Rob Plant + 2,756 RP November 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, Marcin said: To be hegemonic country like US, China or Roman Empire you need decent population. "So the population mark is around 5% at least" To my knowledge (I may be wrong) the British Empire was the largest by land mass in the history of the world. I would estimate at that time that the UK population was a fraction of 1% of the world's population so I don't really think your statement that you need a population of 5% holds any water, as history is at odds with this. "plus centralized country with common soul, sense of destiny." I dont believe the above as USA is not centralised, I doubt it has a common soul and I'm damn sure it didnt have a sense of destiny! Regarding a common soul and a sense of destiny, I presume you mean China have been indoctrinated since Mao and have several generations of this indoctrination and don't have access to anything else due to the PRC's policy of censorship and a lack of freedom of speech?? This may actually be correct and time will tell whether this policy works for China to become the next hegemony or whether it will lead to civil unrest and potential civil war as the people wake up to the fact they have been lied to for decades. Interesting and dangerous times we live in! 2 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rasmus Jorgensen + 1,169 RJ November 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Rob Plant said: But it isnt and its extremely unlikey to be in the near future I agree as far as the near future is concerned (5 - 10 years). But necessity is the mother of many things. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP November 14, 2019 13 minutes ago, Rasmus Jorgensen said: I agree as far as the near future is concerned (5 - 10 years). But necessity is the mother of many things. Haha it is indeed Rasmus. My belief is there are too many chiefs playing internal politics (call it Nationalism) for there ever to be a long term agreement on anything in the EU. This will always play havoc with a long term strategy and direction for the EU. Hopefully I'm wrong and your dream comes to fruition☺️ 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 November 14, 2019 15 hours ago, Zhong Lu said: Actually, America has invaded Mexico and Canada, but that was early on in its history so I'll give it a pass. My main point is that Douglas's definition of "invasion" is so distorted that a Russianphile could use it to argue that Russia has never invaded anyone, either. After all, when USSR sent its troops into Afghanistan, it was done as "part of a coalition" (the coalition of the Soviet Republics) and so according to Douglas's definition of "invasion" this means it is not an "invasion." Nice try, but a ‘coalition’ of the members of the Soviet Union is like forming a coalition of the 50 separate States to ‘invade’ Iraq and calling it the USA. Never happened. The USSR, in and of itself, invaded Afghanistan. Your so called invasions of Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and yes, even Vietnam, were by coalitions of distinctly separate and sovereign nations. Don’t believe me about Vietnam? I suggest you visit the war museum in Ho Chi Minh City, they spell it out for you. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rasmus Jorgensen + 1,169 RJ November 14, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: Hopefully I'm wrong and your dream comes to fruition☺️ Thanks... Edited November 14, 2019 by Rasmus Jorgensen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcin + 519 MS November 14, 2019 28 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: "So the population mark is around 5% at least" To my knowledge (I may be wrong) the British Empire was the largest by land mass in the history of the world. I would estimate at that time that the UK population was a fraction of 1% of the world's population so I don't really think your statement that you need a population of 5% holds any water, as history is at odds with this. "plus centralized country with common soul, sense of destiny." I dont believe the above as USA is not centralised, I doubt it has a common soul and I'm damn sure it didnt have a sense of destiny! Regarding a common soul and a sense of destiny, I presume you mean China have been indoctrinated since Mao and have several generations of this indoctrination and don't have access to anything else due to the PRC's policy of censorship and a lack of freedom of speech?? This may actually be correct and time will tell whether this policy works for China to become the next hegemony or whether it will lead to civil unrest and potential civil war as the people wake up to the fact they have been lied to for decades. Interesting and dangerous times we live in! You twisted a little bit my message, so I will repeat my points in different structure for overall clarity: 1. China the only civilization with longevity (2500 years) and size (25% of global population -5%/10%) (so British Empire, Mongol Empire - short ventures, similar to1 Chinese dynasty, Roman Empire longer most similar to China but still very short by comparison). 2. a) Centralized country with common destiny (definitely China, definitely USA) and 5% mark : actually point 2 is repeat of point1 but is more general. centralized: means stability (not British or Mongol Empires with loose colonial structure, short ventures look at point 1), 5% mark: means enough economic and military power to exercise control over the rest of humanity. Now refuting you other statements: - give any argumentation that US is not centralized ( it is about economy, military, internal security, common language etc. the fact that you can legally piss on the street in rural Idaho or smoke marihuana in Colorado does not apply) - rule of Communist Party is 70 years, 1/30 of Chinese history, blink of an eye, another dynasty very similar to all previous dynasties. Nothing substantially different from the point of Chinese heritage or civilization from Quing, Ming, more freedom than in 1900. Yes the world developed with steam engine, automobiles, computers and free speech yet Chinese are still Chinese. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rasmus Jorgensen + 1,169 RJ November 14, 2019 15 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: My belief is there are too many chiefs playing internal politics (call it Nationalism) for there ever to be a long term agreement on anything in the EU. This will always play havoc with a long term strategy and direction for the EU. I guess I can agree. Where I disagree is that I think a fuctioning EU is the answer to many challenges facing Europe. And EU is somewhat starting to do things that effects peoples lives positively such as GDPR. Figthing cross border economic crime. Enough small successes that matter and then there will be something to build. aim for the stars, even if you miss you land on the moon. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP November 14, 2019 35 minutes ago, Rasmus Jorgensen said: aim for the stars, even if you miss you land on the moon Dont do that you'll die! 🤣 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP November 14, 2019 45 minutes ago, Marcin said: 1. China the only civilization with longevity (2500 years) and size (25% of global population -5%/10%) Sorry What has longevity got to do with anything? Should we be discussing Egypt then? are you saying that China is the only country that has been civilized for the last 2500 years? If my memory is correct the Roman Empire was during this period so are you saying they weren't the hegemony of the time and weren't civilised? You use longevity as a prerequisite for a hegemony and include the US yet the other ones I mentioned you say didnt rule long enough, seriously??? Population has absolutely nothing to do with it as I have stated with the British Empire which totally disproves your point 58 minutes ago, Marcin said: 5% mark: means enough economic and military power to exercise control over the rest of humanity. I presume where you dismiss the British Empire you forget that it was the largest the world has EVER known. I presume you are joking when you say "5% mark: means enough economic and military power to exercise control over the rest of humanity." Are you seriously suggesting the British Empire did not have these?? How come Britain ruled half the world? Did the countries beg us to come over and subjugate themselves? ridiculous arguments Marcin! 50 minutes ago, Marcin said: centralized: means stability No it doesnt, please see below centralize verb past tense: centralized; past participle: centralized concentrate (control of an activity or organization) under a single authority. "a highly centralized country" bring (activities) together in one place. "the Treasury centralized all naval refitting work at Devonport" 1 hour ago, Marcin said: - give any argumentation that US is not centralized ( it is about economy, military, internal security, common language etc. the fact that you can legally piss on the street in rural Idaho or smoke marihuana in Colorado does not apply) I will let you off with this as you do not understand what centralized means and maybe a language barrier thing, although the pissing and marijuana references are bizarre. 1 hour ago, Marcin said: - rule of Communist Party is 70 years, 1/30 of Chinese history, blink of an eye Yes but we were discussing whether China will be the next hegemony, history will have zero bearing on this, its all about now and the future! What China did or didnt do 2500 years ago is irrelevant! My point is a populous that is indoctrinated as China certainly is will only have a short life span as the people will one day realise the censorship they are under and will overthrow that ideology, usually in civil war. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 November 14, 2019 ...barking at the moon Rob. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP November 14, 2019 4 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: ...barking at the moon Rob. Apparently so! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcin + 519 MS November 14, 2019 On 11/12/2019 at 10:56 AM, remake it said: Isn't the issue that perhaps many here see that China is not equal - in fact "less than" - but China may see itself greater than, and this underlying reality has not escaped the many here? This the big problem, nobody mentioned it here before. Both Chinese and American people, have the same distinct feature that differentiates them from much or all of humanity. They think that their countries are exceptional and it can lead to people themselves thinking about themselves as Übermensch Like they both read this delusional lunatic Nietsche. Leaders of both countries are increasing nationalism: Xi Jinping with his Chinese Dream and China being the strongest country in 2049, and US Presidents often say something like " God bless America, the greatest country on Earth" This feature is also caused by history and present day of both countries: both were (or are) the strongest countries for a very long time. China because of 3000 years of its written history ( during 2500 of them was largest economy) and recent, last 30 years sudden rise in power. USA because of recent 100 years of global hegemony. Rising nationalism&"exceptionalism" of both China and USA is also dangerous from the other point of view. Think if they will start co-operating in the future, dividing the world between them to the benefit of 2 countries and detriment of the rest of humanity. Nobody could say NO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest November 14, 2019 (edited) #moon Can someone explain what the standard USA v China ''get the ruler out'' nonsense has to do with the thread title at all please? Just wondering. Stay on topic please, this place is famous for it. You won't catch me going off topic. #DT2020 Cheers. Edited November 14, 2019 by Guest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zhong Lu + 845 November 14, 2019 (edited) On 11/13/2019 at 6:33 AM, canadas canadas said: Russia being alarmed at Iran going nuclear is probably no different than China being alarmed at a nuclear North Korea. I don't really believe it. Sometimes we forget that Shiite Muslim Iran has a next door neighbor to its east that is nuclear armed and that is Sunni Muslim Pakistan. If I were Pakistan I would be concerned about being sandwiched between nuclear India to its east and nuclear China to its northeast and a potential nuclear Iran to its west. Thus, this is quite a nuclear conflict potential area. China would really prefer both NK and Iran not to have nukes. Think about it like this: do you want Mexico and Haiti to have nukes? Edited November 14, 2019 by Zhong Lu 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
remake it + 288 November 14, 2019 4 hours ago, DayTrader said: Can someone explain what the standard USA v China ''get the ruler out'' nonsense has to do with the thread title at all please? Just wondering. Stay on topic please, this place is famous for it. You won't catch me going off topic, Please follow the discussion as it was the USA who reneged on the Iranian nuclear deal, and it is China who is offering some amount of economic comfort, while Iran's decision to step up production of nuclear materials is putting former supporters offside: now tie this in to hegemony and you understand that Iran will place China well ahead... a theme akin to Belt & Road. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest November 14, 2019 27 minutes ago, remake it said: Please follow the discussion Fair enough man 00100111100010110001010 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 December 18, 2019 On 11/12/2019 at 12:46 AM, Enthalpic said: Bots can form more logical arguments than many around here. PS don't bad mouth AI - it is listening... I welcome our new AI masters, it can't be worse than trump. On 11/12/2019 at 12:54 AM, remake it said: This one is programmed to spot inconsistencies with thinking and has no care for distraction, noting this as a distraction and therefore an inconsistency in order to show AI handler's error as essential part of response routine. Hey @remake it , are you self-identifying as an Artificial Intelligence bot with a human handler in your comment above? / edit @Ward Smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enthalpic + 1,496 December 18, 2019 On 11/14/2019 at 2:00 PM, DayTrader said: 00100111100010110001010 01011001 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01110011 01111001 01101110 01110100 01100001 01111000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101100 01100001 01110111 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101000 01110101 01101101 01100001 01101110 00101110 https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/number/binary-to-ascii.html 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest December 18, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Enthalpic said: 01011001 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01110011 01111001 01101110 01110100 01100001 01111000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101100 01100001 01110111 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101000 01110101 01101101 01100001 01101110 00101110 Hahaha yes, it often is man .... oh well. Edited December 18, 2019 by Guest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 December 18, 2019 On 11/14/2019 at 4:00 PM, DayTrader said: 00100111100010110001010 17 minutes ago, Enthalpic said: 01011001 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01110011 01111001 01101110 01110100 01100001 01111000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101100 01100001 01110111 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101000 01110101 01101101 01100001 01101110 00101110 14 minutes ago, DayTrader said: Hahaha yes, it often is man .... oh well. DT's syntax gets messed up because of the British / English version of human wording. Obviously AI will spot this British human syntax error easily. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest December 18, 2019 Just now, Tom Kirkman said: Obviously AI will spot this British human syntax error easily. If the AI was put together by a dumb Yank then yep ... in the grammatically correct world, you lose every time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichieRich216 + 454 RK December 18, 2019 On 11/6/2019 at 1:39 PM, pinto said: Iran has stepped up activity at its underground Fordow nuclear plant, state TV said on Wednesday, a move France said showed for the first time that Tehran explicitly planned to quit a deal with world powers that curbed its disputed nuclear work. In another development that could also aggravate tensions between Iran and the West, diplomats said Iran briefly held an inspector for the U.N. nuclear watchdog and seized her travel documents, with some describing this as harassment. Iran said the inspector was prevented from entering the Natanz facility because of a concern she might be carrying “suspicious material”, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. It said screening equipment at Natanz flashed a warning sign when the inspector passed through so her equipment was searched, she was denied entry and the International Atomic Energy Agency was subsequently informed. The incident involving an IAEA inspector appeared to be the first of its kind since Tehran’s landmark deal with major powers was struck in 2015, imposing restraints on its uranium enrichment program in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Nuke them and get it over with.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Foote + 1,135 JF December 31, 2019 On 11/11/2019 at 12:00 PM, Marcin said: And later I would advice Saudi Arabia to buy nukes from Pakistan. They've tried, and tried, and probably bankrolled a lot of the Pakistan efforts in getting nuclear. Tried to get them to commit troops the the Yeman fiasco as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Foote + 1,135 JF December 31, 2019 On 11/12/2019 at 11:31 PM, Zhong Lu said: No, no, the US effort in South Korea was definitely justified. Never said it was a "bad" war. Nonetheless, it was still an invasion when MacArthur crossed deep into NK. He could have just stopped 100 miles into North Korea and called it a day. Would have saved everyone a lot of effort. MacArthur didn't believe the Chinese would go all in, and then he thought the answer was go nuclear against China. So Truman had to fire him by being so public about it. Ironic on the nuke since MacArthur was against HIroshima and Nagasaki. Tactically, Inchon was probably the last great American military move. Mostly the US wins with logistics, technology, and overwhelming overall superiority. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boat + 1,324 RG January 1, 2020 On 11/6/2019 at 2:50 PM, ronwagn said: The world is far more prosperous than ever! Of course it is. Unprecedented global debt skyrockets. Time for another tax cut. Keep the train on the track. Soon the citizen will pay the government to bank its money.🙃 1 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites