Men in High Towers

written by mh on 2018-07-02

Men in High Towers

The Men in High Towers problem is an analogy of situations where problems are solved in isolation. This isolation encapsulates all types of situations where those who are solving the problems (solvers) will be ignorant to the true needs of those they are solving the problem for (sufferers).

The analogy

Imagine a small world or city where there are 2 types of people. The Ruling class and the Serving class. The Ruling class lives in a constructed-tower or floating-city that is high up in the sky whilst the Serving class lives on the ground.

As their names specify, the Serving class exists to see to the needs of the Ruling class.

The 2 classes likely speak different languages. The Ruling class also observes the Serving via binoculars or other far-sight devices. It is critical to keep in mind that communication between the 2 classes is extremely minimal.

Without adding too many more variables, the analogy goes as such:

The Ruling class observes the Serving class from a great distance and then enacts measures and other legislation under the guise of helping the Serving class

So what we have here are scenarios where a Ruling class have minimal information (where information = physical distance) of the happenings of the Serving class but enact measures that they assume will benefit the Serving class.

Criticisms

Before discussing the applicability of this problem in the real world, we should first highlight a few criticisms of the problem itself and address them.

(in no specific order, they are)

Altruism - Even if there existed 1 or many individuals in the Ruling class who genuinely felt concern for those below them, they face a number of issues: lack of data-gathering tools to derive accurate information from; the threat of usurping their own utility/comfort for real equality; the issue of the "giving hand getting tired"; the forgetful nature of humans
Improving data-gathering tools - The first barrier to this would be costs. The Ruling class may decide that the cost to improve technology is too much for marginal improvements in the lives of the Serving class (this assumption of how much utility the Serving class might derive is itself a derivation of the Men in High Towers problem). The second issue is that even though technology may initially be a measure to improve information, the Ruling class will then face a dilemma. The improvement of data-gathering may allow them to enact more stricter rule vs. implementing better legislation
Threat of revolt - Although we might assume that the Serving class could engage in some type of direct/indirect revolt, the distance and other factors (like the Ruling class being able to out-survive the Serving class) would make it illogical for the Serving class to revolt

Applicability in the real world

Although originally written for "rich people trying to solve world hunger" (see first point), the applicability of the Men in High Towers problem can and does extend to a variety of situations.

Wealthy people trying to solve macro-scale issues - After the accumulation of enormous amounts of wealth, many wealthy people then decide to spend their accumulated riches "solving world hunger". The first failed assumption is that one-off solutions can fix decades of systemic problems. The second would be how the solutions (which would normally work in their known environments) are not applicable to foreign lands. One example of a failed idea would be "creating a JavaScript-heavy mobile application" in countries where limited access to electricity means that most people would choose not to use it so that they can preserve the battery-life in their devices. Another example (of a failed idea) would be a one-time donation to purchase vaccines where the quantity purchased is only enough for 2 years of supply.
Government central planning - In this scenario, central governments draft up plans for different areas under their control. A relevant example of this is when a government drafts up legislature for an island under its control that is physically very far from the mainland of the government. As mainland culture is almost always different to a distant island culture, a particular legislature like curbing CO2 emissions will impact the islanders negatively, as they will be forced to import expensive newer models of cars and have to dispose of the older models (by dumping, exporting or recycling).

Conclusion

In summary, the Men in High Towers problem is open to criticism and further input. It was thought up whilst pondering about failed policies of wealthy people trying to help the poor (but doing so from a vantage point that did not give them insight into the true issues). Time was spent researching existing eponymous laws but none were found that reference this issue. If you do find an existing concept similar to this, please inform us.

The problem should also not be used as a justification to forego charity work. Instead, we should be critical of the charity work that we do and make sure that it actually benefits the recipients more than pandering to our egos.