I'm starting on a new topic, and this time I'm going to try doing it in public:https://rootsofprogress.org/agriculture-with-the-garage-door-up …
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Replying to @rootsofprogress
Much of James C Scott's 'Seeing like a State' is about agricultural history. Many see it as anti-progress, but I think he's a lot more subtle than that, and I reccomend it. 'Against the Grain' is his deep dive on agriculture (have not read but apparently he's very against it).
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Replying to @PhDLamentations
Thanks. I have read Seeing Like a State. I am curious about Against the Grain and may pick it up. I find Scott a very interesting read even if I have fundamental philosophic disagreements
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Replying to @rootsofprogress
Yeah I guessed you would probably have read SLaS given your general interests but wasn’t sure. I would love to read a general outlining of your disagreements with Scott if you ever feel so inclined. He’s the most compelling proponent of that general set of views I’ve found.
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Replying to @PhDLamentations
I'd like to write a review of it sometime. His analysis of how totalitarian states can cause humanitarian disasters even when ostensively meaning to help people is fascinating.
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Replying to @rootsofprogress @PhDLamentations
I think he puts a bit too much emphasis on the whole “devising an abstract system of organization” part and not enough on the “they are a ruthless totalitarian state that operates by force and crushes individuals for the sake of the collective” part.
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And at a metaphysical/epistemological level, he seems to believe in a very “messy” reality that can *never* be simplified in any way or ever captured by abstract concepts. And I disagree at that level.
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