Thought for the day.

[randomness]

If we have learned anything during this age of speedier and increasingly numerous interactions between peoples with different historical experiences, it is that facts matter less than perceptions, especially perceptions formed by raw emotions. It is what people believe that is crucial, not what they actually know. What is needed, therefore, beyond guiding philosophical principles, is a vivid appreciation of just what's out there, in the form of myths, passions, and irrationalities that in any age are central to decision making and, in a larger sense, to the human spirit itself. Romance, rather than being antithetical to realism, is a necessary component of it.

Robert Kaplan, in the January/February 2007 Atlantic.

Comments

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

I think that's all just a fancier way of saying, "Truthiness is more important than truth." :)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Nice. :)

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

You said it. Or, rather, he did. I deal with this far more on a personal level than the political one, but it's true all along the spectrum.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Bingo.

So do I, but you knew that already. :)

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Spiraling outward from thinking about this, today I was considering the sacred animals of Jason & my personal mythology. They include the peacock and the llama.

I share this simply because I thought you'd a) understand and b) chuckle.

[braingeyser.livejournal.com]

Is he talking about how to more effectively manipulate mindless voters, or is he saying this is just the way everyone operates? Because the notion that "irrationalities...in any age are central to decision making" rather terrifies me. Then it sounds like he's dressing it up nice and pretty by referring to this primal reversion as "romance."

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

The latter, actually. I think it's clearer if you read the quote in context, but his overall point is that people are not rational beings. Failing to take into account the irrationality in human behavior makes for bad policy.

In a way, that's a statement of the obvious. But I posted it as a reminder to myself, mostly--as I said in my reply to lillibet--on a personal level. Lately I've been embracing my own irrationality. As you know, in various crowds we run in, that's not necessarily encouraged. That quote just jumped out at me as timely affirmation: "irrationalit[y is]...central to...the human spirit".

The piece from which the quote is taken is worth reading if you're interested in Kaplan's take on the relative relevance of Herodotus and Thucydides to the modern world.