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 threadMs. Rachel Andry (Isn't Real)

@mttaggart I feel like he consequent of "individual choices in aggregate will not solve systemic issues" isn't "I don't need to consider my individual choices at all," but instead "where can I direct my limited energy that will make the most direct impact on people's lives."

to give a few examples:

1) the act of refusing to engage with media by the wizard lady who's currently funding trans genocide in the U.K. may only have a negligible impact in terms of ratings or advertising money, but it also costs you literally nothing in terms of time or effort, so you might as well do it.

2) wearing a mask indoors requires significant effort, but it also has a direct impact on others' lives by way of harm prevention (that is, not willingly taking part in spreading a mass-disabling virus).

3) worrying about one's carbon footprint both requires a lot of effort (research, "ethical" spending, etc.) and has a negligible at best impact on climate catastrophe, because most pollution is caused by big corporations.

it's clear, then, that 1 and 2, but not 3, are worth doing.

Mar 19 at 10:39pmWeb
Show threadTaggart2d ago

@YKantRachelRead I think that's broadly correct, but then we get into a conversation about which activities are virtuous and worthwhile, and which are not. Which products/tools are acceptable, which are not.

And boy howdy, are there some opinions about that. I have some of them myself! They're not all useful!