Obama: 1in 5 women have been raped in the US

[kentonio]

I kind of liked the idea of individualized space colonies until I realized quite how big a resurgence in slavery, rape and horrific oppression it would likely lead to.

[Elok]

That's fair. I subscribe to a ~secular ideology that I believe would lead to less faith-in-humanity-crushing violence (due to its commitment to combating cognitive errors), but I admit I don't have much evidence that that would be the case.

I think your ideology works for you in large part because you're a natural skeptic who's hesitant and doubtful about everything, including himself (I have a similar but less marked tendency). This has a tradeoff, in that self-doubt keeps you honest but at the price of sapping your ability to act decisively. Most people do not naturally doubt themselves as much as you do, and find it an unpleasant experience which, unlike you, they can actually avoid. I think if your belief system were rapidly propagated by magic, you would find it just as swiftly undermined by a philosophy of "new Lorizaelianism" centered on positive thinking and affirmations. Especially in America, which culturally wants nothing to do with introspection or existential angst.

Also, most people find themselves naturally attracted to leaders who express complete self-confidence--a trait which, as G.K. Chesterton noted, is most commonly found in lunatic asylums. I once heard a speech by a woman who advertised herself as a "prophetess," and her books as "god's published works." It was a weird and unsettling experience; on the one hand, both my religion and my intellect disposed me to think of her as an utter wackjob, but on the other, her calm and confident assertions had a compelling effect on my emotions. I believe this is the secret of most demagogues.

This tendency would be magnified in a culturally homogeneous environment like your space colonies, where the moderating influences of dissent and diversity had been removed.

[Kidlicious]

Hmmm... Common sense tells me that those with self doubt tend to be ill.

[kentonio]

Hmmm... Common sense tells me that those with self doubt tend to be ill.

[Kidlicious]

Yep. Figured you don't even believe the crap you spew.