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I’m curious what you mean by this. Assuming you are American, do you think that Obama or Trump or Biden wish that the population was more compliant, and had wea

I’m curious what you mean by this. Assuming you are American, do you think that Obama or Trump or Biden wish that the population was more compliant, and had weaker critical thinking? Why would that benefit them? Most leaders think they are right, and I would think they would want enhanced critical thinking in the population so that the people would better appreciate the leaders rightness.

hobs 5y ago
That's so far from the truth it is comical - populism is literally appealing to the base and stupid indistinct and creating an environment hostile to intellectual thinking... and it's been kind of a big thing the last 100 years...
rustyminnow 5y ago
Sure, the President of the United States holds an office with a lot of executive power, but there are plenty of other people with other forms of power that would have an interest in a compliant population. I hate to beat the "evil-zillionaire" drum, but if you made your fortunes selling people juice-boxes they don't really need, you'd prefer it if they complicitly buy all the junk your ads tell them to buy instead of critically thinking "maybe I DON'T need another one" Take also cult-leaders for example (or other con-men in power/leadership positions). If their followers possessed the critical thinking skills to see through their manipulations, they wouldn't have any followers. Complacency in this case is fundamental
- richk449 5y ago
  Okay, sure, cult leaders and juice box company executives don’t want critical thinking in the populace. I guess those aren’t who I think of when I think of the powerful.
  - rustyminnow 5y ago
    Yes the President of The United States of America is the ONLY person with ANY power. Not the companies who spend billions of dollars lobbying to pass laws only in their own interest. Not the media moguls or tv personalities who can manipulate public perception on any issue. Not the lawmakers, the community leaders, people who directly affect other people's lives. No, I can't imagine anybody would like it if folks were dim and complacent and just generally easy to fuck over

hobs 5y ago

That's so far from the truth it is comical - populism is literally appealing to the base and stupid indistinct and creating an environment hostile to intellectual thinking... and it's been kind of a big thing the last 100 years...

rustyminnow 5y ago

Sure, the President of the United States holds an office with a lot of executive power, but there are plenty of other people with other forms of power that would have an interest in a compliant population. I hate to beat the "evil-zillionaire" drum, but if you made your fortunes selling people juice-boxes they don't really need, you'd prefer it if they complicitly buy all the junk your ads tell them to buy instead of critically thinking "maybe I DON'T need another one" Take also cult-leaders for example (or other con-men in power/leadership positions). If their followers possessed the critical thinking skills to see through their manipulations, they wouldn't have any followers. Complacency in this case is fundamental

richk449 5y ago
Okay, sure, cult leaders and juice box company executives don’t want critical thinking in the populace. I guess those aren’t who I think of when I think of the powerful.
- rustyminnow 5y ago
  Yes the President of The United States of America is the ONLY person with ANY power. Not the companies who spend billions of dollars lobbying to pass laws only in their own interest. Not the media moguls or tv personalities who can manipulate public perception on any issue. Not the lawmakers, the community leaders, people who directly affect other people's lives. No, I can't imagine anybody would like it if folks were dim and complacent and just generally easy to fuck over