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Re: Michael Huemer - The Irrationality of Politics
Old 03-23-2012, 11:40 PM   #11
Professor S
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Default Re: Michael Huemer - The Irrationality of Politics

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Originally Posted by Bond View Post
I really liked his analogies (i.e. everything physical that we make is a reflection of a part of ourselves). I do wonder though if a lot of what he says is too vague to be considered predictive. I feel like we could make broad generalizations as to the future and probably be at least somewhat accurate.
Well, that's the case of any prophet. Here is an example: He viewed the light bulb as the perfect medium. It is devoid of any content, but creates an environment for people to engage and create content. Also, the limits of the light dictate the scope of the content created and those individuals in it's light change their behavior to fit the space created. In that, we are shaped more by the medium than by the content that is carried by it, and in the long run the content is irrelevant, and only the behavior remains.

Far fetched? Watch this:



Quote:
Anyway, I disagree with the idea of the rise of tribalism. I think we've seen a dramatic downturn of "tribal" communities (religious groups, clubs, etc), and the rise of divided individuals that are only connected via mediums such as the internet.
1) I think you have a dated view of tribes. Clubs, religion, etc. were born of old media. 9/11 truthers, tea parties, and Birthers are born of new media.

2)I think our current state of public discourse would disagree with you. We live in a world with unlimited access to more information than we could ever dream of, yet everyone seems more divided and intolerant than ever. Limited media meant that everyone consumed/shared the same information. 1 or 2 town papers, 2-3 radio stations and TV stations. Literature is a analytical activity, not a visceral one. Now we are inundated with so much information and options, no one has to consume anything that doesn't confirm their bias. Example: FoxNews and MSNBC. Even the news is carefully crafted to fit with my point of view. In the end, the other point of view isn't incorrect, they are a bad person.

Also, the sheer speed of modern media has created an utter intolerance of any thoughtful discourse. Today the political news only reports one-liners and the latest gaffe or awkward phrase, disappearing within 48 hours. There is no time for influence beyond outrage and emotional response in either direction. Reason is quickly dying, and with it, tolerance.

Keep in mind, I don't think this is a failure of the medium. It is a failure of humanity's response to it. I recommend reading some of his works, as they are far more in depth than these "mind expanding" videos.
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Last edited by Professor S : 03-24-2012 at 09:45 PM.
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