RE: Big Brother
January 15, 2012 at 12:06 pm
(This post was last modified: January 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm by Violet.)
Rhythm Wrote:The usefulness of this sort of network is obvious as well. So it's a bit of a janus situation isn't it. If the numbers add up (IE safety, security, etc) I can see a compromise being made. Big Brother, within extremely limited boundaries (and draconian public oversight), could be a benefit to us...sad to say, but true.
It could be...
And it could also be exactly like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Purge
I am not an optimist...
(January 15, 2012 at 3:19 am)Perhaps Wrote: I don't even know your real name, but I could find out more about you demographically then you probably know yourself with a few simple lines of code and a couple clicks. This isn't new, and it's growing, no point in fighting it, just utilize it. Just because someone always knows what you're doing, where you are, and who you're doing it with doesn't mean you can't still do it.
But it does mean that they might have the power to blackmail you over it, possibly arrest you for it, or even kill you because of it. It just depends on who that person is... and perhaps more importantly: what organization they belong to.
(January 14, 2012 at 2:37 am)Moros Synackaon Wrote: Furthermore, anyone who observes our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, would note that for a loosely affiliate clan-structured society (much like yours and Sae's ridiculous anarchist-syndicates), it has a tendency of oscillating between status quo and incredible bouts of violence. Indeed, a comparison between developing human societies and industrialized countries does show a consistent shift from clan-based organizations to large scale societies (governments).
How do you mean by 'clan'? I happen to know many people living in Kasilof... and I've seen much volunteerism in various projects (the Kasilof dunes fence project comes to mind http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/0530...4992.shtml note that most of these people who drive over the dunes are from out of state).
Ridiculous? I hardly think so. Rather, I believe good nature and volunteerism are to be expected in a community that provides for itself. Infact, it would likely foster discussions about new projects, and expansion of the community. I'm still interested in how you mean 'clan', since you are using it enough... just I don't see how it's applicable.
Quote:No one in their right mind would state that the long term societal organization of pre-15th century Bedouins (chosen as an archetype of clan-based) is a blue print for a civilization, yet the same is put forth by you.
In any case, all you advocate is merely an offset of power, not an elimination. Whether said power is in the hands of a society (the government) or some clan-like organization (syndicates). Furthermore, you always get power concentrated into the hands of the few.
Wat.
Firstly, power in the hands of government is rarely in the hands of its society. Take America: however the people want to vote in america is meaningless... as the only votes that get the president elected are in the electoral college. It often takes a great deal of money and advertisement to even be elected *to* vote on the president.
Secondly, nobody has any more inherent power than anyone else in a syndicate such as I propose... and would you really harp on people for being respected enough for their suggestions to hold more weight than some other people's?
Because that is 'ridiculous'.
Quote:Why?
Probably for the same fucking reason chimpanzees build alliances, temporary and long term. They scheme and accumulate power as well within their societies, often comprising powerful "families".
If the chimps are doing that, what makes you think we'll transcend our basic nature? We're much more likely to embrace it.
Only reason I can see to 'build alliances' in AS is to share the surpluses of several communities. I hardly see how a powerful family is going to emerge... with the exception of an entire family being highly respected. There is some small respect afforded for being closely related to someone who's greatly respected... but if you're an asshole it's unlikely you will retain that small fortune.
There isn't any power to accumulate in such a society... there is only the respect of the other members of society and the satisfaction of doing a good job and getting something done (either for you... or for everyone).
What makes me think we will 'transcend our basic nature'? My experiences with people in my short life.
Please give me a home where cloud buffalo roam
Where the dear and the strangers can play
Where sometimes is heard a discouraging word
But the skies are not stormy all day
