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I agree that technology requires philosophy. But 'the world' requires philosophy - technology is just an extension of the world. Discomfitingly, 'the world' o

I agree that technology requires philosophy. But 'the world' requires philosophy - technology is just an extension of the world. Discomfitingly, 'the world' or 'society' is really just an idea in an individual's mind - these are just ideas that don't exist independently of individuals. What is really required is for individual's to consider their positions, and to extend whatever they reason into action in the real world. The unfortunate reality is that 99% of people do not consider their positions at all, they simply accept what they are taught as true. However, whether they have considered their worldview deeply or not, they do have one. The default one is what was embedded in their education. Unfortunately again, the nature of education is to make one think in a communitarian way - ie to think 'we', 'society', 'the world', etc. Education does not care for the individual - its aim is to produce individuals that are malleable to the needs of 'society'. So communitarian (not individualistic) thinking is the order of the day. So, sadly, most people, don't really think at all, they are just running their 'educational programming'. Those who are most educated are often the most inactive thinkers. Their position is that they 'believe they know' without having verified anything personally. Nevertheless, everyone has strongly felt opinions, such that they are able to say: 'we need to do such-and-such a worthy cause'. Well, who is 'we'? Why is 'such-and-such' a worthy cause? Do we really need to do it? Do I have the right to force another to do anything? The means to analyse these quite simple questions are beyond the means of most. Anyway, for my sins, I do try to provide my philosophical perspective on things around here. I'm skeptical (most would say ultra-skeptical) and given my understanding of the world, I'm not convinced that technology is helping us. This is not a popular opinion around here! But I will persevere.

rtkaratekid 6y ago
Why are people flagging this? Genuinely curious. I don't agree with every point but I think it's a valid comment.
- feralimal 6y ago
  I would like to hear too. But I think I know. Most people when they hear an opinion that they dislike (possibly because its challenging or worse, true) would rather that opinion disappeared. I think I am downvoted and flagged because I am prepared to voice my personal opinion that has a basis that I am prepared to defend. I am even prepared to change my opinion if I'm corrected! (Shock horror!!) Most people do not want to engage with that - they would rather say that I am undertaking hate speech. So they would actually rather take a minor act of hate against me (even though I have not taken an act against them) - to quash or silence my opinion - than consider an alternative. Consensus is everything, even in a discussion about philosophy! Its sad, but it does tell you much about the world we live in. That people are highly educated to think according to what their authorities tell them - they do not/cannot discern things for themselves. It used to be a popular thing to say 'I don't agree with you, but I will fight for your right to say what you like'. Those days are long gone. Now, its I don't like what you're saying, you're challenging me and as that causes me psychological harm you are inflict hate speech on me. And that I feel threatened, rightly or not, means I am empowered to try to hurt they person I perceive to be threatening me.. Worst to me, is that HN facilitates teeny, tiny acts of violence against me. I can only post a reply once every hour or so at the moment because of downvotes and being flagged. Perhaps that surprises you? Sure, youtube, hn, facebook, etc are private platforms and they can do what they like, but where exactly is the free speech? The effect of the measures these platforms take, is that some thoughts are not allowed - to most, I am committing thoughtcrime and deserve to not have a voice. Its amazing. TLDR - people are a bunch of babies and can't co-exist with opinions that differ to their own. They feel threatened because their worldview is a stack of cards - a small gust or comment could bring it all crashing down. PS - this is a great video from Larken Rose that touches on some of the points I raised, from a different angle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPRLeXEzE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPRLeXEzE0
  - contingencies 6y ago
    To make the same points but get less of a harsh response, maybe try improving your comments by talking in the third person. In short, don't take things personally.
    - feralimal 6y ago
      Why? I am a person, and I am making my personal observations. I am happy to hear other perspectives, wisdom, understanding. I'm not that interested in people not engaging with the ideas presented, as the form is difficult. This is sort of my point - that individuals shouldn't write themselves out of the picture.
      - contingencies 6y ago
        I agree in principle. Unfortunately, the audience's brain does not work with logic, it works with emotion.
        feralimal 6y ago
        Yes. Everyone is so used to being manipulated, and, it seems, without the ability to work things personally, according to their principles. (Do people even know what principles are? Is it whatever is expedient or are there lines that cannot be crossed?) They actually prefer sugar-coated bullshit to honest responses. They do not use logic, it is all emotional responding. Their ears or eyes cannot take honesty, and they actually feel psychologically assaulted by honestly stated propositions. For myself, I intentionally don't play that game. I don't seek to manipulate or sell ideas to others. I want people to engage with the ideas or not. And I'm fine either way. But I get slammed in this thread and others, not because I may be wrong (and I may be) but just because they don't like the simple, unadorned, probably true, message. If this is where we are at on hackernews, in a thread about philosophy, it speaks volumes about how much trouble we are in as a group, and how we will not be getting out of it anytime soon. The only solution they see is to close down voices like mine.

rtkaratekid 6y ago

Why are people flagging this? Genuinely curious. I don't agree with every point but I think it's a valid comment.

feralimal 6y ago
I would like to hear too. But I think I know. Most people when they hear an opinion that they dislike (possibly because its challenging or worse, true) would rather that opinion disappeared. I think I am downvoted and flagged because I am prepared to voice my personal opinion that has a basis that I am prepared to defend. I am even prepared to change my opinion if I'm corrected! (Shock horror!!) Most people do not want to engage with that - they would rather say that I am undertaking hate speech. So they would actually rather take a minor act of hate against me (even though I have not taken an act against them) - to quash or silence my opinion - than consider an alternative. Consensus is everything, even in a discussion about philosophy! Its sad, but it does tell you much about the world we live in. That people are highly educated to think according to what their authorities tell them - they do not/cannot discern things for themselves. It used to be a popular thing to say 'I don't agree with you, but I will fight for your right to say what you like'. Those days are long gone. Now, its I don't like what you're saying, you're challenging me and as that causes me psychological harm you are inflict hate speech on me. And that I feel threatened, rightly or not, means I am empowered to try to hurt they person I perceive to be threatening me.. Worst to me, is that HN facilitates teeny, tiny acts of violence against me. I can only post a reply once every hour or so at the moment because of downvotes and being flagged. Perhaps that surprises you? Sure, youtube, hn, facebook, etc are private platforms and they can do what they like, but where exactly is the free speech? The effect of the measures these platforms take, is that some thoughts are not allowed - to most, I am committing thoughtcrime and deserve to not have a voice. Its amazing. TLDR - people are a bunch of babies and can't co-exist with opinions that differ to their own. They feel threatened because their worldview is a stack of cards - a small gust or comment could bring it all crashing down. PS - this is a great video from Larken Rose that touches on some of the points I raised, from a different angle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPRLeXEzE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPRLeXEzE0
- contingencies 6y ago
  To make the same points but get less of a harsh response, maybe try improving your comments by talking in the third person. In short, don't take things personally.
  - feralimal 6y ago
    Why? I am a person, and I am making my personal observations. I am happy to hear other perspectives, wisdom, understanding. I'm not that interested in people not engaging with the ideas presented, as the form is difficult. This is sort of my point - that individuals shouldn't write themselves out of the picture.
    - contingencies 6y ago
      I agree in principle. Unfortunately, the audience's brain does not work with logic, it works with emotion.
      - feralimal 6y ago
        Yes. Everyone is so used to being manipulated, and, it seems, without the ability to work things personally, according to their principles. (Do people even know what principles are? Is it whatever is expedient or are there lines that cannot be crossed?) They actually prefer sugar-coated bullshit to honest responses. They do not use logic, it is all emotional responding. Their ears or eyes cannot take honesty, and they actually feel psychologically assaulted by honestly stated propositions. For myself, I intentionally don't play that game. I don't seek to manipulate or sell ideas to others. I want people to engage with the ideas or not. And I'm fine either way. But I get slammed in this thread and others, not because I may be wrong (and I may be) but just because they don't like the simple, unadorned, probably true, message. If this is where we are at on hackernews, in a thread about philosophy, it speaks volumes about how much trouble we are in as a group, and how we will not be getting out of it anytime soon. The only solution they see is to close down voices like mine.