Episode 224: Categorically Errory

June 14, 2023

Central Thesis

Jim argues that Robert Henderson's article "The Cadre and the Code" in City Journal employs a flawed comparison between fascism and communism (a "categorical error") to promote a right-wing agenda, thereby illustrating how distortion factories funded by corporate interests mislead the public through ostensibly objective analysis. He contends that this is a prime example of paid political speech undermining genuine discourse.

Key Arguments

• The "Categorical Error": Henderson's comparison of chatbot responses to fascism and communism is flawed because fascism is primarily a reactionary movement lacking a comprehensive theoretical framework like communism. The chatbot's negative portrayal of fascism stems from its historical actions, while its positive portrayal of communism is based on its theoretical goals. Jim argues this is like comparing "cookies to ass" – there's no meaningful equivalence.
• Distortion Factories: The City Journal is published by the Manhattan Institute, a think tank funded by wealthy interests. Jim accuses the Manhattan Institute of being a "distortion factory" that promotes a conservative agenda by framing issues like educational choice, Medicare affordability, and meritocracy in ways that benefit corporate interests and undermine public institutions.
• Meritocracy as a Justification for Wealth: Jim criticizes Elon Musk's and Henderson's focus on "meritocracy" as a smokescreen justifying extreme wealth inequality. He posits that meritocracy is a narrative that ignores systemic advantages and disadvantages, ultimately serving to maintain the status quo.
• Subjectivity of Truth: Jim deconstructs the notion of "truthful and impartial" AI, arguing that any attempt to remove "left-leaning bias" simply results in a right-leaning bias. He insists that truth is always subjective, and claims of neutrality are often used to mask underlying biases.
• Paid Political Speech is Misleading: Jim explicitly states his "mistrust and loathe" paid political speech. He sees Henderson's article as fundamentally advertising, misleading the public for private gain.

Notable Passages

• "He's claiming there's a one-to-one equivalency, because as everyone knows, the fascists fought the communists, and therefore they're the opposite of the communists. But really, his article attempts to compare not two different aspects. apples, and not even apples to oranges. As Jon Stewart once very eloquently put it, Mr. Henderson is trying to compare cookies to ass."
• "Truth is always subjective. One person's truth is another person's diabolical lie. Removing left-leaning bias in anything just makes that anything more right-leaning, not more neutral, not more centrists. Again, Centrism is bullshit. There's no such thing as neutral in human subjective truths."
• "It's like... The old George Carlin observation, that... His stuff is shit, but my shit is stuff."
• "You and your Manhattan Institute distortion factory are more culpable than those chatbots at fomenting distasteful rhetoric. Simply because you had the chatbots write what they wrote in ways that concealed your probable duplicity. If, as I suspect, you committed that categorical error deliberately, you are a greater threat to society than those simple bots."

Rhetorical Approach

Jim uses a combination of reasoned argument, sarcasm, and personal anecdotes to build his case. He employs historical examples (Upton Sinclair, mining strikes) to illustrate his points about corporate power and the suppression of dissent. He uses pointed language and humor to mock his targets (Elon Musk, Robert Henderson, the Manhattan Institute), fostering a sense of skepticism toward their claims. His "dive" into the Manhattan Institute's website and publications mimics an investigative process, suggesting thoroughness and exposing hidden agendas.

Connections

• Previous episodes on the Powell Movement, foundations ("Foundations of Deceit"), and distortion factories.
• Upton Sinclair's Lanny Budd novels as an under-appreciated source on understanding socialism.
• Henry George's Georgism as an alternative economic model.
• References to George Carlin and Jon Stewart.