Who decides which ideas are "misguided" and which aren't?
Who decides which ideas are "misguided" and which are not? It's often determined by the consequences of their implementation in real life, both in the short term and long term. Additionally, it involves people like us who are qualified to make those decisions. In forums like this, it's not just you and me; there may be two or three others who are also capable of participating in this discussion. Talking about elitism - talking about reality.
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I-S, how rejecting progress always gets dressed up as wisdom
As for rejecting progress, I don't oppose change if that's what you're referring to. I reject changes that are artificially imposed, presented as gifts to humanity, when their true motives and outcomes are dark and sinister. Recognizing this is a matter of wisdom and realism for me. While you may define it differently, I stand by my choice to call it wisdom.
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Clarity isn't delusional;
The real question is: who can see clearly, and whose vision is clouded?
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it's how humanity truly moves forward most sustainably.
As for the notion of progress, considering how the world develops, can you be certain that your version of progress is genuinely moving humanity forward? Or will we ultimately witness something akin to regression?
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Reducing people to percentages and dismissing their agency isn't insight - it's elitism
I don't reduce people to percentages or dismiss their agency or expectations. There are many factors at play, and I'm simplifying my argument for clarity. What I mean is that even if the majority of people have an agenda, they won't act coherently or achieve the desired change without guidance from the top 20 percent of leaders.
In Western civilization, we are more attuned to people's needs. In some other countries, people may have needs, but they will struggle to fulfill them because their systems won't allow it. These systems often elevate the top 20 percent into a ruling class, and if they reject the system, the system ultimately rejects them-Russia is a prime example of this dynamic.