Paradocracy

Over the course of President Trump’s two terms, there has been much talk around the matter of tariffs — taxes on imported goods. However, much of the talk seems to miss the point. After all, for those of us who seek the truth, it’s not really a question of whether tariffs are ‘good’ but whether they are preferable to other kinds of taxes — assuming, of course, that taxes are the rule, as certain as the eventuality of death. First, let’s establish the theory: beyond the generic purpose of revenue generation for the state, the institution of tariffs ordinarily serves to  reduce (or discourage) imports by making them artificially more expensive, while encouraging domestic production by making domestic products more appealing on a relative price basis. In the realm of foreign affairs, tariffs are instituted or threatened in the course of international trade negotiations in order to signal dissatisfaction with existing trade barriers and to push for more favorable trade terms; or in ord...

Tools enhanced through artificial intelligence equip charlatans and sophists, and laymen alike, with the occasional talking points to sound compelling and impressive (and maybe even erudite or scientific), to the extent that opportunists and useful idiots are likely to grow ever more certain of themselves and ever more capable of refining and expanding their cons; and, through these kinds of technological advances aiding their schemes, they will continue to take advantage of their contemporaries (in the relative minority) more predisposed to integrity, and others (in the majority) more predisposed to indolence or plain obedience.  However, only so much can be done to continue the charade by those lacking enough nuance and perspective to elaborate on each point, let alone to coherently stitch together the information in a way that actually consistently makes sense, reconciles contradictions, admits any unknowns (or unknowables), and acknowledges any plausible counterarguments or cri...