dumbocracy

Anton Sherwood (dasher@netcom.com)
Thu, 26 Jun 1997 18:42:00 -0700 (PDT)


: Anton Sherwood wrote:
: > "Hagbard Celine" writes
: > : So then the problems with dumbocracy can be corrected. Keep all people
: > : well-informed.
: >
: > As well informed about EVERYONE ELSE as about themselves?
: > Never mind rational ignorance, we've got a serious privacy problem here.
:
: Interesting how you placed my handle in quotes. A subtle dig -- or not
: so?

Just emphasizing that you are not the person of whom some of us think
when we see the name. (I've used various handles but I don't think I've
ever adopted a famous name without change.) Normally if I saw "Hagbard
Celine writes..." I'd think I was reading something quoted in a certain
work of fiction.

: Ignorance, indeed.

"Rational ignorance", for those who don't know, means a potential voter's
choice not to become informed on a given issue, knowing that doing so
will cost him more than his influence on the election is worth.

: Privacy, Anton, is a thing of the past.
:
: [...]
:
: Anyway, about the issue of democracy. Can we agree that if everyone is
: well-informed, the problems which Mark suggested dissipate?

Sure, if by "well-informed" you mean:
. as informed of everyone else's activities, tastes and desires
as of their own;
. altruistic enough to spend most of the day remaining so;
. educated about Public Choice theory;
(I may think of something else)

Anton Sherwood *\\* +1 415 267 0685 *\\* DASher@netcom.com