Anomie and Our “Iron Triangle”
As standards are violated by political leaders, can we say we have done anything to counteract that?
anomie /ăn′ə-mē/
noun
- Social instability caused by erosion of standards and values.
- Alienation and purposelessness experienced by a person or a class as a result of a lack of standards, values, or ideals.
- Alienation or social instability caused by erosion of standards and values.
Big Tech has created an excellent environment for corruption and influence peddling. From human trafficking to secret funding of criminal networks, encrypted apps and cryptocurrencies have helped forge the “iron triangles” warned about years ago:
These groups may infiltrate our businesses. They may provide logistical support to hostile foreign powers. They may try to manipulate those at the highest levels of government. Indeed, these so-called “iron triangles” of organized criminals, corrupt government officials, and business leaders pose a significant national security threat.
On top of this, algorithms have convinced a persistent segment of various populations that democracy is illegitimate and laws inapplicable, they have now put in place leaders who serve as prime examples of this.
Science itself may once again be under more direct assault — for a reminder of some of the things that transpired when Trump was a novice, my post from 2017 might restore some memories.
Now, the incoming Administration is causing confusion, freezing activities, blocking communications, and taking down job postings at the NIH and HHS. The communications freeze has even introduced uncertainty around whether NIH researchers can submit papers to journals.
- The CDC was expected to publish reports this week on the avian influenza virus, which has shut down Georgia’s poultry industry.
Criminals may be stupid, but that doesn’t mean being stupid makes one a criminal. But we have evidence of criminal preparations, as well.