On Experience

by Liberty and Power

I was going to make this a comment on Steve's post 2 entries down, but it's worth putting on top. A reader brought this essay by Sam Harris to my attention, and this one passage struck me as perfect:

He writes:"Americans have an unhealthy desire to see average people promoted to positions of great authority. No one wants an average neurosurgeon or even an average carpenter, but when it comes time to vest a man or woman with more power and responsibility than any person has held in human history, Americans say they want a regular guy, someone just like themselves….This is one of the many points at which narcissism becomes indistinguishable from masochism."

Just so. I wish I had written that.

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M.D. Fulwiler - 9/8/2008

But what qualifications do libertarians want the President of the United States to have? I would think mainly good judgment and a good political philosophy, something your average Joe or Jane could have and something the polically experienced Joe Biden does not have at all. (Nor does Palin).

Gus diZerega - 9/4/2008

Aeon and I have crossed intellectual swords in the past and doubtless will in the future, and I've ben citical of Harris, but thanks to Sam Harris for a great quote, and to Aeon for bringing it to my attention.

Wonderful.

William Marina - 9/4/2008

Dear Aeon,
I believe its usually called "Egalitarianism!"
http://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1410