Using the metaphorical (or maybe literal) model of ideas as living things - there should be conditions we can create to nurture an ecosystem of beneficial ideas. Like making a garden or farm....
This is good. Are you aware of any places explicitly doing solutions journalism? (I’m sure there are, more just interested to find places I’m not aware of)
This reminded me of “The Problem with Jon Stewart” which while not perfect seems like a move in the right direction. It just got canceled, and the article I had seen suggested it was because Apple had concerns over some of the subjects (ie, didn’t want to piss off china and have its operations in china highlighted, and didn’t want focus on AI which it may be using).
So then what are the conditions which would allow for more solutions journalism? Off-hand I’d say employee owned entities (or less optimally operations with wealthy patrons willing to give them leeway) would mean they’re less likely to be shut down. I suppose seeing examples of it being successful would inspire more individuals or groups to move in that direction.
The “we” thing is a good point, and even as I was writing this was thinking about the post the other day where someone was like “how can we get more redditors to lemmy” and a bunch of people were like, “we don’t want that.”
I’m thinking about anyone interested in the subject. There’s never going to be universal interest in some philosophical project, and there doesn’t need to be in order to have a positive impact. So I’m thinking of people who do have an interest in the sort of meta issue, how things “ought” to be.
I’m interested in practical, testable ideas, and at the same time I think there needs to be a philosophical underpinning to any type of project nurturing “beneficial” ideas, because otherwise how do you evaluate what’s beneficial?
My philosophy is that existence is desirable, continued existence is desirable, and ever more elevated ways of existing. So going from “anything existing,” to life existing, to animals, to conscious beings. The basic nuts and bolts are important then - is there enough food to live, is something going to kill me, and we’ve for the most part got these down (although not at a systemic level to eliminate homelessness, universal healthcare, etc). But I don’t think we have any kind of grasp on long term sustainability - we’re in serious environmental peril, the existence of any nuclear weapon is a threat, biological weapons, decline of democracy, even something like an asteroid impact.
So when talking about an ecosystem of ideas, for me at least its about ideas that will avoid or mitigate larger threats which are difficult for any individual to address.
You’re right, better schooling is important. What do you think are the obstacles to getting it? Why isn’t it happening already?
Does seem like there’s a loop of misinformation means less effective democracy, and less effective democracy allows for more misinformation. Seems like better democratic systems are called for, like ranked choice voting, but also better news or education outside formal public school.
I also think overpowered interests (ie. rich people) can veto education on subjects that most people would benefit from. So maybe one thing is better limiting the accumulation of outsized wealth or power?
People talk about ideas being living things. How can we do better at cultivating and propagating ideas that are helpful / sustainable?
Using the metaphorical (or maybe literal) model of ideas as living things - there should be conditions we can create to nurture an ecosystem of beneficial ideas. Like making a garden or farm....