Friday, February 12, 2016

Philosophising


Ancient Athens shows just how the people can become the mob, and how even the most enlightened cultures of their times can succumb to a suicidal collective hysteria. All due to a desire for the easy "fix" to problems. People vote for whatever short term satisfaction their collective Id wants: revenge, safety, or luxury. Eventually the processes of democracy are too slow to satisfy them, so they find a strongman who promises quick and easy solutions if only he is given the power to do them....history has yet to record this ending well.

Words to the wise.

2 comments:

  1. People vote with their pocketbooks

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    Replies
    1. Pocketbooks, egos, phobias.

      Part of the problem from my little open-elitist viewpoint is that people without the ability to delay gratification until even next payday have an equal vote to me.

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