Elizabeth Rose's Blog - Posts Tagged "isaac-asimov"
That's Not a Thing
I did not want to be one of those writers who sounds off about politics. I intended to cultivate a public persona of neutrality based on Thomas More, a man known for his public silence. Upon reflection, I am forced to concede that keeping quiet did not save More. I should not expect it to protect me, either. So… here is what I have to say:
"Alternative facts" are not a thing. Facts are not like other kinds of information (feelings, opinions, beliefs, etc.). They are special because facts are equally true no matter what anyone thinks of them. Neither misunderstanding nor rejection affects the impact of a fact. Not even obliviousness changes its nature.
What bothers me the most is that this is not new. The people of the United States have always been fractious rabble. To be fair, our hostility towards authority has been as much an asset as a liability. It has fostered innovation and kept us free for over two hundred years, but it has also engendered suspicion of expertise. Isaac Asimov said it best: “There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of 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.” What Asimov recognized decades ago is still true: ignorance is not equal to knowledge. Opinion are not equal to facts. Spin will never surpass reality.
There has been much talk about unity and moving forward together, but I do not see it happening. I see increasing division. Until we can all agree that reality exists, I do not see a way forward.
I am not hopeful.
"Alternative facts" are not a thing. Facts are not like other kinds of information (feelings, opinions, beliefs, etc.). They are special because facts are equally true no matter what anyone thinks of them. Neither misunderstanding nor rejection affects the impact of a fact. Not even obliviousness changes its nature.
What bothers me the most is that this is not new. The people of the United States have always been fractious rabble. To be fair, our hostility towards authority has been as much an asset as a liability. It has fostered innovation and kept us free for over two hundred years, but it has also engendered suspicion of expertise. Isaac Asimov said it best: “There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of 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.” What Asimov recognized decades ago is still true: ignorance is not equal to knowledge. Opinion are not equal to facts. Spin will never surpass reality.
There has been much talk about unity and moving forward together, but I do not see it happening. I see increasing division. Until we can all agree that reality exists, I do not see a way forward.
I am not hopeful.
