Mark Twain was wise beyond the age in which he lived, and vain about it, too. But it is truly amazing the insights he had; and his succinct writing is a perpetual model for logic of thought and clarity of expression. Behold, how this passage written about 135 years ago is yet today a highly accurate picture of "scientific" projection as it exists in this twenty-first century!
-----And in umpteen thousand years the planet will no longer be capable of sustaining life.
Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi, chapter 17.
Some day I might like to share Mr. Clemens's understanding of monetary policy and the economy. He nailed it in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, but I fear we have ignored the message much too long. Perhaps I'll forego the post. Spitting into the wind.
7 comments:
Sam Clemens certainly was a perceptive and witty fellow. I particularly like his analysis (given here) of junk science. I do hope you'll post his thoughts on monetary policy.
Yup. Extrapolation can get you in serious... self doubt and fear
Chuck, it is a comfort to me that I have my Twain collection for those times when contemporary "literature" just doesn't get it.
Shark, I learned in school or somewhere that science was studying the evidence, then drawing conclusions. When did we start drawing conclusions that we like, then start looking for evidence to support our preconceived notions?
Unfortunately, drawing conclusions and then looking for proof is the norm now. Love many of Clemens writings but I do not own any of them.
Vee, so then we are operating under a whole new definition of science?
I don't like it.
Were it possible to have a conversation today with Sam Clemens, I'd LOVE to hear his thoughts on the current state of things.
Shelly, that would be a very entertaining and no doubt acerbic assessment of what we've done to our world since he departed therefrom.
Post a Comment