Very nicely done. Somehow I didn't see this at the time or had forgotten it. I think you put the other 2 guests off their narrative because they wanted to make their claims without data. You kept pointing out that the data go the other way.
Having followed your career, your demeanor in these situations has actually changed quite a bit. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your smirk here, but I definitely get the sense that your tone and facial expressions would be different if you did the same interview today.
I think I would smirk. too. Ok, Europe is not spending like the 1970s... indeed it has changed, but "less than" is still really big. I think I remember this debate. I was in Oman, and Al Jazeera was on all the time. They actually did some decent journalism at times.
Wow, that was a surreal debate! A Qatari network lecturing on equality of income and wealth, host and 2 guests attributing to capitalism weaknesses that pertains to state driven economies. Only Brian left with opinions based on data and facts. Pure stoicism professor.
The countries that were strict command and control socialist economies that have become more capitalist are improving. The ones that didn't are struggling. That's all you need to know
Maybe the Qatari state should abolish its own addiction to indentured servitude before criticising the treatment of the working classes in the west? Just a thought...
Don't count them as 2 haters. It is just the same one using two accounts. Both mails using "smirk" and "wipe" in the same short diatribe? Right! Keep on smiling, Bryan!
You must have really made an impression on these good people. Otherwise they would have been able to carry on with their lives without reaching out for your attention. Kudos!
Shining a light on willful ignorance leads the ignorant to focus on anything but what is making their conscience recoil. Had you been wearing an earring the focus may have gone there. I call it a knowing smile that has been vindicated in the 12 years since.
What is a charitable reading of their claims about social spending being so small? Or even being small compared to the 70s? Im playing with this OWID graph and their claim seems so blatantly wrong I’m wondering if I misunderstood their point.
Agreed, the other debaters were in a world of their own. Slightly less regulation in some areas equals none at all!? I was surprised how statist they both were. Their opinions were pretty much the same.
After watching, all I can say is “wow”. You deserve a humanitarian award for participating in that debate and remaining as respectful as you were.
OF COURSE you smirked! You were the only grownup in the room with all those babbling urchins. Thank you for smirking. And keep it up!
Very nicely done. Somehow I didn't see this at the time or had forgotten it. I think you put the other 2 guests off their narrative because they wanted to make their claims without data. You kept pointing out that the data go the other way.
Having followed your career, your demeanor in these situations has actually changed quite a bit. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your smirk here, but I definitely get the sense that your tone and facial expressions would be different if you did the same interview today.
I think I would smirk. too. Ok, Europe is not spending like the 1970s... indeed it has changed, but "less than" is still really big. I think I remember this debate. I was in Oman, and Al Jazeera was on all the time. They actually did some decent journalism at times.
France is spending 1/3 of GDP on the welfare state rest of Europe is near 25%. That is massive dollars spent.
Wow, that was a surreal debate! A Qatari network lecturing on equality of income and wealth, host and 2 guests attributing to capitalism weaknesses that pertains to state driven economies. Only Brian left with opinions based on data and facts. Pure stoicism professor.
The countries that were strict command and control socialist economies that have become more capitalist are improving. The ones that didn't are struggling. That's all you need to know
Maybe the Qatari state should abolish its own addiction to indentured servitude before criticising the treatment of the working classes in the west? Just a thought...
Don't count them as 2 haters. It is just the same one using two accounts. Both mails using "smirk" and "wipe" in the same short diatribe? Right! Keep on smiling, Bryan!
You must have really made an impression on these good people. Otherwise they would have been able to carry on with their lives without reaching out for your attention. Kudos!
Shining a light on willful ignorance leads the ignorant to focus on anything but what is making their conscience recoil. Had you been wearing an earring the focus may have gone there. I call it a knowing smile that has been vindicated in the 12 years since.
Something about signing hatemail is incredibly funny to me.
"WIPE OFF THAT SMIRK, DAMMIT.
Sincerely,
Jane"
Anyway, truly great points, Bryan. Shame the interview was so tilted against you.
What is a charitable reading of their claims about social spending being so small? Or even being small compared to the 70s? Im playing with this OWID graph and their claim seems so blatantly wrong I’m wondering if I misunderstood their point.
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/social-spending-oecd-longrun?time=1960..latest&country=CAN~AUS~JPN~USA~SWE~DEU~FRA~GBR
Lmao! No smirking!!
Agreed, the other debaters were in a world of their own. Slightly less regulation in some areas equals none at all!? I was surprised how statist they both were. Their opinions were pretty much the same.