Amalgamation

[danbrotherston]

I didn't take anything you said out of context...you quoted and indicated support for a political ideology. I simply pointed out the reality of that political ideology. If you prefer a different ideology, you should say that instead.

As for the government, they absolutely have my interests at heart...that isn't to say that my interests aren't competing with many MANY other interests, some of which, I feel are prioritized far too much.

But I can also tell you that neither the "magic invisible hand" nor corporate shareholders have your interests in mind at all.

And I'm happy to discuss what a government should do, but this strategy of demonizing the government because you believe they don't care about your interests, is a strategy used by those who actually have the freedom not to care about your interests (i.e., corporate shareholders), to convince people to oppose democratic processes in favour of corporate control.

I don't want the government to dictate what I can say, but at least I get a vote in that government, I get no vote on Facebook's board, and they exercise far more control over my speech than the government does, and do so as a direct result of their lobbying and policies enacted in the name of "small government".

Why would you get a vote on Facebook's board (unless you're a vast shareholder), it's a for-profit business - simply do not use their services if you don't agree with their actions/principles etc

However we are not afforded such freedom of choice when it comes to government, just look at the mismanagement of funds at every corner and we are stuck to pay for it, all of it

You are highlighting the point I've made, in that NO ONE has your best interests at heart except for yourself - not government, not big corporations, not your neighbour etc.

How one can just let go and blindly believe that government has their best interest at heart is disturbing, it's like you've given up on life - I certainly hope I never ever feel that way

This is an absolute misrepresentation of my statement and the reality of the situation.


Facebook:

The idea that you can just "opt out" of their services is wilfully blind. Leaving aside the network effects (I've lost connection with many friends and acquaintances as a result of leaving twitter and FB--it costs me not to use them because other people continue to use them), that's small peanuts. They also have an IMMENSE amount of control over our society. The genocide in Myanmar is the most extreme example, but even here, they exert immense control over our society. You cannot opt out of that.

I *SHOULD* get a say because I believe capitalism is corrupt and broken. I.e., shareholders and the CEO should not get to facilitate genocide just because they are wealthy, they have immense power that is completely unearned. Ergo, we should either prohibit individuals and companies from gaining such power, or forcibly distribute that power away from the few individuals and corporations to a larger more democratic group using regulations and unions (or co-op ownership whatever mechanism you like).

Yes, I'm a "radical" because I think the current situation is very broken and we should be willing to change it...



As for who has my interests in mind...that is such a cynical and and anti-social take. It's also just objectively wrong...

Things are not black and white, my neighbours DO have my interest in mind. It's why they do stuff like bring in my recycling bin when I'm not home. That's not a selfish action, that's a pro-social action.

The same with governments, as I pointed out, if you're an eligible voter, they are motivated to care about your interests. Like I said, I believe that that interest is far too captured and diluted by the interests of wealthy individuals and corporations, but it does still exist.

These things aren't as simple or as black and white as you'd like, the world is complex. If you find comfort in adopting a simple worldview, be my guest, but do not expect me to provide you with a safe place where nobody will confront you with the wondrous complexity of the world.

The irony is that you say I'm disturbed and yet I find your take to be wholly cynical.