In the town hall in Siena, there is a set of frescos by Lorenzetti called the Allegory of Good and Bad Government. It was painted between 1338 and 1339 on the walls of the Sala dei Nove, where Siena's magistrates held council.

One of the long walls shows the Effects of good government. The harvest is ready in the fields and vineyards beyond the city walls, a farmer drives his pig to town, the city is clean and elegant, and citizens are dancing in the streets to celebrate a wedding.

One of the dancers is wearing a dress embroidered with dragonflies.

When the councilman sat to make their decisions, that was what they were looking at and hoping for.

On the opposite wall is a fresco showing the Effects of bad government, but I think they get enough airtime as is, so I’m not going to go [...]

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Outline:

(04:30) A post-AGI allegory

(10:46) Postscript: what we stand to lose

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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