Brexit. I'm not sure how a vote would go now either, but wouldn't underestimate how much a perception of history can be used to sway voters. Whether that history is grounded in fact, myth, or simply abridged. "A great nation, sun never set upon the empire, strife with the monarchy to lead the world in a path toward individual freedom going back to Magna Carta. Why should such a nation EVER allow ourselves to accede to the wishes of an supranational governing body!" I think Clausewitz's trinity of passion, chance and reason doesn't just apply to war, but can be headings that apply to all human existence--always shifting. In the case of Brexit, passion probably won. The U.S. is no different, of course, and can be swayed by visions of some perfect past that can be brought back into our grasp, if we just (elect the right person, buy the right product, agree to the right policy: fill in your own verb and object). I sometimes become concerned about the very existence of free will, given the known foibles of our brains (thank you Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman for your illumination!) and the desire of seemingly everyone--for what they perceive as good or simply to make a buck--to manipulate us. And with the amount of data collected on all of us to facilitate such manipulation...it's a bit disconcerting.
"We are perplexed, but we do not despair." Actions do, as you note, have consequences. And, where open dialogue is permitted, the consequences of particularly dumb or good actions can be highlighted and change future actions. I look at the midterms as perhaps such an example.
Where was I? Brexit--not sure how it would go now. But I LOVE the "two cheeks of the same ass" comment!
Keen thoughts, Andy. You may well be right about the selective use of history. Not sure where that takes them, however.
We thought so at the time. The guy was pretty proud of himself, too.
Brexit. I'm not sure how a vote would go now either, but wouldn't underestimate how much a perception of history can be used to sway voters. Whether that history is grounded in fact, myth, or simply abridged. "A great nation, sun never set upon the empire, strife with the monarchy to lead the world in a path toward individual freedom going back to Magna Carta. Why should such a nation EVER allow ourselves to accede to the wishes of an supranational governing body!" I think Clausewitz's trinity of passion, chance and reason doesn't just apply to war, but can be headings that apply to all human existence--always shifting. In the case of Brexit, passion probably won. The U.S. is no different, of course, and can be swayed by visions of some perfect past that can be brought back into our grasp, if we just (elect the right person, buy the right product, agree to the right policy: fill in your own verb and object). I sometimes become concerned about the very existence of free will, given the known foibles of our brains (thank you Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman for your illumination!) and the desire of seemingly everyone--for what they perceive as good or simply to make a buck--to manipulate us. And with the amount of data collected on all of us to facilitate such manipulation...it's a bit disconcerting.
"We are perplexed, but we do not despair." Actions do, as you note, have consequences. And, where open dialogue is permitted, the consequences of particularly dumb or good actions can be highlighted and change future actions. I look at the midterms as perhaps such an example.
Where was I? Brexit--not sure how it would go now. But I LOVE the "two cheeks of the same ass" comment!
“2 cheeks of the same ass” is perhaps the most insightful political commentary I’ve read in weeks.