What a load of strawman bull.
Originally
posted by
sinistril:
in practice every socialist regime has been authoritarian, which stems from the fact that socialist systems are by definition totalitarian.
No it's not. Cite a source that states "socialist systems" are "by definition totalitarian". For a self proclaimed well studied academic on the topic of socialism, you seem to BS quite a bit.
Your general tone demonstrates how hell bent you are on arguing semantics and take a stance against practical and non-traditional non-academic usage of terminologies. It's your beef right now. Yet. socialism at it's core says nothing about totalitarianism. At it's core, it is an economic system. Now, you can find different philosophers who incorporate socioeconomic ideas to socialism, but socialism, at least in simple dictionary definition, at it's core is equitable sharing of resources for all. So tell me where "totalitarian" of socialism comes in, "by definition" too no less, professor.
However, discussing the rules of an online game is not socialism. Wanting an extra rule is not socialistic (again, I thought the rule should be taken out not added) either.
Who said discussing a rule is socialist? I always referred back to Gerdler (cough clintonista). Gerdler's intentions were very much socialist in the principles he espouses and in the practical nature of his authoritarian tone. And that is excluding his past rant on "GDI for all" and all the other GDI based rants. I know a socialist when I see one.
His advocacy in this thread alone includes:
(1) So called "toxic" behavior that should be outlawed and punished, whatever 'toxic' means. (i.e. toxic = mean to me)
(2) Land:Land retal as opposed to 1:1 hit/retal is more fair.
(3) Quote "Shouldn't it be harder if it is fun? Why should only one thing be a challenge?" - referencing somehow 'leveling the playing field' between perceived 'skill' involved between 'netting' and 'warring' is further warranted.
(4) Rallying behind the diminished top feeding gain.
At the heart of socialist philosophy is the concept of creating equal opportunity to succeed. Gerdler in his infinite wisdom, misguided by his recent butthurt, felt the playing field was somehow left unfair for players of his ilk. The game needed to be 'more fair'. To 'even the playing fields' some more in this highly unfair system that is currently in place. Rather than playing the game with the rules that were already established, and adapting to it, he wants changes made to enact "equitable treatment". When in reality, he just wants the game to fit a certain mold.
In practice, he sings the same song practical socialists before him have sung. He wanted more rules and regulations to suit his utopia of equitable treatment in this insanely unfair game.
In fact, authoritarianism predates written history.
Give examples where authoritarian regimes have existed before 'written history'.
The idea that you make claim to knowledge and facts of something that is outside of recorded human history, in and of itself should smell funny even to the untrained eye. To argue on and on about semantics and ride on a high horse the entire time while you continue to make illogical and factually incorrect statements left and right is troubling.
I mean, at this point it seems like you're pulling shyt out of your A to sound cool. But I very much would still like to 'learn' from you, what the oldest examples of authoritarianism is, pre-3XXX BC, a statement of facts backed by none other than no actual recorded history.