Great post Grant - a lot to think about. Yes - history does provide a broader, long term perspective that can help one retain a healthy skepticism about politics rather than fall down the unproductive cynicism rabbit-hole. When we draw the lens out we get a sense of broader patterns that are often evident in political change - e.g. that politics can be divided between those who aim to do the greatest good for the largest number and those, who prioritize their own social, economic, ethnic group and either suppress or downplay the interests of those who don't fit the values of their particular group. Also that radical (rather than incremental) political change is typically followed by the rise of extremism (e.g. French Revolution - the terror, The Irish war of independence - the Irish civil war etc) that is often far more traumatic than what generated the initial revolution. But most important, what history demonstrates is that the ambitions of politicians once in power is seldom a close match with what they originally set out to do. Their original theory about how to change the world may not equate with reality or, unanticipated events simply get in the way. It is never as easy as it seems, to makes the changes that need to happen when you are in a position to do so. The reality is that making meaningful change is complicated and the 'quick fix' approach typically ends in tears.
I agree with that, thanks Mark. The French revolution led to the Terror, and didn't settle the constitutional issues at all, as they went through several changes in the subsequent century. I guess I'm an incrementalist, but there are some dramatic changes coming via AI whether we like it or not! Cheers, Grant.
True! Humans have had to deal with existential perils, uncertainty, plagues, injustices, diversity, monetary crises, fuel shortages, etc since time immemorial. The nature of some present problems is unprecedented, but the ways in which we think about governing for them aren't progressing much at all. AI will change how we think of ourselves as humans beings. Cheers, Grant
This meme best sums up what to do next:
https://streetartutopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Dont-Panic-Organize-unionize-1017x1200.jpg
The law of the fish – reversed!
Great post Grant - a lot to think about. Yes - history does provide a broader, long term perspective that can help one retain a healthy skepticism about politics rather than fall down the unproductive cynicism rabbit-hole. When we draw the lens out we get a sense of broader patterns that are often evident in political change - e.g. that politics can be divided between those who aim to do the greatest good for the largest number and those, who prioritize their own social, economic, ethnic group and either suppress or downplay the interests of those who don't fit the values of their particular group. Also that radical (rather than incremental) political change is typically followed by the rise of extremism (e.g. French Revolution - the terror, The Irish war of independence - the Irish civil war etc) that is often far more traumatic than what generated the initial revolution. But most important, what history demonstrates is that the ambitions of politicians once in power is seldom a close match with what they originally set out to do. Their original theory about how to change the world may not equate with reality or, unanticipated events simply get in the way. It is never as easy as it seems, to makes the changes that need to happen when you are in a position to do so. The reality is that making meaningful change is complicated and the 'quick fix' approach typically ends in tears.
I agree with that, thanks Mark. The French revolution led to the Terror, and didn't settle the constitutional issues at all, as they went through several changes in the subsequent century. I guess I'm an incrementalist, but there are some dramatic changes coming via AI whether we like it or not! Cheers, Grant.
True! Humans have had to deal with existential perils, uncertainty, plagues, injustices, diversity, monetary crises, fuel shortages, etc since time immemorial. The nature of some present problems is unprecedented, but the ways in which we think about governing for them aren't progressing much at all. AI will change how we think of ourselves as humans beings. Cheers, Grant