Thank You Adam Smith.

I think all anyone's really asking for is some kind of discussion rather than a list of things wrong (or that you think are wrong) with society. "Rage against the machine" is all very well and good, but if you want to convince people about your views, it is probably better to actually present them. Just a suggestion.Oh, and implying people are ignorant or blind or whatever just because they don't immediately "see" the same things you do or instantly acquiesce to your points probably isn't really a good tactic, either. It's much more convincing if you try and explain your reasoning. Perhaps it's not quite as obvious to others as it apparently is to you.

Ah, well. You'd be surprised at what people disagree on. There were a fair selection of items on your list that I would disagree with, in fact (assuming the list you posted represented "bad" things). However, I have to confess I'm very disinclined to argue about them without you at least putting down some initial reasoning on each.Never take agreement for granted - this is a debate board, after all. If you want to convince people with the force of your argument, you need to present it in a persuasive fashion. Not everyone is going to see the world the way you do. Yeah, I kind of took it that way, seeing as none of the items on your list can actually be laid at Smith's doorstep. In spite of the popular, grossly over-simplified exposure most people get, many of his ideas are actually quite good - and often very different from what is usually encapsulated. I found Wealth to be a fascinating read - even if I don't necessarily agree with everything. Rather than rejecting it wholesale, it might be worth the effort to wade through his writings. Just a thought.

Heh. Stick two economists in a room, ask 'em a question about macroeconomic policy, you'll get four completely mutually exclusive answers. Or at least that's been my experience. But anyway, do read Wealth, and if you can try to look at it as jar mentioned: in the context of the time it was written.