Détente
Decisions
We read in the Golding’s book, “Lord of the Flies” about the challenge of governance, coordination, and cooperation. We understand individual rights, and sovereignty. We understand clarity enhances coordination. A line on a map. A fence between neighbors. A desire for détente. A handshake. Trust.
Often to govern, we vote, sometimes winning or losing by a whisp.
Per Wikipedia, in 2006, 44% of residents in Palestine voted for Hamas, while 41% voted for Fatah. A difference of 3%. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, 75% of the 2 million residents in Gaza have been displaced by the war. Not all of them voted for Hamas. Not all of them were involved, nor likely supported the violence on October 7.
In the United States the federal government recognized that a 50% + 1 majority may not always lead to the best outcomes, and requires a 2/3 majority to approve a constitutional amendment, among other things.
Is even the super-majority ever wrong?
Self Interest
Will users in the community ‘vote’ for something that is not in their self-interest?
For example, passing laws that increase taxes in the short term, even if this benefits the community over the long term? For example, not washing farming pesticides into the Mississippi River, only partially concerned about negative impact downstream in the Gulf? Or the collapse of bee colonies, which the farmer next door depends upon for pollination? Any proof, for cause and effect? Any community funding to find out?
Perhaps as Mr. Musk contends, if the human race is multi-planetary, our ability to survive will improve. Or at least some percentage. This may not lead to better cooperation for humans on earth.
Toward Common Goals
We see in The Giving Pledge, many among the super-rich, donating a majority, or super-majority of their wealth to a bigger cause.
So then, where is the wisdom of the mighty American buffalo toward community? Or when do the buffalo stampede to their detriment? Or is the buffalo now nearly extinct?
“More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day.” -Warren Buffett
Thank you. Stand up applause. To resilience, in the long term.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_Flies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Palestinian_legislative_election
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas
https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1133/pesticides.html