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A democracy only works if people know what's going on. Otherwise, the collective decision-making process is no longer connected to politician's actions and the

A democracy only works if people know what's going on. Otherwise, the collective decision-making process is no longer connected to politician's actions and the whole process breaks down. That's the most basic theory of any regulated system: air conditioning needs a thermometer. A driver needs to keep their eyes open to stay on the road. Any such system is a feedback loop of actuators (wheels / politicians), sensors, and some sense-making equipment in between. Yes, I know it feels insignificant to cast a ballot once every four years, as one of hundreds of millions. But that election carries a lot of power and recognising and getting over the collective action problem inherent in democracy is sort-of among the duties of being a citizen, as opposed to a mere consumer.

downerending 6y ago
On a large scale, perhaps so. But in terms of what I individually can accomplish, the answer is "nothing". The chances that my vote, my petition, my call to a politician, my letter to a newspaper, my post on social media, will affect the world in any way are infinitesimally small. Weighed against near certain negative mental health effects, it makes a lot of sense to just check out. Or at least to stop spending more than a few minutes per month on it. If you really want to make a difference, spend five more minutes each day with your kid. Or checking in with someone in your life that's going through hard times.
- Barrin92 6y ago
  >The chances that my vote, my petition, my call to a politician, my letter to a newspaper, my post on social media, will affect the world in any way are infinitesimally small they are but that's not actually participating in politics. Participating in politics can mean joining a party yourself, joining a city council. Running for a local office. Participating in a local activist campaign, and so on. The author's thesis declares news unecessary on the basis that it has no influence on your life. That's only true if you're already detached from public life or citizenship to begin with. The word 'idiot' actually literally translates to 'private person'. In ancient Greece it used to be an epiphet for a person not participating in public life. That's essentially what the author is encouraging, literal idiocy, when the task should be to rekindle participation.
  - downerending 6y ago
    > Participating in politics can mean joining a party yourself, joining a city council. Running for a local office. Participating in a local activist campaign, and so on. By my estimate, those would also have an infinitesimal chance of significantly changing the world, compared to just staying home and pushing my kid on a swing. If that makes me an "idiot", so be it. (And if it makes you feel any better, that should make it easier for you to push politics in your direction.)
makomk 6y ago
News doesn't connect the collective decision-making process to politicians' actions - it connects it to what the news tells us politicians are doing and why. Effectively, it makes democracy less about rule by the people and more about rule by the press. That system is starting to break down in some countries and journalists are not happy about it.
- IAmEveryone 6y ago
  Yeah, sure. Youtube is the future of democracy! And blogs!

downerending 6y ago

On a large scale, perhaps so. But in terms of what I individually can accomplish, the answer is "nothing". The chances that my vote, my petition, my call to a politician, my letter to a newspaper, my post on social media, will affect the world in any way are infinitesimally small. Weighed against near certain negative mental health effects, it makes a lot of sense to just check out. Or at least to stop spending more than a few minutes per month on it. If you really want to make a difference, spend five more minutes each day with your kid. Or checking in with someone in your life that's going through hard times.

Barrin92 6y ago
>The chances that my vote, my petition, my call to a politician, my letter to a newspaper, my post on social media, will affect the world in any way are infinitesimally small they are but that's not actually participating in politics. Participating in politics can mean joining a party yourself, joining a city council. Running for a local office. Participating in a local activist campaign, and so on. The author's thesis declares news unecessary on the basis that it has no influence on your life. That's only true if you're already detached from public life or citizenship to begin with. The word 'idiot' actually literally translates to 'private person'. In ancient Greece it used to be an epiphet for a person not participating in public life. That's essentially what the author is encouraging, literal idiocy, when the task should be to rekindle participation.
- downerending 6y ago
  > Participating in politics can mean joining a party yourself, joining a city council. Running for a local office. Participating in a local activist campaign, and so on. By my estimate, those would also have an infinitesimal chance of significantly changing the world, compared to just staying home and pushing my kid on a swing. If that makes me an "idiot", so be it. (And if it makes you feel any better, that should make it easier for you to push politics in your direction.)

makomk 6y ago

News doesn't connect the collective decision-making process to politicians' actions - it connects it to what the news tells us politicians are doing and why. Effectively, it makes democracy less about rule by the people and more about rule by the press. That system is starting to break down in some countries and journalists are not happy about it.

IAmEveryone 6y ago
Yeah, sure. Youtube is the future of democracy! And blogs!