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I was extremely put off by the racist rant at the beginning. Based on a multitude of personal experiences, I don’t think that Vietnamese, Spanish or Venesuelan

I was extremely put off by the racist rant at the beginning. Based on a multitude of personal experiences, I don’t think that Vietnamese, Spanish or Venesuelans are inherently cheating. Why trust the article if it begins with a doubtful accusation?

cassepipe 6y ago
I think you are misperceiving his point : All people that are the at the bottom of society are feeling the game is rigged against us (and it is) and don't embarass themselves with what is perceived as the winners rules. China's little know bloody colonial history should prevent "us" from being surprised that "China" has little care for intellectual property, the same I did not care about downloading music illegally while big labels were filling their pockets. I can relate. I don't know why he took the example of Vietnam but people there have endured forty years of war and extreme poverty so I would not be surprised surprised if there is a con mentality floating around as it is the case in every poor part of the world and in every poor layer of any country. I do agree that the detour by mentality/culture explanation was not really necessary but I think it was part of his "step out of your moral frame" endeavour to make people that think "China is bad/cheating" shut up.
istorical 6y ago
Is it racist to say that western cultures treat their elderly people like crap (relative to the cultural values of eastern cultures where seniors are treated with respect and care and not abandoned to uncaring nurses in a shoebox sized room)? Is it racist to say that American culture is cold and uncaring and inhuman when someone dies from a curable condition because they are too poor to afford healthcare (compared to a country with a culture of universal heathcare)? You should perhaps rethink your definition of the word racist, a better accusation would be to say the author mispresents this cultural value or overstates any real cultural difference between western and eastern cultures in terms of the cultural idea of 'fairness vs cheating'. But to call it racist seems a bit like calling all liberals communists or calling all conservatives fascist, no? Painting with too broad a brush. That is to say, it makes sense to ask whether this assertion about these cultures and their ideas around cheating are true, but to disallow any discussion about cultural values and the different ideas of various cultures comes across as a very "the emperor's new clothes' situation" where we aren't allowed to discuss things that are immediately apparent for fear of punishment. You are avoiding addressing any of the real arguments presented by the author by dismissing their entire piece wholesale with a casual accusation and label that tarnishes their reputation. And doing so in a casual way.
albanread 6y ago
In contrast we have Americans, a people who would never cheat - and perhaps do not even understand cheating as a concept. It must be grand to live in such a country that has no need for laws, police, judges or prisons.
- p1anecrazy 6y ago
  I’m not American, so can’t relate.
Y_Y 6y ago
I thought it was a bit harsh to not include Spain in "The West", but I think you'd be splitting genetic hairs if you wanted to consider the average Spaniard a different "race" to someone like Yegge. I also think your claim is not substantiated. Also too add my own anecdata, this "cheat if you can - screw over the man" is a huge part of Spanish culture. That's not to say it's how everyone thinks, but every institution tries to check you're not cheating them, and of course still gets cheated.

cassepipe 6y ago

I think you are misperceiving his point : All people that are the at the bottom of society are feeling the game is rigged against us (and it is) and don't embarass themselves with what is perceived as the winners rules. China's little know bloody colonial history should prevent "us" from being surprised that "China" has little care for intellectual property, the same I did not care about downloading music illegally while big labels were filling their pockets. I can relate. I don't know why he took the example of Vietnam but people there have endured forty years of war and extreme poverty so I would not be surprised surprised if there is a con mentality floating around as it is the case in every poor part of the world and in every poor layer of any country. I do agree that the detour by mentality/culture explanation was not really necessary but I think it was part of his "step out of your moral frame" endeavour to make people that think "China is bad/cheating" shut up.

istorical 6y ago

Is it racist to say that western cultures treat their elderly people like crap (relative to the cultural values of eastern cultures where seniors are treated with respect and care and not abandoned to uncaring nurses in a shoebox sized room)? Is it racist to say that American culture is cold and uncaring and inhuman when someone dies from a curable condition because they are too poor to afford healthcare (compared to a country with a culture of universal heathcare)? You should perhaps rethink your definition of the word racist, a better accusation would be to say the author mispresents this cultural value or overstates any real cultural difference between western and eastern cultures in terms of the cultural idea of 'fairness vs cheating'. But to call it racist seems a bit like calling all liberals communists or calling all conservatives fascist, no? Painting with too broad a brush. That is to say, it makes sense to ask whether this assertion about these cultures and their ideas around cheating are true, but to disallow any discussion about cultural values and the different ideas of various cultures comes across as a very "the emperor's new clothes' situation" where we aren't allowed to discuss things that are immediately apparent for fear of punishment. You are avoiding addressing any of the real arguments presented by the author by dismissing their entire piece wholesale with a casual accusation and label that tarnishes their reputation. And doing so in a casual way.

albanread 6y ago

In contrast we have Americans, a people who would never cheat - and perhaps do not even understand cheating as a concept. It must be grand to live in such a country that has no need for laws, police, judges or prisons.

p1anecrazy 6y ago
I’m not American, so can’t relate.

Y_Y 6y ago

I thought it was a bit harsh to not include Spain in "The West", but I think you'd be splitting genetic hairs if you wanted to consider the average Spaniard a different "race" to someone like Yegge. I also think your claim is not substantiated. Also too add my own anecdata, this "cheat if you can - screw over the man" is a huge part of Spanish culture. That's not to say it's how everyone thinks, but every institution tries to check you're not cheating them, and of course still gets cheated.