[extropy-chat] Re: Katrina as a test of social theories and models

[mail at harveynewstrom.com]

Robin Hanson writes: 

> At 02:58 PM 9/8/2005, Damien Broderick wrote:
>> Everyone's a critic. Here is some material to work with:
>> http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006754.html#006754
> 
> Wow.  That is a really disturbing description.  I have no reason not to 
> believe them - does anyone have a reason to doubt the truth of this story?

This matches reports I have been getting from all different sources. 

Sadly, these stories don't prove anything.  Every political position will 
claim how this vindicated their viewpoint.  Anti-Government types will point 
out the government failure.  Pro-Government types will point out how cutting 
government didn't work.  Privateers will point out that the private sector 
could do better.  Anti-Privateers will point out that the private sector 
didn't solve the problems either.  Socialists will say that the cooperative 
commune arrangements were working until the government dispersed them.  
Libertarians will say that individual efforts trumped groups.  Pro-Gunners 
will point out why guns are needed for these occasions.  Anti-Gunners will 
point out how guns were used to take pot shots at rescue workers and prevent 
supplies from being delivered. 

Nobody will change their position.  No mutual conclusions will be observed.  
In the end, we are still a bunch of monkeys. 

 --
Harvey Newstrom <www.HarveyNewstrom.com>
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