3 ms·
This may come off as cynical but I think Travis, and similar SV figures like Elon Musk and Sam Altman are giving Donald Trump too much credit. He is a 70 year
by marcell 10y ago
This may come off as cynical but I think Travis, and similar SV figures like Elon Musk and Sam Altman are giving Donald Trump too much credit.
He is a 70 year old man who just won the presidency with no prior political experience, spewing angry divisive comments against all sorts of weak minority groups. He has a massive following who cheers his divisive comments against foreigners and and against the press.
Yet in spite of this, some commentators (see Travis) think that "if only" he gets some good advice, everything will be just fine. This is a bias of smart, reasonable people: they assume others are the same. They are treating it as a reasonable person who is just misguided.
In fact, the opposite is true. Trump has shown that his values are not aligned with traditional free democracy as we've known it in America. Giving him some good advice or trying to talk reason is futile, and moreover will result in endorsement by association.
- scott_karana 10y agoWhat exactly do you suggest instead, then? :/
- mildbow 10y agoLike all movements, the act that makes the most difference is the one that takes most courage. A willingness to do, a willingness to lead, not just wait for/on a leader. Mass rallies/sit-ins (non-violent ones) is the only real way the people of the United States of America can let their government know how they feel. Call me a cynic, but calling your senator wont help. Trump has shown that he moves much faster than government is wont to do.
- marcell 10y agoIf you're a CEO of a big company like Uber, don't lend him legitimacy by association. If you're just a median US citizen, you can donate some money to groups like the ACLU, vote, or call your representatives.g