What do you mean?

Nothing is necessary in particular, but a choice among options.

We desensitize people to compassion, we dogwhistle people into racism, we train people to ignore dishonesty, we make people comply with authority even if they are wrong, we make people believe in science instead of understanding it, and some more.

This is to make people accept their jobs and create the things that are needed.

In general, people don’t do stuff on their own. So overall the manipulation is needed if we want to have more than hunter gathering. This can be seen as malicious, but also as benevolent.

Responsibility cannot be delegated. People are always responsible to keep themselves safe. But it makes sense for them to cooperate in a society to organize their safety.

The problem is that manipulation is part of society. For society to work, people must be unaware of some manipulations but then, manipulators can abuse the blind spots.

Overall it’s a cost benefit decision. Some abuse can be easier prevented by regulations, some by personal responsibility.

After raising over $800 million from its community,

Lemmy should start developing a game to finance the development of the community.