[P2P-F] Fwd: Ancient Athens didn't have politicians. Is there a lesson for us?

Mon Jan 14 00:19:28 CET 2013

On Saturday, January 12, 2013 04:44:37 PM M. Fioretti wrote:
> I really think that the first thing that made the "Athenian model"
> possible in the first place was that their world was much simpler and
> smaller.

That's true that they lived in a less complex environment, but we have much 
better techniques and tools to handle complexity here in 2013.  These tools   
include the scientific method and, as Apostolis points out, the language of 
mathematics.  Using iterative refinement and re-factoring of commonly held 
knowledge (i.e. science) to help make decisions actually eliminates some forms 
of complexity.  Currently, much of our time is spent developing ad hoc 
solutions to work around problems in our political economy, and in our 
ignorance even compounding them, rather than doing mutually productive work.

-Karl