[JumpCrisscross]

That’s a criticism of direct democracy, not republics; it’s been a known failure mode (and base case) for millennia.

The novel elements are social media and AI. I am increasingly convinced that ad-funded social media should be banned and/or tightly regulated like utilities are.

[user32489318]

Ah yes, let’s the replace all ad-funded social media with state/gvn’t funded social media. That will be much better.

[JumpCrisscross]

> state/gvn’t funded social media

Not how things that are "banned and/or tightly regulated like utilities are" are funded.

[phorkyas82]

Well, I wouldn't entrust critical infrastructure to the private sector which.. blindly optimizes shareholder value and sells your data anywhere. Germany's train privatization also comes to mind,.. or US healthcare - worse service for more money.

[pickledoyster]

We pay for utilities directly. Also, even it if it was funded from state budget(s), there are known and working controls to make publicly funded <> state controlled.