I agree if we look at society scale, but, at individual scale, I have noticed a tension: being free is very hard in practice, especially cognitively speaking. Many people are glad to be powerless and mindless. That mean easier life, except for some "random price to pay" from time to time. It's a trade-off deep inside us, I think.
I'm not sure if my point is clear, but what I mean is "human nature" : we love to have limited power, and love to complain about it at the same time (BTW, I'm not saying that your post is a complain of this kind, on the contrary)
power, and its inherent fungibility at scale, is the realpolitik missing from most modern political discussion. Some may allude to lobbying, or cultural influence, but the study of power, in its many forms, and the relevant form in a given situation, is lost on most.
thank you for your effort against this misunderstanding.
Very interesting but mixed feelings about it.
The idea that the fongible economic power is the "One Ring" that bind them all and erode liberty on the long run is profound.
But...
We also need concentration of power and wealth, depending on context and situations.
Power is good some time, even power that we undergo.
Me, I think in terms of co-sovereignty, but curious about what solutions you propose.
You are right.
In this essay, I am just pointing at underrated cons of power and wealth concentration.
Yet, sadly, in some circumstances, despite these massive cons that I point at, concentration of power may be the least bad alternative we can find.
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In practice, I think happens more rarely than people assume. Specifically because they tend to underrate the cons that I am listing here.
I agree if we look at society scale, but, at individual scale, I have noticed a tension: being free is very hard in practice, especially cognitively speaking. Many people are glad to be powerless and mindless. That mean easier life, except for some "random price to pay" from time to time. It's a trade-off deep inside us, I think.
I'm not sure if my point is clear, but what I mean is "human nature" : we love to have limited power, and love to complain about it at the same time (BTW, I'm not saying that your post is a complain of this kind, on the contrary)
To your point, you may be interested in https://cognition.cafe/p/the-responsibility-of-the-weak :)
excellent post. this is the exactly necessary precursor to any modern discussion. worth mentioning: https://www.piratewires.com/p/the-fifth-estate
power, and its inherent fungibility at scale, is the realpolitik missing from most modern political discussion. Some may allude to lobbying, or cultural influence, but the study of power, in its many forms, and the relevant form in a given situation, is lost on most.
thank you for your effort against this misunderstanding.
> this is the exactly necessary precursor to any modern discussion
Yup, this is exactly my intent.
I have a couple of more articles planned in the same vein.
Thanks for your comment