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How Can Nerds Make a Difference In November?
Scott Aaronson offers an intriguing call for ideas on how nerds can supercharge the political process this year. He's clearly an Obama admirer and phrases his challenge this way: "What non-obvious things can nerds who are so inclined do to help the Democrats win in November?" But the question itself is not inherently partisan. The analogy Aaronson gives is to the Nadertrading idea in 2000 (which we discussed at the time). What's the Nadertrading for 2008? "The sorts of ideas I'm looking for are ones that (1) exploit nerds' nerdiness, (2) go outside the normal channels of influence, (3) increase nerds' effective voting power by several orders of magnitude, (4) are legal, (5) target critical swing states, and (6) can be done as a hobby."
The not inherently partisan question is the one in the headline. How can nerds make a difference in November. Seems pretty similar to the example you provided.
The summary specifically says that the person quoted is obviously an Obama supporter and that he phrases his challenge that way, but the submitter obviously meant that same question applies just as well if you replace Obama and the democrats with McCain and the republicans.
You're being deliberately obtuse.
Ok, reading comprehension 101:
The statement "But the question itself is not inherently partisan." refers to the question preceding it: "What non-obvious things can nerds who are so inclined do to help the Democrats win in November?".
That question ("What non-obvious things can nerds who are so inclined do to help the Democrats win in November?") is, in fact, partisan.
Is that simple enough for your limited intellect to comprehend?
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
He's got NO experience. Just writing fiction isn't enough to do the job.
That is terrible logic. Basically you are saying "I am willing to allow evil to continue because I cannot see good". That is lazy and irresponsible.
That mentality is like letting someone get attacked on the streets because there is no police around. You should always do the most you can, even when you know its not enough.
1. Organize in secret, over the internet, anonymously.
2. Join Republican party. Easier to pretend that you are one of them and more fun. Just be a dick.
3. Get as many "agents" as high up as you can.
4. Sabotage the party from inside.
Use everything, from voting against the majority, through putting sugar in their gas tanks during the conventions, to spreading STDs.
5. When there are more of "you" then there is of "them" - change everything.
Fuck... Have a dress code that requires wearing of clown shoes and red noses that go Beep! when you press them if you want to.
Or just keep the party as it is and vote for the "right things" regardless of the party proposing it instead of what party demands of you.
Might be a tad problematic agreeing on what exactly "the right thing" is, but I guess things like torturing prisoners and nuking other countries or treating your own citizens as prisoners in a Giant-Fuckin'-PrisonTM most definitely are NOT the "right things".
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
As a fellow Canadian, I suppose you were too inundated by the Obama campaign to realize that one of his key mandates is reforming free trade - the determent of Canada. But I suppose if you wanted to leave Canada that wouldn't be a bad thing - plus seems like your stupid enough to live there.
I wouldn't say Democrats are morally superior, rather they are morally ignorant swaying whichever way is not mainstream thinking. I would say that each have moral issues they are watching out for. Republicans are defunct morally when it comes to business politics, and democrats are defunct on family standards. But each to his own, of course some people would say I am morally defunct for being a registered independent. Hell, I would be a hard core democrat if it wasn't for their horrid objection to my moral principles.
CS: It is all sink or swim...oh and did I mention there are sharks in that water?
Yep - all of them. Every person in the country who labels themselves Christian is a simplistic idiot that can't understand even the most basic of things.
When Americans who call themselves Christians start paying more attention to what Jesus allegedly said than what Paul wrote or what is written in the Old Testament, then I'll start showing more respect for American Christians.
I write sci-fi for metalheads
EG. I just like candidate X because he looks better on TV. The other guys look too old and ugly!
We WANT that. Obama looks so much better.
Admitting a problem is the first step to recovery!
There is a war going on for your mind.
Preventing people from casting legitimate votes, regardless of their political affiliation, race, religious background, or any other criteria covered under law, is both legally and morally irresponsible.
Meh. Being Republican is morally irresponsible, pretty much by definition. Therefore, disenfranchising GOP voters too stupid to show up at the polls on the right day? I'm OK with that. Pissy argument FAIL.
"Swaying whichever way is not mainstream thinking"
yes. lets stick with the same thinking we had 100 years ago all the time, regardless of changes to public opinion.
Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master.
"reputable lawyers"
An oxymoron if ever there was one.
Stupid sexy Flanders.