Taggart3d ago
I'm beginning to suspect that some core deontological programming is starting to cause significant bugs in ethical reasoning across the entire system.
Show threadTaggart2d ago

I'm really struggling with the idea that the responsibility to correct for corporate evil resides with individuals, and that failing to do so constitutes some form of evil itself.

It would seem tantamount to castigating individuals for not recycling "enough" when the true cause of pollution lies with industry.

It would seem a way for capital to coerce the pro-human and anti-capital to tear each other apart, causing nothing but self-inflicted wounds.

Then again, blithe oblivion to whence one's resources come also seems irresponsible.

But like, I have work to do that is more important than choosing the least impure tool every goddamn day.

Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]2d ago

@mttaggart You've probably already heard, but BP invented the concept of an individual "carbon footprint" https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/23/big-oil-coined-carbon-footprints-to-blame-us-for-their-greed-keep-them-on-the-hook

But I've been feeling this way about the political system too. Its very popular to blame voters for choosing wrong or not bothering to vote, rather than looking at the dynamics of why that happens. We are only allowed dog shit options, then a ton of people point fingers at each other no matter how it shakes out.

Big oil coined ‘carbon footprints’ to blame us for their greed. Keep them on the hook

Climate-conscious individual choices are good – but not nearly enough to save the planet. More than personal virtue, we need collective action

The Guardian
Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@unlofl @mttaggart I don't disagree, but I struggle with this, because We the People are at least somewhat responsible for electing good government and, where necessary, working outside the system to bring about change. Is Jeff Bezos going to go quietly? Absolutely not. Can we throw our hands up and do nothing? Absolutely not. The system is responsible, but so are people, and too many people actually like hurting others. What if the body politic is actually a rotting corpse?
Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]

@theorangetheme @mttaggart I just don't think its useful to complain about people who don't vote, and yelling at them to vote won't work, they've heard it all before.

Instead, the way to actually change this is to force politicians to get a little better, so they can build support, so that support can push them to be better... I think a lot of this is based on the defeatist idea that politicians can't influence public opinion or don't need to try.

Mar 19 at 8:44pmWeb
Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]2d ago

@theorangetheme @mttaggart

I think a lot of people are just discouraged and don't think the system can ever improve or help them, and desperately want change.

Some of that sentiment got idiots to support Trump, just because he seemed different and said he would shake things up.

That sentiment was also why Sanders got so much support from slightly more informed people, including "not likely voters."

I think Dems are doomed if they don't even claim to have a vision about changing things.

Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@unlofl @mttaggart I agree. I mean, that's sort of where I am, honestly. I'll still vote, because it's something, I guess, but I stopped pretending that corporate democrats are an actual opposition party, even if they change their profile pictures to rainbows during Pride. Some of the things Congressional democrats did during Trump II made me seriously consider never voting again, which shocked me. So yeah, I get it. :/
Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@unlofl @mttaggart I like to joke that Gavin Newsom wouldn't put me in a camp, but he also wouldn't try to get me out of a camp, either.
Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]2d ago

@theorangetheme @mttaggart Gavin Fucking Newsom would get some PR consultants and put together a focus group to determine if closing the camps is a winning political move, and at least meet with lobbyists representing whoever is making money on it.

You know, all the "stake holders"

Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@unlofl @mttaggart Exactly. And then he'd have the camp director on his podcast to show that, you know, we can all just talk to each other as humans.
Show threadunlofl [Promoted Toot]2d ago

@theorangetheme @mttaggart Hottest take I agree with is that "Liberals see their role as mediating between the oppressors and the oppressed"

You know, not leaders, middle managers.

Show threadThe Orange Theme2d ago
@unlofl @mttaggart We're gonna have a lot of work to do to rebuild this godforsaken country after all is said and done...