In the case of “was it right for the west to feel their system was better than the Soviet one” my example simply illustrates that a western supermarket in ‘88 reduced someone from the Soviet Union to tears.

[–] Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But that's really misdirecting of the overall issue right? That's why I brought up homeless or very low income people in America as a counter-example.

Sure capitalism brings us some good things because of the profit incentive driving some to continue pushing the envelope (there's pros and cons, don't want to get too in the weeds) but there's also massive inequality, compared to the ideal of a communist or socialist perspective where sure it might not be as shiny or you don't have as many options, but you're definitely housed and fed.

[–] sunbeam60@lemmy.one 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I agree but I wasn’t trying to address the overall issue. Certainly no more me than the people I responded to, who used the example of shitty junk food joints to claim the people of the Soviet Union didn’t look with envy on the choices offered to the western citizens.

In theory the communist system is fantastic, in the same way the society described in The Culture is. There just hasn’t been any implementation that got close to that ideal and certainly the median citizen seems better off in the west.

[–] Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I guess the main thing they might have been talking about is how a lot of the "west culture" will only trumpet the "good" aspects of capitalism and downplay any/all negatives.

Like it's cool we have McDonalds and many other fast food places available, but so many of them are bottom of the barrel quality/health wise and therefore it's really not like it adds a ton of value to our lives over if we didn't have to worry about having healthy food provided to us, even if we don't have the choice.

Mostly splitting hairs at this point, I think we broadly agree :p

[–] sunbeam60@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

Yes agreed 🤜🤛