>and not creating incompatible technology which would ultimately be a dead-end.
Why would the tech be a dead end if the Soviets won the cold war?
I really don't understand how I'm the one spouting any idolatry at all. No idea what that even means. I just think the argument is facile, and see no real grounds for believing it.
I do understand that you're attacking me though, in spite of me trying to understand your position. Not sure why I deserve that for politely disagreeing, but here we are.
So uh. Just so you know? It's not my position you're trying to dunk on while trying to not understand it. I don't particularly agree with the poster to whom you replied. I think you're being disingenuous and that you're kinda being a jerk. That's different, and that's worse.
And I did not say "idolatry". If I had meant idolatry, I would have said it.
I think even the most die-hard communists didn't have any illusions about beating the West economically since at least the mid-sixties. It was merely about dragging along as long as possible while not falling behind too much.
BTW: HN doesn't usually cotton too well to this kind of YOLO ideolatry that you're tossing off.