It’s quite possible that lower caste people *like* caste systems. Here’s an example: First take the word “caste system” and blur its normal association (e.g. Indian ‘Untouchables’, slavery, etc...) by combining it with European aristocracy.
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Without arbitrary social distinction there is no way to imagine this. “I” literally have to change the essence of who “I” am to be beautiful/rich/powerful/etc... arbitrary gatekeeping allows me to “BE”.
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No opinion on if this is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ but the gist is that if a system works, by definition it is not “stupid”. Social stratification for example seems to emerge organically in large systems like that of China’s and Indias.
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Modern China is a result of destroying these stratification structures. (Communism/Cultural Revolution) What has emerged from the rubble is a hierarchy of value based on utilitarianism. People are “equal” yes, but life has become a super high pressure rat race.
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For a perspective on how India is handling modernity:https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-opinion-india-and-modi-are-losing-china-battle/ …
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The point is... being able to imagine a better life for yourself while having a convenient excuse for not being in that life(I wasn’t born right) is a source of social stability.
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Imagine if everyone had to pretend to care about financial stuff, linear algebra (because AI!), coding, etc... it’s a world of ambitious faking it till I make it but it’s also a world built entirely out of bullshit.
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Sometimes when having to do something I really don’t enjoy but is lucrative I’ll delegate to someone else who does it better. But internally I’ll have mean thoughts. “Yea lol that dude is autistic that’s y he’s so good at math.”
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My mind uses a similar caste system (born some way) logic to avoid forcing myself to do something painful without having to admit “I guess I’m fucking stupid.”
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There is no way for a stonecutter to proudly exclaim “I AM THE WORLD’S BEST STONECUTTER.” without social stratification. The only way to achieve that feeling is by becoming a VC, creating AGI, or sending a car to Mars.
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Since this is not possible for everyone (and also not desirable since society needs other jobs like pizza artisans and cat sitters) this creates a world where there is much less pride at being human.
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Only the minority of the minority can proudly claim to have fully actualized. Everyone else either lives in perpetual shame or goes off the grid and homesteads.
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So in summary... any type of structure can be load bearing, supporting the weary masses as a place of rest. Destroying load bearing structures without providing alternative places of rest for the body, mind, and social places everyone into a perpetual rat race.
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The intention can be pure. E.g. “People should learn to stand on their own two feet to avoid the temptations of fascism.” But humans are neither robots nor gods.
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End of conversation
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