“Stop trying to be clever, just don’t vote for nincompoops.”
Thank you! Strategic voting makes me want to stab people in the face, particularly when they turn around after the election and moan about idiots getting in.
Steven—you are missing a small something. The issue of whether or not Joe Bloggs would or wouldn’t beat the Front Runners if it came down to it is immaterial. We’re not given that choice, it’s made for us long before. It’s not just that we only have 1-2 bits of freedom, it’s that they’re the final 1-2 bits.
Robin—continue even further. Why not just ignore the entire thing and get drunk instead? The difference between your suggestions and Eliezer’s is that voting (within the system) has a nonzero weight (within the system). Yours have precisely zero weight. That’s where the line is drawn. The key word in your comment is ‘virtually’. No one believes their vote will be the casting vote, but people vote.
I must say though Eliezer, your final sentence begs the question ‘Why vote at all?’ Spend that half hour lobbying the winner. In fact, stop wasting time reading a blog website and get out there and promote your Wonderful Candidate!
‘Why vote at all?’ Spend that half hour lobbying the winner. In fact, stop wasting time reading a blog website and get out there and promote your Wonderful Candidate!
“Stop trying to be clever, just don’t vote for nincompoops.”
Thank you! Strategic voting makes me want to stab people in the face, particularly when they turn around after the election and moan about idiots getting in.
Steven—you are missing a small something. The issue of whether or not Joe Bloggs would or wouldn’t beat the Front Runners if it came down to it is immaterial. We’re not given that choice, it’s made for us long before. It’s not just that we only have 1-2 bits of freedom, it’s that they’re the final 1-2 bits.
Robin—continue even further. Why not just ignore the entire thing and get drunk instead? The difference between your suggestions and Eliezer’s is that voting (within the system) has a nonzero weight (within the system). Yours have precisely zero weight. That’s where the line is drawn. The key word in your comment is ‘virtually’. No one believes their vote will be the casting vote, but people vote.
I must say though Eliezer, your final sentence begs the question ‘Why vote at all?’ Spend that half hour lobbying the winner. In fact, stop wasting time reading a blog website and get out there and promote your Wonderful Candidate!
I legitimately think this makes more sense.