As one of those stubborn people who absolutely hates being told what to do but who lives in a society increasingly in the grip of unreasonable busybodies and nannies who make careers out of telling people what to do, I spend a lot of time griping about the problem. I especially hate having my life run by mediocrities and morons. Unfortunately, such people often go into government and/or busybody work because of unconscious fears of their inferiority. It boosts their ego to have authority over their intellectual betters, and there is little I can do to change the psychological dynamics at work.
We have all heard about the new “ruling class,” and how it is the culmination of the Wilsonian movement which began with the goal of having “the best” and the most expert people running everything. And we all know how that’s worked out, right? The private sector is more efficient than the public sector, generally because smart people don’t want jobs telling people what to do; they would rather get rich selling people the ever cooler stuff that they want. So their dumber brethren who couldn’t hack math and engineering and don’t have brains for finance end up creating and enforcing rules against them. It’s almost a way of getting even. Anyway, I have ranted and raved about the system for years, to no avail.
This morning an email exchange with M. Simon reminded me that there is something worse than having your life run by government mediocrities, and that is having it run by intelligent people. If the super-efficient “experts” Wilson imagined actually did run things, they would do everything they could to make escape impossible.
Should I be more grateful that mediocre people are the new ruling class? Have to say, I never gave it much thought, but look at the rise of uncontrollable technology that has made our lives so much easier in so many ways. Technology that enables me to put these very thoughts out for the world to see. The computer and Internet revolution would never have been allowed to happen had Wilson’s experts truly been in charge; it happened because those in charge were technologically challenged and asleep at the wheel, and not only never thought to stop it, but couldn’t have if they wanted to. And that’s just one example.
Much as I hate being ruled, it’s good to remember that rule by the mediocre does have its advantages.
Geez, I better stop, because I am starting to sound like an optimist.
Comments
7 responses to “Do we need better rulers?”
I always learn a LOT in our exchanges. So the benefit is mutual. Thanks!
No one rules over Americans, and if the government was truly restricted in size and scope, these mediocrities could sit in their offices in DC and think they had power, but could do the rest of us little harm.
Eric so frequently challenges me to think, and for that I greatly appreciate his gift.
I may be a timid soul, but would be much worse if it weren’t for the likes of him.
We don’t need better rulers or ruling class we need leaders and a leadership class.
The future is unpredictable, but what might it be like if a set of ‘Greater Good’ control freaks (left or right) get far enough on their paths toward a managed Utopia. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/opinion/sunday/douthat-eugenics-past-and-future.html?_r=2&ref=opinion
Genetics: Could soon offer maximization of potential for IQ, strength, longevity, as well as physical and mental health. At first this would provide the wealthy a means to give their offspring yet more competitive advantages. Eventually it would spark government desires for regulated logistical management of needed traits for; Workers, Researchers, Leaders, etc. One of the primary traits that would likely be promoted: a strong emotional need to belong, or Group Loyalty.
Government Reproductive Services: Tier One mandatory services, collect and store all residents’ genetic information. Provide reversible sterilization for all youths. Set and enforce birth limits. Perform DNA testing, gene therapy, and mandated abortions. Tier Two non-mandatory services, Provide genetic engineering and counseling for prospective parents. Provide permanent sterilization on request. Provide genetic information concerning extended DNA family relationships (Big Lies to help satisfy procreation needs).
Education: Primarily robotic, and tailored to each child’s genetic group. Child care (indoctrination) available 24-7.
Employment: Most of the lower worker classes could be employed in ‘make work’ positions such as cleaning crews, safety supervisors for automated child care and education classes, or pleasure workers, while their numbers are gradually reduced. Each class of worker and management would have their own cities and communities with as little physical class interaction as possible. Virtual interaction would be tightly controlled to prevent class rivalry or jealousy and preserve beliefs in shared common goals and mutual respect.
Entertainment: Would be primarily through the internet or its successor with some local sports, performance, and art groups. Government web-bots would provide individuals with emotionally satisfying feedback; giving virtual status, praise, and group approval for socially acceptable thought and behavior. Individuals with unacceptable thought processes would be detected and reeducated, incarcerated or expelled. Some entertainers might be allowed to achieve widespread following and acclaim, IF, that could be turned to the Collective’s advantage.
Emigration: Would be available on request for most Class workers. Mandatory for all unwanted genetic wilders. Some of these would likely become small scale recruiters inside their new host culture/country if they were unable to achieve a comparable standard of living and or local group acceptance/approval/admiration.
Immigration: Open to any willing to accept Therapy and government controlled reproductive services. Successful assimilation widely advertised; failures quietly disposed of.
National Defense: Would still be required and use a genetically engineered warrior class as well as: every form of overt and covert means to consolidate Global Control and eventual assimilation of all other groups/counties/cultures.
Welfare: Permanent residents could have a Basic Daily Needs card/account. These would provide approved food, clothing, shelter, recreational drugs, health care, and internet for any resident on Tier One reproductive services who does not abuse or vandalize the BDN system. Extra benefits provided for Tier Two citizens.
The Uppermost Class: Would likely be primarily descended from the .1 % of the population that currently wields the most power and wealth; but I can’t guess what qualities they might choose for themselves beyond intelligence, strength, health, longevity, charisma, drive (ambition for power), and of course the arrogance to wield it ruthlessly for “The Greater Good”.
How could this come about? Some steps have already begun, for instance; attempts to build and expand a database of complete genome profiles, the accumulation of massive databases by Google, Apple, Facebook, the NSA and others. Some are still earlier in development, such as the web-bots and programs capable of cross referencing and mining those databases for individuals whose emotional buttons can be easily manipulated. The real key to this scenario however, will be finding the genetic codes in those genome profiles for hard-wiring the emotional needs and personality traits of future generations. If these exist and are cracked, the chance of a future “Borg Collective” becomes very, very, real. This seems terrifying to someone like me who has a great need for independence and personal liberty. Yet genetically engineered, emotionally programmed drones could be quite happy and content to serve their hive. Of course there will be drastic screw ups in the beginning, and perhaps worse at the end; but if they could achieve something stable, contented, and highly productive for a very, very, long time in the middle? The technology will probably come into existence. It will be used.
Can I, a relic of a soon to be passed age, condemn such a possible course as evil? You bet your ass I can!
By the way, Thanks Eric and Simon for putting up with a crazy old hermit who occasionally butts in with an odd comment or bizarre post… and here’s another link on this one. https://www.cog-genomics.org/
I’m a little less than optimistic myself.
Will, I should thank you for a great comment.