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>"it is the duty of every nation's citizens to democratize their government, or else they are complacent and enabling. And hey, I get it, rebellion is scary. Co

>"it is the duty of every nation's citizens to democratize their government, or else they are complacent and enabling. And hey, I get it, rebellion is scary. Compliance is comforting, relatively speaking. But don't demand pity points if you choose to accept subjugation." How willing are you, you personally, to forfeit your possessions and livelihood? Are you willing to die for the cause? Would you accept a death that doesn't result in a victory or martyrdom? Calling on other people to start a rebellion/revolution is easy, especially when you live in a comfortable state and have nothing on the line. >"And hey, I get it, rebellion is scary." This is particularly arrogant and condescending. How in the world would know anything about the fears people living under an authoritarian regime have about their own government's treatment of dissenters? Yes, it is very scary to rebel against a government accused of running concentration camps and one that makes high profile people (even billionaires) disappear. But I suppose these potential dissenters just need to be reminded that they need to be more brave, like you! >"But don't demand pity points if you choose to accept subjugation." Subjugation isn't a choice. Well, maybe it isn't if you consider suicide an alternative to subjugation. I suppose all those child slaves in the Congo chose to accept it and therefore deserve no pity points. I mean, they could rebel against their subjugation at any time, right?

hypertele-Xii 5y ago
> especially when you live in a comfortable state and have nothing on the line. ...after successfully overthrowing two competing monarchies, winning a civil war and defending against invasion? Heck yea I'm comfortable and my people bloody earned it. To say there's nothing on the line is an absolute disregard to world politics. Have you read the news lately? Basically nothing would bring about world peace faster than a chinese democratic revolution, hopefully accompanied by a russian one. > How in the world would know anything about the fears people Why would you assume that I don't? Fear is a very universal human emotion. You appear to be assigning some sort of special consideration to these people, as if their particular blight is somehow exceptionally elevated beyond the understanding of mere mortals. > But I suppose these potential dissenters just need to be reminded that they need to be more brave, like you! Considering how littered history is with people rallying behind individuals who simply encouraged them, yes, that's incredibly actionable advice. > child slaves in the Congo You realize you are comparing an entire industrialized nation of people to children? > Subjugation isn't a choice. Well, maybe it isn't if you consider suicide an alternative to subjugation. And yet here we are, freely and openly discussing this after our ancestors succeeded in rejecting their subjugations ultimately without perishing. You really should look up Gandhi. He freed all of India from British slavery literally by just saying "no" and taking one for the team. He was assassinated, sure, but India is now a democracy.
- BitwiseFool 5y ago
  >"To say there's nothing on the line is an absolute disregard to world politics." I'm saying there is nothing on the line for you. You, you personally, have nothing to loose. So it's exceedingly easy for you to expect other people to make the sacrifices you will never face. >"somehow exceptionally elevated beyond the understanding of mere mortals" Again, it's beyond understanding for you, someone living with a cushy job in a nice democratic country who has nothing to fear from their own government. >"rallying behind individuals who simply encouraged them" There is some cognitive dissonance here, do you really think they need encouragement while also claiming they are at fault if they don't start a revolution? It also seems like an oxymoron that a situation would be intolerable, but people would also need encouragement to do something about it. >"after our ancestors succeeded in rejecting their subjugations ultimately without perishing." This is survivorship bias, more rebellions and revolutions failed than succeeded. And still, plenty of people who participated died, regardless of outcome. You're taking credit for your ancestor's success and claiming it would be just as easy for modern folks to do the same, despite the situations being VASTLY different.

hypertele-Xii 5y ago

> especially when you live in a comfortable state and have nothing on the line. ...after successfully overthrowing two competing monarchies, winning a civil war and defending against invasion? Heck yea I'm comfortable and my people bloody earned it. To say there's nothing on the line is an absolute disregard to world politics. Have you read the news lately? Basically nothing would bring about world peace faster than a chinese democratic revolution, hopefully accompanied by a russian one. > How in the world would know anything about the fears people Why would you assume that I don't? Fear is a very universal human emotion. You appear to be assigning some sort of special consideration to these people, as if their particular blight is somehow exceptionally elevated beyond the understanding of mere mortals. > But I suppose these potential dissenters just need to be reminded that they need to be more brave, like you! Considering how littered history is with people rallying behind individuals who simply encouraged them, yes, that's incredibly actionable advice. > child slaves in the Congo You realize you are comparing an entire industrialized nation of people to children? > Subjugation isn't a choice. Well, maybe it isn't if you consider suicide an alternative to subjugation. And yet here we are, freely and openly discussing this after our ancestors succeeded in rejecting their subjugations ultimately without perishing. You really should look up Gandhi. He freed all of India from British slavery literally by just saying "no" and taking one for the team. He was assassinated, sure, but India is now a democracy.

BitwiseFool 5y ago
>"To say there's nothing on the line is an absolute disregard to world politics." I'm saying there is nothing on the line for you. You, you personally, have nothing to loose. So it's exceedingly easy for you to expect other people to make the sacrifices you will never face. >"somehow exceptionally elevated beyond the understanding of mere mortals" Again, it's beyond understanding for you, someone living with a cushy job in a nice democratic country who has nothing to fear from their own government. >"rallying behind individuals who simply encouraged them" There is some cognitive dissonance here, do you really think they need encouragement while also claiming they are at fault if they don't start a revolution? It also seems like an oxymoron that a situation would be intolerable, but people would also need encouragement to do something about it. >"after our ancestors succeeded in rejecting their subjugations ultimately without perishing." This is survivorship bias, more rebellions and revolutions failed than succeeded. And still, plenty of people who participated died, regardless of outcome. You're taking credit for your ancestor's success and claiming it would be just as easy for modern folks to do the same, despite the situations being VASTLY different.