This post by Ann Althouse reminded me of something it only touches on by implication, but which is a major reason I tend to loathe politics.
From the discussion of the Alphas and the Betas (of Huxley's Brave New World):
Are the Alphas superior? They have to work so hard and wear grey... I'm so glad I'm a Beta. Betas don't think they're inferior! They are less intelligent though.
Sometimes I think that most of what we call "politics" consists simply of Alphas trying to convince Betas that they can actually be Alphas, if only they vote for the right Alpha leaders! It's a total con routine, played by both sides, and it relies on convincing the Betas that they are not what they are, by Alphas who know the dirty truth. And in another variation, the Betas are always encouraged by the Alphas to think that their leaders are actually Betas, just like them, while the "real" Alphas are the malevolent leaders of the poor duped Betas on the other side. Alphas on both sides pretend to be Betas, accuse each other of being Alphas, while Betas imagine that by voting for the right Alphas, they're better Betas than the other Betas, and they might even be "good" Alphas. It goes in endless circles -- much to the delight of the Alphas.
Such disgusting and invasive thoughts make me want to drink in the hope they might go away.
posted by Eric on 05.03.10 at 08:22 PM
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Such disgusting and invasive thoughts make me want to drink in the hope they might go away.
You're on the right track. It's nothing a few grams of Soma wouldn't cure...
The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
Don?t bang your head!
Such disgusting and invasive thoughts make me want to drink in the hope they might go away.
You're on the right track. It's nothing a few grams of Soma wouldn't cure...