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I’m not sure why political parties would be expected to fix these things (which seemed to be the authors thesis). How would government fix loneliness, lack of

I’m not sure why political parties would be expected to fix these things (which seemed to be the authors thesis). How would government fix loneliness, lack of spouse, lack of grit, failed marriages, domestic abuse, teenage rebellion, bullying, chain smoking, alcoholism, and all the things ailing the white middle class (men?) according to the author?

readthenotes1 4y ago
"How would government fix loneliness, lack of spouse, lack of grit, failed marriages, domestic abuse, teenage rebellion, bullying, chain smoking, alcoholism, and all the things ailing the white middle class (men?) according to the author? " George Orwell had an answer to that.
- nozzlegear 4y ago
  It's been a long time since I've read any Orwell, and maybe I've not had enough coffee this morning to make the connection on my own. Could you tell us what Orwell's answer would be?
  - readthenotes1 4y ago
    1984, the government told you what to think and feel and say. Perfect Nanny state...
michaelt 4y ago
It depends how powerful and effective you think government interventions can be; and what level of government intervention is moral. Could the government reverse the export of manufacturing jobs to the far east? If you believe they can, you might think that would improve the lot of the working class. Or is that beyond the power of the state? Could the government rebrand pink collar jobs like nursing, where demand is rising due to our ageing population, to be more gender-neutral and higher status? Or is that beyond the power of the state? Are there social organisations like sports clubs which the government could make easier to set up and operate? Or has the state already done all it can in that area? Should the government be providing venues like town halls, sports facilities and libraries in every town? Or is that better left to the private sector anyway? How far should the government go in regulating tobacco and alcohol? America has gone as far as prohibition in the past. Or should adults have as few limits on freedom of choice as possible? The government is more than happy to support films that glorify the American military. And other countries have far more heavy-handed media controls. Given the government is willing to support films and TV that advance certain values, why not advance pro-having-grit and anti-domestic-abuse messages as well as pro-military messages? What about getting more people into church? I'm not religious myself, but I know it's important to a lot of people and loads of people get married in churches. But some would say the separation of church and state is more important than other concerns. Some people think the mighty and powerful state could deliver all those things, given the will to do so. Others would expect a lot less.
throw0101b 4y ago
> I’m not sure why political parties would be expected to fix these things (which seemed to be the authors thesis). Zoning and urban design. If everyone is in their cars because driving is a necessity, people are more isolated compared to places where you can walk/cycle/transit for most errands and day-to-day life, where you are more likely to bump into someone. Car-centric suburbs also tend to have fewer 'third places': * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place If the only way kids can get places is via a car ride, everything is also more regimented, as compared to a neighbourhood where there's a local park where older kids can go by themselves and younger kids/toddlers/infants are taken by their parents so there are some adults around.

readthenotes1 4y ago

"How would government fix loneliness, lack of spouse, lack of grit, failed marriages, domestic abuse, teenage rebellion, bullying, chain smoking, alcoholism, and all the things ailing the white middle class (men?) according to the author? " George Orwell had an answer to that.

nozzlegear 4y ago
It's been a long time since I've read any Orwell, and maybe I've not had enough coffee this morning to make the connection on my own. Could you tell us what Orwell's answer would be?
- readthenotes1 4y ago
  1984, the government told you what to think and feel and say. Perfect Nanny state...

michaelt 4y ago

It depends how powerful and effective you think government interventions can be; and what level of government intervention is moral. Could the government reverse the export of manufacturing jobs to the far east? If you believe they can, you might think that would improve the lot of the working class. Or is that beyond the power of the state? Could the government rebrand pink collar jobs like nursing, where demand is rising due to our ageing population, to be more gender-neutral and higher status? Or is that beyond the power of the state? Are there social organisations like sports clubs which the government could make easier to set up and operate? Or has the state already done all it can in that area? Should the government be providing venues like town halls, sports facilities and libraries in every town? Or is that better left to the private sector anyway? How far should the government go in regulating tobacco and alcohol? America has gone as far as prohibition in the past. Or should adults have as few limits on freedom of choice as possible? The government is more than happy to support films that glorify the American military. And other countries have far more heavy-handed media controls. Given the government is willing to support films and TV that advance certain values, why not advance pro-having-grit and anti-domestic-abuse messages as well as pro-military messages? What about getting more people into church? I'm not religious myself, but I know it's important to a lot of people and loads of people get married in churches. But some would say the separation of church and state is more important than other concerns. Some people think the mighty and powerful state could deliver all those things, given the will to do so. Others would expect a lot less.

throw0101b 4y ago

> I’m not sure why political parties would be expected to fix these things (which seemed to be the authors thesis). Zoning and urban design. If everyone is in their cars because driving is a necessity, people are more isolated compared to places where you can walk/cycle/transit for most errands and day-to-day life, where you are more likely to bump into someone. Car-centric suburbs also tend to have fewer 'third places': * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place If the only way kids can get places is via a car ride, everything is also more regimented, as compared to a neighbourhood where there's a local park where older kids can go by themselves and younger kids/toddlers/infants are taken by their parents so there are some adults around.