4 ms·

Since Ronald Reagan there's been a precedent set that it isn't a bad thing for conservatives to have previously been in showbiz. Same is definitely true on the

Since Ronald Reagan there's been a precedent set that it isn't a bad thing for conservatives to have previously been in showbiz. Same is definitely true on the "other" side. I honestly would prefer to see some salt-of-the-earth person not involved in politics elected to office ala Ricky Muir in Australia (where I'm from). I don't necessarily think lack of political experience is a bad thing for a politician to have. Many of the positions which hold the requisite political knowledge and support elected officials are hired, not elected.

sjg007 9y ago
It helps to be charismatic, which celebrities have in spades. And you have to be attractive. I’d rather there be intelligent debate rather than overgeneralized tweets. Twitter is toxic. Even here on hacker news we can’t have lively debate. Critical thinking is going extinct. And nobody cares.
- tomlock 9y ago
  I don't think its as bad as all that! I think people do care that reasoned argument seems to be drowned out by toxic soundbites, but there's just currently no good way to interact with the world without using toxic channels. I'm optimistic about someone finding a solution. I also definitely think people care. I think its just that those that don't care are currently amplified.
- BatFastard 9y ago
  The internet is toxic! It's not even anonymity, since on places like Facebook people know who you are. It's more the one (or more) steps removed from personal consequences. Hacker news is one of the few places I find intelligent thoughtful discussion. Occasionally people are jerks, but compared to the internet in general, this place is a calm like on a mountain top.
dragonwriter 9y ago
> Since Ronald Reagan there's been a precedent set that it isn't a bad thing for conservatives to have previously been in showbiz. Being previously in showbiz isn't the issue; having no government experience when running for President is. Reagan was two-term governor of California before running for President. > Same is definitely true on the "other" side. Er...what? The Democrats haven't nominated a Presidential candidate with a Reagan-like showbiz background. > I honestly would prefer to see some salt-of-the-earth person not involved in politics elected to office ala Ricky Muir in Australia (where I'm from). I'd prefer an inexperienced government head about as much as an inexperienced brain surgeon. > I don't necessarily think lack of political experience is a bad thing for a politician to have. A lack of government experience may be fine in someone running for city council, or the lower house of their state legislature. President of the United States isn't really an entry level job, though. > Many of the positions which hold the requisite political knowledge and support elected officials are hired, not elected. Sure, there's several rings out from the President, both in and through the cabinet and in the executive office of the president, that also aren't ideal entry-level jobs. But your not going to be able to evaluate what you get from those people effectively without substantial grounding in government as President.

sjg007 9y ago

It helps to be charismatic, which celebrities have in spades. And you have to be attractive. I’d rather there be intelligent debate rather than overgeneralized tweets. Twitter is toxic. Even here on hacker news we can’t have lively debate. Critical thinking is going extinct. And nobody cares.

tomlock 9y ago
I don't think its as bad as all that! I think people do care that reasoned argument seems to be drowned out by toxic soundbites, but there's just currently no good way to interact with the world without using toxic channels. I'm optimistic about someone finding a solution. I also definitely think people care. I think its just that those that don't care are currently amplified.
BatFastard 9y ago
The internet is toxic! It's not even anonymity, since on places like Facebook people know who you are. It's more the one (or more) steps removed from personal consequences. Hacker news is one of the few places I find intelligent thoughtful discussion. Occasionally people are jerks, but compared to the internet in general, this place is a calm like on a mountain top.

dragonwriter 9y ago

> Since Ronald Reagan there's been a precedent set that it isn't a bad thing for conservatives to have previously been in showbiz. Being previously in showbiz isn't the issue; having no government experience when running for President is. Reagan was two-term governor of California before running for President. > Same is definitely true on the "other" side. Er...what? The Democrats haven't nominated a Presidential candidate with a Reagan-like showbiz background. > I honestly would prefer to see some salt-of-the-earth person not involved in politics elected to office ala Ricky Muir in Australia (where I'm from). I'd prefer an inexperienced government head about as much as an inexperienced brain surgeon. > I don't necessarily think lack of political experience is a bad thing for a politician to have. A lack of government experience may be fine in someone running for city council, or the lower house of their state legislature. President of the United States isn't really an entry level job, though. > Many of the positions which hold the requisite political knowledge and support elected officials are hired, not elected. Sure, there's several rings out from the President, both in and through the cabinet and in the executive office of the president, that also aren't ideal entry-level jobs. But your not going to be able to evaluate what you get from those people effectively without substantial grounding in government as President.