When All Else Fails, Destroy Truth
Politics, like religion before it, has taken aim at truth. It has weaponized philosophy (in the sense of traditional epistemology), and it has done so to amass power. Politicians now employ techniques usually found in philosophy circles — when their arguments and evidence fail, they challenge the foundation of any truth or certainty at all.
This has always been done. Why is it so widespread now? Because of economic conditions? In part, yes. In a happy and healthy society, there’s little need for scapegoating because there’s less general anger and frustration. Better conditions, less anger, less need to find blame; no major problems, no need for false solutions.
Grifters have always been around to offer easy answers and bogus solutions, especially when problems do arise. Hitler in the Weimar republic, the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, etc. Donald Trump and his ilk are no different. Obvious con men. So then why is he president? Why are so many more people being fooled? Is it only economic conditions?
I don’t think so. I think it’s both economics and the overthrowing of media and institutions. It’s war on expertise and science. The little contraptions in our pockets — which one would think would result in more educated citizens — has helped this along and has resulted in more atomized citizens.
The drift between silos has become wider and more extreme, accelerated by social media and cell phones. But why are people so easily duped to begin with?
[This has been sitting in drafts and I never finished it, but since the forum is closing soon I’m throwing it out there.]
This has always been done. Why is it so widespread now? Because of economic conditions? In part, yes. In a happy and healthy society, there’s little need for scapegoating because there’s less general anger and frustration. Better conditions, less anger, less need to find blame; no major problems, no need for false solutions.
Grifters have always been around to offer easy answers and bogus solutions, especially when problems do arise. Hitler in the Weimar republic, the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, etc. Donald Trump and his ilk are no different. Obvious con men. So then why is he president? Why are so many more people being fooled? Is it only economic conditions?
I don’t think so. I think it’s both economics and the overthrowing of media and institutions. It’s war on expertise and science. The little contraptions in our pockets — which one would think would result in more educated citizens — has helped this along and has resulted in more atomized citizens.
The drift between silos has become wider and more extreme, accelerated by social media and cell phones. But why are people so easily duped to begin with?
[This has been sitting in drafts and I never finished it, but since the forum is closing soon I’m throwing it out there.]
Comments (16)
A religious equivalent would be: "A fool and his money are soon parted."
A child can name problems all day. We need to focus on a solution. What you describe isn't inherent or exclusive to politicians, it happens in our everyday lives no matter the situation, context, wealth, income, or just about any imaginable quality of human existence. So again, I ask. What ever is the solution? Is there one at all? If not, does discussing the non-solvable bring about any utility other than an efficient devouring of one's time? :chin:
Cool. Bye.
Why does that one hyperbole out of dozens of other more pertinent statements stand out to you so? More so than the point of the message itself? Do you think it was specifically crafted for you and you alone?
Hit dogs holler, I'm told.
Sure, I suppose it was poor form to throw your own question back at you in lines of thinking that, apparently, are easily misinterpreted.
Why are we easily duped indeed. Perhaps it's because we deceive ourselves. It's pleasant really. Isn't all ignorance bliss? Do you want an answer or do you want a pleasant lie? I can offer you both. Pity you won't give me even the opportunity. :confused:
You make some familiar points, inasmuch as I’ve heard these observations from commentators and friends here in Australia. I think some people would rather vote for the mad guy with crazy plans than for the ossified status quo, which offers business as usual without hope. Those on the religious right want God restored, and die-hard right-wingers will vote for an obvious cunt rather than for any Democrat. And there must be some who think he’s virtuous and will protect freedom, guns, and a way of life.
We are seeing some of this here, some voters are going for local anti-immigration, MAGA-style reactionaries. I think they want to turn back the clock to a country they imagine they remember fondly, when roles, culture, and society seemed more certain and stable.
We are living in the final days of Rome, and the truth that needs to be suppressed is that very fact.
I hope you take this thread to the new forum, by the way.
They aren't duped. They are that way to begin with.
Based. :eyes:
"Guess again" he states as a new copy of baker flips through the air, performing baker's coded drop animation, as another copy of baker is vacuumed into the stranger's inventory...
So you plopped out of the womb, knowing right from wrong? With a refined sense of morality, character, and above all discernment and discipline? I think not.
The problem is lack of education. Mandatory. Education. Or else. :strong:
True. Religious beliefs have primed people for this kind of undermining of truth we currently see in politics. Trump himself is like a pastor that you never question. It’s not too far of a walk from “everything we don’t like is satan’s doing” and “any poll we don’t like is fake.”
I would but it’s admittedly not very good. I never really finished it and figured it may be lost otherwise, so quickly put it out there. There’s a lot more to this but it’s not flushed out completely. Maybe I’ll try a rewrite in the new place.
What?
I take this as a political statement or perhaps logical inquisition as far as the vanity of the whole "transgender" debate, possibly insinuating it as controlled opposition or distraction.
On the other hand, I will say. Your interaction here in which you replied to Baden's reply to "What is a system?": "Systems are coherencies of (self-recreating in the case of autopoietic systems) differences between themselves and an environment."
Was, from what I can remember: "Yuck. No wonder sometimes I don't like philosophy."
That made me laugh harder than I ever did in quite a while. Your candid nonchalance and honesty will remain in my heart so long as I live, even if you do not. I just wanted you to know that.
Shy men make for poor warriors. And in your case, not even a good informative bystander. :smirk:
Thanks buddy.
Quoting BenMcLean
I googled it. I forgot that right wing freaks like Matt Walsh and his idiot followers can’t discuss anything without invoking the stupid non-issue of trans people. Fuck off.