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August 9, 2010
Brainiacs: Rinse. Repeat.
Their entire intellectual training has led them to believe that it is the Intellectual Class that is fit to rule, by virtue of their very Smart thinking.
After all, did not Plato himself say that only the philosophers were virtuous, and therefore fit to rule? And have not our Intellectual Elite been told their entire school lives that they are the "Best And Brightest?" And so all a tyrant needs to do is to flatter this sense of entitlement, and the Intellectual will convince himself that this is indeed the New Jerusalem. No brainwashing is required; a light rinse will do. -- Borepatch: The Bonfire of the Vanities
Posted by Vanderleun at August 9, 2010 10:07 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
"These people, it's no mystery where they come from. You sharpen the human appetite to the point where it could split atoms with its desire, you build egos the size of cathedrals, fiber-optically connect the world to every eager impulse, grease even the dullest dreams with these dollar-green gold-plated fantasies until every human becomes an aspiring emperor! Becomes his own God! Where can you go from there?"
Al Pacino as John Milton (aka Satan) -- The Devil's Advocate (1997)
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2010 11:05 AM
Given Plato's ongoing suspicion of the Sophists, I would posit that "Only the philosophers (are) virtuous, and therefore fit to rule" might profitably be read as gentle irony, to say the least.
Plato does not say, "If something is marvelously put together, then you should have your suspicions right away." No, he simply asks to be aware of the possibility of something's being superbly crafted and nevertheless sham and foul - unless, to quote Plato's Socrates, we define the linguistic artist as a speaker of truth.
Josef Peiper -- Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power
Posted by: Rob De Witt at August 9, 2010 4:46 PM
Thanks for linking this essay, Mr. V.
I got sternly skooled for speaking out of turn elsewhere over the weekend. I'll be mentioning Borepatch's essay as a contrast, over on my own unbelievably humble digs.
Posted by: TmjUtah at August 9, 2010 7:18 PM
"I am smart," declared the journalist. "I don't smell like shit," replied the turd.
Posted by: Blastineau at August 10, 2010 12:51 PM