then a round of economic reforms. This is practically inevitable. How far those reforms will go and whether or not they will be enough to stabilize/reverse the trend of widening wealth disparity will depend on how well organized the reformers are, and that depends on the emergence of effective leaders. It could be the 19-teens all over again. We'll see.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Advarielle Homicidal Editor Since: Aug, 2016
Homicidal Editor
#124: Aug 21st 2016 at 4:30:19 PM

[up] [up] Really? Wow, there is so much vitriol for the Clinton. I thought the Americans love him. I mean his presidency isn't bad. And if it's about the scandal, Americans forgive and re-elect the Appalachian hiker with the power of teleportartion, Mark Sanford, so Clinton should be fine, right?

[up] But if the recession happen first, don't you think it's a bit too late? I'm not going to say that America become live action Fallout game setting, but it's still bad. Not to mention its effect on other countries. Soviet Dragon Alliance is going to replace America if that happen. [lol] (Sorry, can't resist putting black humor here.)

Only an experienced editor who has a name possesses the ability to truly understand my work - What 90% of writers I'm in charge of said.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#125: Aug 21st 2016 at 5:23:19 PM

[up] The American people still like Bill Clinton, they're apathetic towards Hillary Clinton (the one who's running for president), but it's not the American people in general we'rd talking about. It's a segment of the hard left who see Hillary Clinton as the supreme evil, or often simply will not vote for someone they don't agree with 100%, they'd rather allow millions to suffer via inaction then risk helping tens suffer via their actions.

edited 21st Aug '16 5:23:56 PM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran

Total posts: 762
Top