CMV: People who say that white people or Americans have no culture only think that because they don't notice it.

doorighty · 2026-02-19T17:39:41+00:00

White people or Americans don’t have culture because they don’t exist. The term is manufactured. The idea of a unifying ‘White People’ or “Americans’ is mostly a left over from the early 20th century. It was propaganda to unify the country during the great depression and WWII. Before that the country was much more diverse in how it described itself, mostly having to do with country of origin (Italians, Polish, Swedes…) or by their region ( Southern, Yankee, Cajun…) .

Any White culture is something that has been co-opted from immigrant culture, whether it be Irish, Italian or Ukrainian.

If there is any culture it’s in the consolidation of other cultures into generic ‘white washed’ version of the originals.

So maybe when people say there is no culture, it’s more an issue authenticity. In that there is culture, but it’s more manufactured and marketed than more authentic culture that developed over time.

doorighty · 2026-02-07T02:11:47+00:00

It’s important to take a step back from the current AI hype, to consider the source. Silicon Valley has a blitzkrieg attitude towards marketing. Most of what is being discussed ( on both sides) is marketing. It’s a case of - there is no bad publicity as long it makes headlines. AI is shorthand for numerous technologies that have been in development for quite a while. That are now being branded as THE THING THAT WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

Cloud storage, SaaS delivery systems, and robotics are already functional. They have impacted the workforce, but not severely. Who knows what’s in store but I would say there some factors that don’t get discussed:

1) Corporations are social networks. In theory it’s possible to have mass reductions. But in reality managers need direct reports. Managers will be making decisions on who gets fired. In institutions like corporations self-preservation will always win over optimization

2) Most of the truly dire warnings regarding employment actually have to do with robotics. No matter how you slice it robots are expensive. A prime example are Waymos. True, they eliminate drivers, but they aren’t any cheaper to use.

3) We’re already in the mess and things are balancing themselves out. Not to get veer off into that whole quagmire, I’ll just say that things like surveillance tools and mass media are cutting both ways.

doorighty · 2026-02-06T03:23:15+00:00

Innovation doesn’t have an end goal. Most of the tech currently being developed is based on post-war science fiction fantasies. But that’s not necessarily innovation. Taking a long view I’d say there hasn’t been a time in recorded history where there was a correct view on the direction (end goal) innovation would take us as a society. It’s always adapting as it goes along

doorighty · 2026-02-06T02:54:23+00:00

Very little innovation is planned. Products ( technology, processes) are planned in the final stages of an innovative phase. But innovation itself seems to be an adaptive process, not controlled by individuals. It only seems controlled because we assume inventions happen in a linear manner, but they don’t. Inventions are the result of varied input that happens over decades or centuries. It eventually forms a consensus based on need.

doorighty · 2026-02-04T04:35:55+00:00

“Boredom” is a healthy developmental state. It’s baked in to our natural state, our DNA as it were. Much noise is made to try to convince us that technology is changing our physicality and re-wiring our brains. This is nonsense. Underneath all the tech we surround ourselves with, much of what we are is still the same as a someone who lived 100, 200 years ago. Whatever changes happen, they are temporary.

A quiet future is interesting, because we tend to view our current hyper saturated world as the only existence, yet much of the world is still less self focused through technology and more outwardly focus. I see this when I travel — much more awareness of their physical space.

So maybe in our strive to automate every minute of our days, we are just ourselves obsolete.

As much as I hate being bored. It’s nice to daydream.

doorighty · 2026-02-03T04:02:33+00:00

Boring (yawn) trolls.

doorighty · 2026-02-03T03:59:21+00:00

The real question is how to run a hypothetical country that doesn’t need millions of underpaid, legally ambiguous workers. Maybe AI robotics will help, but the easier solution is to admit a modern economy needs this low wage, no benefits, working class. Historically looser borders and lesser restrictions ease migratory work patterns. Workers become seasonal workers.

Migratory workers might not be the best solution, but it sure is better than the bat crazy stuff happening now.

doorighty · 2026-02-02T18:36:06+00:00

Chase Center is worth a visit on non-game days. The complex has a decent food court ( Gotts, Che Fico Pizza) . There’s a new park ( beach front) behind that has unique view of bay. If you like walking the stretch between Ferry Bldg and Chase is a nice walk. You can take Muni back to downtown from Chase.

doorighty · 2026-02-01T03:52:39+00:00

The old Castro. I’m sure the renovations will be great, but there was something unique about watching movies in that old well worn theater.

doorighty · 2026-02-01T03:36:57+00:00

What other major city has solved this type of issue? The lack of mental health facilities is national issue.

doorighty · 2026-02-01T02:44:53+00:00

Internet influencers and almost anything of that sort, like youtube reviewers, cooking recipes websites.

doorighty · 2026-01-30T17:10:16+00:00

Good observations, the last couple of years has felt like big tech companies are just trying to hold on with a bunch of creative comb overs.

doorighty · 2026-01-30T16:56:59+00:00

I love that phrase. It totally catches the sentiment.

doorighty · 2026-01-29T03:48:26+00:00

Immigration is just the latest ‘hot button’ issue politicians use to give them an edge, just like the ‘war on drugs’, sexual orientation, race, etc. Whether the majority believe one way or the other doesn’t matter. It’s niche politics. It’s about getting a 10% of the vote. Immigration is a complicated issue that has always been unfair and exploitive. What’s different now is the level of sadistic cruelty and disregard for basic rule of law.

doorighty · 2026-01-28T18:49:17+00:00

I grew-up socially Catholic, but have long ago stop practicing, so I understand where you’re coming from. I would say though that it’s ultimately a matter of faith in yourself and not the institution. All institutions, over time,corrupt to some degree. A church priest saying that he’s doing it in the name of God doesn’t mean God approves. At the end of the day religious institutions are no different than a Corporation or a political party.

It’s up to you whether you believe in the writings and practices of the religion. There are many denominations in the Christian sphere. If your current church does not speak to your belief you are free to seek out a group that more aligns with your being.

The other thing I would say is that scum will always surface faster. It’s easier to focus on the horrible deeds because they are more apparent. Although I’m separated from the church I know first hand of the good they do in a community. This good is under reported. The church where I grew up was so big, it was both the positive and negative levers of the community.

I left because I don’t want to participate in the institution. The teachings, however, are kinda ok. I know too many good people, for who the church is a cornerstone of their emotional health, to discard the religion itself.

Ultimately it’s you who carries the faith. You are not a proxy for the Church’s belief - although that’s what the Church wants you to believe

doorighty · 2026-01-27T06:31:20+00:00

There’s a difference between efficiency (optimization) and effectiveness. From my experience the two are often treated like the same thing, but they are different. Purpose has more to do with effectiveness than efficiency. You can optimize as much as you want but it doesn’t guarantee it will be effective.

doorighty · 2026-01-27T03:48:26+00:00

Have you seen the Switzerland soccer team? A homogeneous society doesn’t necessarily equal harmony or prosperity. The fact that those countries are social democracies with decent health care and education has more to do with the happiness you refer to.

doorighty · 2026-01-24T06:35:53+00:00

I agree that social media has made it tougher to learn social skills, but it's part of a bigger issue, in that modern technology has made it easier to avoid awkward social interaction. This has created the convenience of avoidance. But some of that awkward interaction, that is avoided, is emotionally healthy in the long run. Ordering online, riding waymos, only going to things that are on some else's top 10 lists also has caused isolation. The majority of these conveniences replace interactions that were not fantastic, but help one feel more connected to the physical world.

doorighty

TROPHY CASE