If You Were King....

[35Pete]

How would you control a society, a nation?

A thought exercise proposed as a brain drain of smart people here.

Here's how I would do it.

Problem

Reaction

Solution


I'd create a problem. Say terrorism or a stock market crash. It's intended effect would be to cause extreme discomfort among my voters. (PROBLEM)

I'd sit tight and wait for the public reaction. What would really be music to my ears would be the cacauphony of voices screaming "What are you going to do to stop this from happening again!" (REACTION)

I'd then use this to ask only small sacrifices for the greater good. "Accept some small loss of liberty. Otherwise this grave danger is beyond the control of mortal beings. Times have changed. We need to reconsider and reinterpret our framework. All I ask is a wee bit more power to combat this grave threat and protect you. God Bless America". (SOLUTION)

I create the problem knowing full well what the reaction is. I then propose a "reasonable" solution to the crisis. Even if it is rejected the "compromise" still advances my ultimate objective.

How would you gain control over the masses?

[Green Lantern]

The premise is flawed.

If you were king you would try and find a way to exert as little control as possible. Any exertion causes reactions and unintended consequences.

[JimKelly12203]

I can't wait to answer this when i have more time! 35Pete, you've brilliantly outlined what world governments are doing right now. Sadly it works on all but the most educated, cynical and/or informed people in the world.

[35Pete]

The premise is flawed.

If you were king you would try and find a way to exert as little control as possible. Any exertion causes reactions and unintended consequences.

True. Let me rephrase as my communication was not concise.

Suppose you wanted your beliefs to be imposed on the body politic. But they were not palatable and you wanted them anyways. As an elected official. The term "king" is merely a metaphor here.

How then would you convince the masses to go along with something that they normally would find repugnant. (Except Uppy who would do anything a republican would tell him to do. God Bless America).

[35Pete]

The premise is flawed.

If you were king you would try and find a way to exert as little control as possible. Any exertion causes reactions and unintended consequences.

I did say my voters, implying that my rule was not absolute.

How would I get them to go along if I insisted that they did and the policy that I desire is an anethma to them?

How would you do this if you had to?

[Green Lantern]

Actually, you would need accomplices to begin the chant, "what will you do to save us?" because turning to government/authority is not the normal reaction for a good portion of humans.

You would have to rig a problem so complicated that people will throw their hands up and say they need experts to take care of it.

[35Pete]

Actually, you would need accomplices to begin the chant, "what will you do to save us?" because turning to government/authority is not the normal reaction for a good portion of humans.

You would have to rig a problem so complicated that people will throw their hands up and say they need experts to take care of it.

You completely lost me. How the hell would you do that if you had any apparatus of society at your disposal? Even then could you?

*confused*

[Green Lantern]

You completely lost me. How the hell would you do that if you had any apparatus of society at your disposal? Even then could you?

*confused*

I'm not the one to ask these questions of in detail. I do not have a nefarious bone in my body.

[nehemiah]

I'm not the one to ask these questions of in detail. I do not have a nefarious bone in my body.:rofl:

yeah, right.

[Green Lantern]

:rofl:

yeah, right.

ask shiva.

[shiva2999]

ask shiva.

I'm Jesus around here.

Get your own schtick.

[sukie]

If I were king I wouldn't pull Liberal tactics to control the masses ... I AM King. F them if they don't like it and OFF WITH THIER HEADS!!!!!!

[Mouldsie]

the country would be mad bomb yo

[l3ills]

Actually, you would need accomplices to begin the chant, "what will you do to save us?" because turning to government/authority is not the normal reaction for a good portion of humans.

You would have to rig a problem so complicated that people will throw their hands up and say they need experts to take care of it.



http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/images/ACF6BF1.jpg


http://www.geocities.com/republican_strategist/Iraq_al_Qaeda_connection.JPG

http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/images/usa-patriot1.jpg

[JimKelly12203]

If I were king I wouldn't pull Liberal tactics to control the masses ... I AM King. F them if they don't like it and OFF WITH THIER HEADS!!!!!!

Sukie, you must release your mind from this prison where everything is Liberal or Conservative. The same goes to our more Liberal friends who blame everything on Conservative points of view.

You're falling right in line like the main stream media (and both political parties) want you to. Until we can look at things in a more complex way and say "wait a minute, both of these parties are failing us" we'll continue to be jerked off by the so called leaders of our country.

Breaking down and smashing the two party system is absolutely imperative. If we can't move beyond Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative, you know what will happen?

Nothing. Not a damn thing. Nothing will change unless we change the very way that we think.

[35Pete]

Sukie, you must release your mind from this prison where everything is Liberal or Conservative. The same goes to our more Liberal friends who blame everything on Conservative points of view.

You're falling right in line like the main stream media (and both political parties) want you to. Until we can look at things in a more complex way and say "wait a minute, both of these parties are failing us" we'll continue to be jerked off by the so called leaders of our country.

Breaking down and smashing the two party system is absolutely imperative. If we can't move beyond Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative, you know what will happen?

Nothing. Not a damn thing. Nothing will change unless we change the very way that we think.

What an absolutely amazing statement. This has to be POST OF THE YEAR.
I think it is fair to say that JimKelly12203 is a free thinker.

We don't always agree. Often we do though. But at least I know that you are using your cortex and analyzing things rather than being consciencely or unknowingly fed them.

I was in this state for years Jim. I took my talking points right from the RNC. What I found myself doing was defending some just policy, some policy that was loaded with half-truths, and a lot of flat out bull shit. Rationalizing all along.

Why. Proud Republican Syndrome. As opposed to Proud Democrat Syndrome.

[sukie]

Sukie, you must release your mind from this prison where everything is Liberal or Conservative. The same goes to our more Liberal friends who blame everything on Conservative points of view.

You're falling right in line like the main stream media (and both political parties) want you to. Until we can look at things in a more complex way and say "wait a minute, both of these parties are failing us" we'll continue to be jerked off by the so called leaders of our country.

Breaking down and smashing the two party system is absolutely imperative. If we can't move beyond Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative, you know what will happen?

Nothing. Not a damn thing. Nothing will change unless we change the very way that we think.

and you answered how ?

[JimKelly12203]

What an absolutely amazing statement. This has to be POST OF THE YEAR.
I think it is fair to say that JimKelly12203 is a free thinker.

We don't always agree. Often we do though. But at least I know that you are using your cortex and analyzing things rather than being consciencely or unknowingly fed them.

I was in this state for years Jim. I took my talking points right from the RNC. What I found myself doing was defending some just policy, some policy that was loaded with half-truths, and a lot of flat out bull shit. Rationalizing all along.

Why. Proud Republican Syndrome. As opposed to Proud Democrat Syndrome.

Yeah i hear you pete. I was guilty of "proud democrat syndrome" durring the Clinton era. I've since wised up. Big time! It seems we've arrived at roughly the same place but we got there from the opposite extreme ends of the ideological spectrum!

[JimKelly12203]

and you answered how ?

How would i gain control of the masses? I find the whole concept revolting. I think the federal gov't should be small and have very little influence on our daily lives. They should set an overall foreign policy agenda and obey the constitution word for word.

Let the states decide if gay marriage, death taxes, the death penalty and abortion (etc... etc...) should be legal. And if you don't like the rules of the state you're in, then organize to change them or move to a state taht is more in line with your lifestyle.

That's just how i see it.

The sheep will always be subject to manipulation. Always have, always will. But that's not how i roll. And it's not how i would roll if i were in "charge" of the Federal gov't.

[Gibby]

the country would be mad bomb yo

Did NWF hack into your account?

[anEinherjer]

Me as King........ nehemiah? hmm..... god, the thought is repulsive. :)

[Crinoline]

I'd create reality TV, celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears etc for the masses to fixate on. They I'd run roughshod while everyone is worried if Paris' new boyfriend will like her latest pocketbook puppy.

[TRIPLE P]

I would get a blowjob from an intern.

[Lucidvizion]

I would get a blowjob from an intern.

Weak.

I'd have a harem.

[JLB]

I would appoint a queen let's call her 2999 to over see all peanut butter and jelly factories.

We would join Switzerland and become a neutral nation.

And that's just for starters not bad huh!

We wouldn't control anything makes shit easier get it.

[ticatfan3]

I would outlaw all liberals.

[shiva2999]

I would outlaw all liberals.

The right wants to kill the left.

Case in point.

[ICRockets]

How would i gain control of the masses? I find the whole concept revolting. I think the federal gov't should be small and have very little influence on our daily lives. They should set an overall foreign policy agenda and obey the constitution word for word.

Let the states decide if gay marriage, death taxes, the death penalty and abortion (etc... etc...) should be legal. And if you don't like the rules of the state you're in, then organize to change them or move to a state taht is more in line with your lifestyle.

That's just how i see it.

The sheep will always be subject to manipulation. Always have, always will. But that's not how i roll. And it's not how i would roll if i were in "charge" of the Federal gov't.

You know, I've been thinking about this today, and I'm pretty sure what you've described is the easy way out. It's lazy thinking.

This country has been all about ideological segregation since the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries.

If something isn't working, we don't take the time to worry about bullshit diplomacy; we just split shit up.

Austria-Hungary? What a gay idea. You're 2 different countries now.

Uh oh. Commies want the Far East. So do we. Well, damn. How's this: if you're a pinko bastard, live in the north of your country. If you're free, come down south.

Czechoslovakia is too hard to spell.

How long before we say **** it and make Sunniraq, Shiiraq, and Iraqurd?

What you're advocating is taking that and putting it on a state level.

[Lucidvizion]

You know, I've been thinking about this today, and I'm pretty sure what you've described is the easy way out. It's lazy thinking.

This country has been all about ideological segregation since the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries.

I disagree. This country has been about ideological segregation since the first settlers set foot here. Hell, it's the reason many people even came here in the first place... to self segregate.

I don't understand why you would consider what I will call a 'States Rights Advocate' position as lazy thinking. The US constitution says that each state is to have it's own republican form of government and that the scope of the congress is, in a nutshell, to provide for a common defense, facilitate seamless free trade amongst the states, coin money, and make laws for "high crimes" i.e. treason and piracy. I think that the legislature is overstepping its bounds when it creates laws and regulations that effect every citizen in the union. What's good for hippies in San Francisco is not good for farmers in Oklahoma, and vice versa.

If we stuck to the original plan we wouldn't have stuff like the US patriot act nor would we be talking about widespread illegal wiretapping... and I'm damn sure there would be no Korean War, no Vietnam War, no Gulf War I or II, and the list goes on.

[ticatfan3]

The right wants to kill the left.

Case in point.I did not say kill, but I would banish them.

[JimKelly12203]

I disagree. This country has been about ideological segregation since the first settlers set foot here. Hell, it's the reason many people even came here in the first place... to self segregate.

I don't understand why you would consider what I will call a 'States Rights Advocate' position as lazy thinking. The US constitution says that each state is to have it's own republican form of government and that the scope of the congress is, in a nutshell, to provide for a common defense, facilitate seamless free trade amongst the states, coin money, and make laws for "high crimes" i.e. treason and piracy. I think that the legislature is overstepping its bounds when it creates laws and regulations that effect every citizen in the union. What's good for hippies in San Francisco is not good for farmers in Oklahoma, and vice versa.

If we stuck to the original plan we wouldn't have stuff like the US patriot act nor would we be talking about widespread illegal wiretapping... and I'm damn sure there would be no Korean War, no Vietnam War, no Gulf War I or II, and the list goes on.

fantastic post! If you've read the constitution, this is pretty much what it says in terms of state authority.

It is, afterall, The United "STATES" of America.

National laws are a relatively new trend that we all somehow accept for fact. But they're a radical shift as compared to the orignial vision.

[JimKelly12203]

I did not say kill, but I would banish them.

Name five of these so called Liberals for me. Not being smarmy... I just want to know who you identify as being "Liberal".

Name a few people who you define as "conservative" too!

[JLB]

Name five of these so called Liberals for me. Not being smarmy... I just want to know who you identify as being "Liberal".

Name a few people who you define as "conservative" too!

they would be canadians first of all.

[nehemiah]

Czechoslovakia is too hard to spell.:rofl:

[sukie]

How would i gain control of the masses? I find the whole concept revolting. I think the federal gov't should be small and have very little influence on our daily lives. They should set an overall foreign policy agenda and obey the constitution word for word.

Let the states decide if gay marriage, death taxes, the death penalty and abortion (etc... etc...) should be legal. And if you don't like the rules of the state you're in, then organize to change them or move to a state taht is more in line with your lifestyle.

That's just how i see it.

The sheep will always be subject to manipulation. Always have, always will. But that's not how i roll. And it's not how i would roll if i were in "charge" of the Federal gov't.

Did this thread mention King of the united States?

First you (as a Monarch) have to control the masses. Either by keeping them so down that revolt cannot happen or scaring the shit out of them so you are needed and admired. That's the start.

[JimKelly12203]

Did this thread mention King of the united States?

First you (as a Monarch) have to control the masses. Either by keeping them so down that revolt cannot happen or scaring the shit out of them so you are needed and admired. That's the start.

Hmm.. Yeah, that's how i approach playing the games Civilization IV and Age of Empires II.

But this is, of course, not how i would approach things if those insignificant sprites on my screen were actual people.

Forgive me. Perhaps this was a hypothetical "how would you dominate the masses" question posed by Pete.

But if my intuition serves me, his question was rhetorical in nature. If not then you're on the right track. Everyone should know the playbook for dominating the masses right now. Just do what's being done to you this very day.

The modern day USA is a text book example of how to manipulate the sheep.

[35Pete]

Hmm.. Yeah, that's how i approach playing the games Civilization IV and Age of Empires II.

But this is, of course, not how i would approach things if those insignificant sprites on my screen were actual people.

Forgive me. Perhaps this was a hypothetical "how would you dominate the masses" question posed by Pete.

But if my intuition serves me, his question was rhetorical in nature. If not then you're on the right track. Everyone should know the playbook for dominating the masses right now. Just do what's being done to you this very day.

The modern day USA is a text book example of how to manipulate the sheep.

It's so thorough that the very same sheep will fight to the death to protect their own enslavement.

That's the sickest part of it all Jim.

[JimKelly12203]

It's so thorough that the very same sheep will fight to the death to protect their own enslavement.

That's the sickest part of it all Jim.

It's really sad. But from a strategic point of view, you have to admire what they (whoever "they" is) have done.

Check Mate IMO. :(

I'll see you at guantanamo (or whatever version thereof is being built here in the states right now).

After all. If the status quo is what must be defended, what greater enemy is there than the free thinker?

[sukie]

I always felt that Russias might during the 60's, 70's, and 80's was exaggerated a bit to keep us all "needing" or government to "protect" us a t all costs.

The same thing is true with the healthcare crap. Every 4 years and never in between... healthcare becomes a crisis, it's publicized to critical levels, then propositions are conjured up for the government to "save us" from pending uncovered painfully expensive death.

[ICRockets]

I always felt that Russias might during the 60's, 70's, and 80's was exaggerated a bit to keep us all "needing" or government to "protect" us a t all costs.

The same thing is true with the healthcare crap. Every 4 years and never in between... healthcare becomes a crisis, it's publicized to critical levels, then propositions are conjured up for the government to "save us" from pending uncovered painfully expensive death.

So...they do it with commies, they do it with doctors...

...but they aren't doing it with terrorists? Is that your world view right now?

[Julianna]

The premise is flawed.

If you were king you would try and find a way to exert as little control as possible. Any exertion causes reactions and unintended consequences.


The only flaw here is the fact you said "King" instead of "Queen"

My answer would be to bomb all the bastards that just piss me off and believe me it would not be a pretty picture during rag time. :phaser: