Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I think most people in western society trust their own government to care for their welfare way more that they trust the Chinese government.



'Government' can't care. It's just an agreed upon idea, not a thing with feelings. It is a form of anthropomorphising to say it cares. 'Government' is the idea of a structure that many people believe and act as if it is true. This belief and consequent effort by so many allows it to take a material expression in our lives. Like a group of software engineers might envisage a game or solution, so for government - except way more people are involved. Neither government nor software cares though - they're not that type.


"'Government' can't care. It's just an agreed upon idea, not a thing with feelings."

But it consists of people with feelings - and they can have feelings of care towards the governed, or just feelings of care for themself.


Yes, people can care, like software developers can care, in my example. But the thing that is created (government, software) does not.


Arguably the American government has killed more Americans than the Chinese government...




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: