3 ms·

Everyone knows that democracy is an ultimately broken system that ends up oversimplifying complex systems and devolves into rule by a propaganda-influended mob*

Everyone knows that democracy is an ultimately broken system that ends up oversimplifying complex systems and devolves into rule by a propaganda-influended mob*. *except when it supports your beliefs, in which case it is the only true and just system that protects the people from autocrats that collude to oppress the masses and elevate their own self-intrests

antasvara 6y ago
That's an oversimplification of what democracy is. At the simplest level, democracy is a system of government where the people have the authority to choose their governing legislators. I would agree that in its current form in America, the government incentivizes the use of propaganda to get specific policies passed. Instead of coming at an entire form of government, perhaps you could suggest a solution that actually solves some of these issues. Is there a way to require full understanding of a proposition before voting? Is there a way the government can restrict advertising on these topics? And, more importantly, can you suggest a form of government that solves these issues without creating any larger problems of its own?
- Aerroon 6y ago
  I think the issues goes beyond the form of government. Even an autocracy can fall for the same issues. Just replace convincing a wide audience with convincing a single person. We see this failure in business - business leaders buy into an idea that's dressed up as attractive for them, but it ends up being harmful. The problem is that there are more topics that influence people's lives than anyone can properly reason over in detail. You have to make choices on which issues to focus on more, but it also means that you're vulnerable to being sold a false story on the issues you don't focus on. The end result is that sometimes you're taken advantage of.

3 ms·

Everyone knows that democracy is an ultimately broken system that ends up oversimplifying complex systems and devolves into rule by a propaganda-influended mob*

by tomatotomato37 6y ago

antasvara 6y ago
That's an oversimplification of what democracy is. At the simplest level, democracy is a system of government where the people have the authority to choose their governing legislators. I would agree that in its current form in America, the government incentivizes the use of propaganda to get specific policies passed. Instead of coming at an entire form of government, perhaps you could suggest a solution that actually solves some of these issues. Is there a way to require full understanding of a proposition before voting? Is there a way the government can restrict advertising on these topics? And, more importantly, can you suggest a form of government that solves these issues without creating any larger problems of its own?
- Aerroon 6y ago
  I think the issues goes beyond the form of government. Even an autocracy can fall for the same issues. Just replace convincing a wide audience with convincing a single person. We see this failure in business - business leaders buy into an idea that's dressed up as attractive for them, but it ends up being harmful. The problem is that there are more topics that influence people's lives than anyone can properly reason over in detail. You have to make choices on which issues to focus on more, but it also means that you're vulnerable to being sold a false story on the issues you don't focus on. The end result is that sometimes you're taken advantage of.