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  • podocarp an hour ago

    I think one of the primary arguments against change is that "it's impossible". "There's no successful examples of xyz". Either that or just claiming our current system is optimal, because we have modern medicine, and look at them…

    I dunno… I think there are plenty of examples of successful alternative social organization and governance systems, but it is of course stepping on the toes of all who benefit from the current status quo…

    It is also ironic because I read Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You and I feel like these bushmen are more Christian than most Christians -- actual pacifist anarchism! What great irony, that these pagan heathens are closer to the gates of heaven. I'm not religious by the way, but you don't have to be religious to see the irony in a peaceful bushman society vs the "civilized" world outside.

    It also leads me to remember the Talek Troop of baboons who have somehow developed a non aggressive and peaceful culture among themselves which is very unlikely baboons. They also assimilate and change outsider baboons that join them from the natural levels of aggression to match their stance. Yes, tit for tat is game theoretically optimal but perhaps as semi intelligent agents there is some level of thought and communication that can change things. Alas too often we just see things as "inevitable" or "realpolitik" and default to aggression.