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Reposting this thread in light of recent actions by Facebook, Twitter and others to limit the speech of credentialed press and politicians on their platforms.
If you're wondering how we got here and why private industry is regulating our government, Pathetic Dot theory can help.
If you're wondering how we got here and why private industry is regulating our government, Pathetic Dot theory can help.
Many Americans are bewildered by the chaos right now.
Commonly held beliefs, shared cultural norms, even the laws we live by are changing rapidly—sometimes overnight.
It is vitally important that you understand the forces regulating these changes. Enter, 'The Pathetic Dot'
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Commonly held beliefs, shared cultural norms, even the laws we live by are changing rapidly—sometimes overnight.
It is vitally important that you understand the forces regulating these changes. Enter, 'The Pathetic Dot'
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In the 1990s Lawrence Lessig pissed off his idealistic peers by predicting that the internet would not last as an unregulated libertarian utopia.
The tech world hated Lessig, but his 'Pathetic Dot Theory' was ultimately proven right. Inevitably... the internet came to heel.
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The tech world hated Lessig, but his 'Pathetic Dot Theory' was ultimately proven right. Inevitably... the internet came to heel.
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Lessig's detractors had been blinded by their singular focus on the architecture of the internet. How could such an radically open technology be controlled?
It was simple. They had failed to account for social norms, laws, and market forces. This naivete cost them dearly.
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It was simple. They had failed to account for social norms, laws, and market forces. This naivete cost them dearly.
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Today, many Americans are in a similar state of intellectual paralysis.
There are countless liberals and conservatives who blindly believe in the protection of our written laws. As if these holy scriptures will rise up of their own accord to banish evil and restore America.
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There are countless liberals and conservatives who blindly believe in the protection of our written laws. As if these holy scriptures will rise up of their own accord to banish evil and restore America.
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This nostalgic, cargo-cult mindset dangerously overlooks the conditions which gave rise to our republic and the character of the people who maintained it.
To see American laws without American norms, look no further than Liberia—a nation which copied our own constitution.
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To see American laws without American norms, look no further than Liberia—a nation which copied our own constitution.
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In conclusion, when the rules suddenly stop making sense, try breaking down the observed social phenomenon along the 4 axes identified by Lessig.
This can help overcome confusion and paralysis, identify your blind spots, and inspire meaningful social/political actions.
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This can help overcome confusion and paralysis, identify your blind spots, and inspire meaningful social/political actions.
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