Yeah in South Africa when our then President, Jacob Zuma, disbanded our independent corruption body, the Scorpions, that started basically corruption on such a scale, even had a commission of inquiry for state capture. Just look at South Africa’s growth since then, basically entrenched poverty and joblessness to our countrymen.

Be afraid Ukraine, even if Zelensky has good intentions, what about the next president. All the advice I can give you is to become active, continue putting pressure on your elected officials. The people have the power, especially through the ballot

I will be honest, I identify as a libertarian, but that does not mean I have blind faith, and I do see benefits of other system. I do not think there really is a one size fits all solution. I am coming from South Africa. The post apartheid government I think even describes themselves as Socialist. I won’t lie they did great work from 1994-2008, amazing even. But unfortunately their way led to what I can describe as a self enrichment drive, really hollowed out our beautiful state. I think that’s why I identify as libertarian, Hayek’s road to serfdom really felt like he was explaining exactly what we are experiencing the last 15 years.

But apart from whose economic model is right, I think the most important thing in a functioning society is participating, like we are doing, coming up with dialog, arguing in good faith. But basically keep those in power on their toes, ensure their power isn’t entrenched, they are there to serve the people in however little or how much they try to govern us, and the people should participate to ensure they are kept accountable.

I think all of us want the same thing, a better world for us and a better place for future generations. Don’t let the elite tell us our differences should cause us to fight, like I said that is the beauty of this conversation, we can differ, thank you for having a different view so that I am not in an echo chamber, let’s argue in good faith, have freedom to explore each other’s viewpoints, you really did make amazing argument with entrenched monopolies for example.

Sorry rambling here, but love you internet stranger, thank you for our argument and challenging our own ideas so that we can grow

I still feel you attacked the open market idea, instead of answering the question I asked where a controlled market decides to give a sub par product, what individualistic avenue is there then to correct the 10% saw dust in my food?

Ok I hear you, the free market is not perfect, in fact it is free for exploration due to its open-ness. I give you that. There have been many abuses and will be. But I just listed a way the free market can regulate itself passively eventually without external influence, it is in individuals best interests to choose a better product and let the inferior fail (if there is no external influence). In a controlled market where the decision is made that the food can be adulterated by let’s say 10% saw dust, this was chosen because the people on top realised that it won’t have detrimental effects and will provide 10% extra rations. What passive correcting method which individuals can exercise is there?

I feel you are making a good point, in a free market people will choose, it is literally in their best interest to choose, and if someone produces a sub par or even poisonous product, the people will choose not to use the product and basically self regulate. Our country had this sudden boom of Shein clothing, they were cheaper so of course they dominated. The government tried exercising control by confiscating the clothes or adding extra tariffs on the clothes and it really was ineffective, our ports are basically so corrupt anything gets through. But now two to three years later even the newspapers are picking up on the growing textile industry thanks to everyone buying locally made clothes that are higher quality that lasts more than 5 washes. Yes there was a market disruption but the market is regulating itself, and cheap clothes from China or Pakistan will have there place, they will only have enough space the market decides for itself.

Here is an opinion piece regarding the recent shifts, https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-07-after-the-bell-shopping-sucks-but-sa-is-stitching-a-comeback/

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Sugar of Lead, chef’s kiss and sorry children

This cool microscope, is Harvard going to keep it for themselves or are they planning to share the equipment with the rest of the scientific community