Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Delicate Balance

One dog barks at something, and a hundred bark at the bark.  ~Chinese Proverb


Back in the 70's and early 80's, you'd often see a bumper sticker reading "Question Authority!"  It's of course true that the herd mentality (aka "group think") is lethal, but at the same time, on whose authority can anybody tell me to question authority?  If we question in a constructive way, then fine (i.e. to avoid having a society as symbolized in Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery"), but if we are advocating sheer nihilism or anarchy, then we're cutting off our nose to spite our face.