Eccentricity 12 Mar 2009 In this age the mere example of non-conformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service. Precisely because the tyranny of opinion is such as to make eccentricity a reproach, it is desirable, in order to break through that tyranny, that people should be eccentric. Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and moral courage which it contained. That so few now dare to be eccentric, marks the chief danger of the time. John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, chapter 3. Hat tip to Emma Pursey Social dominance
Australian stuff The policy policy 4 Mar 2010 Australian Prime Minister for the Obvious has said that there should be a “zero tolerance” policy against bullying. In other news, a 13 year old Victorian girl who held a kitchen knife to the throat of a 12 year old girl – allegedly – is not to be charged by… Read More
Politics The wealthy are often sociopathic. Why? 15 Aug 201827 Feb 2019 I have been encountering, in these days of political “incorrectness” (i.e., bastardry), more and more well-to-do folk who treat other folk as if they were lesser beings. Ranging from stepping over homeless people (literally) to failing to give way when you drive a Korean car and they a European one… Read More
History Aristotle on politics and religion 16 Feb 2010 “And further he [the tyrant] must be seen always to be exceptionally zealous as regards religious observances (for people are less afraid of suffering any illegal treatment from men of this sort, if they think that their ruler has religious scruples and pays regard to the gods, and also they… Read More
Not really. The first self-help book was published (coincidentally by the same publisher of the Origin) in that year, causing untold misery to millions.
Now there’s a philosophy to live by. Agreed! Starting tomorrow, I’m going to start calling everyone Clive, insist that at dinner everyone must circle the table three times before eating and own at least two hats that involve the themes “Turks” and “feathers”.
Now there’s a philosophy to live by. Agreed! Starting tomorrow, I’m going to start calling everyone Clive, insist that at dinner everyone must circle the table three times before eating and own at least two hats that involve the themes “Turks” and “feathers”.
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”
Ah but if we all consider ourselves people of strength of character, moral courage, mental vigour and a reasonable amount of genius, and I think any fair survey of the human species will find the majority of people do consider themselves to be so, then how can such things be considered eccentric? We need some measure of eccentricity, as well as an objective measure (to some degree) of moral courage, strength of character, genius etc. Being unappreciated, even laughed at, in one’s own time doesn’t cut it (Galileo, Newton….Bozo the clown). Oh bugger…I was just trying to be eccentrically contrarian. Difficult when one agrees with the postulate isn’t it? 😉 Louis P.S. Monty Python, as ever, said it best: Brian: “You are all individuals!” Onlooker: “I’m not.”