Jeffrey Rosen wrote a thought-provoking article for The Atlantic in which he tackles the question, “Is democracy dying?”
Madison, however, thought Plato’s small-republic thesis was wrong. He believed that the ease of communication in small republics was precisely what had allowed hastily formed majorities to oppress minorities. “Extend the sphere” of a territory, Madison wrote, “and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other.” Madison predicted that America’s vast geography and large population would prevent passionate mobs from mobilizing. Their dangerous energy would burn out before it could inflame others.
Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms have accelerated public discourse to warp speed, creating virtual versions of the mob. Inflammatory posts based on passion travel farther and faster than arguments based on reason. Rather than encouraging deliberation, mass media undermine it by creating bubbles and echo chambers in which citizens see only those opinions they already embrace.
We are living, in short, in a Madisonian nightmare. How did we get here, and how can we escape? --Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic (Oct 2018)
I’ve always subscribed to the school of thought which teaches that technology which moves electrons has a far more world-changing impact than technology which moves pounds. In other words, moving information is far more powerful than moving people or packages. Smartphones will change our society much more than self-driving cars or space ships ever will.
But just because I believe that moving electrons is more consequential doesn’t mean that I believe the change will always be a positive one. As with all technological advancements, it depends on how it is used. It is amoral. A tool waiting to be put to use.
James Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers that the greatest threat to democracy was “mob mentality”. He couldn’t fathom an age were a few nuts in rural Connecticut could take their ideas nationwide in a matter of days, let alone in a few minutes. Nor could he have predicted that media outlets would become the very thing he despised, partisan agitators looking to intrude on the rights of one group in favor of another.
James Madison believed that mob mentality was like a crypto currency 51% attack. As long as the extremists are outnumbered everything is OK. But as soon as they can muster a majority, all is lost.
There is no going back now. Technology also makes it easier for the oppressed groups to make their case and have their voice heard. The same power granted to the extremists must be given to the injured parties. We just have to hope that new tech companies will arise which give voice to these minority groups. Because the current ones are not doing a very good job.
Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms have accelerated public discourse to warp speed, creating virtual versions of the mob. Inflammatory posts based on passion travel farther and faster than arguments based on reason. Rather than encouraging deliberation, mass media undermine it by creating bubbles and echo chambers in which citizens see only those opinions they already embrace.
We are living, in short, in a Madisonian nightmare. How did we get here, and how can we escape? --Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic (Oct 2018)
I’ve always subscribed to the school of thought which teaches that technology which moves electrons has a far more world-changing impact than technology which moves pounds. In other words, moving information is far more powerful than moving people or packages. Smartphones will change our society much more than self-driving cars or space ships ever will.
But just because I believe that moving electrons is more consequential doesn’t mean that I believe the change will always be a positive one. As with all technological advancements, it depends on how it is used. It is amoral. A tool waiting to be put to use.
James Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers that the greatest threat to democracy was “mob mentality”. He couldn’t fathom an age were a few nuts in rural Connecticut could take their ideas nationwide in a matter of days, let alone in a few minutes. Nor could he have predicted that media outlets would become the very thing he despised, partisan agitators looking to intrude on the rights of one group in favor of another.
James Madison believed that mob mentality was like a crypto currency 51% attack. As long as the extremists are outnumbered everything is OK. But as soon as they can muster a majority, all is lost.
There is no going back now. Technology also makes it easier for the oppressed groups to make their case and have their voice heard. The same power granted to the extremists must be given to the injured parties. We just have to hope that new tech companies will arise which give voice to these minority groups. Because the current ones are not doing a very good job.
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