V_V comments on Rationality Quotes February 2014 - Less Wrong

5 [deleted] 02 February 2014 01:35PM

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Comment author: V_V 05 March 2014 03:44:18PM -1 points [-]

Disagree about the popular support thing. In Britain, certainly, the Divorce Reform Act was passed with neither popular support nor opposition, just a public who didn't particularly care. The people pushing for it were a small number of activists, who were also in favour of these social "liberalisations" like abolition of the death penalty, etc. Many of these "lilberalisations" were in fact quite unpopular. I think you greatly underestimate the institutional leeway available to politicians/regulators.

It seems to me that you are arguing that some small groups of activists somehow managed to manipulate the democratic governments of multiple countries in a short span of time, without the general public taking notice, despite the fact that this alleged manipulation affected in substantial (and significantly negative, in your opinion) ways the family life of many people.
Sorry, but I don't think this is a rationally tenable position.

Comment author: Salemicus 05 March 2014 06:37:31PM 2 points [-]

It seems to me that you are arguing that some small groups of activists somehow managed to manipulate the democratic governments of multiple countries in a short span of time,

Yes. This is indeed the whole point of activism.

without the general public taking notice,

I never said anything of the sort. Perhaps I should take it as a compliment that people are determined to put words into my mouth, as it indicates they feel unable to argue with my actual position. In fact, of course, the public did take notice, but didn't much care.

despite the fact that this alleged manipulation affected in substantial (and significantly negative, in your opinion) ways the family life of many people.

Yes, because the effect was attenuated, and was not seen as causally linked to the activity.

I'm afraid your model of political activity in democratic governments is rather faulty.