zlacker

And I don't deny this nature in myself

>>brickc+(OP)
It seems like you're lamenting what is basically an immutable biological trait without proposing any solutions. I don't think this adds much to the discussion.

>>apatte+M
apatters, a discussion on the internet doesn't need solutions. If we loved everyone like we love ourselves, we would not let people go hungry, or suffer. I believe few people have achieved this level of transcendence, and it starts with knowing yourself. If somehow I could write a comment over the internet that can make you do some self-reflection I would. But I don't know what that comment is.

>>apatte+M
> immutable biological trait

So now your two SUVs and white McMansion with a picket fence are an "immutable biological trait"?

>>apatte+M
> ... without proposing any solutions...

While I don't necessarily agree with everything the poster is saying--implying that someone is only allowed to discuss topics in which they have a readily available solution would likely ruin most discussion on the internet and it would certainly put a damper on scientific work the world over.

>>3x+N4
Please try to be charitable, not adversarial, toward the counterparties in a discussion on HN. I will try to do the same.

I was characterizing what the parent appeared to be saying, so that I could discuss it (that greed is a part of human nature). I was not justifying greed.

I rent an apartment and I don't own a car.

>>toofy+ka
I thought the pre-edit version of your comment was more interesting. Debate is a very different thing from scientific research. I think debates have better outcomes when you follow a few rules (civility, charity, a focus on possible solutions that benefit all parties). The rules for scientific R&D are different.

But whether the "enlightenment project" benefits from simply making complaints is a valid question. I still think the answer is no, or at least that if you're going to make a complaint, your position is improved by proposing a solution for discussion. I concede that it might be possible to make an effective and evidence-based counterargument, but are there meaningful social movements which have been based solely on complaining about stuff with no action platform?

>>apatte+pa
Just a joke, phrasing it referring to "you" wasn't meant to be personal.