tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366230834353702090.post4328641184407401685..comments2024-02-13T01:21:06.731-08:00Comments on Bikewriter.com: So this is how it ends...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366230834353702090.post-53726558960336863072011-09-25T07:45:13.495-07:002011-09-25T07:45:13.495-07:00In addition to the effects of pessimism in the vei...In addition to the effects of pessimism in the vein of the "American Dream", it's worth talking about the psychology of <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21525851" rel="nofollow">last-place aversion</a>. From the article, which summarizes a relatively new study, "some poor people may be vociferously opposed to the kinds of policies that would actually raise their own income a bit but that might also push those who are poorer than them into comparable or higher positions".<br /><br />As John Gruber of DaringFireball said, "In short: spite."<br /><br />So I think you might be right that it's now irreversible. To have the bulk of the population just above the bottom means that politics and societal views are shaped by last-place aversion.TilJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673777546311775430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366230834353702090.post-61187162776068233512011-09-22T11:28:37.327-07:002011-09-22T11:28:37.327-07:00Mark, I couldn’t have said it better myself. The ...Mark, I couldn’t have said it better myself. The only thing more exasperating about what passes for politics in this country is the extent to which the majority of people can’t accurately finger the cause of our problems. I hadn’t really considered the “Why Johnny Can’t Read” angle, but it makes one think.<br /><br />I smirk cynically at “second-stupidest” president as it’s clear “stupidest” offers some choices.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03050809015528663391noreply@blogger.com