[mistermann]

> it has become a fashion to brand any patriotic talk as "nationalistic"

Considering modern usage of the word, I can't tell what you mean by this. I've explained why here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17059121

EDIT: Aaaaand, immediately downvoted with no reply. I rest my case. :)

[Zuider]

I didn't downvote, but it may be more inspired by your style of presentation than your opinion. It is hard to make out what you are saying because your writing looks more like lecture notes or a shorthand of your private thinking process than a means of communicating to others. Please understand that I don't mean to be snarky, and I would be the first to acknowledge that writing clearly is difficult.

[mistermann]

I'm genuinely confused how writing in a transparent manner, being detailed, providing links to claims, etc can be considered hard to understand. And as usual, I am always happy to answer any question asked of me in an honest manner, so feel free.

I had a more substantial reply, but since my sincere and valid question was enthusiastically and immediately downvoted requiring me to keep the tab open until my censorship is lifted, I accidentally closed the tab. To me, the anti-intellectual groupthink overtaking online sites is rather alarming, especially considering how they are now where the vast majority of news (and accompanying discussion) is hosted and due to private ownership, no freedom of speech is required. And even if it was, a deliberate "misrepresentation" of someone's words can turn a controversial-at-best comment into a claimed (see this subthread) racial slur or threat of violence.

[pasbesoin]

This makes me think of a new (to me) term I may find useful: Trickle down participation.

Politics such as this: The real winners are the political and financial elite. But their supporters experience trickle down participation.

Professional sports: Trickle down participation.

A bit simplistic, and ignoring local-scale advantages to the participants. But I'm going to keep it in mind.

A few people getting very rich and powerful. And the rest celebrating this, while propping them up through their participation.

[eklavya]

Sorry man, I didn't downvote, I haven't even read your comment properly :D