Warning: Reading further might pop your safety bubble. Confirm that you are 18+ by not clicking this non-existent button that will build your anticipation even further.
One of the most entertaining things a person can face in life is debating matters of politics. Right wing, left wing, authoritarian, libertarian, anarchist. We even have progressive mush-ups like eco-anarchist FFS. Much like psychological disorders and shitcoins alike, the list is inversely proportional to critical thinking. In my opinion, all political ideologies are essentially nonsensical rhetorics with a solid foundation on deception. Nothing more, nothing less.
Do you think the guy that parked illegally on the pavement is an anarchist? Not really. Most likely he was bored or he is filthy rich. He can't be really fucked about a fine. Would you be surprised if he was an Authoritarian Republican because he is running a business that manufactures bullets ? Would you be surprised if he was a Libertarian in 4 years time because he is planning to open up a weed dispensary? Our ideologies change faster than our underwear. We like to talk a lot about "ideals" in blogs, posts and coffeeshops, but in practice we are our own special clusterfuck of hypocrisies. Sure, you are the good guy and everyone else is an asshole. How very convenient.
One doesn't even have to venture from their computer to face this reality. Take a good look here in the crypto community. Heck, take a look here on Steemit. When we first started, glorious anarchists and people who valued "liberty, freedom and peace" joined the platform and preached like Jesuses 2.0. It was all about the new coming era where love would crash the state coercion and blockchain will liberate us all. Fast forward when the price tanked, everyone powered down, cashed the "evil FIAT" and moved on. Price moved back up and the same people rushed back with regrets explaining how they had an ethical epiphany. "Please pay me again". Religious redemption at its best.
Anarchists and libertarians bitch and moan about how stupid the average statist is. How on earth would someone support the "evil state" and repeat the same mistake every 4 years — am-I-right? Why could they vote for the same leaders that con them?
Well how about that? I have been here on Steemit for a year or so and I have seen the exact same scenario played with the "anarchic celebrities" even if they robbed they followers dry. Heck, I have been in cryptos since 2012 and people still fall for the same shitcoins. But hey, they were all "voluntary transactions ensuring liberty, freedom and peace" - NOT. But really. What do you think the average voter does other than "upvote" those who are most likely to "upvote" them and hopefully make them powerful in a given society?
Surprise anarcho-Einsteins. All actions are voluntary because morality is always dictated by the prevailing group in a given time and location. What was moral 1000 years ago is not today and won't be 1000 years from now.
I should point out here that I don't mind this kind of behavior. In fact, I have made peace with it long time ago even if I still adhere to an-cap ideals. What I am allergic to is the intellectually dishonest behavior from micro-leaders. They try to convince others that their rhetorics are more authentic and "better" than the rest. The anarchic folk that supposedly hate politics do much the same — using and abusing sensationalized words like "love", "liberty" and "peace". More or less, no matter your political affiliation, you ultimately end up repeating the same beauty pageant poetry in a given jerk circle.
Let's say that Steemit was the only economy with many micro-economies functioning within it. That's the dream right? The crowd would have demonstrated with their voluntary lol-bot upvotes that certain personas(1%) should get most of the rewards. Now let's say the price reaches the oceanic floor in our glorious Steemworld and the lucrative leaders power down, running away with their evil FIAT rewards — leaving the average "citizen" of Steemit with their dick in their hand in what seems a decimated utopic digiland. Who would have thought? The leaders that were telling others to believe in the anarchic dream are cashing out to the FIAT enemy. Ironic but it happened already and I guarantee you it will happen again and again and again. Simply, stupidity is the only unlimited resource on earth and it is abundant everywhere.
Now let's compare that unlikely scenario with what is going around the world today. Human societies right now are the result of voluntary interactions that unfolded over the span of hundreds of thousands of years. 1% of people get the vast majority of rewards while the rest upvote in hope they get some attention — yes much like here on Steemit. The truth is that no matter what happens the wealth remains concentrated. Even if a zero sum scenario never occurs the gap is vast and every year becomes even more unbreachable. You see, in a growing economy you can have an increase in wealth for everyone. Nonetheless, even if the dead poor ends up with $2000 a month, it won't make much difference when a loaf of bread costs $300. And by the way, this is the reason why GDP's are bullshit.
People refuse to admit that inequality and social darwinism are inevitable. Nature has set the rules of the game long before we came to the scene as pawns. We are born and raised as camouflaged assholes. We only care to wash the make-up off from some faces while keeping some others intact.
Seriously, what do you think is going to happen when all the transhumanist technologies become a daily reality? The elite will genetically engineer their offspring while the poor will perish. Same thing has been repeated since the dawn of time about every single economic endeavor and innovation. Most people today have trouble getting basic medication and their lifespan is almost half to our own. When new technologies come into play, including blockchain technologies, our lifespan will triple while theirs will see a fractional increase (basic medication and a couple more decades) due to the disparity of wealth. But hey, "everybody is better off" right?. In reality though human misery stems from comparison. If you have 100k in the bank and you move to a village in Vietnam you will be much happier than moving to a neighborhood in Hollywood. We are social animals. We like to compare ourselves to our community in order to belong. Politics is the art of making this harsh comparative reality appear like a rainbow-farting-unicorn.
"But hey, at least there is no violence in peaceful voting place like the blockchain"am-i-right? I beg to differ. In the so glorious anarcho-libertarian society there are as much scams as in the statist world (if not more). Even if guns were to become obsolete, a simple short position from a whale that wants to see the world burn will ensure that many people would starve to death. I would argue that a gun would be a better way to go rather than dying slowly from degradation and starvation. You think the FED manipulates the dollar? What do you think 5 miners in China are doing with Bitcoin? What do you think the is happening with the Wild West ico world when everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting to see whether to worship their new crypto-chinese or fiat-murican overlord?
Political dreamers also argue for the superiority of political freedom in the blockchain world. Sorry to brake the obvious to you but the the blockchain IS forever. Privacy will be practically zero. Governments are already employing these technologies and I assure you that you can kiss your "liberty, freedom and whatever else" goodbye. I also dare you to put your personal info in any "libertarian" blockchain social website and "believe" that they won't just sell your info or release it to the government in the future — much like facebook does. Check your whales out and count how many are willing to reveal their identities. They know what they might face in the future. They know the limitations and dangers of the blockchain. You are not taking part in a revolution. You are an expendable asset much like in any other historical revolution that will benefit some but not others. You just wish to fill your pockets with the spoils of war flying left and right.
At the end of the day It all comes down to actions vs words. Every-time I come across bullshit political posts I can't help but experience a deva-ju that entails astonishing volumes of stupidity and senseless gullibility. Most people in the crypto-world that I have come across are either run-aways from the government (because they fucked up) or gamblers that want to make a quick buck, quicker. The rest are actual programers and visionaries that once had a dream but now bow to the blink.
Why do you think nobody trusts nobody in the crypto universe and billions are flashed out to FIAT in a matter of days? Sure, the market is growing because FIAT is even more fucked up than crypto but let's not fool ourselves about the same realities about making bank. Crypto is admittedly a more efficient form of technology and part of the future but that's about it. There is no new political paradigm and absolutely nothing will change FOR YOU unless you get skin early in the game and enjoy the fruits of your labour later on. Same thing happened with those that once attained the "American Dream". For the FIAT bagholders later that also govern the minnows of the crypto-world it has become a nightmare.
Heck, some anarcho-libertarian tinfoilers still argue that gold and silver will be functional in case the system collapses. They ignore the fact that everybody will hoard because the exchange will be both impractical and even scary in the Mad-Max reality they are envisioning to get rich. Money needs consensus. Precious medals are idiotic — to say the least. Even so, even If the crypto revolution does happen the big players have already diversified to avoid any possible black Swan event. The only difference is that you will stop complaining about the unfair system because you will be the main part of it. How's that for a fuckton of self-realization?
Do you want to see how it feels to be politically powerful? You can witness it here in Steemit or other micro-communities. Half the comments are crafted for sucking up to you. Few bother to read articles from small guys or even leave them thoughtful comments. Simply, there is no value. People will try to excuse their behavior with statements like "I am trying my best for the community". These are nothing but classic marketing tactics with ninja humanitarianism on the side for extra coverage. And surprise-surprise, same shit happens in the corporatist world. 7% of profits go for humanitarian purposes and everybody makes sure to flash it in your face in case your doubted their "good intentions". I know, gringeworthy there but... fucking awesome and revolutionary when it happens in the crypto world right?
There is no political system where all benefit. That is not only unrealistically utopic but scientifically impossible. For everything to be equal or balanced the universe would have to freeze still. We are governed by entropy. What is normal and orderly for the spider is chaos for the fly. Wikipedia defines politics as "the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power". I beg to differ. Politics are simply the means of deception that aim towards the accumulation of power. Anyone trying to tell you different is either screwing you over or trying to.
TL;DR
Brilliant narrative! Thank you for sharing.
The same mechanisms are at work in the cryptocurrency world and on Steemit as everywhere else. All ideals are dropped as soon as there is money to be made, or have been fake from the beginning. Thinking this would be different in the cryptocurrency world is, indeed, a pipe dream.
Things could be better, but that would require a closed group of like-minded people with the explicit goal of spreading the joy a bit wider; no need for complete equality, just some mutual generosity without the total focus on one's own pile of Steemses. I don't think this can be done with a large, random group of people which will always contain short-term thinkers, greedy people, crafty manipulators, and a large crowd of blind, grovelling followers hoping for leftovers, much like most societies.
I sometimes wonder what stops a couple of thousands of minnows from flagging notorious circle-jerkers in said 1%? Instead they try to suck up in the hope of some crumbs, where they could at least mute if they are scared of flagging. Interesting behaviour.
History shows that most revolutions deteriorate into more-of-the-same, but at least you get to kick against the pricks for a short while.
Now, at whose feet do I grovel to get the big upvotes? 8-)
Basically it's just Socrates' "Allegory of the Cave" all throughout history. We have a set of people who define themselves as "the good", "messiah", "the elite", and their counterpart, the "bad", "devil's advocate" etc. While the question that will always be asked is "Do the people want to be saved?" No. The just want to enjoy life as is, believing a lie instead of the cold hard truth. That's it, false sense of accomplishments that will give them glory, happiness, and a reason to get up in the morning. Nothing more, nothing less.
well said
Politics was and is always about the power and financial independence. People always try to control others for financial gains. Long games being played, several conspiracies happens. So, a change of perspective should be introdcued among politicians.
A great read. Politics is a means to gain control and financial benefit. Let's take money out of the equation and see how many folks want to be politicians. They are usually self -serving panther type personalities or career politicians who milk the system. Thanks for sharing.
Most of all are seeking for the satisfaction of our psychological needs.
Whether we use politics, economics, philosophy, religion, having a family, been against the system or any other activities that is just a mean to achieve it.
Whether we are conscious or not, we are doing it.
Whether is in a positive or a negative way for myself or the others, we are doing it.
Being poor or rich in money, power or knowledge is irrelevant to achieve the awareness, wisdom and freedom that many had attained already.
So in a context like cryptos there are all sort of aspects of human psychological needs to be pursued as well as in every other realm of life.
I don't see any mistake in the nature of things about human behavior.
What seems caos for humans is normal in the cosmos I would say.
Perhaps the lecture of this text may seem weird or difficult for you to grasp the meaning, I am sorry! english is not my first language so I Am trying my best and I use it to as a way to practice it
Politics is selfishness and endless desire. Its human instinct. We are trying to find happiness and everyone desires and want power because they think it will make them happy. In order to make that happen, they want to be above of all.
interesting
Ahhh... the individualism bogey, but hey this bubble is bursting faster than you expect it to. Yes, a large number of people still will do anything to achieve their own interests, but there is a limit to that, a self-devouring snake cannot continue to perpetually self-devour. This apotheosis of capitalism and its assorted evils are already behind us (bear with my optimism), people are waking up and realizing that we're capable of being better. FFS even the neo-con poster-boy Fukuyama has made an about-turn. Interesting times to live in.
Hi, I'm @ ivansteem nice to meet you! I hope you enjoy my blog, I will follow your account, please follow me ... good luck in everything :)
Thank you for sharing and welcome to join in steemit,
I think only @kyriacos 's posts are being read cux I am looking at 7 votes and 10 eyes I see many times 60 UpVotes and only 33 eyes! the rest were just blindly doing it!
and let me also use this opportunity to promote myself, haha
do check out my latest posts,
Life shares:
-https://steemit.com/life/@alexkoshy/why-born-why-live-why-die
-https://steemit.com/life/@alexkoshy/i-am-not-scared-of-death-i-scared-of-dying-with-a-life-less-lived
Mountain ranges nearby my house:
-https://steemit.com/travel/@alexkoshy/the-majestic-western-ghats-a-unesco-heritage-location-why-you-should-tour-india
Do leave an upvote and follow!
Im just glad I am not giving generated worth away to Zuckerberg atm. Hope it grows and evolvs. Besides that I think there is a way to have a fairsystem that everybodycan embrace withoutoutting a negative label on it
sry for the typos. at work
Do we truly know they are inevitable though? Or have we just not achieved it YET?
yes. I can safely say that imbalance is inevitable because this is how value is created.
Philosophical injection:
If everyone was a politician, would there still be politics? =)
everyone who isn't a politician tries to be one
politicians in Australia - Cut weekend pay rates while giving themselves a pay increase.
no winners down here but them
UPWOTED!
I've kind of recognised myself... sometimes...
Thanks for today's satori;)
"You are not taking part in a revolution. You are an expendable asset much like in any other historical revolution that will benefit some but not others. "-this is correct. In my country, I witnessed two revolutions with the last 12 years, and it always ended with the same shit. Ordinary people do not understand that they are used, but believe that this will benefit them.
Great longread, worth reading, probably this is the best I've seen since I'm here. Thank you.
Well I think that everyone knows that, but some don't believe it or think people are good. And yes as there are some good people, there are many more ready to fuck you up for 10$. And lest's assume your friends and family wouldn't do that, and they can be max 100 people, and that 2% of people are truly good people (no, there isnt 2% but let's be optimistic) that then leaves you with roughly 7 369 216 685 people that are not good at 10:54 AM 7/20/1017 and that number is jut rising!
Whatever form politics wear, there are usually an intent sacredly underpinned. Let us play the game!
What a trip, your article. You should divide it in at least three, I think. Too much to digest in one sit.
A lot of pondering comes from your article. Let´s see if I find a good comment to make. This one could do:
"Precious medals are idiotic — to say the least"
Funny I chose perhaps the only one I don´t agree with. I believe in precious metals. Nontheless, the pondering and speculation is accurate and deep.
Keep writing, I´ll keep reading and learning.
Some politicians are like conmen and money talks .
This is great. A reality slap is excellent. FYI: I'm here to be paid for the same blogging and podcasting I've been doing for years. I have car payments to make in future, and if I can use the "evil FIAT" to pay off my car early, and get me out of debt, I'm going to do it. Oh. The. Humanity.
Isn't that how the market works? I provide a good, people pay me for it, and wealth is created. I benefit, others benefit.
Huh, 'scientifically impossible' an interesting combination of words...
Now, is there no system, or just none that you have thought of? I realize our present dominant culture is filled with examples supporting your claim. However, there were/are societies that would beg to differ...
I believe your political claims are true within a singular economic reality. That is of one dominated by private property and self-interest. Create an economic reality where cooperation is key and private property (opposed to personal property) doesn't exist and vastly different political systems would emerge.
So, not impossible... Just difficult to imagine. :)
Give me one example then. Show me one instance in our world where a group of people is treated the exact same all the time.
It is impossible because inequality is what makes the world goes round — from the periodic table of elements to human culture.
I would use the word diversity opposed to inequality (this word has gained too many negative connotations) personal preference. However, you said:
Assuming that our barbaric system of exploitation of others is somehow natural and there is nothing we can do about it... (What I gathered from your article, correct me if I'm wrong)
I could find several examples for you, as there are plenty of cultures outside our dominant paradigm (some existing today and many far gone). However, one will do.
The !kung:
"These San (!Kung) are not devoid of leadership, but neither are they dependent on it in the slightest."
It is possible to create political systems that equally benefit people. Even though people are born diverse(unequal) they can still be brought up in a system that is equitable.
I find too often that excuse of "human behavior", to justify our paradigms systems. Just because it has been the leading narrative of our dominant culture (from where our 'research' is conducted. Noting that this research fast falls apart in other human societies) as far back as recorded history goes.
This does not make it the only story. Humans are and have been living on this planet with wildly diverse political and economic systems. Some more equitable and in balance with the natural world, some more destructive and self-serving (for those who run it).
Capitalism hasn't fallen far from the feudalism tree where the few own the many and justifications of 'it's just the way it is' keep the peons in line. Before it was god saying so, now it's just science...
Your example cannot be applied on larger groups. Indigenous people living in small groups do not count because they function more like families. Even so, there are still degrees of power, just not so evident or in a mass scale.
Upon further reading of yours, I found this
"Truth is a human construct and therefore subjective to interpretation and point of examination." - kyriacos
Thought it might be applicable ;)
very much so. we are all students here :)
This is a dark view of things, to be sure.
I came here to share some stories and meet interesting people - mission accomplished on that front!
But there's also clearly a game being played. Hopes and fortunes are being toyed with. And you're good to point that out.
But markets don't work if everyone wins and everyone can see the future. If the game is dangerous, does that mean we shouldn't play it?
It means that you should play even harder.
All right, good sir! Let's get in it to win it!
"In my opinion, all political ideologies are essentially nonsensical rhetorics with a solid foundation on deception. "
Spot on, political parties and ideologies are an exact characterization of absolutely no one.
It seems to me, that politicians ( Yours and Ours) — ordinary Populists.
But, they say , what WE Want to HEAR. We don't want to hear, that sit in the shit. And we are PLEASED when they say, they are WORKING for us. And really just MANIPULATE us for their own benefit.
If we understand this, then life becomes a LOT EASIER!!
hahahaha its amazing that you make posts like this and still get so much support. Just that fact alone says there is potential for Steemit.
You may not like me, thats fine hahha I sure do respect our intelligence, ability to form concepts of great depth in writing and your radical honesty.
Don't worry, not trying to get ur vote or suck up to you. I will challenge you any day if you really want.
Aren't you supposed to film these rants while wandering randomly down a street or through a parking lot, with a camera that is barely focused while you mumble your way through too long sentences?
That is how the rest of the vigilantes do it. LOL
But seriously, kind of a depressing world view. Would you at least be willing to give credit to political systems that make some effort at rewarding effort and make some effort at providing equal opportunity?
Rags to riches in three generations is actually a motivational situation. Eventually the gene pool gets corrupted and the dumb phuck in the third generation sinks back to middle class or lower. Let's call that the US, more or less.
Compare to current Russia or Venezuela, where wealth and privilege has also accumulated with the top 1% of 1%; but the only hope for change will be violent revolution.
There is no perfect political system.
But there are systems that I strongly prefer to all the other worse alternatives. Borrowing from Sir Churchill.
STEEM On!! That post was worth the read
I call it luck.
comparing with the worse case scenario does indeed make us feel good.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronfman_family
A rags to riches story that is not luck in my opinion. Every great fortune starts with some entrepreneurial initiative, and often a few broken laws
But hard to call that "luck" by any normal definition of that word
Many try the same and many fail. The fact that only a few make it points to luck. There are trillions of events taking place arounds us daily. Most of them add to little changes that define our future.
I am new to Steemit. Please follow and upvote me.
There are even people who don't have a sense of humor on steemit on this thread, so it seems.