3 ms·

> systems built upon illusions are less stable than systems built upon truths I strongly disagree with that. The most stable societies historically have been b

> systems built upon illusions are less stable than systems built upon truths I strongly disagree with that. The most stable societies historically have been built around a religious center, which is by definition not an objective rational truth. We are yet to see a very large group of people co-exist in an environment based on truths. So far we are witnessing quite the opposite: truth itself has acquired a new definition ("alternative facts", "my truth", etc). Edit: for people who downvote this comment. Do you have an example of a stable society based on truths? Other than a speculation that this time humanity will succeed, and people will finally value truth over comfort.

achenet 4y ago
I actually upvoted you, but to answer your question - any sports team. It's an environment where you can't get away with "muh opinion is da truth :DDD" type bikeshedding you find when discussing large political issues (eg abortion, immigration, etc). You can try to lie, but if something doesn't work, it becomes obvious. I think also any team of programmers would qualify - at the end of the day, you can empirically verifiy claims. On a broader level, you could argue that since modern society is basically built on the laws of physics - our bureacracy and infrastructure is only possible because Maxwell's Equations are "true" in the sense that they accurately predict things about reality [0] - we are living in a system built on truth, and when we communicate on Hacker News, that is only possible because of all those before us who have sought out and shared true things about the universe. [0] - you can probably use a definition of "truth" different than "accurately models reality", but it's the one I use, and I think most people will accept it as good enough.

3 ms·

> systems built upon illusions are less stable than systems built upon truths I strongly disagree with that. The most stable societies historically have been b

by augustuspolius 4y ago

achenet 4y ago
I actually upvoted you, but to answer your question - any sports team. It's an environment where you can't get away with "muh opinion is da truth :DDD" type bikeshedding you find when discussing large political issues (eg abortion, immigration, etc). You can try to lie, but if something doesn't work, it becomes obvious. I think also any team of programmers would qualify - at the end of the day, you can empirically verifiy claims. On a broader level, you could argue that since modern society is basically built on the laws of physics - our bureacracy and infrastructure is only possible because Maxwell's Equations are "true" in the sense that they accurately predict things about reality [0] - we are living in a system built on truth, and when we communicate on Hacker News, that is only possible because of all those before us who have sought out and shared true things about the universe. [0] - you can probably use a definition of "truth" different than "accurately models reality", but it's the one I use, and I think most people will accept it as good enough.