Providence - Listed as a top City to start a busines by Inc.com
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I might be tempted to call Wayne, but I'm in Rhode Island -- are you absolutely sure he takes cases here? Or is he in one of the other 48 states that has a bunch of billboards advertising ambulance-chasing lawyers? (Vermont bans billboards, so he couldn't be there.) I can't quite remember, as I've traveled to a lot of states and seen a lot of stupid ads for ambulance-chasing lawyers.
I'm not out of empirical data; occasionally I decide to go against my instinct and make a snide comment because that kind of emotionally manipulative crap is all people listen to these days, and people hate to read. See this recent cartoon on the backfire effect for more details:
But here's a wall of text that you'll steel yourself against, if you read it at all, and just end up believing the same thing harder.
Your point of view is that Rhode Island is the worst state in America. I happen to think this is a laughable argument, and one certainly arrived at via emotional, not intellectual, means. Now, the 21st-century Real American thing for me to do would be to claim that actually, Rhode Island isn't the worst state in America; it's the best state in America. This is the state of our public discourse today. I, however, pride myself on intellectual honesty, and I therefore believe the obvious counterargument is equally laughable. What I instead counter with is the truth, which is that Rhode Island is a fairly middle-of-the-road state that has its problems but is taking steps to deal with those problems. And for a given individual with certain needs and certain proclivities, it can be one of the best states in the nation, as it is for me.
Recently U.S. News and World Report attempted to rank all 50 states. This survey is as scientific as anything you've cited, and certainly nobody knows ranking stuff like U.S. News does. This survey ranked Rhody No. 21 nationally, and that's pretty good. It's above average, for those of you who aren't so great with the math! Like the suspicious WalletHub survey (Seattle dead last to start a business, I still can't get over how ridiculous that is), U.S. News ranks states in a number of categories, one of which is economy. On that metric, Rhode Island scores a pretty impressive 18th. Rhody also does excellently in health care (7th, but everybody knows that and even you probably wouldn't argue it's bad -- or maybe you would, actually, definitely you would) and crime (3rd).
Now, did you look up confirmation bias? If not, I'll tell you that it's the acceptance of evidence that confirms one's pre-existing notions and the rejection of evidence that doesn't. I sometimes fall victim to confirmation bias. We all do. But at least I'm trying. I'm tempted to tell you this survey is legit and others aren't, but like I said, I try to be intellectually honest. Remember when I said Rhode Island was middle of the road? That means in some surveys it's going to do better and in some surveys it's going to do worse. Again, math! And those of us who don't have time to spend hours examining the methodologies, which is hopefully all of us, just have to accept that the idea of ranking states is imperfect at best and fruitless at worst, and contrary evidence isn't any less legitimate than the evidence you like.
But you're not going to listen to any of this, so I guess just go back to making weird non-jokes involving people's usernames and aping the rhetorical style of third-rate conservative radio hosts.
Hey, ain't you the fella that rode around Rhode Island for a whole year before he noticed that the roads were "sorta rough"? Only in Rhode Island!
I understand your frustration Mr. Belvedere, I surely do.
Nice. I loved that show, by the way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
The premise of this thread by the OP was that Providence is a good place to start a business. I've produced recent studies backed by relevant metrics and empirical data which counter the premise. You've produced.......nothing. As Usual!
I produced a study by U.S. News and World Report that ranked Rhode Island's economy as No. 18 nationally, which seems to equal a good environment to start a business. But I guess that doesn't directly relate to starting a business, so I did literally 10 seconds of googling and came up with this:
This one has a scientific methodology and ranks Rhode Island No. 20.
Nice rhetorical trick of adding the "as usual." I produce counterarguments regularly. Unless you're not reading them, which is a distinct possibility.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
Studies that you deem suspicious, I deem......convincing.
Have you looked up confirmation bias yet?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
So now you've given up, citing an obscure report hinting that Rhode Island might not be the worst place to live.
"Obscure report" = U.S. News and World Report, literally the organization most closely associated with these sorts of rankings to the average American.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
Your desperation is palpable.
Your rhetorical tricks are gross, but I guess they work -- Trump got elected, after all. He doesn't use big words like "palpable" (or "desperation," I think), but it's the same idea. Sad!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
Now if you want to start a thread discussing your new premise, whether Rhode Island is the worst state, I'll be happy to weigh in. Trouble is, that the most you can even HOPE to prove is that Little Rhody is a middle to bottom state. This in spite of having the 8th HIGHEST tax burden in the nation.
Your argument here seems to be "more taxes equals more stuff, unless politicians are stealing the tax money." That's not how economics works. Different states have different needs, different priorities and different levels of resources, and tax burdens are different as a result. It's kind of incredibly complicated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
Why not spare ALL Rhode Islanders even further embarrassment and start a more benign discussion. How about this one: Streets most likely to shake a filling loose.
I'll be happy to nominate one: Route 100 in Waterbury and Stowe, Vermont. I was up there this weekend and wow, Vermont roads are in bad shape. The interstate highways are in better condition than Rhode Island's but on average the surface roads are way worse. Of course, Vermont is still one of my very favorite states because the condition of the roads is, like, the 500th-most-important measure I can think of when judging a state. I was just thinking about this over the weekend as my car rattled down VT 100: What kind of person says, "I love this state, but I could never live there -- the roads are just too rough?" Does that person even exist? Seems insane.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
Or this one: Streets with the most mufflers on the side of the road.
Hey, I figured something about you: You hate cities. And that's OK! You're allowed to hate cities! But I noticed that some of the things you're most critical of -- crappy roads, billboards, trash on the side of the road -- are things that tend to be seen in urban areas, even on interstate highways through urban areas. And when you enter Rhode Island from Massachusetts, it very quickly becomes more urban, leading to more of the stuff you hate. That's why you bizarrely associate Rhode Island with billboards, even though there are just as many or more billboards surrounding Boston, and probably (I haven't paid attention) just as many mufflers on the side of the road. Ha ha, I get it now! I'm pretty smart sometimes. And you hate Rhode Island because it's the second-densest state, so you don't really get much of an escape from the urbanity that repels you. It's OK, really! Like I said, I love Vermont. But don't assume that everyone thinks the same way you do. People are allowed to have their own preferences and their own opinions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
How about: Bridge most likely to collapse on top of your car.
Which has never happened in Rhode Island -- I checked. It's happened in many other states. Here's a list:
I hate to be a spoiler but that 146/Mineral Spring Ave. bridge is looking mighty decrepit!
The one that was repaired two years ago?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Planetoid
In fact, seeing that the roads of RI are so fraught with peril for motorists, I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't remind you now that it's good to know......Mike Bottaro!
Is that the guy with all the billboards on I-93 south of Boston?
I produced a study by U.S. News and World Report that ranked Rhode Island's economy as No. 18 nationally, which seems to equal a good environment to start a business. But I guess that doesn't directly relate to starting a business, so I did literally 10 seconds of googling and came up with this:
This one has a scientific methodology and ranks Rhode Island No. 20.
Nice rhetorical trick of adding the "as usual." I produce counterarguments regularly. Unless you're not reading them, which is a distinct possibility.
Have you looked up confirmation bias yet?
"Obscure report" = U.S. News and World Report, literally the organization most closely associated with these sorts of rankings to the average American.
Your rhetorical tricks are gross, but I guess they work -- Trump got elected, after all. He doesn't use big words like "palpable" (or "desperation," I think), but it's the same idea. Sad!
Your argument here seems to be "more taxes equals more stuff, unless politicians are stealing the tax money." That's not how economics works. Different states have different needs, different priorities and different levels of resources, and tax burdens are different as a result. It's kind of incredibly complicated.
I'll be happy to nominate one: Route 100 in Waterbury and Stowe, Vermont. I was up there this weekend and wow, Vermont roads are in bad shape. The interstate highways are in better condition than Rhode Island's but on average the surface roads are way worse. Of course, Vermont is still one of my very favorite states because the condition of the roads is, like, the 500th-most-important measure I can think of when judging a state. I was just thinking about this over the weekend as my car rattled down VT 100: What kind of person says, "I love this state, but I could never live there -- the roads are just too rough?" Does that person even exist? Seems insane.
Hey, I figured something about you: You hate cities. And that's OK! You're allowed to hate cities! But I noticed that some of the things you're most critical of -- crappy roads, billboards, trash on the side of the road -- are things that tend to be seen in urban areas, even on interstate highways through urban areas. And when you enter Rhode Island from Massachusetts, it very quickly becomes more urban, leading to more of the stuff you hate. That's why you bizarrely associate Rhode Island with billboards, even though there are just as many or more billboards surrounding Boston, and probably (I haven't paid attention) just as many mufflers on the side of the road. Ha ha, I get it now! I'm pretty smart sometimes. And you hate Rhode Island because it's the second-densest state, so you don't really get much of an escape from the urbanity that repels you. It's OK, really! Like I said, I love Vermont. But don't assume that everyone thinks the same way you do. People are allowed to have their own preferences and their own opinions.
Which has never happened in Rhode Island -- I checked. It's happened in many other states. Here's a list:
Is that the guy with all the billboards on I-93 south of Boston?
Or this: Cars with most lights held in by duct tape. Or: RI license plates with most registration stickers obscuring the actual registration numbers. Spoiler alert, I've got a picture of an 11 sticker plate. Mister, I'm tellin' ya there's something in the water here!
I produced a study by U.S. News and World Report that ranked Rhode Island's economy as No. 18 nationally, which seems to equal a good environment to start a business. But I guess that doesn't directly relate to starting a business, so I did literally 10 seconds of googling and came up with this:
This one has a scientific methodology and ranks Rhode Island No. 20.
Nice rhetorical trick of adding the "as usual." I produce counterarguments regularly. Unless you're not reading them, which is a distinct possibility.
Have you looked up confirmation bias yet?
"Obscure report" = U.S. News and World Report, literally the organization most closely associated with these sorts of rankings to the average American.
Your rhetorical tricks are gross, but I guess they work -- Trump got elected, after all. He doesn't use big words like "palpable" (or "desperation," I think), but it's the same idea. Sad!
Your argument here seems to be "more taxes equals more stuff, unless politicians are stealing the tax money." That's not how economics works. Different states have different needs, different priorities and different levels of resources, and tax burdens are different as a result. It's kind of incredibly complicated.
I'll be happy to nominate one: Route 100 in Waterbury and Stowe, Vermont. I was up there this weekend and wow, Vermont roads are in bad shape. The interstate highways are in better condition than Rhode Island's but on average the surface roads are way worse. Of course, Vermont is still one of my very favorite states because the condition of the roads is, like, the 500th-most-important measure I can think of when judging a state. I was just thinking about this over the weekend as my car rattled down VT 100: What kind of person says, "I love this state, but I could never live there -- the roads are just too rough?" Does that person even exist? Seems insane.
Hey, I figured something about you: You hate cities. And that's OK! You're allowed to hate cities! But I noticed that some of the things you're most critical of -- crappy roads, billboards, trash on the side of the road -- are things that tend to be seen in urban areas, even on interstate highways through urban areas. And when you enter Rhode Island from Massachusetts, it very quickly becomes more urban, leading to more of the stuff you hate. That's why you bizarrely associate Rhode Island with billboards, even though there are just as many or more billboards surrounding Boston, and probably (I haven't paid attention) just as many mufflers on the side of the road. Ha ha, I get it now! I'm pretty smart sometimes. And you hate Rhode Island because it's the second-densest state, so you don't really get much of an escape from the urbanity that repels you. It's OK, really! Like I said, I love Vermont. But don't assume that everyone thinks the same way you do. People are allowed to have their own preferences and their own opinions.
Which has never happened in Rhode Island -- I checked. It's happened in many other states. Here's a list:
Is that the guy with all the billboards on I-93 south of Boston?
If you answer a question for me, I promise to never post here again. Why don't Rhode Islanders just stack their registration stickers on top of one another like every normal state. I've got "retardation" in the answer pool up in Boston. How'd I do?
I produced a study by U.S. News and World Report that ranked Rhode Island's economy as No. 18 nationally, which seems to equal a good environment to start a business. But I guess that doesn't directly relate to starting a business, so I did literally 10 seconds of googling and came up with this:
This one has a scientific methodology and ranks Rhode Island No. 20.
Nice rhetorical trick of adding the "as usual." I produce counterarguments regularly. Unless you're not reading them, which is a distinct possibility.
Have you looked up confirmation bias yet?
"Obscure report" = U.S. News and World Report, literally the organization most closely associated with these sorts of rankings to the average American.
Your rhetorical tricks are gross, but I guess they work -- Trump got elected, after all. He doesn't use big words like "palpable" (or "desperation," I think), but it's the same idea. Sad!
Your argument here seems to be "more taxes equals more stuff, unless politicians are stealing the tax money." That's not how economics works. Different states have different needs, different priorities and different levels of resources, and tax burdens are different as a result. It's kind of incredibly complicated.
I'll be happy to nominate one: Route 100 in Waterbury and Stowe, Vermont. I was up there this weekend and wow, Vermont roads are in bad shape. The interstate highways are in better condition than Rhode Island's but on average the surface roads are way worse. Of course, Vermont is still one of my very favorite states because the condition of the roads is, like, the 500th-most-important measure I can think of when judging a state. I was just thinking about this over the weekend as my car rattled down VT 100: What kind of person says, "I love this state, but I could never live there -- the roads are just too rough?" Does that person even exist? Seems insane.
Hey, I figured something about you: You hate cities. And that's OK! You're allowed to hate cities! But I noticed that some of the things you're most critical of -- crappy roads, billboards, trash on the side of the road -- are things that tend to be seen in urban areas, even on interstate highways through urban areas. And when you enter Rhode Island from Massachusetts, it very quickly becomes more urban, leading to more of the stuff you hate. That's why you bizarrely associate Rhode Island with billboards, even though there are just as many or more billboards surrounding Boston, and probably (I haven't paid attention) just as many mufflers on the side of the road. Ha ha, I get it now! I'm pretty smart sometimes. And you hate Rhode Island because it's the second-densest state, so you don't really get much of an escape from the urbanity that repels you. It's OK, really! Like I said, I love Vermont. But don't assume that everyone thinks the same way you do. People are allowed to have their own preferences and their own opinions.
Which has never happened in Rhode Island -- I checked. It's happened in many other states. Here's a list:
If you answer a question for me, I promise to never post here again. Why don't Rhode Islanders just stack their registration stickers on top of one another like every normal state. I've got "retardation" in the answer pool up in Boston. How'd I do?
I always figured because some people think it looks fun. I've seen people do it in lots of states. It's just as easy to stack them, so it must be an aesthetic choice, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago3rd
Give up. Not nice to play with the mentally Ill.
I understand the concept of "don't feed the trolls," really I do, but I've never really been able to help myself. I've been posting on message boards since something like 1993, so I doubt I'm going to get any better now.
"Looks fun"? They're not going to believe me. Yep, something in the water!
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