The Rise of Corporate Fascism

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Kimmio Laughterlove said:
I thought it was mentioned that the exits were blocked off by the gates first.

That reminds me. I hate the way IKEA is set up so you are herded in one direction and pretty much need to go through the whole store to get out. I mean, I guess you could go against the grain but it’s made difficult on a busy Saturday, for example. I always feel a bit trapped in there. That’s not to deter shoplifters as much as it is to raise the chances people will buy more - and all the cheap housewares etc are at the far end.
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For Ikea there are cut through s. If you can't seem them, just ask.

By going through the exit, I mean walk through the self checkout
 
My worry is that the corporate moves to keep the “riff-raff” out are heading toward a more authoritarian and brutal society where the punishments far exceed the crimes, as people get poorer, prices climb, and they protect their profit interests. I worry about what that means for groups of marginalized folks - and more George Floyd type situations.
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
My worry is that the corporate moves to keep the “riff-raff” out are heading toward a more authoritarian and brutal society where the punishments far exceed the crimes, as people get poorer, prices climb, and they protect their profit interests. I worry about what that means for groups of marginalized folks - and more George Floyd type situations.
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Blind and brutal incentives cannot possibly observe this, a science they despise ... too sophisticated?
 
btw, i would like to thank JayneWonders for providing a much needed perspective to help me see outside of when I get all pinko-commie anticapitalist :3

it helps a lot
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
I thought it was mentioned that the exits were blocked off by the gates first.

That reminds me. I hate the way IKEA is set up so you are herded in one direction and pretty much need to go through the whole store to get out. I mean, I guess you could go against the grain but it’s made difficult on a busy Saturday, for example. I always feel a bit trapped in there - what would happen in an emergency? That set up is not to deter shoplifters as much as it is to raise the chances people will buy more - and all the cheap housewares etc are at the far end.
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I used to get lost all the time
For some reason, I don't anymore :3
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
My worry is that the corporate moves to keep the “riff-raff” out are heading toward a more authoritarian and brutal society where the punishments far exceed the crimes, as people get poorer, prices climb, and they protect their profit interests. I worry about what that means for groups of marginalized folks - and more George Floyd type situations.
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I'm concerned on that as well
The past few years have shown me how easy it is to other and hate...human beings in general...or animals...nature...Barry Manilow sheesh...
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
My worry is that the corporate moves to keep the “riff-raff” out are heading toward a more authoritarian and brutal society where the punishments far exceed the crimes, as people get poorer, prices climb, and they protect their profit interests. I worry about what that means for groups of marginalized folks - and more George Floyd type situations.
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What do you mean corporate moves to keep the riff raff out?

Can you share any specifics?

Reason that I ask. I know a grocery store downtown is a block from the shelter. The store has never been one of my favorites (I find they do a lot of value pricing that isn't value pricing.

They seem to hire staff that is less averse or maybe they do training. Overall they seem accepting of the panhandling outside and all clientele.

I did hear one guy say he is banned, but he didn't seem upset about it. Gave money to buddy to go in and buy a beverage
 
JayneWonders said:
What do you mean corporate moves to keep the riff raff out?

Can you share any specifics?

Reason that I ask. I know a grocery store downtown is a block from the shelter. The store has never been one of my favorites (I find they do a lot of value pricing that isn't value pricing.

They seem to hire staff that is less averse or maybe they do training. Overall they seem accepting of the panhandling outside and all clientele.

I did hear one guy say he is banned, but he didn't seem upset about it. Gave money to buddy to go in and buy a beverage
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I’m talking big picture. Wasn’t George Floyd initially stopped for shoplifting or a minor non violent crime?
 
Delightful Life said:
I'm concerned on that as well
The past few years have shown me how easy it is to other and hate...human beings in general...or animals...nature...Barry Manilow sheesh...
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My perception is that usually we see that the mainstream middle tends to other and hate the same people the cops other and hate and vice versa. It’s usually poor people of colour and lately, with the decampments, homeless. Many of whom are disabled, have mental illness, or are Indigenous.. My city mayor was backed by the police board - they helped elect him along with the upper middle class - and the chief says they don’t have to answer to anyone.

It’s only in the aftermath that progressive mainstream changes their tune for a brief time.
 
Kimmio Laughterlove said:
I’m talking big picture. Wasn’t George Floyd initially stopped for shoplifting or a minor non violent crime?
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Umm, I'm not sure how George Floyd's death relates to corporate moves to keep the riff raff out..

It is my understanding police were called by a store clerk accusing him of attempting to pass counterfeit money.
 
That's not fair, kimmio. I know that the cops are not all great in Canada, but they're a lot less frightening than in the U.S. Cops here don't routinely murder people for being poor or the wrong colour, which they definitely do in the States.

Corporate moves to keep the riff-raff out make sense to them, the corporations. They don't think they're responsible for the economic disparity that drives people to steal, so they try to protect their property.

I have never been asked to show a receipt after a self-checkout. If I were, I would never return to that store. You want me to be your unpaid employee, and you think you can check my work? I don't think so. You're the one that installed the self-checkout. If it increases theft, maybe you should reconsider your decision. Customers who are treated like potential thieves are less likely to return. Trust me. According to the big guy, I am a very self-righteous shopper, LOL. He made me shop in Walmart the other day. Dreadful store, not good prices, very confusing, too much walking.

OTOH, any barrier that protects my poor lungs from the perfume department is my kinda barrier.
 
BetteTheRed said:
That's not fair, kimmio. I know that the cops are not all great in Canada, but they're a lot less frightening than in the U.S. Cops here don't routinely murder people for being poor or the wrong colour, which they definitely do in the States.

Corporate moves to keep the riff-raff out make sense to them, the corporations. They don't think they're responsible for the economic disparity that drives people to steal, so they try to protect their property.

I have never been asked to show a receipt after a self-checkout. If I were, I would never return to that store. You want me to be your unpaid employee, and you think you can check my work? I don't think so. You're the one that installed the self-checkout. If it increases theft, maybe you should reconsider your decision. Customers who are treated like potential thieves are less likely to return. Trust me. According to the big guy, I am a very self-righteous shopper, LOL. He made me shop in Walmart the other day. Dreadful store, not good prices, very confusing, too much walking.

OTOH, any barrier that protects my poor lungs from the perfume department is my kinda barrier.
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There has been a rise in police related fatalities in Vancouver. Like the Indigenous man who was pepper sprayed by some person downtown - ran into a convenience store, took his shirt off and poured milk in his eyes and died after being shot by police with a “non lethal” gun because he “stole” the milk and undressed - if I recall he and witnesses explained why he did that but it didn’t change their approach. There have been others. One man was arrested and assaulted by police for jaywalking and being black. He won his case against them but many people don’t have the means or time to pursue their cases because they’re too busy surviving. I have seen cops be rougher than they need to be in minor situations usually involving someone who is poor.

My point stands, regardless of whether or not the US is worse. It’s still bad. Things are getting worse and worse here and I don’t think hiring more security and heavy handed cops is the answer.
 
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Interesting observation: I think our policing got a lot more humane when we had a female police chief. She recently retired, but before she did, put together a small mental health team that appears to be effective.
 
Most shameful for the cops when they went looking for someone they got a call about in Stanley Park and ended up arresting a retired BC Supreme Court judge out for a walk - who is black, but otherwise looked nothing like the suspect.
 
Surely we’ve learned by now that minorities still get targeted and treated poorly here too in most aspects of society. The less the perceived buying power, the further from “the norm” they look, or if they are people of colour, the worse people are treated.
 
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I have no objection to being asked to show my receipt.

Do it every time I go to Costco.

I tend not to use self checkout. Prefer a cashier.

Don't like Walmart. Rarely go in. I dislike their business model
 
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