Quick Observations Archives - Page 42 of 85

May

What is wrong with virtue signaling, “the practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate our good character or the moral correctness of our beliefs”?

May 10, 2022

By B

What is wrong with virtue signaling, "the practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate our good character or the moral correctness of our beliefs"? Because virtue-signaling occurs for the benefit of the self. The self works by making decisions that benefit itself (the...

May

I am 12-14 and I already have a political belief. Is this normal or brainwashed?

May 10, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

I am 12-14 and I already have a political belief. Is this normal or brainwashed? I cannot say with what you have told me. Did you come to your beliefs through reason, or did you pick them up from others? Note, reason is a specific process to me....

May

While living in a country that legalized the use of propaganda against its own citizens, why would you trust anything they ever say again?

May 10, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

While living in a country that legalized the use of propaganda against its own citizens, why would you trust anything they ever say again? You shouldn’t. But even if propaganda is not widespread or purposeful, what you’re being told could be old-fashioned wrong … or misinterpreted. ...

May

How people in this generation can hold on to values of independence and individuality in a world that is filled with propaganda?

May 10, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

How people in this generation can hold on to values of independence and individuality in a world that is filled with propaganda? Easy answer. The propaganda, and now specifically your acute awareness of its prevalence, will develop your capacity to reason. In other words, you should, as...

May

How can I be from corrupt people and not get corrupted?

May 9, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

How can I be from corrupt people and not get corrupted? Easy. You have free will. You must ensure that you exercise it. Here’s how: A growing number of people believe that free will does not exist. Some neurological research appears to support this disheartening view (see here)....

May

Is it true that government authorities can’t be bullied into giving the people what they want?

May 8, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

Is it true that government authorities can't be bullied into giving the people what they want? Well. No. They can be bullied. I suppose that’s what democracy is all about—electoral bullying. Ideally one chooses political leaders that stick to their guns. Trump and the border was a...

May

Why is it that economic liberalization generates pressures that even authoritarian leaders cannot fully repress?

May 8, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

Why is it that economic liberalization generates pressures that even authoritarian leaders cannot fully repress? An individual’s brain must be developed. Free thought is central to this process. Capitalism and economic liberalism is an explicit use of freedom of thought and is thus a key contributor...

May

Is the government important in the study of politics?

May 7, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

Is the government important in the study of politics? I suppose. Politics are the pursuit/enforcement of a “social truth” using electoral or dictatorial power. Different forms of government collect and apply power in different ways. So, if you want to study politics you must understand how the society...

May

How effective is global governance?

May 7, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

How effective is global governance? By what measure? I think global governance will lead to authoritarianism and corruption. Societies should instead foster self-governance and self-reliance. In that way, freedom will be maximized, and governmental corruption minimized. For a while, I got a question a day from citizens of African...

May

Is trust in the media at an all-time low in 2022?

May 7, 2022

In Quick Observations

By B

Is trust in the media at an all-time low in 2022? We can only hope. I have described in previous questions how easy it is to distort the reality of non-reasoning people. This has created viewpoint chaos: https://server.learningframework.com/?p=9705 If our fellow citizens will show a smidgen of doubt, then...