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Simple Words

Nice article that explains the connection between simple or simplistic language and authoritarianism.  Could also be considered an attempt to infantalize the citizenry. People have to deal with a lot of complexity and knotty problems in their personal and professional lives. This naturally reduces their capacity or even eagerness to hear complicated arguments on larger topics of the day that impact society and the world. The Cliff Notes version is usually all we have energy for at the end of a long day. So when that is delivered with great predictability we may find ourselves shying away from a long from intelligent argument. The downside of such simplicity is outlined clearly:

“Well, I think the big downside is that it’s false. The world is a complex place. It’s not a simple environment. There are many interacting forces simultaneously that really elude simple explanations or simple solutions"

We all know these things to be true and yet when laying down the law for a fussy two year old, we simply tell her what is bad and what is good; demand that she be good. Often the two year old will comply. If not, they will be reprimanded. Eventually, a parent is able to establish the framework and the toddler learns to work within it. It's unnerving to think that "we the people" are being given as much credit as a tantrum-y two year old. 

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