Proof of Brain: Maybe Governments ARE "A Scam" — But What Does That MEAN?

Granted, the nature of the Greater Hive Community is such that one is likely to encounter a higher-than-average percentage of free thinking, alternative, anarchist and what-have-you individuals, but it seems like so often I run into various editorials and opinion pieces making some kind of statements or allegations that "the government is a scam!" and pretty much anything related to the government is shady.

And it doesn't really matter whether we're talking about the US, the UK, Nigeria, Venezuela, Australia, India or anywhere else. The opinions are consistent.

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A Spiky issue...

Let's Set That Aside...

However, setting aside various kinds of "evidence" and "proof" for a moment, I find myself thinking about the deeper implications.

If it seems so pervasive and universal that anything to do with governing is some form of scam, what does that really tell us? And what does it tell us about US, as a species?

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Is the supposition here that the entire concept of having some kind of organized leadership for groups of people — however small or large — infeasible? Moreover, since we seem to generally conclude that ostensible "politicians" are all corrupt and morally bankrupt, dues that suggest that the entire human species are just a bunch of self-involved savages with zero capacity for cooperation on a larger scale?

So what's the FUNCTIONAL alternative?

I say "functional" because I have seen the dysfunctional example of absolute unrestricted individual freedom.

It's a place in California called "Slab City." It's likely you haven't heard of it, even though it has been around since 1942. It has no laws, no government, no infrastructure, no basic services, no police or fire department, no water, no electricity, no medical services... and basically amounts to a giant squatter camp-out in the desert primarily inhabited by misfits, addicts and the criminally insane, with an additional "migratory" population of wandering "snowbirds" who seasonally "offgrid" on the outskirts of town.

Lest you might think otherwise, I have no issues with the Slabbers and what they have chosen to build for themselves but a couple of observations come to mind:

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One, the particular brand of "absolute freedom" that exists in Slab City no more represents the sentiment of the vast majority of the population than does a crooked totalitarian government and two, if totally left to our own devices are places like Slab City truly what human beings choose to become? Or simply... become?

Regardless, it seems to me that there is no extant form of "organization" that is capable of making ALL the people happy, ALL of the time.

And yet? Without organization we still aren't happy, because we still end up with situations where one person's "ideal" is another person's "nightmare" and they are going have some kind of disagreement or fight over that!

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Does that mean I subscribe to the "we're all basically SCREWED!" philosophy of existence?

No, not really! I'm actually quite hopeful.

However... one of the things I am hopeful about that we can all somehow have a bit of a philosophical adjustment and snap out of this entire notion that "unless things are done MY way, according to how I see reality, my rights are being infringed upon!"

Sure... and what happens when YOU having those rights infringes on someone ELSE's rights? Or vice-versa? It's a never-ending story, unless you choose to live in a bubble, in total isolation. Sorry, but I like my running water and a flushing toilet...

Anyway, to bring this back around to the original question... if we're not capable of FUNCTIONALLY being governed and we're not capable of FUNCTIONALLY governing ourselves, where does that leave us?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great remainder of your day!

How about YOU? Would you classify government(s) as a "scam?" If what we already have isn't working, what do you think WOULD work... given the constraints of real world FUNCTIONALITY? Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 20210906 17:21 PDT

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In some ways reminds me a little of Burning Man... which is often pitched as a "utopic experiment."

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(Edited)

Thank you for writing this so I don’t have to ❤️

I expect that when human consciousness is at a certain level, government and other power centers will naturally fade away. Certain actions may be required but those don't require rhetoric or rallying. They only play out that way because of our inner resistance and fear.

The world outside always reflects what we see on the inside. There is enough horror and beauty to make anything a self fulfilling prophecy. And by changing our train of thought, we may not be able to take down the evil forces that control the world but we can certainly make the world around us a lot brighter and bring on others to that cause.

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One of the things I observe a lot in the world as it currently exists is that a lot of people become very focused on changing others; on changing "out there," while remaining completely oblivious to themselves.

Want change? Create that change for yourself first, and set an example. Then worry about changing the external. I used to think that something in the world had to change, in order for me to be able to be who/what I wanted to be. But it really begins with me.

So I choose to live as a blogging, art creating, writing, beachcombing semi-slacker who also likes electricity and running water...

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Totally agree! And we are very very similar ;-) I only look like a slacker though :-D

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if we're not capable of FUNCTIONALLY being governed and we're not capable of FUNCTIONALLY governing ourselves, where does that leave us?

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I am somewhat aware of Slab City, but I am one of the weirdos who tries to understand how societies actually work, and likes to look I to fringe groups.

There is a common misconception that communities as we know them emerged alongside governments, so therefore government is necessary and essential for community. Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc. This is exacerbated by government monopolization of services like criminal investigation, dispute adjudication, and education.

In reality, society always predates the State. People have diverse ideas about what society should be, and there is a natural and healthy form of tribalism that results as we gather into like-minded communities. We can interact and exchange peacefully through the market provess, and forge relationships with others who live differently. People have done this since pre-history, and archaeological evidence of global trade networks can be found.

The unhealthy tribalism of hatred toward people who live differently is exploited by those who desire to live by plunder rather than productivity and peace. First, such people claimed to be gods, or to be descended from the gods, or to ascend to godhood on death. The denarius the Pharisees brought to the temple to entrap Christ probably bore an inscription declaring the emperor to be the son of a God. Then they claimed to rule by divine right no matter how ungodly their actions. Now we have rulers who claim secular authority through the magic and mystery of democracy. It's oh-so-secular, but the claim to authority is just as arbitrary and presumptuous in reality.

The veneer of legitimacy and appeals to the status quo make it difficult to challenge, though, especially when the education system is built on belief in political legitimacy. That, and not the nature of human society, is our biggest hurdle. People are bad, so therefore we need to give some people a monopoly in violence, but don't worry, there's NO WAY such power could draw the corrupt or present perverse incentives should anyone virtuous manage to get in! It's sad, really.

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The anthropology of societies can be fascinating, to be sure.

Somewhere in there, it seems almost inevitable that we will run into someone(s) who throw up their hands and declare "I'm tired of doing everything myself, and being responsible for everything myself" and they want to abdicate that personal accountability to someone else. or something else. And then we suddenly have some form of "government" to deal with.

You are undoubtedly far more learned on the topic than I, but I'm inclined to think there is a different between having some kind of "structured collective leadership" and actual governments with all their pitfalls. I don't know, mind you.

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It's like the difference between seeking advice from learned elders, and old farts who demand obedience regardless of dissent.

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Interesting thank you for sharing this Post,I was confused about Government before but since Government beginning to request for tasks I realized that Government is nothing but scammer.


Posted via proofofbrain.io

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