There is as much cynicism in appealing to people's best natures as there is in pandering to their worst natures. The only difference is the former posture allows you to perform martyred disappointment later while feeling virtuous now.
Appeal to mediocrity is the only way out.
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Is there cynicism in the former when it works (e.g. Gandhi, MLK, etc.)?
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I don't think it ever actually works to the degree claimed/advertised by the hagiographers of leaders set up as exemplary moral figures.
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Is the success of a movement alone not sufficient evidence that it works?
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uh hell no, "success" is always a finite narrative. "Works" is indefinite survival.
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What would we observe differently if appealing to our better natures “worked”? Ie, if I were right, what would the world be like instead of how it is now

