In 18 months of writing about Thomas Sowell, I’ve seen everything from “polite” dismissiveness to sheer savagery. In some cases, his followers defend him before they even know what the subject matter is. I’m even assailed on things we agree on, because you assume I’m out to discredit Sowell on everything.
Blind devotion is not a path to understanding anything — which does a colossal disservice to your purpose. And that behavior is a gross breach of the very principles you put him on a pedestal for.
Even on the issues in question — my objective is not to destroy his reputation. Quite the contrary. Believe it or not, my aim is to make Thomas Sowell the catalyst who could turn the tide. The ultimate irony is that your blind loyalty limits him — while my criticism could elevate him to heights your hero-worship ensures he’ll never go.
Work is a journey on which you welcome challenge . . .
Work does not instantly respond — work digs to discover and inquires to clarify. Work is difficult and demands discernment. Work wonders, pauses, listens, absorbs, and reflects.
Work does not rest on who’s right and who’s wrong: Work wants to know if there’s something more to see, something to learn, something that sharpens the mind. Work never stops building on the foundation of your own work and what you learn from the work of others.
Work works its way through material that is not easy.
Work recognizes complexity and the demands of in-depth explanation. Work will go on a trip to ideas that take time and effort to understand. Work knows that you can’t see your way to a solution without understanding the different dimensions of a problem.
Work does not defend before you consider
Work does not race to conclusions — work arrives at them through careful consideration. Work is willing is rethink what you think you know. Work takes integrity, courtesy, curiosity, courage, and decency.
Work comes with the willingness to be wrong.
Work is not self-satisfied. Work does not sling snippets of certitude — work crafts argument on the merits. Work is an exchange where each party takes information into account. Work does not issue childish insults — work demands that you act your age.
Work respects your intelligence by using it — and shows respect to others as we work our way to mutual respect. Work won’t be pretty and might even get ugly — but work will do what it takes to work it out.
And if you wanna start solving problems — work is what it’s gonna take.
Speaking of work
I’m looking for fiercely independent thinkers for an idea that could turn the tide. If you’re not interested in hearing me out and having meaningful conversation — we have nothing to talk about and I wish you well.
Please contact me through the site or DM on Twitter — as I no longer respond to Tweets or superficial fragments of any kind.
Thank you!
I’ve even had people instantly Like the link to this post below — without having the slightest clue what it’s about. They made assumptions simply because the title has the overtone of praise that they’re used to.
Operating on assumptions and appearances is not the mark of Sowell’s standards.
To the uneducated, abstract ideas are unfamiliar; so is the detachment that is necessary to discover a truth out of one’s own knowledge and mental effort. The uneducated person views life in an intensely personal way — he knows only what he sees, hears or touches and what he is told by friends. As the unknown sage puts it, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”
But more than ever, even the most educated minds act in an uneducated manner in service of their interests — and harm them in doing so.
On a daily basis, this guy Tweets Thomas Sowell quotes — and the gushing of over-the-top praise follows. I wouldn’t mind so much if their actions even remotely reflected their claims. It’s a sign of the times that you could celebrate “follow the facts” and refuse to go anywhere near ’em.
Following facts going in the direction you desire doesn’t count — anybody can do that.
@Playalong6 didn’t wanna be just anybody — and ironically, didn’t play along. He realized that supporting Sowell requires the willingness to question him. Our exchange was a bit contentious at first, which makes his movement all the more impressive.
He didn’t rely on circular certitude so common today — where people tap dance around the issue so they never have to address it.
He asked questions and took the answers into account.
Imagine!
He did what Sowell didn’t — along with his army of apologists. If you only apply these principles when it’s in your interests — what would you call it?
- What is the issue?
- What is the evidence?
- What did Sowell say and why is he wrong?
In a following that seemingly lives to flood the internet with his words — just what would it take to get you to use those words?
Behold the Legacy of Your Beloved Sowell: Disciples on Duty . . .
Stirring Defense!
After all your postering and pasting of quotes. After all you’ve supposedly learned from your “brilliant” and beloved “National Treasure”:
This childish crap is the best ya got? And that’s mild compared to what I’m used to.
Sterling legacy he’s leaving behind:
In your bottomless contempt for correction, you are utterly devoid of desire to understand anything that isn’t self-evident in 60 seconds. Your behavior has not an atom of integrity, courtesy, curiosity, courage, decency: Or any virtue of any kind.
When I came across Sowell supporters who lived up to their claims in some fashion (even if far from in full) — I shared those positive experiences. The behavior by the rest of you — is an embarrassment to the entire history of human achievement:
Note: The post title is not literally true, as a few other Sowell supporters considered what I had to say and were willing to change their minds. But @Playalong6 is the only one I’ve ever had an actual conversation with that got into the details.
Almost 100% of his followers do nothing but question my motives, mock my site, and assault my character — then proudly post quotes of Sowell looking stately as he condemns the very thing they’re doing.
One Voice Became Two 