Gadfly's Muse

Attitude & Opinion

(click for better image)

Marilynne Robinson, whom I've quoted before, hits the nail on the head in her observations even if I disagree with her politics (she is a classical liberal).

Here's what she says on pge. 262 in The Death Of Adam

The present dominance of aspersion and ridicule in American public life is a reflex of the fact that we are assumed to want, and in many cases perhaps do want, attitude much more than information.

I suppose each one of us could, upon an instant, call to mind four or five people whose entire demeanor and conversation correspond to Robinson's insight.  I suppose, with some reflection, we might see ourselves there more than we ought. 

There is more to it than simple ignorance.  If it were only ignorance I suppose, with suitable public relations and the inevitable pressures of making a living, the situation would, in a sense, be self-correcting.  Would that it was that simple but it is not.  If this is ignorance, it is willful ignorance and to my knowledge there is no known cure for that disease.

This Is MY Kind of Navy