Authority can also be used to corrupt culture and shared knowledge instead of protecting it. In fact, I argue that over a long enough span of time, it inherentl

Authority can also be used to corrupt culture and shared knowledge instead of protecting it. In fact, I argue that over a long enough span of time, it inherently will simply because selection mechanisms will be gamed by people who put their own needs over that of the society. By decoupling power with culture and shared knowledge, you can more effectively transmit these things to a broader audience while maintaining its integrity. In this setup, a critical mass of people in the community act as the immune system that helps to refine and develop the shared knowledge over time. I think artists, public intellectuals and thinkers of all kinds play this role in our society without the corrupting influence of a hierarchy.