A sentiment which I eco...

Kwazy

Shared on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 18:13
Stuck in a room today for several hours with rather dumb people who thought the veracity of their arguments could be increased merely by expressing them in increasingly loud voices.  Eventually, I acquiesced.  When there is a thousand cow herd galloping madly towards the edge of an extremely tall cliff, there's only one real option for the cow in the center...

"What did I really think 15 years ago?  A nonbeliever, I felt guilty in the midst of all those believers.  And since it seemed to me that they were in the right, I decided to believe, as you might  decide to take an aspirin:  It can't hurt, and you might get  better."
 
-Umberto Eco, Foucault's  Pendulum

Comments

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 20:32
WHAT? I ALWAYS THOUGHT A LOUD ARGUMENT WAS A GOOD ARGUMENT.
Armorsmith76's picture
Submitted by Armorsmith76 on Fri, 02/22/2008 - 01:34
I have a few co workers like that. And I spent about 10 years in that herd, Putting down the security blanket of belief is scary, the world is cold, cruel, and complicated, "the children" can't cope without help. I think many people shout those arguments to convince themselves as much as their antagonists Let them have their blankies.
AutumnRocks's picture
Submitted by AutumnRocks on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 15:44
When I was learning to drive my father yelled at me that "THEY ARE ALL SHEEP, AUTUMN, ALL OF THEM! NEVER BE A SHEEP!" I didn't know how to take it then...but in retrospect I am glad he freaked out on me while behind the wheel of a car I barely knew how to control on a crowded highway. :D
microscent's picture
Submitted by microscent on Fri, 02/22/2008 - 09:43
Mmmm, ground beef! The world isn't that cold and cruel if you have a good herd.
Armorsmith76's picture
Submitted by Armorsmith76 on Fri, 02/22/2008 - 23:32
Do you mean being a member of a good herd... or do you mean we should eat good members of the herd? (I'm partial to a good ribeye, medium rare)

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