Nemesis is teh “unanticipated consequence” of hubris
[ by Charles Cameron — a veritable rule of thumb ]
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Let me steer clear of both foreign policy and presidential candidates, and simply quote Cheryl Rofer from her recent twitter fusillade re Neil deGrasse Tyson:
One of the things science can teach its practitioners is humility. Respect for others who know something you don't.
— Cheryl Rofer (@CherylRofer) March 13, 2016
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Humility has as many applications as a Swiss Army Knife.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:26 am
The only wisdom we can hope to acquire
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Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.
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The houses are all gone under the sea.
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The dancers are all gone under the hill.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:35 am
I think we can include Cheryl in the orientation of poet if not outright philosopher. Amazing!
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Very good, as those on Zenpundit continue to evolve, and leave other behind out of their ignorance. 🙂
March 17th, 2016 at 2:22 am
Not my poetry in my comment. I figured Charles would know it’s from T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets.
March 17th, 2016 at 2:38 am
Well, nice comment anyway!
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And, as I hope to say, it is all about the learning process.
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I don’t backoff of the appreciation that I feel towards you. Very nice connection.
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As I give Charles the lead here, I am very sure he got it, just the same as I didn’t.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:37 am
Thanks for your appreciation, Larry!
March 23rd, 2016 at 1:27 am
in the ancient greek dynamic, hubris (the vain human pretension to be godlike) attracts vengeance from nemesis (the goddess of divine retribution). moreover, some leaders who have hubris also try to play nemesis against someone else they accuse of hubris; they try to play both roles. this results in an extraordinary, energizing, often charismatic “hubris-nemesis complex.” captain ahab is a literary archetype.
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today, the republican presidential campaign seems lit up with this dynamic. trump is fraught with hubris, but also tilts at playing nemesis. cruz seems more fraught with nemesis qualities, but exhibits flashes of hubris. meanwhile, lots of people seem enthralled by the displays of hubris and nemesis rhetoric. not a healthy sign.