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Of course one has to ask whether reducing so much of our trouble to the prevalence of "simplism" is... too simplistic... :)

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Thank you so much for this.

Turns out governing is hard work. Things like “Medicare for all”, “Stop the Endless Wars,” “Defund the police,” and “Build the wall” sound great (well except defund the police which actually sounds as stupid as it is) until you get down to the nuts and bolts of actually doing it.

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Oct 15, 2020Liked by Nathaniel Rachman

This article moves the conversation forward! Here are some of my thoughts: https://home-economic.com/2020/10/15/is-it-so-simple/

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I am reminded of the wonderful line from MIB: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."

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Great article. Succinctly describes a destructive phenomenon.

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The answer: simple slogans with complex thinking behind them.

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Thanks, Nathaniel Rachman. Trump has demonstrated how simplism works time and again in his criticisms of Obama and, indeed, every president who preceded him. Obama either didn't solve problem X because he was too stupid to see the answer in front of his face or because he was plotting against America and secretly in league with the Ys. As you point out, this mode of thought is also rampant on the far academic left.

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Another great piece and plainly written which is appreciated. I worry that looking back at history when extremism comes up on polarizing planes it ends with civil unrest or war.

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this is really good, thank you

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