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Math Exposition on YouTube

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Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#11
post #5

The video had me until the punchy end. The visual walkthrough of their proof was elegant in its exposition. I understand the humor makes it more fun to work on and self effacing, but you hooked me with this novel tool to analyze political districts, and rather than process all of them and report on the findings, it was merely used to “own the libs”? Are all the claims of gerrymandering false based on this metric? Wha…

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Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#12

This is a great explanation of why districts themselves are bad. We need proportional representation with either no districts at all or large multi-member districts.

I'm not sure districts are inherently bad. The concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me. I think my preference would be districts defined by geographic features and boundaries paired with a different set of elected officials determined by the type of proportional representation without any limits on geographic boundaries.

I mean most European countries have some form of districs as well, it is just not a winner takes all approach.

Nobody cares how districts are shaped when there is no advantage in having them shaped a certain way.

I think the US system is undemocratic as it fails on some very fundamental levels to assure representation that honors the voter's will.

Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#13

This is a great explanation of why districts themselves are bad. We need proportional representation with either no districts at all or large multi-member districts.

I'm not sure districts are inherently bad. The concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me. I think my preference would be districts defined by geographic features and boundaries paired with a different set of elected officials determined by the type of proportional representation without any limits on geographic boundaries.

> he concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me.

This is true but then there are other buckets as well. Why should location be the only organizing principle, when we know there are a bunch of concerns that aren't tied to it?

Why not have virtual districts across dimensions? You get a vote for your birth year cohort, a vote for your geographical district, and a vote for your income bracket group. Parliament will be this weird 3D set of people chosen to represent various interests.

Or we just do proportional representation. I find it hard to justify FPTP, it causes wild distortions.

Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#14

This is a great explanation of why districts themselves are bad. We need proportional representation with either no districts at all or large multi-member districts.

Proportional representation has problems too. There is no perfect system.

Direct democracy it is then.

Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#15

This is a great explanation of why districts themselves are bad. We need proportional representation with either no districts at all or large multi-member districts.

I'm not sure districts are inherently bad. The concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me. I think my preference would be districts defined by geographic features and boundaries paired with a different set of elected officials determined by the type of proportional representation without any limits on geographic boundaries.

It leads straight to influencing a conveniently small group of people with other means. If you follow US politics even remotely, the term "pork (barrel)" should be enough to convince you that local representation is a bad idea. Clientelism is also easier in smaller electoral areas. Now add both.

In proportional representation it is still possible to vote for a local candidate, depending on how it is organized. Voting for a party is the common thing, but allowing people to vote explicitly for a candidate lower on the list allows getting a local candidate straight into parliament. Not that that is ideal, but it is definitely not impossible.

Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#17
As a maths graduate from nearly 40 years ago I've forgotten far more than I remember, but really enjoy little 10-15 minute snippets of calculus and analysis on YouTube that tickle the rusty old neurons. Current favourite is Michael "and that's a good place to stop" Penn.

Re: Math Exposition on YouTube

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure districts are inherently bad. The concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me. I think my preference would be districts defined by geographic features and boundaries paired with a different set of elected officials determined by the type of proportional representation without any limits on geographic boundaries.

> he concept that people living in the same geographic area will have similar concerns that need to be addressed makes sense to me. This is true but then there are other buckets as well. Why should location be the only organizing principle, when we know there are a bunch of concerns that aren't tied to it? Why not have virtual districts across dimensions? You get a vote for your birth year cohort, a vote for your geo…

Just think of the gerrymandering opportunities such a system would present...
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