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Karen, et al.:<br>
<br>
Actually, this idea that the masses want a dunce is a rather old idea,
and fortunately one that has not proven itself. I think we can agree
that our presidents have been remarkable each in his own way, and
criticism of the current one is short-sighted. Mencken was a clever
writer, but not necessarily wise. I say that at the considerable risk
of alienating Frank Foreman, a man of huge intellect. <br>
Take a look at "Wisdom of Crowds" by Surowicki. He demonstrates
that aggregate wisdom is remarkably accurate. That being said, it may
well be that either would have made a fairly good president, but
perhaps it will turn out that Bush will be somewhat better (1% or 2%
better??). <br>
The following is from:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.randomhouse.com/features/wisdomofcrowds/">http://www.randomhouse.com/features/wisdomofcrowds/</a><br>
<br>
<i><b>"No one in this world, so far as I know, has ever lost money by
underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain
people."<br>
-H. L. Mencken</b></i>
<br>
<br>
<font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> H. L. Mencken was wrong.
<br>
<br>
In this endlessly fascinating book, <i>New Yorker</i>
columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea that has
profound implications: large groups of people are smarter than an elite
few, no matter how brilliant—better at solving problems, fostering
innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future.
<br>
<br>
This seemingly counterintuitive notion has endless and major
ramifications for how businesses operate, how knowledge is advanced,
how economies are (or should be) organized and how we live our daily
lives. With seemingly boundless erudition and in delightfully clear
prose, Surowiecki ranges across fields as diverse as popular culture,
psychology, ant biology, economic behaviorism, artificial intelligence,
military history and political theory to show just how this principle
operates in the real world. <br>
</font><br>
<br>
From a broader perspective, I recommend we look at Appreciative
Inquiry as a model for dealing with this election. AI involves a way of
capturing the wisdom of large groups and transmuting those groups by
coordinated committed action. Check out:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://appreciativeinquiry.cwru.edu/">http://appreciativeinquiry.cwru.edu/</a><br>
and click on the introduction button.<br>
<br>
I personally was touched by Kerry's appeal to come together now (quite
a change for me, since I had an irrational and embarassing dislike for
the man) and am going to do all I can to promote that. I believe
passionately in the power of positive visions, and I believe in the
transformational possibilities of seeing our leaders appreciatively. I
ask you to join me in that.<br>
<br>
Lynn Johnson<br>
Salt Lake City<br>
<br>
K.E. wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid6.1.2.0.0.20041111091230.01a80450@mail.earthlink.net"><br>
When a candidate for public office faces the voters he does not face
men of
<br>
sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is that
they
<br>
are quite incapable of weighing ideas, or even of comprehending any
save the
<br>
most elemental -- men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion,
and
<br>
whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand. So
<br>
confronted, the candidate must either bark with the pack, or count
himself
<br>
lost. His one aim is to disarm suspicion, to arouse confidence in his
<br>
orthodoxy, to avoid challenge. If he is a man of convictions, of
enthusiasm,
<br>
or self-respect, it is cruelly hard…
<br>
<br>
The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small
<br>
electorates, a first rate man occasionally fights his way through,
carrying
<br>
even a mob with him by the force of his personality. But when the field
is
<br>
nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second or third
hand, and
<br>
the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all
the
<br>
odds are on the man who is, intrinsically the most devious and mediocre
<br>
--
<br>
the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a
<br>
virtual vacuum.
<br>
<br>
The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is
<br>
perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul
<br>
of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious
<br>
day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last,
and the
<br>
White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
<br>
<br>
<br>
--H.L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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