The Delphi Technique

Nobody asked but …

I once read how governmental agencies might misuse the Delphi Technique.  Sorry, but I have lost my reference to the reading.

In its positive form, the technique is used to build consensus on the most important elements of a complex question among experts on the matter.

But, the problem is that the technique can be misused, terribly.  Public elections give us an excellent example, wherein a lengthy and distorted process is used to dispel real choices.  Coming down to November, however, with choices only of the lesser of two evils (whatever that is), is a farce.  The oligarchy has manipulated us into choosing one or the other of their minions.  True power is really not caring who wins the election.

Whereas the Delphi Technique is intended for honest and scientific use, most bureaucrats have perfected a sub-technique to foil the use of the technique.  It is like the rule of thumb for lawyers — don’t ask any question for which you don’t already know the answer.  Another variation is that the lawyer requires nothing but a yes or no answer.  Limitation is the trick.  There are specialized tricks in different areas of control.  One favorite ruse of the state is the Board or Commission (sometimes temporary, but usually permanent).  Congress and Supreme Court are examples of this — window dress difficult choices in majority rule drapery.

In a classic case of Delphi shenanigans, the expertocracy will pretend to have smoothed away all the non-essential choices so that the people can be presented only the practical choices.  Trust that any choices adverse to the bureaucracy will have been whittled away, along with any choices unsatisfactory to the ruling class.  The charade of democracy will cover the actuality of plutocracy.

— Kilgore Forelle

Save as PDFPrint

Written by