One Improving Unit

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  • James Smith

What It’s Like To Have Your Camera Stolen Nov 11, 2017

I’ve just had my camera stolen. As per usual, I’m intellectualising it to death. Yes, I am incapable of taking anything at face value - I guess this is my way of coming to terms with this very annoying occurrence. My friends have permission to be amused by my pontifications. No-one can convince me that the universe doesn’t have an ironic karmic order to it. This is merely the latest in a long series of dramatic events in my life that have strangely coincided with related intellectual realisations. I can only laugh at the dark humour of fate.  This disaster...

By James Smith Vote2 1

Christopher Nolan Shows Us The Meaning of Mindblowing with Dunkirk Jul 22, 2017

TAKE COVER! Dunkirk is a thrilling, visceral new Second World War epic from Christopher Nolan, the man setting the standard for intelligent blockbuster film-making. It will be considered a seminal adaptation of the inspiring story of cooperation. Nolan’s rendering of the British retreat from France after the Nazi advance is suspenseful with a capital S, but also a story of personal struggle and survival. It’s an exercise in forthright narrative drive. Immediately engaging, the tension is mounted as we follow newcomer Fionn Whitehead’s Tommy, a solitary infantryman, as he barely escapes capture, and French friendly fire. He arrives on the...

By James Smith Vote3 0

Wonder Woman in the Garden of Good and Evil Jul 2, 2017

For me, it started with the beautiful billboard and poster. Then when I got about half way through the actual movie, I relaxed, and wrote in my notebook: SHOCK: a superhero movie that’s engaging and interesting!  It’s honestly shocking to see a triple A comic-book adaptation that has a moral drive on a serious level, whilst being super entertaining. It’s something for both adults and young people alike to enjoy whilst it’s happening and ruminate on afterwards. Moreover, parents should show Wonder Woman to their teen and pre-teen daughters, and sons, not simply because it’s lead by a strong, sympathetic...

By James Smith Vote5 0

Filing Taxes Is Only Slightly More Preferable Than Prison Apr 19, 2017

In order to have motivation for a task you need to have a clear vision of what you hope to gain from completing it. Even tasks you would rather not do, like working 8 hours every day, you may persist in because you can see that the benefits of your salary, experienced gained and career advances outweigh the downsides. If you internalise your goals, you can put up with gruelling and time-consuming activities like physical exercise. The problem with tasks like paying taxes and doing homework is that the gain from performing them is obscured and in the case of...

By James Smith Vote10 1

Socialism Is No Cure For Alienation, No Economic System Is Apr 5, 2017

I was intrigued by this latest socialist recruitment video, this time from the Democratic Socialists of America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sLgqq939JQ It’s got the usual hallmarks of socialist propaganda. What struck my attention the most was what it was appealing to. Here’s what so-called ‘capitalism’ is: “Capitalism is a man-made system based on profit. It takes wealth and resources away from the public and puts it in the hands of private capitalists. A few become enormously wealthy on the backs of the many. This consolidated control of profit and political power leads to extreme inequality.” Oh no! And what does this terrible system...

By James Smith Vote6 0

A (Probably Vain) Plea For Tolerance on the Borders Issue Mar 28, 2017

The tragedy of the commons means there is no cut and dry answer.

By James Smith Vote4 4

What It Means To Be Socially Liberal Mar 23, 2017

If you wanted to 'explain politics' to the completely uninitiated, you might be inclined to put it this way: The left, or liberals, are socially and fiscally liberal. The right, or conservatives, are socially and fiscally conservative. Libertarians are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. There you have it. The problem with this analysis is not that it is too general, but that it doesn't actually make sense. It shows us that the popular conversation has shaky principles, and therefore leaves the layman utterly confused. You can't separate social policy and economic policy. In all the important ways, a person's social life and economic...

By James Smith Vote5 0

Why Lionel Messi Is Paid More Than Nurses Feb 18, 2017

It is apparently a great outrage that sports stars earn more in a week than a nurse will in a lifetime. Lionel Messi is the highest paid soccer player in the world at the time of writing, earning €16 million a year. A nurse, on the other hand, will earn only €20-30 thousand a year. You don’t need to do any complex calculations to figure out that that’s a staggering inequality. Is it justified? Those who would say ‘no’ would argue it on two accounts: 1. The nurse’s job is more necessary to human health, and therefore noble, than a...

By James Smith Vote4 0

There’s Never A Dull Moment In 2017 Either Feb 1, 2017

In the past I’ve hesitated in writing about current events in the belief that it would only be useful for only a short time, that is, the time in which that event is a hot-button topic. What’s the point in writing about the latest news scandal if it’s going to be forgotten within a week or two? It would be wasted words. For that reason I have been mostly content dealing with more esoteric content, that elucidates general, timeless themes that are not bound to any specific turn of events. The problem that I see with news and current affairs...

By James Smith Vote4 0

A Lesson For 4-Year-Olds Jan 23, 2017

Listen, you can’t go around beating people up you disagree with. Just because someone has a different opinion than you, doesn't mean you have the right to punch them in the face. Even if what they’re saying is completely abhorrent, insulting, offensive, or otherwise contrary to your values, you should not cause physical harm to someone else. The exception is when they have attacked you first. If they do that to you, you have every right to visit the equivalent force upon them. If someone punches you, by all means, punch back. Make sure they know you don't appreciate having...

By James Smith Vote3 0

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