Like so many other things, these problems have deep roots in the theory of a random and meaningless universe (in my opinion). If chaos and blind chance are accepted as the ultimate reality, that ultimately works its way down into social reality.
Of course they had problems of different sorts back in the good old days - wars, famines, crimes, massacres, policy blunders, stupidity, sin - but I think I am on safe ground saying that modern 20th and 21st century lunacies are unmatched.
"Since the end of the Cold War we have seen the abandonment of common sense in favor of sophisticated analyses where nuance trumps simplicity and bias dominates the analysis of data and where cliches overtake serious policy."
Thank you for writing this. I am in a state of paralysis over the events of the last month - since Biden's appearance at the debate. You might add his obvious infirmity to the list of obvious things that were overlooked. Only when it was paraded for all the world to see did people suddenly see it. It was there all along, like Hamas's abundant warnings to kill Israelis.
I've written several times that I'm sick of listening to sophisticated analyses of October 7. If I hear another word from an expert with a furrowed brow about Israel's "security lapses" I'll throw up. Paraphrasing myself, if I called 911 and told them that hordes of men carrying automatic rifles are roaming in my neighborhood, I'd expect them to send at least a couple of beat cops to check out the situation.
But we're no better, as we allow millions of men to pour over our border. That's another thing for your list.
It's a complete breakdown of law, order, and common sense.
WRT the assassination attempt, I'm still trying to cling to the idea that it was massive incompetence, but it's looking more and more like *deliberate* negligence - which makes it a whole different ball game.
truly an amazing article
Thank you
Like so many other things, these problems have deep roots in the theory of a random and meaningless universe (in my opinion). If chaos and blind chance are accepted as the ultimate reality, that ultimately works its way down into social reality.
Of course they had problems of different sorts back in the good old days - wars, famines, crimes, massacres, policy blunders, stupidity, sin - but I think I am on safe ground saying that modern 20th and 21st century lunacies are unmatched.
"Since the end of the Cold War we have seen the abandonment of common sense in favor of sophisticated analyses where nuance trumps simplicity and bias dominates the analysis of data and where cliches overtake serious policy."
Thank you for writing this. I am in a state of paralysis over the events of the last month - since Biden's appearance at the debate. You might add his obvious infirmity to the list of obvious things that were overlooked. Only when it was paraded for all the world to see did people suddenly see it. It was there all along, like Hamas's abundant warnings to kill Israelis.
I've written several times that I'm sick of listening to sophisticated analyses of October 7. If I hear another word from an expert with a furrowed brow about Israel's "security lapses" I'll throw up. Paraphrasing myself, if I called 911 and told them that hordes of men carrying automatic rifles are roaming in my neighborhood, I'd expect them to send at least a couple of beat cops to check out the situation.
But we're no better, as we allow millions of men to pour over our border. That's another thing for your list.
It's a complete breakdown of law, order, and common sense.
WRT the assassination attempt, I'm still trying to cling to the idea that it was massive incompetence, but it's looking more and more like *deliberate* negligence - which makes it a whole different ball game.