Comments for The Rationalist Conspiracy

Comment on Why Everyone Should Be Upper Class by Michael Wiebe

Michael Wiebe — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:53:26 +0000

“A big problem with many parts of Africa is that everyone is lower class.”

This is really interesting. Can you point me to sources that talk about this more?

Comment on New and Old Elites by multiheaded

multiheaded — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 13:44:58 +0000

the hippie movement and the Reagan reforms

Hmm, actually it IS pretty smart of you to draw parallels between those. I’m mildly impressed.

As Garret Keizer put it in Harper’s, Reagan “will be seen as the last of the California hippies, a man who told us that if we just let the markets run wild and the Magic Bus of juggernaut capitalism go barrel-assing down the road with its freak flag flying all would be groovy and out of sight. What was his ‘Morning in America’ bit but a cover of “Aquarius”; what was his presidency but the last act of Hair?”

http://exiledonline.com/conscience-of-a-radical-corey-robin%E2%80%99s-the-reactionary-mind/

Comment on On Political Movements by Frances (@francessoong)

Frances (@francessoong) — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:12:26 +0000

I was with you with every word until your last sentence.

“Conversely, if you want to kill a movement, tell everyone they hate to shut up.” What does that mean?

Also, I believe the most iconic figure of political villainy must be Guy Fawkes.

“Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…”

Comment on On Political Movements by michealvassar

michealvassar — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:49:01 +0000

Agreed Jim.
I’m actually very skeptical that you can have a mainstream political movement with just an agenda. In so far as Libertarianism is about policy, it’s not mainstream. In so far as it aspires to being mainstream, it degenerates into right-wing witchhunts for ‘welfare queens’ and the like.

Comment on On Political Movements by Nick T

Nick T — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:12:22 +0000

Conversely, while abortion is strictly legal everywhere in the US, there’s plenty of variance in state laws regulating it, ease of access, funding, etc. for pro-{choice,life}rs to fight over.

Comment on On Political Movements by jimrandomh

jimrandomh — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:12:24 +0000

One trick is that the opposition doesn’t actually have to exist, it just has to be believed to exist; for example in the United States you have nationalism sustained by opposition to “terrorists”. Maintaining a convincing illusion of opposition normally requires some resources and media support. But some movements get by with *un*convincing illusions of opposition, ie conspiracy theorists. And the internet has lowered the bar, so that a few trolls can create the appearance of a side with adherents.

Comment on On Political Movements by Thomas Johan Eliot

Thomas Johan Eliot — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:48:55 +0000

The Libertarian villain is Tyrannical Big Government. This seems so obvious that I can’t help but wonder if your ignoring it was intentional, to paint Libertarians as reasonable, policy rather than story based folks, in contrast with their political opponents.

Comment on Getting A Software Job by Floor Employment | Slate Star Codex

Floor Employment | Slate Star Codex — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:47:40 +0000

[...] Vance makes the case for becoming a programmer if you don’t like what you’re doing [...]

Comment on Against Infinite Meta by Overcoming Bias : In favour of finite meta

Overcoming Bias : In favour of finite meta — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:24:28 +0000

[...] which Robin critiqued recently, wrote a response titled ‘Against Infinite Meta’ strongly disagreeing. I think her points are, in [...]

Comment on Personal Medical Research by Kenny

Kenny — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:11:30 +0000

Awesome! I checked out your website briefly after Tyler (of Marginal Revolution) posted a reply from Sarah Constantin to Robin Hanson’s blog post about your company. I like the idea. Keep us posted!