Comments on: The Wheel of Decline https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/ because facts really should be sacred Sat, 27 Dec 2025 17:40:03 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Tamim https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-746439 Sat, 27 Dec 2025 17:40:03 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-746439 I’m late to this so just want to so…thank you. Brilliant article. And such a fun read. Am gonna get a copy of your book.

]]> By: Georgiaboy61 https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-746308 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:50:56 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-746308 Blaming businesses for coping with inflation caused by central banks may be fun but it is ultimately short-sighted and does not get to the root of the problem. Businesses merely pass cost increases along to their customers. They are the symptom of the problem, not the actual problem.

The reason a chocolate bar costs more now and contains less chocolate than it used to contain is because of the corrosive effects of inflation and the overall debasement of the currency.

A case in point: half a century ago, a brand new Cadillac Eldorado sedan cost $10,000 or so, give or take. Today, a comparable model can’t be had new for less than five times that amount. Sure, increased safety and fuel consumption regulations are partly to blame, but the real reason is the destructiveness of inflation.

The USD – the U.S. dollar – has declined over 75% in real (i.e., inflation-adjusted) terms since Nixon severed the last ties to the gold standard in the early 1970s. It has declined over 95% in real terms since the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913.

Why? Constant increases in the amount of money in circulation without concomitant increases in productivity. Each time the Fed increases the money supply, it robs each and every personal already holding dollars of some percentage of its buying power. Economists call inflation a “hidden tax,” but what is really is – is theft.

]]> By: daz https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738880 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:54:36 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738880 In reply to Free Luigi.

you sound like you’re dreaming of a socialist revolution.

so are the owners.

total state control of everything, but this time with full digital surveillance so everyone can be tracks, scored and restricted, for the good of the collective.

what could possibly go wrong?

just so you know, the literal definition of fascism is government and corporations working hand-in-hand. nowadays they call it ‘public-private partnerships’.

]]> By: rossgopicotrain https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738826 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:46:40 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738826 Google; Apple; Facebook (see, ‘enshittification: why everything got suddenly worse and what to do about it’; by Doctorow). That is all! RGB-Y5 out!!

]]> By: kuno https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738795 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:57:43 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738795 There are about a dozen bean to bar chocolate makers in the UK working their socks off to make something authentic, delicious and real. Their bars are twice the price (minimum) of supermarket “high end” bars but they are the real deal (and you only need a few squares to get that hit). They are continually battling with the reality that most consumers would still buy the mass made rubbish when there are so many delicious craft bars out there. Some of them are just made with cacao and sugar, with no bulking agents, white sugar, added fat or lecithins. They would love for you to vote with your wallet and support them. I know, I founded one of them . . . .

]]> By: Voltara https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738742 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:32:24 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738742 In reply to Rats in the walls.

No. The objective was to inspire awe and provide an emotional response which could lead to raised consciousness, for initiates at least. If the plan was to create dread the designs would have been different. Cathedral designs are based on ancient esoteric knowledge, same as the pyramids, Solomon’s temple etc

]]> By: Gwyneth https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738676 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:37:28 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738676 Rowntree’s Aero bar used to be made with real sugar, chocolate and genuine vanilla extract. Then it changed to corn syrup solids and vanillin. I don’t know what they did with the chocolate. Tastes lousy and I haven’t eaten them in decades.

]]> By: Cured https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738606 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:03:16 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738606 In reply to Erik Nielsen..

I don’t think Wagon Wheels got smaller. I think people’s hands got bigger.

Signed Pol Pot

]]> By: judith https://off-guardian.org/2025/10/19/the-wheel-of-decline/#comment-738595 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 23:26:04 +0000 https://off-guardian.org/?p=99681#comment-738595 In reply to Veri Tas.

What happened to cantalope and honeydew melon?

For the past 10 years in Northeast USA I cannot find a cantalope that has any taste. They are all rock solid and positively tasteless.

Same with honeydew melon. I used to eat both frequently and they were delicious and sweet. And you could actually purchase them ripe.

I’m not talking about a bad bunch here and there – it’s constant.

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