The Category of Population Consideration and Context

Sometimes I think people do not pay enough attention to context. I specifically am referring to people who like to make serious suggestions or ideas based on a possibility that does not exist. Sometimes philosophers will discuss things like this just for perspective, such as in the case of multiple realiability, and that's ok. For example, the concept of "pain" as some chemical experience in the brain stimulated by nerves is a prejudiced concept when you consider the possiblity of AI (Artificial Intelligence) or robots who could eventually feel pain as something electronic in their motherboard. In fact, even the idea that aliens could have different anatomy that relies on a series of biological tubes within which water flows, requires the definition of pain to not be central only to humans. But I digress.

Certain ethics or innovations are useless. Sometimes ideas a born and pursued that have no business having a continued existence. I would love to specifically rail on Communism as an example without anyone being offended, but as some people still cling to this strange idea, I will be more liberal in my examples. The main point of this blog post in fact is the realization I had that many people cannot fathom the concept of populations of thousands of people. There are many studies that show this to be the case, and for the most part is biological and natural, rather than just stupid. Not sure if in this enlightened age you can use that excuse, but it's the way it is. People, when faced with large numbers of other people, naturally comprehend the mass of people as a single, authoritative entity. They do not consider that every single person making that mob up is an individual with slightly differing tastes, opinions, views, ideas, and lives. This sounds obvious, but consider the following.

"Mob Mentality" is a psychologically proven concept. People act differently, even in uncharacteristic ways, when faced with a mob of people doing something. Riots often escalate to very violent, destructive levels because of this, and many people get hurt. Studies show if a person is shown a square and rectangle on a piece of paper, and the group he is in all claim that it was definetly two squares, the person will admit (in most cases) that it was actually two squares. People can be influenced by a mass of people, but it is not because it is many versus one; it is because of the authority that people mentally give to that singular entity. People experience their own lives only, and are reduced to assumptions and observations about other people's lives and experience. Before I get too philosophical, let's get back on point.

Communism works in theory. This is a common phrase uttered by those discussing the history of its implementation. However, reality has shown that it has yet to work successfully as it is intended to. Countries who adopt this form of government typically have higher poverty rates, and a larger gap between the upper and lower class. Now, some will claim that the theory hold true despite its failed execution in practice, and I have an idea why. These people are not considering the greatest flaw in the concept of Communism, and that is people. Not just some, but an extremely large group of people. And people are rarely the same enough to be satisfied with similar treatment.

I don't believe that Communism doesn't work due entirely to the human evil some possess, and that it has to be the case that it fails when someone takes advantage of the situation. In my opinion, it is a concept that requires a very large group of people all participate in a concept that they must all agree on. This is nothing short of IMPOSSIBLE. Why are we still talking about Communism? This is a theory based entirely in metaphysical discussion, and has no business still being considered. This is not the only time people do not consider how many people are really out there. I watched a documentary about the second election for George Bush Jr., in which Michael Moore travelled the country encouraging young people to get out and vote. Not telling them to vote a certain way, just telling them to actually do it. Despite the largest turn out of young voters in all of American history, Bush won a second time. This was a very confusing thing to happen considering his political history, at least for some.

Then I saw the movie "Jesus Camp". In this one, fundamental Christians were shown lining up in church to kiss a cardboard cutout of Bush (tell me how this isn't idolotry, but I probably won't listen), and I realized that lots of people out there hold opinions that others would find strange or impossible. These people exist. Watch Dragon's Den or visit a Patent Office and see the things people believe are a good idea. There is insanity out there folks, and it's not far away. I may sound like I've lost faith in people, but I haven't, I just have perspective. People need to understand that the reason (in my opinion anyway) democracy works so well is because it caters to the flaws of our society; the crazies. You can't have a system of government that relies on everyone agreeing, or even understanding, because you won't have that. Democracy is about everyone having input in some way, and basically having an excuse to shut up those who claim they have better reasons for their beliefs. Think abortion is immoral and should be completely banned to save our souls? Well, we know there are enough people who want it, so you'll just have to take it up with them.

I think people need to realize that "Common Sense" is not actually common. People rag on Dr. Phil because all he does is spout common sense, without considering that the people on his show clearly have been acting without this sense. He happens to be a professional in terms of knowing what people need to hear and how. The subtleties of his interaction skills impress me so much, when you know what you're seeing. His beginning sentences to young misbehaving teens of "You're clearly a smart person, who can make decisions for themselves" is obviously opening them up to what he has to say, but some people would say he was being an idiot to say something so untrue. In any case, common sense is not common, and so many people out there do not know or agree with it. Things would probably be a lot easier in life if common sense were real. In any case, the idea to take away from this is that you really can't fathom the different perspectives of thousands of people at once; we aren't built to do it. We can really just compare our own understanding to one other person's at a time. We may be able to compare to many, but the infinite inevitably becomes categorized in our minds. Hopefully we don't hold ourselves back too much trying. Or hold ourselves back by not.

In any case, much of this will be irrelevant. Communism could actually work on zombies who all share an identical set of desires, beliefs, and philosophies. We'll be better off I guess, politically, when zombies make up our thousands.