[rglullis]

Saying that people are complacent and expecting the audience of a site called Hacker News to be mindful of their self-sovereignty is far from "blaming users for their problems".

The fact that an older individual shares one idea with the younger generation does not exclude the possibility of it being a generational divide.

Kudos, though, for also sharing the younger trait of treating every argument as something about their own identities.

[giraffe_lady]

Something I also share with the younger generation is the understanding that the cowardice of their elders is what got us all in this situation to start with. "Self-sovereignty" and individualism are failed ideologies: we will solve this for all of us or for none of us.

A large contingent of ""hackers"" throws up their hands and say "fine none of us then as long as I can insulate myself from the worse effects of it" and yes that is a shameful abdication of the responsibilities we have towards each other. Sorry if you find your own identity in there but you don't have to be so complacent about it yourself either.

[rglullis]

You are putting "individualism" where none was mentioned.

> "fine none of us then as long as I can insulate myself from the worse effects of it".

No. More like "there is no way that any central entity will be able to solve the conflicts of everyone without turning into authoritarianism and tyranny, so let's stop pretending that we can do that and create a plethora of different communities where people are closer to those with decision-making power."

I can (and want) to help my neighbor and those close to me as equals, but I have no interest in being a mere subject serving as an instrument to whoever is in power above.

[giraffe_lady]

So... based on the fear of a particular outcome, you want a situation where individuals and small groups must solve the problem for themselves or accept the consequences?

The language may be uncharitable but I remain comfortable calling that cowardice and user-blaming, yes. I stand where I stand on this.

[rglullis]

The only cowardice I see is in those thinking they can not fight by themselves and for others, and want to have a soothing voice telling them how to feel.