26/3/11

[identity profile] green-man-2010.livejournal.com
It isn't just the no fly zone or military intervention that provokes international outrage - I have had a few people tell me recently that there is no way that the evils of colonialism can be fixed by white people, or people from the USA and Europe getting involved. our involvement can only make it worse, they argue.

Our involvement does more harm than good, argue my opponents on this, and they mainain that I should 'just butt out' - but I wonder what they have to say on these proposals: Read more... )
[identity profile] gunslnger.livejournal.com
5 Reasons Humanity Is Terrible at Democracy

Ask the average person what's wrong with government and you'll hear all about corrupt politicians, corporate lobbyists and shady backroom deals. But, of course, we elected those corrupt politicians, and the more you look at the situation, the more it appears that as people, we are just really bad at democracy.

#5. Our Opinion on an Issue Is Based on How It's Worded
#4. Watching the News Actually Makes Us Stupider
#3. Political Pundits Are Even Worse Than the News
#2. The More Informed You Are, the More Partisan You Are
#1. We Hate Each Other Over Imaginary Differences

I think we can see a lot of this even here on this community. Do a quick check at what topics people argue about and you'll see evidence for #1. Check out how strident those of us who are informed on an issue are, for whichever side we're on, and that is the evidence for #2. I doubt anyone here would disagree with #3 or #5. #4 might not be so obvious, but those of us who use the Internet to get news instead of watching tv news might have a gut feeling that it's correct.

I think #2 is the most interesting though, even though it's fairly intuitive. We all understand how echo chambers work, especially online, so it's good that this community isn't one, although any given post might act like one because of who comments on it.
[identity profile] htpcl.livejournal.com
Hi, self-absorbed Americentrics curious readers who are dying to learn something new about the world! Here's a curious look into the spirit of provincialism permeating every facet of life in most Balkan societies. What you're about to witness is the original spirit of the Balkan type - narrow-minded, selfish, and backward, and at the same time cordial, sincere and down-to-earth. It's a strange mix really.

This interview with the mayor of a small village somewhere in Western Bulgaria became viral on the BG webz, spurring a cannonade of diverse comments, opinions and pranks, but also provoking some deep introspections and insights about our society and its neighbors.

Below follows a transcript of the interview (which is here presented as a monologue), plus my rough translation of this epochal tirade:

Video/interview + interview transcript + some pompous flatulence on my part )

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