The Corporation
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- Kuz0
oh really?? Ur definition of psychopath (fingercore) could be applied to more than half the planet. i thought a psychopath/sociopath was irrational/illogical. The literal definition of sociopath is hatred for society. It is a psychological disorder. In fact the word Sociopath is now used instead of Psychopath, cos it's more desriptive of the psychological condition. In other words there are no rationalities to a sociopaths desire to "destroy" life/society. It's not necessary motivated by things external to him/her, like lack of money, or desire for sexual gratification. It's just the pure serial killer desire to kill...
But anyway, it all sounds intellectually weak to me. I saw the same argument "corporation = sociopath" in one of Moore's books, who is also intellectually weak.
There's many free-marketeers, economists, Reaganites etc.. who could argue (justifiably) that corporations nurture society.
Sociopath seems like a very clumsy descriptioin for coporation, which is why in the end i didn't watch the film. And also, i think, Coporation is a very complex beast and u can't really talk about it without discussing Capitalism as a whole. I dont see why u'd singal out one "front" of global Capitalism. I much prefer Antonio Negri and Michael Hardts analysis of Capitalism as a "parasite" feeding off human social activity.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obiā¦
It's all good tho. I'm just looking for much more intelletually solid arguments than what most of these people present. Anyways, as long as they're on the right said (which is the left) i'm all for it, just like i'm all for Michael Moore. Its a fuckin media war.
- nick0
Kuz, why don't you just watch the movie instead of launching yourself into a debate on the interweb on a movie you haven't seen? I might also be considered 'intellectually weak' in your book, but I felt the comparison was valid, and effective.
- Kuz0
sorry nick, i was just going by their own posters and trailers. they had this thing in one of their promotions where they stated:
A sociopath is someone who fills crieteria a) b) c) d)
and then they said, this film is an investigation into how Corporations fulfill criteria a) b) c) d)
and i was like, hang on, surely there's more to a sociopath than fulfilling these criterias a) b) c) d) that they've come up with.
Anyway, i think i'm right. As always. :P
- Kuz0
and yeah, that kinda put me off the movie.. so i spent my few canadian looney's on a nice night out at the Rivoli instead. Good decision i think.
- fingercore0
Perhaps I'll look into that book. I'm also going to start reading parts of my girlfriends DSM-IV as to how to the real definition of psycho/sociopath and if it's applicable.
- fingercore0
PS. I am very critical of the capitalism system in general--not just corporations.
- Mimio0
It's obviously for effect. The argument uses some latitude in order to illustrate the preposterousness of corporate "entities". Big deal, we're all adults we can appreciate metaphor.
- Kuz0
I know Mimio. That's why i said, further up there, if u read, that "i get the satrical point, i'm sure its an amusing and informative film". Sheesh, i'm just talkin about the intellectual premise for the hell of it, no need to be a bitch about it.
- Mimio0
I'm not bitching, just disagreeing. I think it's a fair and effective comparison. Many corporations are bereft of remorse.
- Kuz0
I'm sure they are. But i was trying to say, the film is satirical, as like u say, to highlight the craziness of coporations. But then fingercore and others (if u read) were like, well "they were definitley making a SERIOUS connection". I was arguing against that SERIOUS connection. Ya get me??
- Mimio0
Bakan's observation is that corporations are like sociopathic juggernauts. At certain levels and maturities they consume and destroy relentlessly, even beyond their own control.
Sounds like an accurate perspective to me.
- Kuz0
again... is that what a sociopath is? I always thought a sociopath was averse to life/society external to itself. Like he/she has a manifest hatred of society and seeks to purposefully destroy it. You know like Hannibal Lecter or Norman Bates. But then maybe i'm wrong and there's such a thing as a low-level sociopath. In which case fair enough corporations are remorseless . But i still wouldn't call coporations sociopaths when they rely on society so much. Provide jobs, satisfy consumer desires etc...
I prefer parasite. There u go, semantics, fuck it.
- zedvox0
*slaps Kuz for making me think, all the time*
*eats biryani*
- -leah-0
you know what i like? pikora? i don't know how it is spelled but it is soooooo good!!!
- Kuz0
lol, sorry zed! pass me summa dat biryani yar!
- Kuz0
Plus dont they have shareholders and investors to think of?
I guess u cud say countries and politicians are sociopathic as well. Remorseless in their self interest.
I bet there's like a billion sociopathic things floating around.
- Kuz0
ha leah, i'm glad u said pikora and not onion bhaji!
- -leah-0
wtf is onion bhaji???
pikoras are little pieces of heaven :)
- zedvox0
hehe *psses some biryani to Kuz*
and leah pakora's are soo awesome.
on a rainy day pakora's and chai are the best!!anyways i am actually interested in watching this movie.
also i decided today after a lunch conversation with a friend that if Bush gets re-elected and things don't change here in america i am gonna leave :(ok totaly random post but thats the state of mind i am in
- Kuz0
pakora's are called onion bhajis in this country for some crazy reason. My mum makes the nicest pakora's ever..