Mr Trump and Ignorance

Donald Trump sought to answer a criticism that he was ignorant of Islam, made by the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Mr Trump’s answer was to challenge the Mayor to an intelligence test, as though intelligence was the same as knowledge. Mr Trump must surely know

Nuke ‘Em

As a European of greatly mixed European ethnicity I am always surprised at the ignorance of ordinary Americans when it comes to places that are outside the United States. Of course the USA is a great country, but it is not the only country nor is it the most important country, nor is it the country that has contributed the most to civilisation; no great religion started there and its contribution to philosophy has been distinctly on the lightweight side. These are not intended to criticise the USA, merely to differentiate it from other nations.

The Angels are weeping over England

Isabella, the angels are weeping over England and have cried for many weeks. Their tears are flooding England.

The Instincts of the Ignorant

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge” said Isaac Asimov.

Asimov was right; ignorance is not as good as knowledge. Unfortunately democracy gives a person ignorant the same vote as the person who has great knowledge. Perhaps sometimes humanity needs the instincts of the ignorant.  Perhaps not.

Ignorance is Everywhere

Ignorance is everywhere but in some places it is more deeply spread than in others and on some topics, such as the environmental protection I can find myself in despair about the ignorance.  Fox News is a good example, although it is not unique. I have seen similar ignorance displayed on the BBC and by the Advertising Standards Authority. Some may be well educated but education does not make you smart.

The following is a good and recent example of what I mean.

Chaos and climate change

Do not worry when scientists predict the future events, particularly those relating to climate change. These predictions are never accurate because the topic is too complex. Accordingly we should always treat predictions that relate to glaciers melting by a specific day or a tipping point being reached at a specific point in time with a large pinch of salt. The time to worry is when scientists qualify their findings on the basis that they might be wrong.