The Third Reich learned a lot from Lippman, directing films of happy Jewish children to be presented to the world while unthinkable horrors were happening. Then there’s the tobacco industry paying scientists to come up with the term “junk science” to poke holes in perfectly good science showing the deadly effects of cigarette smoking. We could go on about how the U.S. government and corporations supported dictators. Fun stuff.
The study of human behavior seems to be a double-edged sword. I think of information (especially knowledge of systems) the same way I think of technology: it can be used for good or for ill. The US has never had an immunity card for poor decisions or moral corruption!
Lippmann was ahead of his time. His writings and radio/television broadcasts are a starting point for what Marshall McLuhan would eventually articulate more fully.
Anything good on McLuhan you'd recommend? I'd be down to start with a couple of book summaries and if that whets my appetite, maybe a bio or something.
“Understanding Media” is his masterpiece. “The Mechanical Bride” and “The Gutenberg Galaxy” are also good reads. “Essential McLuhan” collects the best of his shorter pieces.
Maybe Einstein was onto something. Time to swap out my closet for multiples of “the same suit” so I can save my creative juices for writing instead of trying to figure out how many layers I need to wear each day…
The Third Reich learned a lot from Lippman, directing films of happy Jewish children to be presented to the world while unthinkable horrors were happening. Then there’s the tobacco industry paying scientists to come up with the term “junk science” to poke holes in perfectly good science showing the deadly effects of cigarette smoking. We could go on about how the U.S. government and corporations supported dictators. Fun stuff.
The study of human behavior seems to be a double-edged sword. I think of information (especially knowledge of systems) the same way I think of technology: it can be used for good or for ill. The US has never had an immunity card for poor decisions or moral corruption!
Thankfully, when o7 is out, we'll be able to elect it and delegate all of our decisions to it. Can't wait!
I mean sure, but our o6 proxies will do the voting on our behalf, right? Like they'll vet it and do all the heavy cognitive stuff.
I don't know how to answer that question…lemme check with o5 real quick…
o5 mini only burns a quarter of a leaf!
Lippmann was ahead of his time. His writings and radio/television broadcasts are a starting point for what Marshall McLuhan would eventually articulate more fully.
Anything good on McLuhan you'd recommend? I'd be down to start with a couple of book summaries and if that whets my appetite, maybe a bio or something.
“Understanding Media” is his masterpiece. “The Mechanical Bride” and “The Gutenberg Galaxy” are also good reads. “Essential McLuhan” collects the best of his shorter pieces.
Nice - I just found "Understanding Media" on Blinkist, so can listen to a summary while I go for a walk!
We all just want a benevolent dictator to tell us what to do!
Or not.
More likely most of us want to be that benevolent dictator -- only without having to face the consequences.
Too many people want to be The Queen of Hearts in Alice.
"Off with her head!"
Maybe Einstein was onto something. Time to swap out my closet for multiples of “the same suit” so I can save my creative juices for writing instead of trying to figure out how many layers I need to wear each day…