zlacker

>>bookof+(OP)
The post leans too hard on “we have no idea.” Population numbers are estimates with error bars, especially in places with weak census infrastructure, but that’s not the same as ignorance. Most countries run censuses (sometimes badly) and use births/deaths/migration accounting to update totals. Calling them “fake” is misleading — it’s uneven data quality, not numerology. “Large uncertainty” ≠ “no idea.”

>>hybrid+bm
Countries have incentives to manipulate population data. Most error that I’m aware of is not attributable to poor data quality. For example, if you have a real estate bubble you have a strong incentive to show population growth.

>>nostre+In
Agree. I feel that it is beneficial to present yourself larger than you really are.

>>tscher+Rt
The first rule in Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals:

1. Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals