We also need to develop some voices and authorities that we can trust. What do we look for in such people? First is integrity. Do they live their lives in such a way that they show they believe in right and wrong? When someone sets themself up as an expert on marriage and family and they have failed at both, I have some questions. Do they fudge the truth to advance their point? Second, they should have some reason to be an authority. If someone has a degree in physics they are not the best source for biology. It amazes me how many people with a Ph.D. in a physical science make pronouncements about the universe or evolution.
Keep in mind that some disciplines are so complicated that even the experts don’t know what they are talking about. Next time you have your taxes done ask a CPA if you can look at the IRS tax code. If it is print it will take up shelves. It contradicts itself and it open to interpretation. That is why the government usually nails criminals on tax issues rather than the real crime they committed. That is why people who do money laundering make sure that they pay taxes on the illicit funds they are dealing with. They fear the IRS more than the DOJ. So being “stupid” about some subjects is just the way it is. Things like government regulations from the EPA are deliberately done that way.
And some people are just ignorant. I was recently watching a video from Prager U that had a guy on a university campus asking questions about Pearl Harbor Day. It was amazing how many did not know who attacked us or where Pearl Harbor is located. I used to ask my class, “Who won the American Revolution?” And of course you have all hear the one, “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?”
Pay attention. You may never become a meme on the internet but you don’t want the neighborhood commenting on how out of touch you are.
homo unius libri
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.