Dan Perry [1], the opinion author, makes an interesting observation regarding the socio-political mindset that views the world through the prism of an "elite" controlled reality.
"It is now fashionable to disdain the “elites.” That’s another item in the toolbox of autocrats. It is also an excellent way to hasten chaos and poverty."
I found it regrettable that that post was flagged. Not because the writer was making sensible point. No. Because this line of thinking can be trivially dismantled if subjected to the bright light of sober analysis, and would also provide an opportunity to point out the distasteful implicit idea that is masquerading as righteous indignation or constructive social commentary in this line of thinking.
The central idea behind "elite" controlled society is that the masses are but children without agency that dance to the diktats of a paternal "elite". The cited dead post went a bit further and somewhat nostalgically looked at the "old elite" and their "noblesse oblige". We used to have 'good parents' but alas now we have 'irresponsible parents'. That is a barely disguised expression of an infantile desire for a 'strong guiding hand'.
It is not only a shameful mindset for a thinking adult human being, but also the precise mindset that will trivially slip into authoritarian and autocratic tendencies. Such tendencies can fester if informed discussion is suppressed, and will only serve to reinforce the distorted and patronizing narratives.
"It is now fashionable to disdain the “elites.” That’s another item in the toolbox of autocrats. It is also an excellent way to hasten chaos and poverty."
I am highlighting this specific aspect of his opinion piece in context of a recently [dead][flagged] submission to HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34375277
I found it regrettable that that post was flagged. Not because the writer was making sensible point. No. Because this line of thinking can be trivially dismantled if subjected to the bright light of sober analysis, and would also provide an opportunity to point out the distasteful implicit idea that is masquerading as righteous indignation or constructive social commentary in this line of thinking.
The central idea behind "elite" controlled society is that the masses are but children without agency that dance to the diktats of a paternal "elite". The cited dead post went a bit further and somewhat nostalgically looked at the "old elite" and their "noblesse oblige". We used to have 'good parents' but alas now we have 'irresponsible parents'. That is a barely disguised expression of an infantile desire for a 'strong guiding hand'.
It is not only a shameful mindset for a thinking adult human being, but also the precise mindset that will trivially slip into authoritarian and autocratic tendencies. Such tendencies can fester if informed discussion is suppressed, and will only serve to reinforce the distorted and patronizing narratives.
[1]: https://danperry.substack.com/