What's wrong with our world? Yglesias:
Among these changes, the most underrated is not misinformation or kooky conspiracy theories or even populism per se — it’s relentless negativity. One thing that we’ve learned from revealed preferences on the internet is that negativity-inflected stories perform better…Cowen adds:
The impact of ultra-negativity is symmetrical in the sense that both sides do it, but it’s asymmetrical in the sense that conservatives outnumber progressives. In practice, oscillating extremism results in a right-wing authoritarian regime, not a left-wing one.
The important thing is to keep a positive, constructive attitude toward what is possible. Content creators who do not do that, no matter what their professed views, are supporting the darker sides of MAGA.
So keep up the good work people!
I believe this. Everyone trash-talking our world is advocating for a right-wing authoritarian takeover. I don't mean complaining about particular issues or problems; that is an essential part of democracy. But all the people who say our system is so broken that we need a radical change are, no matter their politics, pushing us toward Fascism.
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But all the people who say our system is so broken that we need a radical change are, no matter their politics, pushing us toward Fascism.
Murc's Law strikes again, I see.
There is maybe some truth in that, as seen from Europe; the system and political parties are different, but that tendency is also working here. Anything wrong happens, and all the left is to blame as the main culprits - most of the 'narrative' goes this way. So if the system is failing, we need authoritarian right. We are still quite far from that, but the tendency shows in the press and TV reports, commentators, discussions. But look at Turkey or Hungary, even Argentina: are they better anyway with their authoritarian, autocratic, regimes ? Let's not even mention Russia. There is one myth always present, in left or right, that the ideal would be a kind of Enlightened Despot, like those monarchies where ideas and culture were thriving centuries ago. But no Enlightened Despot can be elected - the mob hates that ! - and if he takes power by force he's no more an enlightened idealist. So I believe, here as there, that either a decent half liberal half social-democratic regime prevails, always fragile and unable to great reforms, great changes, great purposes, or chaos follows. Chaos is the probable alternative we are facing, the one I see coming in France or Spain, Germany or the UK, the US or Argentina, chaos is what social networks seem to wish for. Now tell me what will come out of chaos ? If military take power to grant order, what will come out then? Something like Reps and Dems again, or something else ? Anyway, ultra-negativity builds nothing, the balance is not favorable to any side, tiktok's and reddit's choice is chaos. I still choose 'hesitating positivity', but wasn't it that what brought us here?
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