I saw this on HN the other day, and it's got me thinking about stuff that I thought I knew.
https://meltingasphalt.com/crony-beliefs/
I've a feeling that many for me, befuddling things that happen in the world can probably be explained by me mistakenly placing beliefs in the 'merit' category when they are really 'crony'.
I think we've probably all had some previous model for crony beliefs, areas where we know that people differ, and that facts aren't going to make a difference. We've all got a mate who thinks Wolverhampton Wanders is the best football team in the world (substitute in whatever team and sport is appropriate) and it's clearly not an expression of fact, it's an expression of passion, and association with their chosen clan. Similarly someone's religious beliefs (or lack of beliefs) aren't open for such discussion, and I think we all get this.
Now i'd say that lots of contentious issues in politics are crony, even if they are argued with 'facts' - the Brexits and Trumps of this world for example. Add the usual Virtue Signalling beliefs to this list, as he points out, climate change etc.
I think it's interesting to think of altruism as a crony belief, as it basically says that people help others in order to get some sort of kickback from society (oh t. I'm pretty sure that's how I see ostentatious displays of wealth like paying for a new wing on the local hospital and getting it named after your family. Does this carry all the way down to helping an old lady across the road, or giving a few quid to a beggar on the street?
I'm currently thinking of the usual audio battle lines as crony beliefs (cables have directions, class A amps are best, vinyl sounds best etc etc) but am a loss as to how they benefit the believer. I guess there might be something of the football fan about it, entry to the clan by spending serious amounts of money for your belief might be the audio equivalent of getting your team name tattooed on your arm?
Anyhow, have a read, see what you make of it.
https://meltingasphalt.com/crony-beliefs/
I've a feeling that many for me, befuddling things that happen in the world can probably be explained by me mistakenly placing beliefs in the 'merit' category when they are really 'crony'.
I think we've probably all had some previous model for crony beliefs, areas where we know that people differ, and that facts aren't going to make a difference. We've all got a mate who thinks Wolverhampton Wanders is the best football team in the world (substitute in whatever team and sport is appropriate) and it's clearly not an expression of fact, it's an expression of passion, and association with their chosen clan. Similarly someone's religious beliefs (or lack of beliefs) aren't open for such discussion, and I think we all get this.
Now i'd say that lots of contentious issues in politics are crony, even if they are argued with 'facts' - the Brexits and Trumps of this world for example. Add the usual Virtue Signalling beliefs to this list, as he points out, climate change etc.
I think it's interesting to think of altruism as a crony belief, as it basically says that people help others in order to get some sort of kickback from society (oh t. I'm pretty sure that's how I see ostentatious displays of wealth like paying for a new wing on the local hospital and getting it named after your family. Does this carry all the way down to helping an old lady across the road, or giving a few quid to a beggar on the street?
I'm currently thinking of the usual audio battle lines as crony beliefs (cables have directions, class A amps are best, vinyl sounds best etc etc) but am a loss as to how they benefit the believer. I guess there might be something of the football fan about it, entry to the clan by spending serious amounts of money for your belief might be the audio equivalent of getting your team name tattooed on your arm?
Anyhow, have a read, see what you make of it.