this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2025
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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

I think this is a good rule of thumb in general. When statistics agree with my preconceived notions, I consider them trustworthy, and if not, I assume that reality lines up with what I expect. For example, the referendum in held in the Baltics about leaving the USSR ended in favor of leaving, which I think is a good example of a trustworthy statistic. But the subsequent referendum in the remaining members ended in favor of staying in the USSR, and I think that's a little suspicious, don't you?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

When statistics agree with my preconceived notions, I consider them trustworthy, and if not, I assume that reality lines up with what I expect.

I… thought you were being sarcastic. This is an obvious and severe flaw to have in one’s rational thinking.

prejudice (noun)
1. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions.
2. An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

With much love and respect I ask you to please read the remainder of my comments in this thread.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

oic. Carry on, comrade.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Why would it be suspicious? Different members of the USSR had different national conditions, some were quite nationalist and opposed being a part of the USSR, some were more internationalist and wished to retain the Soviet system. In the following years, there have been many studies verifying that of those who lived through Socialism, the majority wish it had remained over the devastation Capitalism brought to the majority of people.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's suspicious because it disagrees with my preconceived notions about communism.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The opening of the Soviet Archives backs up these claims. If your pre-concieved notions about Communism are negative, I really recommend giving Blackshirts and Reds a read if you've got the time and willingness.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

See now there you've made a crucial error. You're recommending a book which, while it has some criticism of the specifics of how the USSR implemented socialism, on the whole it's quite positive about the idea of establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat in general. Obviously that disagrees with my preconceived notion that humans are greedy, and that therefore capitalism is good, so I would never read a source that contradicts this, because I would have to dismiss most of it outright. And that's just a hassle.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I don't follow, the author being positive about the working class running society rather than privledged elites having dictatorial control a la Capitalism doesn't mean you need to dismiss the facts it brings up outright. Are you saying that, as someone biased towards Capitalism, you dismiss any criticism of Capitalism and any positive opinions on Socialism outright? If so, I can't imagine how you live your life in other areas that contradict your current understanding!

To return, I don't at all believe it's suspect that the majority of people wished to retain Socialism, and this fact is further cemented by this same general notion being repeated over and over again in polling.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Look, it's like the scientific method, right? You start with a theory, and then you gather a bunch of data, and the stuff that agrees with your theory you keep, and the stuff that doesn't you either dismiss outright, or you rationalize. I feel like I really can't make my position any more obvious than that.

I appreciate your patience and your continued efforts to educate folks on this website, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree here.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I think you're being sarcastic here but I'll be honest, I genuinely can't tell, so either a good troll or I'm being dumb, haha.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's sarcasm yes. I figured dropping a phrase like dicatorship of the proletariat would give up the game (honestly I thought my very first comment in the thread was already laying it on thick), but Poe's law in action I guess. I do really appreciate you, keep up the good work.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

Aww, thanks! Yea I'm dumb, but in my defense your sarcastic act and the genuine absurdity I have seen among anti-Communists are nearly indistinguishable, lol.