When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him
– Jonathan Swift, as quoted here.
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Samizdata quote of the dayMarch 9th, 2014 |
 4 comments to Samizdata quote of the day |
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Sadly (or happily, depending on your viewpoint), I was rather forcefully made to confront my dunce status this past week.
I was watching a political commentator pour out page after page of intelligent commentary on the Ukraine business (I refuse to use the word “crisis”). The fellow was really going to town, giving chapter and verse as to why, according to logic, law, and plain old Good Sense, the US intervening in the Ukraine would be about as wrong-headed as could be. It was like the man was getting paid by the word or something.
Yet, despite his efforts, the only emotions reading his stuff evoked were a vague sense of listlessness, if not downright ennui. What was *wrong* with me? Why was I so indifferent to what the man had to say?
Then, suddenly, it hit me: when it comes to working out the policies of our esteemed [snicker] political masters, the exercise of logic and reason is an utter waste of time because, simply put, these people are little better than frat boys with tanks, planes, and troops.
Logic, reason? Who gives a toss!?! Let’s stir up some more pointless trouble, hand the Chinese the bill for it (after all, they daren’t pull the plug on the whole sordid mess at this point), and exhort all the useful idiots (surely the majority in any country) to Support The Troops! Hurrah!
All this time I simply *couldn’t make out* why
getting in and out of cars and negotiating doorways was such a problem! It turns out this tall, pointy paper hat was getting in the way! 😀
It was the tin foil (tri corner) hat with me.
I forgot to keep it grounded.
Apparently they act like a broad band, reflecting ANTENNA without this key step.
“A consensus of dunces” would be the modern equivalent.
I hadn’t previously known the source of that quote. Thanks.