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I doubt a book would make much difference. Something with more mass appeal, like a movie or TV show maybe. But it's still a long shot IMHO. Or you know, we cou
by simias 13y ago
I doubt a book would make much difference. Something with more mass appeal, like a movie or TV show maybe. But it's still a long shot IMHO.
Or you know, we could vote those people out of office. We keep bashing those clueless politicians but we did put them here in the first place. We don't even have the excuse of dictatorship.
This tendency around these parts to look for technical solutions (tor, bitcoin, etc...) for political problems is very saddening.
Assuming most of the readers of HN come from democratic countries, we shouldn't have to fear our government. No amount of openSSL will fix that problem.
- Ntrails 13y agoMaybe the next series of Black Mirror will have something that covers these things more specifically? I think it's covered some very interesting concepts already.
- seabee 13y agoWhat more do you think can be said that the last episode of Black Mirror (fictional character as MP) didn't say?
- shawabawa3 13y ago> Or you know, we could vote those people out of office. We keep bashing those clueless politicians but we did put them here in the first place. We don't even have the excuse of dictatorship. The sad truth is that politics is basically a marketing game. Whoever pours the most money into ads and campaigning has the best chance of winning [1]. There aren't enough people who care enough to do their own research to make a real difference [1] http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/dec/02/conservatives-spent-twice-labour-election-campaign - In the last general election the results mirrored marketing budgets.
- triplesec 13y agoThe old joke: "Don't vote, it only encourages them" has been on the wall of London's Anarchist Bookshop for years. Sadly, the false dichotomy of American politics, the corrupt buying of candidates and parties there and in most places, a lack of desire of anyone who wants to be a politician to rock any boat and make lasting structural change means that sometimes you need to do more than just play the fixed game with already loaded dice, where the prize doesn't really do much for you anyway. I'm working on several strategies in this space. Perhaps we should gather some constructive conspirators. See, that sounds jailworthy already, even though it's in the spirit of opening up debate, discourse and emancipation...
- mcv 13y ago> The old joke: "Don't vote, it only encourages them" Problem is: if you don't vote, you're certain not to get the candidate you want. You're basically accepting their reign. Better to stubbornly vote for a small candidate who doesn't really have a chance. If enough people do that, he might accidentally get elected.
- stevejones 13y agoThis is why the established powers are fervently against proportional representation.
- collyw 13y ago>If enough people do that, he might accidentally get elected. Alternatively, if no one voted, the corrupt bastards couldn't legitimately claim power. This is a serious flaw in our current implementation of "democracy". If you don't vote for the two /three main parties (who are all neocons anyway), you are effectively ignored. People argue vote, or not to vote, but in the end whatever either of these options will be ignored.
- triplesec 13y agoIn some elections, inquorate elections do not stand, and a re-election is required. This would be a good idea, but is unlikely to happen. In some places (notably Australia) government feels legitimated by compulsory voting (even fr expats). I don't know the sanctions for not voting, but voting turnout there is high.
- nsns 13y agoBrazil? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_%281985_film%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_%281985_film%29)
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- mogrim 13y ago> Or you know, we could vote those people out of office. We keep bashing those clueless politicians but we did put them here in the first place. We don't even have the excuse of dictatorship. Yeah, but do you really think Labour would be any better? Both parties seem so scared of the Mail and the Telegraph that they'll do anything to look tough on crime. Thinking about it, is this the inevitable result of an aging population?
- simias 13y agoI'm not from the UK, I was talking in general. It's terrible that we come to consider the government the enemy when we're the one who are supposed to put them here.
- eponeponepon 13y agoHow sad that we've reached a stage in Britain where one can talk about "both parties", and not be misrepresenting the situation.
- mcv 13y agoThe problem with the UK is that it now has 3 major conservative parties. But aren't there smaller parties you can vote for? And if there aren't any, surely you can start a new party? Find enough people who agree with you.