Quote:
Originally Posted by IAMTHISNOW
This is an example of completely misapplying whataboutism.
The argument is made that "hundreds of years ago" , educated intellectual elites provided intellectual output that lead to better social/economic outcomes.
So bringing up the examples of the real world social economic conditions of the time (slaverly, mass poverty, child labour, non existent women's rights etc) actually made existent by the intellectual perspectives of the time is not in anyway whataboutism whatso ever.
I didnt even mention countries like the UK going around the world saying this is ours now, and that is the way God wants it.
I am refuting an idea of complete and total nonsense on every conceivable level.
--No that isn't the argument. The argument was cultural elites had a better understanding of human nature, so they seemed less hypocritical. FWIW, I personally believe cultural elites today understand human nature much more than they are letting on, and they are mostly just cynical liars. It didn't get very much buzz in the zeitgeist for obvious reasons when it was released, but for such a short exchange I think SBF hit the nail on the head pretty well:
Kelsey Piper: so the ethics stuff - mostly a front? people will like you if you win and hate you if you lose and that's how it all really works?
Sam Bankman-Fried: yeah
SBF: I mean that's not all of it
SBF: but it's a lot
...
KP: you were really good at talking about ethics, for someone who kind of saw it all as a game with winners and losers
SBF: ya
SBF: hehe
SBF: I had to be
SBF: it's what reputations are made of, to some extent
SBF: I feel bad for those who get f***** by it
SBF: by this dumb game we woke westerners play where we say all the right shiboleths [sic] and so everyone likes us
--When I read Adam Smith, Voltaire or Rosseau I dont get the impression they were cynical and didn't believe a word of what they were writing. And as a result a lot of wisdom and insight to be had. Most of the cultural elites today come across as cynical and dishonest, with very ittle wisdom or insight. Just one man's opinion.