[somnic]

I think coordinating the norms of a foraging troupe all with a similar understanding of their environment and society through individual action is a little more tractable than coordinating the norms of an economy consisting of millions of people with wildly varying levels specialization and knowledge.

[caseyy]

Yes it is more tractable. But cultures that have norms for what’s acceptable and not exist all over the world.

For example, the culture of data privacy exists in some European countries more than in the US. Laws like GDPR are a result of this culture, they are not dictatorial imperatives going against what people want and practice in their lives.

The people usually set the norms. The law only enshrines them.

[idle_zealot]

And yet the people of Europe individually chose to use social media that abused their privacy. You're making the case for collective action.

[caseyy]

Yes, they do individually chose to use social media. But fewer do. And those who do, use social media less. It is a cultural difference with very little government guidance. And it makes a difference in how profitable this business model is here, as well as what laws are passed in the EU.

Yes, I agree with naturally arising collective action through culture. I argue that this may be all we need and we can do just fine without government intervention. I don’t think government intervention can be as robust as cultural norms, anyways. Tech companies constantly find ways to dance around laws. They can’t dance around their primary source of income choosing not to be exploited.

And this doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. As more people will value privacy, a culture will develop that will reduce exploitative business practices like surveillance capitalism. If fewer people will value privacy, a culture will develop that will enable their exploitation. It’s gradients.