No problem! I’ve seen the point about the civil war being “digital” before, but never so well put as you did. It makes me want to reexamine what’s going on from a more explicit perspective that takes this as an active situation, rather than the buildup to one.
Very interesting to see the comparisons between the US and Europe. I wonder if the political polarization is also different on each side of the Atlantic. If it was it would imply that the current political climate is not necessary effect of modern technology.
You summed up the political situation, Yaw. Post 2001 (9/11) the country became closer, but that memory faded, perhaps with the culture wars. I saw it when I worked for the American Red Cross in many states. Now it seems wisest to avoid Republicans and especially the Maga folks. Having watched "The Prophets of Doom" (The History Channel) many times, I'm convinced that even though Europeans have less wealth, they drain less from the environment and are, as the narrator put it, "just as happy" as we are. Our debt burden and overuse of resources are unsustainable, especially as more and more peoples rightfully want what they think we have. My guess is that the cost overruns involved in the Bullet Train construction reflect American labor demands and inflation, which is only going to rise. I look forward to your Nigeria study.
# On Cultivating Intellectual Honesty Through Strategic Contrarianism
I have developed a partial solution to the preference falsification problem—or what one might call the "I don't want to be that annoying person at brunch" dilemma.
The strategy requires cultivating a reputation as the resident contrarian with unconventional views. However, one must genuinely commit to this role and approach it with intellectual seriousness. For instance, I once delivered a presentation titled "In Defence of the White Australia Policy" before the university's Asian Students Club—a choice that required both conviction and careful preparation.
There are obvious risks to this approach. It remains entirely possible that others may take one's arguments less seriously once this reputation becomes established. The contrarian persona can become a social crutch that undermines genuine intellectual engagement.
Nevertheless, the strategy has yielded some promising results. I have managed to convince most of my acquaintances that peer review represents a fundamentally flawed system. This suggests that strategic contrarianism, when executed thoughtfully, can create space for ideas that would otherwise remain unexpressed in polite company.
The key lies in distinguishing between mere provocation and serious intellectual dissent. The former serves only to shock; the latter opens pathways to genuine discourse.
I like this post but also, very little competitive advantage in takes about the US. The takes market is saturated!
Not to demean your usual Africa stuff, which I *IMMENSELY* appreciate (!), but this stuff on civil war in America is some of your best work.
Wow thank you!
No problem! I’ve seen the point about the civil war being “digital” before, but never so well put as you did. It makes me want to reexamine what’s going on from a more explicit perspective that takes this as an active situation, rather than the buildup to one.
Very interesting to see the comparisons between the US and Europe. I wonder if the political polarization is also different on each side of the Atlantic. If it was it would imply that the current political climate is not necessary effect of modern technology.
You summed up the political situation, Yaw. Post 2001 (9/11) the country became closer, but that memory faded, perhaps with the culture wars. I saw it when I worked for the American Red Cross in many states. Now it seems wisest to avoid Republicans and especially the Maga folks. Having watched "The Prophets of Doom" (The History Channel) many times, I'm convinced that even though Europeans have less wealth, they drain less from the environment and are, as the narrator put it, "just as happy" as we are. Our debt burden and overuse of resources are unsustainable, especially as more and more peoples rightfully want what they think we have. My guess is that the cost overruns involved in the Bullet Train construction reflect American labor demands and inflation, which is only going to rise. I look forward to your Nigeria study.
Super good point, 9/11 was that unifying moment and it was utterly wasted.
Yalla yana!
# On Cultivating Intellectual Honesty Through Strategic Contrarianism
I have developed a partial solution to the preference falsification problem—or what one might call the "I don't want to be that annoying person at brunch" dilemma.
The strategy requires cultivating a reputation as the resident contrarian with unconventional views. However, one must genuinely commit to this role and approach it with intellectual seriousness. For instance, I once delivered a presentation titled "In Defence of the White Australia Policy" before the university's Asian Students Club—a choice that required both conviction and careful preparation.
There are obvious risks to this approach. It remains entirely possible that others may take one's arguments less seriously once this reputation becomes established. The contrarian persona can become a social crutch that undermines genuine intellectual engagement.
Nevertheless, the strategy has yielded some promising results. I have managed to convince most of my acquaintances that peer review represents a fundamentally flawed system. This suggests that strategic contrarianism, when executed thoughtfully, can create space for ideas that would otherwise remain unexpressed in polite company.
The key lies in distinguishing between mere provocation and serious intellectual dissent. The former serves only to shock; the latter opens pathways to genuine discourse.