TheOtherDave comments on LW Women: LW Online - Less Wrong

29 [deleted] 15 February 2013 01:43AM

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Comment author: TheOtherDave 22 February 2013 11:58:28PM 2 points [-]

Call that politics if you like, but I'd consider it an abuse of the term.

Hm.
On your view, what ought "politics" refer to?

Comment author: buybuydandavis 23 February 2013 01:08:04PM 6 points [-]

Whatever it is, it's not "all human interaction".

La wik

Politics (from Greek politikos "of, for, or relating to citizens") is the art or science of influencing people on a civic, or individual level, when there are more than 2 people involved.

I think the more than 2 people involved is key. If you and I are just talking, maybe we're just exchanging information. "What time is the bus coming?" "At 4". "Thanks". It's just misuse of language to call that political. And even if I want you to like me, so I try to influence your opinion of me, that still strikes me as non political. Politics most clearly comes in a 3+player game with alliances.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 23 February 2013 08:28:34PM 3 points [-]

OK, thanks for clarifying.