#702 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Monday July 10)
Good morning,
“There is nothing more frightening than active ignorance.”—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
ACTIVE IGNORANCE
It is one thing to be truly ignorant, as in the lack of knowledge. A child is ignorant about many things but eventually will learn a multitude of facts and skills to prepare him or her for the world. As a child grows, we wonder at their accumulation of knowledge and experience.
As one learns through education, inquiry, and experience, one should not prize ignorance. As the same time, if one continues to inquire and learn, it is not something for which one need be embarrassed. There are endless areas of knowledge about which we are ignorant to one degree or another; but if one is to engage in a discussion of an issue, one must mine for the facts and not be driven by personal bias or anecdote. Our obligation to ourselves and our community is to shed our ignorance in matters that matter. We have the skills and the resources either to learn what we don’t know or employ the services of someone who possesses this knowledge.
Active ignorance is something different. It is the affirmative election either not to seek knowledge or, when presented with facts that can be demonstrably shown to be true, to affirmatively avoid or ignore it. It is hard to change one’s views. It requires the humility to accept that we might be wrong and to acknowledge that new information has come to light from experts who can educate us. But why cling to something that so obviously has been proven to be untrue. Generally, this is because one is so attached to an idea that one cannot conceive of abandoning that notion, held for a long period of time. It might be pig-headedness or the insecurity to admit one’s previous position is flaws. And it may represent some sense of belonging to a larger group or cause that one is loathe to abandon.
The active ignorance of the Trumpist faithful is at this point both laughable and frightening. Each revelation of each act of malfeasance is met with “it’s the liberal press” or “but he’s really strong and says what needs to be said” or “the other guys were just as bad” or “it simply isn’t true.” Things are just factually correct, things caught on tape or in writing are dismissed out of hand. It reminds me of the woman who comes home to find her husband in bed with another woman. She stands aghast and speechless, only to hear her husband say ”Come on, who are you going to believe, me or your lyin’ eyes?”
THE ALL-STAR GAME
Today is the Home Run Derby and tomorrow is the All-Star Game. Most all-star games feel like “going through the motions” and are not a focus of the sport’s annual calendar (see, e.g., The Pro Bowl in football). Baseball’s game, however, often is competitive and is a celebration that is nearly 100 years old. A few things to note:
Mike Trout was selected as a starter for the tenth straight year. Here is the list of all the players who can lay claim to this distinction:
Rod Carew
Cal Ripkin, Jr.
Willie Mays
George Brett
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Johnny Bench
Ozzie Smith
Wade Boggs
Mike Trout
In the meantime, Shohei Otani has been chosen both as the starting Designated Hitter and as a pitcher—the third straight time—and the only player ever chosen as a pitcher and a position player.
Have a great day,
Glenn
From the archives: