Intel chips in on anti-SCO defense fund

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Yes...

...you are still trolling. Or simply incoherent. But I shall give you the benefit of the doubt anbd assume your sincerity.

All you have pointed out is a series of inconvenient corporate actions. But you have also made no real accusation against them. You simply call them "soulless". How does a company defend itself against that kind of accusation? They can show you the ledgers and let you review their transactions. But since being "soulless" is not a defined quality, how can they defend themselves? They have not been accused of anything substantive.

You are also confusing criminal actions and those that you find distasteful. Of course, no one likes having their rates raised. Find another insurance company, then. I did. The purpose of an insurance company is not to "care". It is to provide insurance. To compare this to the Holocaust or even to Microsoft's actions is fallacious. Nazi Germany and Microsoft committed crimes. Nazi Germany has been dealt with. As for Microsoft, if you dislike their actions, use something else. That's what originally got me into Linux. Vote for people that will dispense justice. Buy from companies that do not use their services. Similarly, though not of criminal nature, if you don't want a certain credit card, get rid of it! Pay it off, cut it up and go elsewhere. I have a platinum card (not really impressive... it's for a fairly low amount. More of a tin card, in my view, but they decided to give it a fancy name) that has absolutely not charges whatsoever besides a excellent interest rate on balances. If you don't like fees, dispose of them.

However, to claim that a company is "soulless" because they have a purpose to exist-- to provide insurance, to supply the military, and so on-- is also fallacious. The company, as an entity, exists to carry out a function. Should they bankrupt themselves to prove to you that they are not "soulless"? How do they do that, anyway? Must they show only your particular type of compassion? Must they go out of business rather than raise their fees? Since "soulless" is a nebulous, imprecise description, they really can't escape. Or do you think they are just seeing dollar signs? is a similar statement. "You're just seeing dollar signs!" How does a company defend itself against that? Make specific, quantifiable accusations. Who overcharged? By how much? What should their fees be? Why are they immune to, for example, the effects of inflation? Be specific. No one can defend themselves because you haven't accused them of anything. "Soulless (people)... just seeing dollars signs" is unprovable. So, really, be specific. Provide evidence. Remember, you're the one accusing them. The burden of proof (not the burden of insinuation) is on you.

Finally, you never did address my point. How shall a company avoid putting their poor, innocent customers out on the street? Would you require that every transaction be preceded by an investigation of the buyer's financial state? Must Intel conduct an impact study on the finances of a customer every time they sell that customer a CPU? "I'm sorry... If we sell you this CPU, you won't be able to pay your rent this month and will be out on the street. Goodbye." If a customer says to Intel that they want their CPU, should Intel not trust that that person is capable of figuring out for themselves what they want and can afford? You logic is not tenuous; it is entirely non-existent.

Might I recommend reading "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged", both by Ayn Rand? I think it will help you to clarify your thoughts. I believe that she takes the philosophy a little bit too far in a very few ways, but there is much to admire in her reasoning. Read those, then respond.

Posted by: Martin Marvinski   Posted on: 01/12/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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