> This is due to the fact that the intelligence & character of the masses are incomparably lower than the intelligence and character of the few who produce some thing valuable for the community.
This seems like a dangerously bad idea.
Isn't it intuitive that, for every one-in-a-billion genius with a heart of gold, there will be numerous people who only think that they know vastly better than most others?
And we can see examples of people with much more than their share of influence or resources, who seem to see themselves as historical great figures, who will do what others don't have the mind/will/strength to do. With nary a hint of gold in them thar hearts.
How about, instead, we elevate the masses, and embrace more egalitarian models, like democracy?
That elevating was an early promise/hope of things like the Internet. Now we have to smack down a bunch of people who sabotaged that, with greed and dimwittedness, dragging down the intellect and character of the masses, while presumably fancying themselves great figures.
There's always an alternative of trying to make society more meritocratic and letting the cream rise to the top.
But if it wasn't, recent history shows that someone with bad ideas that starts out with a heart of gold is far more dangerous than an evil genius, so I'd take my chances.
This seems like a dangerously bad idea.
Isn't it intuitive that, for every one-in-a-billion genius with a heart of gold, there will be numerous people who only think that they know vastly better than most others?
And we can see examples of people with much more than their share of influence or resources, who seem to see themselves as historical great figures, who will do what others don't have the mind/will/strength to do. With nary a hint of gold in them thar hearts.
How about, instead, we elevate the masses, and embrace more egalitarian models, like democracy?
That elevating was an early promise/hope of things like the Internet. Now we have to smack down a bunch of people who sabotaged that, with greed and dimwittedness, dragging down the intellect and character of the masses, while presumably fancying themselves great figures.