The Oscars awards show I can do without but I do find it entertaining to see what a small group of people were bribed sufficiently to say is the best of their industry. — here
The entire enterprise of science is based on the idea that the final arbiter of truth is a close interrogation of nature. — there
UPDATE: Found one I had to add:
We believe even those who believe we are too suspicious in our beliefs must share our belief – nay, unimpeachably rigorous deduction – that assertions about governmental belief are unfalsifiable, unhelpful, credulous, propagandistic horseshit. — here
January 28th, 2011 - 9:21 am
With all due respect, I believe* that Miéville is wrong: the government (which is made up of people, by the way) really does believe that its plans are for the good of whatever those plans are supposed to be good for — or at least that those plans are “the best we can do under the circumstances.” Even people in totalitarian government systems think they are doing what they are doing for “the good of the country” or some such thing. Even Hitler thought he was a good guy doing his best for his people.
This, and not some childish vision of Eville Villains and their henchmen all cackling and rubbing their hands together about the bad stuff they’re getting away with is the problem. Everyone thinks they are doing good so no one recognizes — or refuses to recognize — when they aren’t. But you can’t solve that problem with a manifesto.
January 28th, 2011 - 10:01 am
I didn’t quite read it that way but, impossible as it may seem, I agree with both of you. The government is made of people, individuals who are as different from each other as all of us non-government individuals.
edit: Also, I’m just a really huge fan of China Mieville. I love his way with words whether I agree with him or not.
January 28th, 2011 - 1:55 pm
His writing is not really my cup of tea, though his vision is intriguing. I tend to prefer a plain writing style myself. It’s really hard to do and not just sound boring and flat, though; just as an ornate style is difficult to bring off without sounding pretentious.