A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's human nature, (while navigating the big, tricky world) to oversimplify the mental users' guide of interacting with others . . .
The difference between stupid and intelligent people - and this is true whether or not they are well-educated - is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. - Neal Stephenson
then justify the oversimplification . . .
There's an oversimplification in everything and a terror of flexibility. - Doris Lessing
and make a bonanza of rules to impose the oversimplifications.
But it's also human nature to resent the oversimplification . . .
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. - F. Scott Fitzgerald
then search for complete reality
Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used. - Carl Sagan
and break the rules accordingly.
A few political slogans representing more of the hobgoblins of human nature and less of the functional:
 |
All power to the Soviets! - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin |
 |
| America First National Committee. (Founded September 4, 1940 Disbanded December 10, 1941) |
 |
One people. One empire. One leader - Adolf Hitler |
 |
Believe! Obey! Fight! - Benito Mussolini |
 | ||
Segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever! - George C. Wallace
|
 |
Read my lips. No new taxes. - George and Barbara Bush. |
 | ||
Fight 'em over there . . . - Geroge W Bush
|
 |
Let the wives of officers become dependable assistants to their husbands! - No Korea |
 |
More stylish school uniforms - No Korea
 |
Let us turn the whole country into a socialist fairyland by the joint operation of the army and people! - No Korea
 |
 |
ELISE AMENDOLA / AP
|
So the next time a simplified slogan is shoved at you, it may be worth some examination.
 |
| "I AM AN AMERICAN" Japanese owned grocery store forced to sell Oakland, California, March 1942 |
Intelligence is a moral category. - Theodor Adorno
By failing to be aware of at every moment of what threatened and what has happened, one also contributes to it. - Theodor Adorno
Update 6/25/2018
No comments :
Post a Comment