In early August, I did a podcast for Sidebar, in which I discussed a number of themes from Imperfect Union, my book about the significance of the intentional errors of omission at the Constitutional Convention.
I don't know who has the better quote on this. Daniel Patrick Moynihan: "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." Or Isaac Asimov: "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." Moynihan's is more succinct, I guess.
Yes, but Asimov's is more insightful. The difference now is that what was once a strain has developed into a highly invasive cancer. If people cannot be reasoned with, physical conflict becomes far more likely...as it has in this country.
I don't know who has the better quote on this. Daniel Patrick Moynihan: "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." Or Isaac Asimov: "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." Moynihan's is more succinct, I guess.
Yes, but Asimov's is more insightful. The difference now is that what was once a strain has developed into a highly invasive cancer. If people cannot be reasoned with, physical conflict becomes far more likely...as it has in this country.
Thank you for an inspiring, insightful post. It’s nice to follow you here.
You're very welcome, Meg. I try to give readers the most objective take I can. I'm a centrist...or at least, I'd like to be. Not very easy these days.
Congrats on Sidebar. Listening to the podcast now!
Thanks. Really...I have no idea how it got so many hits...or how it got to the far right.