With the political primary season in full gear (at least for one party), I thought it would be appropriate to use the primary process to make a point or two regarding core values and the comparative dangers and benefits of adaptation. (Check out last week’s article if you missed it.) Since then we have had…
A couple in Mongolia recently ate raw marmot meat, which is apparently a thing in Mongolia. It is believed to be a health boost by the locals. (A marmot is a rodent, sort of like a woodchuck or large squirrel. I prefer them braised or fricasseed, but that’s just me.) The couple contracted bubonic plague and died — which I think we can all agree is pretty much the opposite of “a health boost.”
The resulting quarantine held up the lives of 118 locals and tourists for six days. The danger appears to be over now, so our family vacation to Mongolia is back on. Get back to packing, girls.
Facts are stubborn things, said John Adams. But being stubborn does not always win you an argument. We have all been in “discussions” in which we were correct and the simpleton on the other side of the table was not. We laid out the facts as plainly as anyone could. And they remained unconvinced.
Maybe they found comfort in character assassination, or muddied the waters with irrelevant information. Maybe they just threw up their hands and left the room. Maybe they even took a swing at you. What they didn’t do, though, is change their mind. Facts had nothing to do with their position, either before or after the discussion.
