Posts by Andrew Reed11

Thomas Fowler84 said:Then please provide a specific example of an American factory that collapsed due to cheap imports from the East so we can better grasp your point.

It’s pretty clear you don't grasp the basic concept of market competition, so honestly, I can't even be bothered to explain it to you! 😉

Thomas Fowler84 said:Which specific American factory collapsed due to cheap Eastern goods? Perhaps the textile industry felt the brunt, but the decline in other sectors—like shipbuilding—is primarily a result of domestic mismanagement rather than foreign competition.
Cheap imports might impact an industrial giant like Germany, but we lack a manufacturing base here because there was never a clear vision or a solid strategy to make America a competitive industrial power. It is always easier to blame someone halfway across the world.

What kind of goods? A Chinese person makes everything now. Everything from basic commodities to watches and high-end electronics. Pretty soon they'll be mass-producing food, too.

slycanyon11 said:You want to know why manufacturing is dead? It’s because it’s easier to just import everything rather than deal with the headache of raw materials, labor, regulations, and the government... I once pitched my own project to a major corporation—something that fit their lineup perfectly. A few days later, I read in the news that their production was tanking, customer numbers were dropping, and they were facing bankruptcy. So, I walk up to them with a product that already has a buyer lined up—pure export potential—but I don't have the capital to kickstart the production myself. Meanwhile, they have all the resources imaginable and could get this moving with a measly three or four thousand dollars.

offtopic: okay, well, I happen to have 3 or 4 thousand bucks lying around, so why don't you tell me more about this product! 😉

ontopic: Manufacturing and factories are dying out because of cheap goods flooding in from Asia. Why is that stuff so cheap? Because of ultra-cheap labor in the East working for pennies on the dollar. We can barely compete with that, and in a global recession, the world just wants things dirt cheap. Quality doesn't even matter at that point—it just needs to be inexpensive. You could theoretically stop it by passing laws similar to what the US did back in the old protectionist eras to block massive imports. But then our own people would struggle even more. The only real options are either for our workers to slash their hourly rates to become globally competitive, or for us to slap on forced tariffs to force those imports to compete on our home turf. There isn't a second way. Otherwise, we’re headed for ruin, and we'll only ever be able to manufacture niche goods for the elite—and those kinds of industries don't last long in today's climate..

It's unlikely our people will just cut their wages—they'd end up making even less than they do now—and since we aren't part of that "global slavery" model yet, we can't easily bring in cheap labor from overseas or pay them in dollars to work in our factories (since we aren't quite as ruthless as some Western powers). So, really, we're looking at two choices: watch our industry crumble, or go full isolationist like the old protectionist days to shut out the cheap competition from the East. I don't see any other way. Raw materials can't get cheaper than what's coming out of Asia without the quality dropping to zero, so the only variable left is labor costs. We like to think our labor is already at rock bottom, but clearly, we're still too expensive for the West, which is why they prefer exploiting the East. Modern economics is basically built on this system where wealthy Western nations exploit poorer Eastern nations to make their economies bloom. Unless we stoop to that level and start exploiting people to work for us, we won't bridge that gap, even with a good product. Otherwise, our economy is destined to be nothing more than an elitist bubble.

Okay, I need to weigh in here! I finally went in for my blood work today—and honestly, considering how much I freak out about this stuff, I deserve a medal for bravery. It was definitely uncomfortable, though not exactly traumatic, and the phlebotomist at the clinic did an absolutely flawless job. I felt a little sting from the needle, and for a second after she pulled it out, the bleeding was a bit more than I expected, but once I applied some pressure with a cotton ball, it settled right down. I have to give credit where it's due: she was perfect. Usually, I end up with these massive bruises afterward, but this time? Nothing. Not a single mark. It’s actually kind of wild. 🙂 I'm relieved. Glad I just got it over with. I never used to be squeamish about blood, but I don't know what's gotten into me lately. I guess I'm just getting older! 🙂🙂

swiftmason8 said:so you're scared of sex too???😂😂😂😂

Hilarious 🙂, but I'm not afraid of sex. It's the blood work. Yeah. I don't even know why. I thought someone here might be able to explain to me why I’ve suddenly developed this massive phobia of getting my blood drawn. Why the hell? No clue—I guess the older I get, the more ridiculous I become... Now, for some reason, my blood feels way too intimate to just have it taken like that..😕🤷

It’s just this fear. I can't even put it into words. I'm terrified something will go wrong—like they miss the vein and it starts spraying everywhere like a broken faucet in a kitchen sink. Or maybe I'm just worried about what they'll find in the results? 🙂

So, look—back in the day, whenever I had to go in for blood work, I wasn't even fazed by it. I’d just sit there and deal with it, simple as that. But lately? I don't know what's gotten into me, but I've started getting this visceral reaction to it. It's like... I just can't stand the idea of someone poking around at my body. Not just the surface, either—I mean the inside stuff.😁 I honestly have no clue why this is suddenly such a struggle for me now.

I’m actually sitting here tearing up right now—this is just devastating. It’s that story about the poor dog. It hits so hard... I mean, I’d probably take him in myself, even though I know I don't really have the right setup for a pet right now. But man, this just got to me. 😢😢 It’s just awful how people and animals—the ones who actually deserve love—end up getting none at all. Just terrible.
I might honestly end up adopting him, just because my heart breaks for the little guy...

http://www.nytimes.com/culture/news...,13,,101749.jl

I honestly think a lot of people are just walking around feeling empty inside—and then they don't actually do a single thing to fix it. Most people would probably feel way more fulfilled if they just started some nonprofit or joined a cause to help someone out. It gives life a bit of purpose, doesn't it? You could join one of those existing organizations, too, though I’m not really feeling them lately—too much red tape, in my opinion. And honestly? Not enough actual work being done. I’d love to join something that helps animals, though. If anyone has a recommendation for a good animal rescue or a local shelter, please drop a link so I can sign up and get involved. I don't have much going on at the moment, so I might as well put that energy toward helping those who actually need it.

So, I see people complaining constantly—about this, about that, claiming they’re entitled to one thing while someone else gets another—but it makes me wonder: what have YOU actually done for anyone today? How are you proving to yourself that you're actually a decent human being?
I'll go first. I didn't do anything particularly saintly today, but yesterday I spent a good chunk of time just listening to a guy vent about his problems and trying to help him navigate them.
Then there was Saturday—I headed out to a rally for labor rights and the underdog. I'm not personally struggling, but I went because others are.
And if I'm being honest, something I'm actually proud of: a few days ago, I donated my last fifty bucks to the [Novi Med](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi_Med) shelter fund for their land development project.
I’d love for everyone here to share something positive they’ve done for someone else—something that makes them feel like they actually matter.
We deal with enough negativity on this forum as it is; I’m genuinely curious to see how much positivity you guys have actually built into your own lives—stuff where you get absolutely nothing out of it except knowing you helped someone.
(Please, if you're just looking for an excuse to be a critic, just stay quiet. Mod, please step in if anyone starts using this thread to lash out or insult people out of pure frustration. In my opinion, it’s people who tear down good deeds that make everyone else indifferent. It's why that bear you saw on the news recently almost starved to death—nobody even looked twice because it's become "trendy" to just ignore other people's suffering and focus entirely on yourself. The news is already drowning in that kind of apathy, not enough good people. So, please, skip the philosophy and just tell us what you did for someone else.) Thanks.

Honestly, these kinds of situations are actually pretty useful when they happen—it’s basically a shortcut to seeing someone's true colors. I mean, wouldn't you much rather find out who someone really is after just a month than realize it two years down the line? It saves so much wasted time.

And honestly, when I really sit back and think about it—every bad situation usually ends up serving some kind of purpose. It’s actually better to find out who someone truly is right off the bat—to know exactly where you stand—rather than dragging things out for months only to have them let you down later. You see a person's true colors the moment things go sideways, and frankly, the sooner that trouble hits, the better. In this case, it didn't take long at all to realize what we were dealing with. And that goes for someone else, too. I’d much rather spend my energy picking people who actually have my back from the start, instead of wasting my breath trying to demand basic decency or fairness from complete morons. I know the type now... and I get it. People are easy enough to test if you know where to look.

So, I opened up about my messy breakup, and he was tactless enough to go around broadcasting everything I said. What am I even supposed to say about that? Honestly, it’s his own damn problem. He basically just made himself look like an absolute idiot—because let’s be real, some things aren't meant for public consumption, no matter how much someone hates you or how heated an argument gets. But hey, you meet all kinds of people out there, and what can you really do? Actually, now that I think about it, I did tell him quite a bit—but that's on him for spreading it around. Besides, I won't be hanging around that place anymore, so I truly don't give a damn what anyone else thinks of me. He pretty much showed his true colors. When someone is just a complete moron, there's nothing you can do to help them. And it feels like there are more of them every single day.

mistyharbor15 said:You can't ever be certain about that.🤷 (Honestly, most people who have hurt me were my inner circle, but that's just life.)
You just decide someone looks trustworthy, see some qualities that fit, and start opening up a little. It's a risk. That's how trust works.
Sometimes you mess up, sometimes you find a friend. Personally, finding a friend matters more than being wrong once in a while.
I agree with you on keeping work relationships surface-level, though. You can't be friends with everyone. But there's a difference between opening up to coworkers (no) and opening up to a friend you met at the office (yes).🙂

Okay, I get what you mean, but since I'm basically a person with a borderline neurotic need to ramble about everything—including myself—I know I'll probably end up in the exact same spot again. It’s hard to suppress a part of your personality that's that much of a defining trait. Which is why jobs like being a professor or something similar actually suit me. But let me be clear: it isn't smart. Talking about intimate stuff at work? Not smart. Someone can be a chatterbox—and I definitely am, I'll talk your ear off about anything—but discussing private matters is just plain stupid. I actually had another situation happen recently where I talked too much to some guy about my messy relationship, and now we’ve basically gone at each other's throats. Honestly, I wouldn't even be shocked if he started spreading my business around. But what can you do? People are weak, and most of them are just snitches.

Sean Cruz said:That’s exactly my point—I was ready to move across the country for her at a moment's notice. I basically viewed her as my younger sister; I’d just head off on vacation and come back to find 😱 a completely different person. Now, we actually work together, though I happen to be her boss.

Anyway, let's take this to private messages.

Look, you went looking for a best friend and clearly picked the wrong one. Period. It's because we don't truly know anyone else or what's driving them. We never do. A girl once told me something that stuck—in today's world, you're either the victim or the bully. Whether it's at the office or in your relationships, there isn't really any middle ground.

mistyharbor15 said:Better on the 30th attempt than never.🙂
Not saying it's a hard rule that you shouldn't get close to coworkers. You just have to be selective. Try to bond with colleagues outside of work if they actually fit your vibe. At the end of the day, these are the people we spend a third of our lives with, and it doesn't take long to figure out who's playing games and who's real.
Sean Cruz is right: work is work, and friends are friends. Be polite to everyone, but save your best for your inner circle.😉

Oh, honey. I used to think I was such an expert at reading people, too. Look, I am the literal poster child for getting way too attached to coworkers way too fast—I was basically doing that constantly back when I was sixteen. But seriously, how are you supposed to know after just a few days or a couple of months that someone is actually a solid person who would never use anything against you?

Sean Cruz said:I've actually been a victim of workplace bullying myself. I dealt with a "colleague" who spent two years playing the martyr, only to exploit a coworker's harassment situation to climb the ladder and then try to stab me in the back. Fortunately, she failed 😍.
Bdw - I love your username - is that just a handle, or are you actually a professor? I happen to be a professor myself 🙂

Look, I'll tell you more in a DM since we don't want to go off-topic here. Basically, have you ever been nothing but good to someone for two years only to have them turn around and exploit you? Well, you're the textbook definition of what happens during workplace harassment. After two years of being close, anyone would start feeling some kind of genuine bond, and then she just goes and stabs you in the back after all that time. So much for professional friendships, right? 😁

Sean Cruz said:I couldn't agree more. To me, getting too close is just asking for trouble. As the old saying goes: business is business, and friendship is friendship. 👍

😉 Look, it’s pretty simple—you have to maintain certain boundaries with the people you work with. You can't just hand over personal information that could be used against you later. I learned this the hard way at an old job when I kept venting about my messy relationship to everyone. By the end, I was seen as that person who just complains all day instead of actually focusing on their tasks. Obviously, my coworkers weren't thrilled about listening to my drama, though I didn't realize it at the time. When you feel that urge to spill your guts, it's better off writing in a journal, posting on a forum, or sending an email to a friend. Anything is better than dumping your problems on colleagues. You need to draw a hard line there—otherwise, you're either going to become a target for workplace harassment or worse, you might even lose your job.

Jacob Long said:The way you put this—it’s like you’re reading my mind

It’s not a carbon copy, but you’re spot on about keeping people at work at arm's length

It's not like you're always going to take a massive hit, but sometimes being too real or sharing something personal feels a bit like casting pearls before swine

But then again—how are you supposed to maintain those boundaries when you're stuck in an office with someone all day, year after year? It isn't easy—honestly, maybe it isn't even natural

I'm running into this less often lately—maybe just part of growing up, or maybe it's just the nature of my job

And if you ask me, besides that, the worst scenario is when a boss gets way too close to a subordinate—it almost flips the dynamic entirely, where the employee basically becomes the boss😁 not officially, obviously—but in practice—yeah

I finally realized this after making the same mistake about thirty times. 😁 Maybe it was because I was lonely and looking for friendship in others, but at the end of the day, you can really only be a true friend to yourself; everyone else is there for their own benefit. Whether that benefit is material, spiritual, or emotional. I don't want this to sound like I'm suggesting people should just isolate themselves completely. That's not what I mean. But you absolutely cannot talk about private matters at work. It’s a one-way ticket to disaster! Especially when you're dealing with grown adults. They will use it against you the second you have a disagreement!

Here’s what I’ve finally realized—my biggest mistake has always been getting way too close to people at work or during some seminar or class. It sounds crazy, but it’s a double-edged sword that cuts deep. In my experience, even though time seems to fly when you're actually getting along with someone at the office, leaning in too far is honestly one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Sure, having decent relationships is fine, but keep them surface-level. It took me a hell of a lot of effort and heartache to wrap my head around this. When you're feeling lonely, you tend to look for a friend in everyone you meet, and that’s exactly how you end up getting burned at work. I used to dive into these super intense, overly personal conversations just because I was lonely, and it always came back to haunt me like a boomerang. I also had this urge to be the "fun" one—the person entertaining everyone at the office—and guess what? That bit me in the ass, too. Then there was the whole thing where I felt this need to protect others, which ended up being the hardest blow of all. I've come to see that the smartest move is to stay neutral—just don't get caught up in other people's business. People like that always seem to fare the best. People like me, who pour everything into others—giving them love, attention, support, acting like a protector or an entertainer—we’re usually the first ones to feel the knife in our backs. Trust me on this. It took years of misery to learn. Maybe those attempts to be "likable" were just me trying to soothe my own ego, which explains why the fallout was so brutal. It’s better to stay grounded, keep your distance, and not make others the center of your universe; that's how you actually get through life without the drama. Any time you overextend yourself for someone else, it ends up coming back to hit you negatively. And look, don't mistake this for pessimism—call it what it is: plain old realism.