Comments on: Michael Moore Did It Again With Capitalism: A Love Story

By: wilfrid

wilfrid — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:23:22 +0000

Andre – Excellent point. No, I don’t think super models and etc. justify that sort of reward. Maybe I am totally off here, but I think that celebrity worship is born out of capitalism. And I am also not trying to judge a person here. I think the topic is more on the economic framework of a given society.

If I am to invest my money, I would like to choose organizations that have a long term goal in working towards common good.

By: Andre

Andre — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:55:21 +0000

Yeah, I understand what you’re saying. I don’t have an answer for that. Maybe it’s fruitless to try to map a profession/return with contribution to society. Does the money supermodels make justify the contribution to society? Is our enjoyment worth so much that Hollywood actors get millions of dollars? I think a person should be judged more than his/her profession, though.

By: wilfrid

wilfrid — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:52:17 +0000

Dregar – I think you will certainly like this movie, knowing you as a friend.

With regards to the bread analogy, I guess I was a bit too brief. I understand the need for hedging against the unforeseeable future. And I also understand the good of investing our money to the selected corporations that help built the future of our society. It is like I have excess bread and perhaps it is a good idea to feed others who contribute to the society for a future return rather than stocking the bread into my kitchen.

What puzzles me of course are the speculators, or even the momentum investors, who make buy sell decision for short term profit making. Please understanding that I am not criticizing such profession. It is just a profession that I do not understand what tangible contribution to the society that warrant such return.

By: dregar

dregar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:04:11 +0000

Man, I really want to see this movie. I always find Michael Moore entertaining. I use ‘entertaining’ because, let’s face it, his movies are more about his opinions than objective documentaries — plus he’s really clever in bending the truth. But he’s really good in picking subject matters worth discussing about.

Regarding the bread analogy, it’s true that people who play in the financial market don’t contribute something physical. HOwever the market is an important part of society and by definition there needs to be buying and selling. The market players are just those that take part in the buying and selling. Some people do it for a very real reason (e.g. corn farmers buying corn futures to protect his income in case there is a drought) and some people may buy corn futures *just because* they think their price will rise.

By: wilfrid

wilfrid — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:44:25 +0000

Alfred – Thanks! I really need an editor for my site … hehehe

By: Alfred

Alfred — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:21:35 +0000

Got a spelling mistake there. Identity spelled as identify.

By: wilfrid

wilfrid — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:46:21 +0000

Ssumin – I am glad to hear that you can relate to my example. At least that is what I think whenever I got stuck in what this economics really means.

Still puzzling to me, to be honest. I hope the film will not disappoint.

By: ssumin

ssumin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:35:51 +0000

Really like your bread example as it hits home the point (or pointlessness?) of capitalism. Nice review – I definitely want to watch this documentary now.