Dutch Yaoi Fans

Hey Rukin, Maybe Link is a nice boyfriend for u lol *i'm innocent*

:O Did i said that?:P

A question to you guys: "What does make man great?" and I mean 'man' as in 'human' not the just a guy ^^.

I was wondering about that questions as I examined one of my old history books. All we ever talk about is the strongest of cultures and the victors of many wars (which are often the same group ^^) Although it is logical from a non-philosophical point of view (I mean who would want to hear about the greatest losers in history??? this is John. John got his ass kicked by Tommy. Let's talk about John's pointless life Oo. That doesn't seem interesting) Still, why do we define ourselves as a country and culture only via the greatness of our wars and conflicts and bloodbaths we inflicted? Why do we always need to record every little insult inflicted on us by others?

In contrary my believe is that we show are greatness by transcending above these petty conflicts and show us the 'better man' (as a figure of speech) by ending the endless circle of violence before it starts. Why must we always strike back once we are hit? Does it not make us stronger if we decide not to strike back, but in a way turn the other cheek? If we decide not to fall, but maintain the moral high ground? For when we strike back we only become to the other person what he (or she) is to us and does that not make us just as bad?

In the recordings of history it is so that the one who struck the hardest is remembered, for he is a great man. But from a moral point of view he is weak, simply because he has lowered himself to the position of his opponent, which by striking at the man in question, is a lower position by definition.

Maybe this is just going to far for you guys (I would certainly understand ^^, my thoughts often are -simply because they kinda work very hard and jump from idea to idea in such a pace that sometimes even I lose track of what is going on XD and maybe you all just don't give a hoot XD-)

and Rukin: >.> just because your ex is a dumbass, that doesn't mean you have to start doubting yourself ^^. It's his loss, not yours (well in the end at least ^^)

wow filosophical
and I think you're right about humans being greater if they don't strike back, but sadly that's not human nature. humans are competetive by nature, which shows not only in sports but also in education. Why else give grades and create different kinds of school systems. That all comes forth out of competition, "I am better than you and I'll prove it", which is absolute bull of course. Humans are equal, I would even go as far as to say, all live is equal (humans, animals and even plants!). But most people keep to their instinctive nature, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, seeing as it compels us to accomplice greater tasks. It's just that we need to remember that we're not enemies but equals in this world.
I have spoken lol

@ Toran: quotes: ":O Did i said that?:P"
XD whaha innocent my royal behind :P

@Rukin: I agree with MC: just because your ex is stupid, doesn't mean YOU aren't cute (I have a sense for those kind of things ... believe me: You Are Cute !!!

And to answer you MC: to my mind the greatest people ever to have graced the earth are Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), Jesus Christ (no, I'm not a christian, although I am a fan ), Gandhi and Mandela, with Mother Teresa as a maybe (opinion is a bit conflicted)..... But, this attitude being extremely hard, there are not many examples, and the example is hard to follow....

History is written by the victor and thus extremely coloured.... History is not something that is static, but changes as opinions change.

@Rukin: You said it beautifully: All life is equal !! I agree!
I don't agree with you Rukin when you say: that grades and school systems are this way because of competitiveness.....to me it feels more like this is so because everyone has a different way to learn, so why force everyone to learn things in the same way?
And Pro Sporters will tell you that breaking your own personal record is most important.... so the battle with yourself, being the best person you can, to me, is the real challenge....

Being hateful or forcing your own opinion on others is what starts conflicts. True freedom is only freedom if you respect the freedom of the other (and the other respects this in turn.... otherwise it doesn't work, which is why this is so hard and problematic).
As in: Do what you want, but only if you don't hurt someone else.

BUT: this is just my opinion, so you may disagree *ahem... sounds a bit too queenly*


AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:


@ Link: maybe you should look at their site: *here* ..... OR we could organise the next Yaoi Fan Day in Nijmegen (I'll place some orders too.... although some manga is really hard to get...)
OR and this is an idea for now: if you could buy Love Pistols 1, 3 and 5 at ABC for me, I'll buy your manga here, and maybe we could meet up or something???

Oh that's a nice topic Mac, haha, I just written a small paper about the comparison between the American Modernisation theory (which enforced the democratic and free market principle on Asian countries) and the Chinese theory of Mandate under Heaven. This theory has its peak during the Cold War when some Asian states fell under Communism >_< You know how it ended: Korea, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Birma... anyway... the thing what I want to say is that since, this modernisation theory is so influencial....they refuse to admit that this model is not a universal model that can fit into any country without thinking about their historical and cultural context. Therefore, they rather celebrate the successes of the new capitalist economies in Asia, the Asian TIgers: Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. They actually are implying that their influence have led to these succes stories in Asia, while other Asian countries were unable to achieve this Western model of capitalism because of their 'bad governance' of walking the path of Communism >_<

So to be counted a winner you should follow the Euro-American way of capitalism and democracy! >_>

And if you really want to answer that question, you should really read Conficius. If I may say, he is the main philosopher behind the forming of nation states in East Asia. For him, a man (or when used by rulers: a king) should strife to be virtuous and morally right. If a King fails to be virtuous, he will be an outlaw which gives justification for rebellion to overthrow the king...... I find this exactly what the Americans were doing in the Cold War. The Communists are outlaws with no right of existence, while the superior Americans knows what is best, which resulted in a lot of bloodshed in Asia.....


And I want to add something to the 'striking back' part... I think you have been too much influenced by some Western philosopher from the Enlightenment or something >_< In a lot of cultures and I believe even in our own, it is legitimised and even preferred to retaliate. Most of the time, you retaliate even harder with more force. Ever heard of revenge? Or 'losing face'? or 'loss of honour'? Those guys that destroyed those two buildings in New York, are being hunting down until their graves.....

So it's a matter of perspective who is a GREAT man, I mean, the guy who captured Saddam Hussain can be called a hero >_<

@sas
Oh awsome! I'd love to meet up lol, I will be in Nijmegen next thursday as I have said >_< birthday party of a friend, so it will be in the evening. But the thing is that I don't think they will have processed my order by then. But that bookstore is amazing, they have Yaoi on their shelves. That's fantastic. Their prices are soso, 10 euro's I can live with that And about the love pistols thing.... ehrm do you mind if I buy them for you now? So I can peek into it just before I give them to you haha

@sas: well yeah, I guess you're right, I 'draafde een beetje door' there :P
about the freedom part though: I would state freedom as duty. Because you're free you have the duty to yourself (and others) to act responsibly.
O.o I think that was the shortest post in AGES! lol :P

Wow Rukin, so short, yet so profound !!
Oh, I know: lets start a discussion on what is freedom!!!
I agree completely, a very refreshing point of view ...

@Link: *jumpjump* now you have me jumping, like a puppy !!! If you would want to buy them for me now, that would be absolutely freekin' fantastic !!
I tried to order them, but like so many manga.... once the print is out .... it is extremely difficult to order

ABC had a good deal with manga publishers (what I hear from the guys at Hernandez that is)... little 'stripwinkels' or normal bookshops are at the end of the line...
But it amazes me how manga publishers operate

I work for a company that publishes book (as one of the side activities) and the lines here in the Netherlands are quite clear, so we are used to a book being very available or clearly not available..... But for manga this seems to work quite differently *resumes her studies of this phenomena* (maybe because it is an international issue??? Probably *sighs*)....

XD starting a discussion with "I agree completely" is not exactly how you get a discussion going lol :P though I'm glad you agree

@sas
Oh I think it's quite easy to understand why ABC gets the full attention of Manga whole sellers in the US. They just order in bulks and they have a much higher impact to bargain prices with them. While a small private book store orders a few books a time and wants the lowest price too. As a private seller, you really need to know a contact person personally to receive a 'favour' if you know what I mean. Yup, business is all about the right networks!

And why talk about freedom o.0 That's just crazy. I mean, tons of dead philosophers have talked about this writing encyclopaedic thick books about it >_< Yeah but in a practical sense... freedom is .....? - putting the rainbow flag outside.... Oh lets do another one freedom is...? - holding hands without people looking down on you, freedom is...? - being able to marry the one you love ^_^

freedom is being able to laugh about nothing with your friends ^^