Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Preference Falsification and Postmodernism (with Michael Vassar)
Feb 17, 2021
Michael Vassar, former president of the Singularity Institute and a savvy investor, explores the intriguing realm of preference falsification and its societal implications. He discusses how people often mask their true beliefs to align with societal norms, creating a disconnect in personal expression. Vassar contrasts conflict theory and mistake theory, diving into justice perceptions and the complexities of postmodernism. He even addresses the harsh realities of involuntary treatments in mental health, making for a thought-provoking and engaging conversation.
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Preference Falsification and Power Shifts
- Preference falsification occurs when societal power shifts cause people to change their stated beliefs.
- People claim to have held the new belief all along.
Examples of Preference Falsification
- Expressing certain economic or political beliefs, like supporting Marxism in McCarthyist America or classical economics in the Soviet Union, could lead to trouble.
- Speaking out against or in favor of Jeffrey Epstein, depending on the timeframe, also carried social risks.
Unabomber Trial
- The Netflix series "Manhunt: Unabomber" portrayed the Unabomber as being silenced.
- The government allegedly prevented his trial, which could have revealed his position.