Difference between revisions of "Citizen disempowerment"
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | [[category:issues]][[Citizen disempowerment]] is an ongoing, unofficial campaign by many governments (including that of the {{USA}}) to reduce the ability | + | [[category:issues]][[Citizen disempowerment]] is an ongoing, unofficial campaign by many governments (including that of the {{USA}}) to reduce the ability of citizens to act independently without special authority. It is the opposite of [[citizen empowerment]], and overlaps to a large extent with the [[war on individuality]]. ''need to work out how they are different'' |
| − | + | The [[war on the internet]] is also largely directed at disempowering citizens. | |
===Motivations=== | ===Motivations=== | ||
| − | Members of the [[protector caste]] – and their superiors in government – tend to act in such a way as to reinforce existing [[authority]], often actively ''preventing'' ordinary citizens from helping. ''more needed on this'' | + | Members of the [[protector caste]] – and their superiors in government – tend to act in such a way as to reinforce existing [[authority]], often actively ''preventing'' ordinary citizens from helping, leading to a less beneficial outcome overall. ''more needed on this'' |
===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
* In the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]], ordinary citizens were often prevented from rescuing themselves and others; those who succeeded were in some cases punished for circumstantially trivial violations of law. | * In the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]], ordinary citizens were often prevented from rescuing themselves and others; those who succeeded were in some cases punished for circumstantially trivial violations of law. | ||
| − | |||
* It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain basic chemicals such as those found in chemistry sets and used in fields such as soap-making and candlemaking, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to manufacture these items for themselves and thus continuing the trend of making citizens increasingly dependent on mass-manufactured goods (this is also part of the [[war on individuality]]). This was highlighted by the discontinuance of [[htyp:Red Devil lye|Red Devil lye]], a grocery store fixture for many decades, in 2005. | * It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain basic chemicals such as those found in chemistry sets and used in fields such as soap-making and candlemaking, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to manufacture these items for themselves and thus continuing the trend of making citizens increasingly dependent on mass-manufactured goods (this is also part of the [[war on individuality]]). This was highlighted by the discontinuance of [[htyp:Red Devil lye|Red Devil lye]], a grocery store fixture for many decades, in 2005. | ||
* Ever-increasing regulations surrounding the sale and possession of basic chemicals has had a strong chilling effect on both teaching and research in chemistry. | * Ever-increasing regulations surrounding the sale and possession of basic chemicals has had a strong chilling effect on both teaching and research in chemistry. | ||
| − | ** '''2006-02''' [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/chemistry_pr.html Don't Try This at Home] by Steve Silberman: "Garage chemistry used to be a rite of passage for geeky kids. But in their search for terrorist cells and meth labs, authorities are making a federal case out of DIY science." | + | ** '''2006-02''' [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/chemistry_pr.html Don't Try This at Home] by Steve Silberman: "Garage chemistry used to be a rite of passage for geeky kids. But in their search for [[War on Terror|terrorist cells]] and [[War on Drugs|meth labs]], authorities are making a federal case out of DIY science." |
*** "With his eye-popping demonstrations and low-key midwestern manner, [[wikipedia:Watch Mr. Wizard|Mr. Wizard]] (Don Herbert) gave generations of future scientists and teachers the confidence to perform experiments at home. In 1999, [a couple of entrepreneurs tried] to re-create the chemistry set Herbert marketed almost 50 years ago. ... [However], few of the items in Mr. Wizard’s cabinet could be included in the product. 'Unfortunately, we found that more than half the chemicals were illegal to sell to children because they’re considered dangerous.' By the time the [new] Mr. Wizard Science Set appeared in stores, it came with balloons, clay, Super Balls, and just five chemicals, including laundry starch, which was tagged with an ominous warning: HANDLE CAREFULLY. NOT EXPECTED TO BE A HEALTH HAZARD." | *** "With his eye-popping demonstrations and low-key midwestern manner, [[wikipedia:Watch Mr. Wizard|Mr. Wizard]] (Don Herbert) gave generations of future scientists and teachers the confidence to perform experiments at home. In 1999, [a couple of entrepreneurs tried] to re-create the chemistry set Herbert marketed almost 50 years ago. ... [However], few of the items in Mr. Wizard’s cabinet could be included in the product. 'Unfortunately, we found that more than half the chemicals were illegal to sell to children because they’re considered dangerous.' By the time the [new] Mr. Wizard Science Set appeared in stores, it came with balloons, clay, Super Balls, and just five chemicals, including laundry starch, which was tagged with an ominous warning: HANDLE CAREFULLY. NOT EXPECTED TO BE A HEALTH HAZARD." | ||
** '''2005-09-19''' [http://candleandsoap.about.com/b/a/203763.htm It's Not a Lye!]: "When I read it, I didn't believe it! '''[[htyp:Red Devil Lye|Red Devil Lye]] has been discontinued!''' For those of you who are just candle makers, not soap makers, this would be akin to '''wicks''' being discontinued. Without lye, there is no soap!" | ** '''2005-09-19''' [http://candleandsoap.about.com/b/a/203763.htm It's Not a Lye!]: "When I read it, I didn't believe it! '''[[htyp:Red Devil Lye|Red Devil Lye]] has been discontinued!''' For those of you who are just candle makers, not soap makers, this would be akin to '''wicks''' being discontinued. Without lye, there is no soap!" | ||
| + | ==Links== | ||
| + | ===Filed Links=== | ||
| + | {{links.tagged}} | ||
Revision as of 13:42, 13 March 2008
Overview
Citizen disempowerment is an ongoing, unofficial campaign by many governments (including that of the United States) to reduce the ability of citizens to act independently without special authority. It is the opposite of citizen empowerment, and overlaps to a large extent with the war on individuality. need to work out how they are different
The war on the internet is also largely directed at disempowering citizens.
Motivations
Members of the protector caste – and their superiors in government – tend to act in such a way as to reinforce existing authority, often actively preventing ordinary citizens from helping, leading to a less beneficial outcome overall. more needed on this
Examples
- In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, ordinary citizens were often prevented from rescuing themselves and others; those who succeeded were in some cases punished for circumstantially trivial violations of law.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain basic chemicals such as those found in chemistry sets and used in fields such as soap-making and candlemaking, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to manufacture these items for themselves and thus continuing the trend of making citizens increasingly dependent on mass-manufactured goods (this is also part of the war on individuality). This was highlighted by the discontinuance of Red Devil lye, a grocery store fixture for many decades, in 2005.
- Ever-increasing regulations surrounding the sale and possession of basic chemicals has had a strong chilling effect on both teaching and research in chemistry.
- 2006-02 Don't Try This at Home by Steve Silberman: "Garage chemistry used to be a rite of passage for geeky kids. But in their search for terrorist cells and meth labs, authorities are making a federal case out of DIY science."
- "With his eye-popping demonstrations and low-key midwestern manner, Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert) gave generations of future scientists and teachers the confidence to perform experiments at home. In 1999, [a couple of entrepreneurs tried] to re-create the chemistry set Herbert marketed almost 50 years ago. ... [However], few of the items in Mr. Wizard’s cabinet could be included in the product. 'Unfortunately, we found that more than half the chemicals were illegal to sell to children because they’re considered dangerous.' By the time the [new] Mr. Wizard Science Set appeared in stores, it came with balloons, clay, Super Balls, and just five chemicals, including laundry starch, which was tagged with an ominous warning: HANDLE CAREFULLY. NOT EXPECTED TO BE A HEALTH HAZARD."
- 2005-09-19 It's Not a Lye!: "When I read it, I didn't believe it! Red Devil Lye has been discontinued! For those of you who are just candle makers, not soap makers, this would be akin to wicks being discontinued. Without lye, there is no soap!"
- 2006-02 Don't Try This at Home by Steve Silberman: "Garage chemistry used to be a rite of passage for geeky kids. But in their search for terrorist cells and meth labs, authorities are making a federal case out of DIY science."
Links
Filed Links
- redirect template:links/smw