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Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

news.stanford.edu

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Re: Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

#21

Post by croon »

Mobleysoft wrote: post #17

Is there any evidence that a society can function without inequality? Equality would have to be enforced, and unless that enforcement was done by self-maintaining automatons, I don't see how it persists. Perhaps a cycle of catastrophe and rebuilding is necessary to maintain a functioning society, in which case, the question of what constitutes a minimal viable catastrophe that accomplishes that goal becomes interesti…

Arguably a society can't function with inequality either seeing as they've all imploded.

Most societies have however been more prosperous post-collapse when inequality is lower, although arguable cause/effect.

Re: Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

#23

Post by Mobleysoft »

bigie35 wrote: post #20
Mobleysoft wrote: post #17

Is there any evidence that a society can function without inequality? Equality would have to be enforced, and unless that enforcement was done by self-maintaining automatons, I don't see how it persists. Perhaps a cycle of catastrophe and rebuilding is necessary to maintain a functioning society, in which case, the question of what constitutes a minimal viable catastrophe that accomplishes that goal becomes interesti…

I believe primitive agrarian societies had very little inequality but I could be wrong.

Even in the smallest unit of a society, a family, the most physically dominant, fearsome family member must enforce order, fairness, etc. Either a patriarch or a matriarch. As multiple families join to become a tribe, the respective family leaders arrive at a consensus as to whom the ultimate leader will be. Said leader's mandate is likely not absolute, but rather is driven by continued competence. It seems to me that as soon as that leader settles a dispute for other members of their tribe, inequality begins increasing until catastrophe returns that society to its most primitive form.

Re: Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

#24

Post by Mobleysoft »

croon wrote: post #21
Mobleysoft wrote: post #17

Is there any evidence that a society can function without inequality? Equality would have to be enforced, and unless that enforcement was done by self-maintaining automatons, I don't see how it persists. Perhaps a cycle of catastrophe and rebuilding is necessary to maintain a functioning society, in which case, the question of what constitutes a minimal viable catastrophe that accomplishes that goal becomes interesti…

Arguably a society can't function with inequality either seeing as they've all imploded. Most societies have however been more prosperous post-collapse when inequality is lower, although arguable cause/effect.

Perhaps a society can't function forever in a state of extreme inequality, but isn't it true that it cannot exist for even a moment in a state of absolute equality? So long as humans differ in competence, inequality is inherent in their interactions. As for prosperity, I suppose it depends on how one measures it. One way to do it is the kardaschev scale (0), which would suggest that society has never been more prosperous than it is today, when inequality is arguably the highest it has ever been. How would you measure prosperity?

0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale "The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964"

Re: Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

#25

Post by large »

bigie35 wrote: post #13

Judging by the comments the sentiment appears to be " In other news the sky is blue", but creating a narrative that's proven, conclusive, and thorough and reinforces what we already knew has substantial value for those of us that don't rely on generalities of the human condition. This book serves as a canary in the coal mine if drastic action isn't taken at a global scale to reduce inequality. Given the advancement o…

Drastic action needed..... Such as?

Re: Stanford: A grim correlation between violence and inequality

#26

Post by croon »

Mobleysoft wrote: post #24
croon wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arguably a society can't function with inequality either seeing as they've all imploded. Most societies have however been more prosperous post-collapse when inequality is lower, although arguable cause/effect.

Perhaps a society can't function forever in a state of extreme inequality, but isn't it true that it cannot exist for even a moment in a state of absolute equality? So long as humans differ in competence, inequality is inherent in their interactions. As for prosperity, I suppose it depends on how one measures it. One way to do it is the kardaschev scale (0), which would suggest that society has never been more prospe…

> Perhaps a society can't function forever in a state of extreme inequality, but isn't it true that it cannot exist for even a moment in a state of absolute equality?

I would consider that a false dichotomy. And I think "absolute" anything is rarely the answer.

The fastest way to use the most energy is probably to light it on fire. And no, I don't think that's a good measure of prosperity.

Percieved general happiness?

https://hbr.org/2016/01/income-inequality-makes-whole-countr...

https://countryeconomy.com/demography/world-happiness-index

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