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Mar 07, 2013
ssc
31 min 3,942 words 174 comments podcast
Scott argues that even if past cultures were superior, restoring them is impossible because cultures evolve to fit their technological conditions, which have changed dramatically. Longer summary
This post argues against Reactionary ideas, even if one grants their assumptions about the superiority of past cultures. The main points are: 1) Historical changes are driven by technological progress, not individual actors. 2) Cultures evolve to adapt to their technological conditions. 3) Past cultures were adapted to past conditions, not current ones, so restoring them wouldn't work. 4) Many negative aspects of modern society are due to technological changes, not political ones. Scott uses analogies like computer operating systems and puppets to illustrate these ideas. He concludes by outlining possible counterarguments Reactionaries could make to save their position. Shorter summary