What do you know about... the UK?

[u/MarktpLatz]

This is the sixth part of our ongoing weekly series about the countries of Europe. You can find an overview here.

Todays country:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The UK is the second most populous state in the EU. Famous for once being the worlds leading power, reigning over a large empire, it has recently taken the decision to exit the EU.

So, what do you know about the UK?

[u/AbstractLemgth]

I think one has to be staggeringly undereducated to think that the asset stripping of entire countries and the exportation of man-made famines which killed millions of people is outweighed by any of the few 'good' things which the Empire brought during colonial rule. To this day, colonised countries do not have full possession of their own resources because they were handed over to private hands before the UK fucked off.

[u/AbstractLemgth → u/[deleted]]

''''Quit the drama''', the lost lives of millions of indigenous people was literally fine because they weren't white'

edit: lol nvm this is his actual view

[u/WeighWord → u/AbstractLemgth]

>Told to stop being so hysterical

>MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T WHITE

Christ. Listen to people when they're engaging you.

[u/AbstractLemgth → u/WeighWord]

That is literally what happened. You are literally defending a white supremacist here. Are you going to suggest that the Bengali and Irish famines were just accidents?

[u/WeighWord → u/AbstractLemgth]

Sigh

No, I'm pointing out that when somebody requested you to calm down and discuss the points reasonably, you resorted, once again, to low-hanging fruit and a low-resolution analysis.

Consider nuclear fission: It's proved to possess immensely destructive and immensely creative qualities. And that's a very simple analogy.

Try to be more malleable and objective in your approach.

[u/AbstractLemgth → u/WeighWord]

This thread literally started with someone saying 'the good of the Empire outweighed the latter'. My entire point is 'you must have a very fucking dim view of life if you consider a handful of railroads to offset the avoidable deaths of over ten million people'.

I'm not interested in 'moderating my tone' because i'm attempting to say precisely what needs to be said - no more, no less. That guy is an apologist for Imperial war crimes and a white nationalist to boot, so I don't see any reason to treat him with any respect. Nor do I have any hope of rationally convincing someone who adheres to an explicitly anti-rational ideology. I comment first because it's cathartic, but secondly because the other people reading this thread need to have it explained how people like him are not only ethically revolting, they're also factually wrong. Especially in an age where fascism is on the rise again, and the Empire (like Holocaust denial) is a popular rallying point for the far right.

[u/WeighWord → u/AbstractLemgth]

You're obviously young, and I (sort of) admire your spirit, but I can't talk with you. Don't pick sides, it's unrewarding, dull, and does not engage anybody. Read.

Have a nice a day.

[u/AbstractLemgth → u/WeighWord]

All of life is picking sides, and it's ignorant at best (and manipulative at worst) to suggest that one has the luxury of being able to be 'above it all'.

Beyond that, I don't have any problem with being on 'the side' against fascism and subjugation.

You suggest that i'm young (which is irrelevant, but maybe wrong depending on your definition of 'young'), but I think it is far more immature to suggest that 'all sides' have equal value or otherwise hidden merit. While this may be true in some examples, it is not true in all. There is no value to the claim that the Sun goes around the Earth. There is no value to the claim that paedophilia is acceptable. And there is no value to the promotion of fascism. It is useful to understand why individuals and groups may turn to fascism, but the matter itself is inherently destructive.

One of my favourite quotes on the matter, relating to holocaust denial, sums up my point nicely:

'Another very important part of fighting Holocaust Denial is to reject the notion that this is a story "that has two sides". This is often used to give these people a forum or argue that they should be able to somehow present their views to the public. It is imperative to not walk into this fallacious trap. There are no two sides to one story here. There are people engaging in the serious study of history who try to find a variety of perspectives and interpretation based on facts conveyed to us through sources. And then there are Holocaust Deniers who use lies, distortion, and the charge of conspiracy. These are not two sides of a conversation with equal or even slightly skewed legitimacy. This is people engaging in serious conversations and arguments vs. people whose whole argument boils down to "nuh-uh", "it's that way because of the Jews" and "lalalala I can't hear you". When one "side" rejects facts en gros not because they can disprove them, not because they can argue that they aren't relevant or valid but rather because they don't fit their bigoted world-view, they cease to be a legitimate side in a conversation and become the equivalent of a drunk person yelling "No, you!" but in a slightly more sophisticated and much more nefarious way.'

[u/WeighWord → u/AbstractLemgth]

Against my better judgement, I'll reiterate a final time:

> Colonialism yielded unjust products. Nobody is contending this or glorifying it.

> Modern medicine, philosophy, law, public infrastructure, technology, business, secularism, social convention, electricity, language, education, and so much more, have greatly benefited former-European colonies. These acquisitions have, today, saved more lives than colonialism stole.

Such hysterical, supercilious, self-indulgent nonsense only evidences your glaring ignorance of the world and human behaviour, and it exposes your susceptibility to impression. Read something that actually challenges your biases.

Now hush.