Institutions - Revision history

Fractalguy at 04:00, 8 August 2025

2025-08-08T04:00:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:00, 8 August 2025
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	[[File:Institutions-government-economic-religious-restoring-trust.jpg\|thumb\|Institutions are found in any big, brutalist building]]		[[File:Institutions-government-economic-religious-restoring-trust.jpg\|thumb\|Institutions are found in any big, [[wikipedia:Brutalist_architecture\|brutalist]] building]]
	Institutions refer to the various [[government]], [[economic]], [[scientific]], [[education]], and [[religious]] [[organizations]] that serve as the power structures in modern [[society]], as well as the experts and subject matter expertise they contain.<blockquote>''"If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin."'' -[[wikipedia:Charles_Darwin\|Charles Darwin]]</blockquote>[[Trust]] in these institutions is necessary to enable coordinate action and forward social [[progress]]. Without that [[trust]], [[conspiracy]], gridlock, infighting, and inaction are the result. [[Trust]] in institutions is strongly correlated with the [[happiness]] of a [[society]]. [https://theconversation.com/trusting-societies-are-overall-happier-a-happiness-expert-explains-why-177803][https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7486136/][https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/working-paper-347-Carattini-Roesti.pdf]		Institutions refer to the various [[government]], [[economic]], [[scientific]], [[education]], and [[religious]] [[organizations]] that serve as the power structures in modern [[society]], as well as the experts and subject matter expertise they contain.<blockquote>''"If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin."'' -[[wikipedia:Charles_Darwin\|Charles Darwin]]</blockquote>[[Trust]] in these institutions is necessary to enable coordinate action and forward social [[progress]]. Without that [[trust]], [[conspiracy]], gridlock, infighting, and inaction are the result. [[Trust]] in institutions is strongly correlated with the [[happiness]] of a [[society]]. [https://theconversation.com/trusting-societies-are-overall-happier-a-happiness-expert-explains-why-177803][https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7486136/][https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/working-paper-347-Carattini-Roesti.pdf]

Fractalguy at 21:38, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T21:38:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 28 February 2025
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	<br>		<br>
	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4vtiiIo_Bc\|\|center\|Jon Stewart & Bernie Sanders on Rebuilding Trust & Efficacy in the Government\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4vtiiIo_Bc\|\|center\|Jon Stewart & Bernie Sanders on Rebuilding Trust & Efficacy in the Government\|frame}}
	~~<br>~~
	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|The Beatles - Revolution\|frame}}		== You Tell Me It's the Institution ==
			You better [[Freedom\|free]] your [[mind]] instead.{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|The Beatles - Revolution\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* Good People Doing Their Best */

2025-02-16T13:43:49Z

Good People Doing Their Best

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 16 February 2025
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	[[wikipedia:Manufacturing_Consent\|Manufactured consent]] is important concept to know about the nature of institutional behavior and how they become biased towards the goals of the [[rich]] and powerful without explicit coordination or bribery.		[[wikipedia:Manufacturing_Consent\|Manufactured consent]] is important concept to know about the nature of institutional behavior and how they become biased towards the goals of the [[rich]] and powerful without explicit coordination or bribery.

	The [[contrarian]] position that rejects any and all [[information]] and recommendations that come from mainstream institutions misconstrues the nature of corruption. This causes people to ~~talk~~ positions that harm themselves and others, such as anti-vaccine sentiments, rejecting proven treatments in favor of alternative medicine, [[climate change]] denial, [[Democracy\|election]] denial, and support for [[authoritarians]].		The [[contrarian]] position that rejects any and all [[information]] and recommendations that come from mainstream institutions misconstrues the nature of corruption. This causes people to take positions that harm themselves and others, such as anti-vaccine sentiments, rejecting proven treatments in favor of alternative medicine, [[climate change]] denial, [[Democracy\|election]] denial, and support for [[authoritarians]].

	Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].		Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].

Fractalguy: /* The Problems With Our Institutions */

2025-02-14T13:18:44Z

The Problems With Our Institutions

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:18, 14 February 2025
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	This is not an appeal to the status quo. [[Trust]] can be restored only once the institutional reforms necessary to restore that [[trust]] are made, and people have the [[education]] they need to understand why those reforms will work. If these changes cannot be made, the appeal to [[revolution]] will threaten their very existence.		This is not an appeal to the status quo. [[Trust]] can be restored only once the institutional reforms necessary to restore that [[trust]] are made, and people have the [[education]] they need to understand why those reforms will work. If these changes cannot be made, the appeal to [[revolution]] will threaten their very existence.

	In [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-america-broken/id1081584611?i=1000690804613 The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Is America Broken?] Alana Newhouse gives a great breakdown of "brokenism" and the divide between those who see institutions as fundamentally broken, and those who are seeking to preserve the status quo. We cannot deny the problems that are right in front of our face. Without a clear plan to address those problems, brokenism will continue to find traction and lead us towards collapse.		In [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-america-broken/id1081584611?i=1000690804613 The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Is America Broken?] Alana Newhouse gives a great breakdown of "[https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/brokenism-alana-newhouse brokenism]" and the divide between those who see institutions as fundamentally broken, and those who are seeking to preserve the status quo. We cannot deny the problems that are right in front of our face. Without a clear plan to address those problems, brokenism will continue to find traction and lead us towards collapse.

	== Good People Doing Their Best ==		== Good People Doing Their Best ==

Fractalguy at 18:59, 10 February 2025

2025-02-10T18:59:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 10 February 2025
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	This is not an appeal to the status quo. [[Trust]] can be restored only once the institutional reforms necessary to restore that [[trust]] are made, and people have the [[education]] they need to understand why those reforms will work. If these changes cannot be made, the appeal to [[revolution]] will threaten their very existence.		This is not an appeal to the status quo. [[Trust]] can be restored only once the institutional reforms necessary to restore that [[trust]] are made, and people have the [[education]] they need to understand why those reforms will work. If these changes cannot be made, the appeal to [[revolution]] will threaten their very existence.

			In [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-america-broken/id1081584611?i=1000690804613 The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Is America Broken?] Alana Newhouse gives a great breakdown of "brokenism" and the divide between those who see institutions as fundamentally broken, and those who are seeking to preserve the status quo. We cannot deny the problems that are right in front of our face. Without a clear plan to address those problems, brokenism will continue to find traction and lead us towards collapse.

	== Good People Doing Their Best ==		== Good People Doing Their Best ==

Fractalguy: /* Rage For The Machine */

2025-01-25T13:53:43Z

Rage For The Machine

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:53, 25 January 2025
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	[https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-fighting-despair/ Hidden Brain: You 2.0 Fighting Despair]		[https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-fighting-despair/ Hidden Brain: You 2.0 Fighting Despair]
	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8ZLWYg71M\|\|center\|Making Bureaucracies Sexier with Yuval Noah Harari\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8ZLWYg71M\|\|center\|Making Bureaucracies Sexier with Yuval Noah Harari\|frame}}
			<br>
			{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4vtiiIo_Bc\|\|center\|Jon Stewart & Bernie Sanders on Rebuilding Trust & Efficacy in the Government\|frame}}
	<br>		<br>
	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|The Beatles - Revolution\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|The Beatles - Revolution\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* Good People Doing Their Best */

2025-01-20T18:54:07Z

Good People Doing Their Best

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 20 January 2025
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	The vast majority of data in the form of research, reports, census data, and recommendations made by various agencies is independent, cited, fact-checked, and peer reviewed by other good people who are doing their best to help make sure this [[information]] is accurate.		The vast majority of data in the form of research, reports, census data, and recommendations made by various agencies is independent, cited, fact-checked, and peer reviewed by other good people who are doing their best to help make sure this [[information]] is accurate.

	Grand [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiracies]] like the "[[wikipedia:Deep_state\|deep state]]" that would require the coordinated actions and ongoing silence of thousands of people are as cynical as they are nonsensical.<blockquote>''"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."'' -Benjamin Franklin</blockquote>In advanced [[Democracy\|democracies]], corruption in the form of overt bribery almost always happens on an individual level. The first [[checks and balances]] built into any institution usually addresses this. Countries without them are the ones where bribery is a part of any interaction with government officials.		Grand [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiracies]] like the "[[wikipedia:Deep_state\|deep state]]" that would require the coordinated actions and ongoing silence of thousands of people are as cynical as they are nonsensical.<blockquote>''"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."'' -[[wikipedia:Benjamin_Franklin\|Benjamin Franklin]]</blockquote>In advanced [[Democracy\|democracies]], corruption in the form of overt bribery almost always happens on an individual level. The first [[checks and balances]] built into any institution usually addresses this. Countries without them are the ones where bribery is a part of any interaction with government officials.

	Systems become corrupt due to corrupt [[Incentives\|incentive structures]] that shape the behavior of anyone that joins it. If there are no rules or [[social norms]] that punish bribery, then it becomes rampant. But once the most obvious form of corruption is addressed, more nuanced approaches are required to recognize and counter the subtler forms.		Systems become corrupt due to corrupt [[Incentives\|incentive structures]] that shape the behavior of anyone that joins it. If there are no rules or [[social norms]] that punish bribery, then it becomes rampant. But once the most obvious form of corruption is addressed, more nuanced approaches are required to recognize and counter the subtler forms.

Fractalguy at 18:53, 20 January 2025

2025-01-20T18:53:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 20 January 2025
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	[[File:Institutions-government-economic-religious-restoring-trust.jpg\|thumb\|Institutions are found in any big, brutalist building]]		[[File:Institutions-government-economic-religious-restoring-trust.jpg\|thumb\|Institutions are found in any big, brutalist building]]
	Institutions refer to the various [[government]], [[economic]], [[scientific]], [[education]], and [[religious]] [[organizations]] that serve as the power structures in modern [[society]], as well as the experts and subject matter expertise they contain.		Institutions refer to the various [[government]], [[economic]], [[scientific]], [[education]], and [[religious]] [[organizations]] that serve as the power structures in modern [[society]], as well as the experts and subject matter expertise they contain.<blockquote>''"If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin."'' -[[wikipedia:Charles_Darwin\|Charles Darwin]]</blockquote>[[Trust]] in these institutions is necessary to enable coordinate action and forward social [[progress]]. Without that [[trust]], [[conspiracy]], gridlock, infighting, and inaction are the result. [[Trust]] in institutions is strongly correlated with the [[happiness]] of a [[society]]. [https://theconversation.com/trusting-societies-are-overall-happier-a-happiness-expert-explains-why-177803][https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7486136/][https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/working-paper-347-Carattini-Roesti.pdf]

	[[Trust]] in these institutions is necessary to enable coordinate action and forward social [[progress]]. Without that [[trust]], [[conspiracy]], gridlock, infighting, and inaction are the result. [[Trust]] in institutions is strongly correlated with the [[happiness]] of a [[society]]. [https://theconversation.com/trusting-societies-are-overall-happier-a-happiness-expert-explains-why-177803][https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7486136/][https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/working-paper-347-Carattini-Roesti.pdf]

	In case you haven't picked up on it, you should click on the '''[[Trust]]''' link read more on this topic.		In case you haven't picked up on it, you should click on the '''[[Trust]]''' link read more on this topic.

Fractalguy at 16:48, 21 November 2024

2024-11-21T16:48:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 21 November 2024
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	Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].		Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].

			== Cut Red Tape, Not Protections ==
			In order to make bureaucratic institutions feel like they have our best interests in mind, we must cut the red tape that consumes time and energy whenever we interface with them, as well as the unintended consequences of poorly written regulations, without undermining their purpose and effectiveness.

			[https://newrepublic.com/article/188403/regulations-working-class-red-tape This article in the New Republic] clearly draws this distinction in a way that both [[Progressive]] and [[Libertarian]] mindsets can support.

	== Rage For The Machine ==		== Rage For The Machine ==

Fractalguy: /* Rage For The Machine */

2024-11-20T23:20:41Z

Rage For The Machine

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 20 November 2024
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	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8ZLWYg71M\|\|center\|Making Bureaucracies Sexier with Yuval Noah Harari\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8ZLWYg71M\|\|center\|Making Bureaucracies Sexier with Yuval Noah Harari\|frame}}
	<br>		<br>
	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw\|\|center\|The Beatles - Revolution\|frame}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 16 February 2025
Line 43:		Line 43:
	[[wikipedia:Manufacturing_Consent\|Manufactured consent]] is important concept to know about the nature of institutional behavior and how they become biased towards the goals of the [[rich]] and powerful without explicit coordination or bribery.		[[wikipedia:Manufacturing_Consent\|Manufactured consent]] is important concept to know about the nature of institutional behavior and how they become biased towards the goals of the [[rich]] and powerful without explicit coordination or bribery.

	The [[contrarian]] position that rejects any and all [[information]] and recommendations that come from mainstream institutions misconstrues the nature of corruption. This causes people to ~~talk~~ positions that harm themselves and others, such as anti-vaccine sentiments, rejecting proven treatments in favor of alternative medicine, [[climate change]] denial, [[Democracy\|election]] denial, and support for [[authoritarians]].		The [[contrarian]] position that rejects any and all [[information]] and recommendations that come from mainstream institutions misconstrues the nature of corruption. This causes people to take positions that harm themselves and others, such as anti-vaccine sentiments, rejecting proven treatments in favor of alternative medicine, [[climate change]] denial, [[Democracy\|election]] denial, and support for [[authoritarians]].

	Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].		Recognizing the true nature of corruption allows you to accept the majority of verified research and other good [[information]] created by our institutions, while having a healthy [[skepticism]] when we can identify corrupt [[incentives]]. It also allows you to see the millions of people that work for [[government]] agencies, [[corporations]], [[Education\|universities]], organized [[religion]], and other institutions as generally good people doing their best. This reduces cynicism, and encourages [[optimism]] and therefore [[happiness]].