Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. - John F. Kennedy
The greater our knowledge increases the more our ignorance unfolds. - John F. Kennedy
The #1206 “fiction” series continues ….
She squinted in the glare of the hot, bright studio lights, wondering why she had agreed to this interview. Her agitation was growing as she realized that the interviewer had deftly debated her into an indefensible corner.
“So”, the interviewer pressed, “Allow me to summarize your key points. One. That your party will win the next election because everyone simply knows you are better. Two. The other party can’t win because everyone knows they are led by an idiot. Three. No change of strategy or approach is needed to win the next election because of the first two points. Have I summarized your ideas fairly and accurately?”
She paused for a moment, realizing that she had said these points exactly as he expressed them and on live television at that and so to deny them didn’t exactly help her cause. “What more truth and facts do you need?”, she snapped at the interviewer.
As she continued to speak, two men watched with interest from the control room.
The first of the two men glanced at his companion and noted “She has no idea what the difference is between emotion and facts. I would think that suggests that the dumbing down of the people is almost complete. What do you think?”
His companion smiled as he watched the interview winding down. He chuckled and then replied, “I didn’t think you could pull this off but I have to admit it has gone far better than I thought it would. Look at the debates in progress. The nations of the world are split on the realities and ramifications of global warming. Nations talk peace while refusing to acknowledge that there are approximately 125 wars and local insurgencies happening at any given moment on their planet, in large part fuelled by the UN Security Council. Legislatures and courts churn over the rights of minorities who make up a very small percentage of the population but who vehemently demand more rights than others under the auspices that they feel threatened and oppressed.”
He continued, “Meanwhile, the Earth’s ability to support an ever-growing population may have already passed the point of no return. Governments have moved into the role of public relations instead of governing as their ability to manage ever-increasingly complex issues has long since disappeared. The list goes on and on. The people are divided over issues where emotion, especially fear and anger, rule every dialog while solutions continue to elude them.”
He paused before continuing, “And finally, people continue to waste more time on mind numbing social media activities while their input into important items around the world continues to decline. The ignorant and the uninformed use social media to shout down others who dare to engage in idea exchange and the questioning of unsolved issues in the world. And because enough people couldn’t be dumbed down or intimidated fast enough for our intentions, legislation allowing more of them to legally partake in recreational drug usage has gotten us back on schedule. A populace that thinks less or feels intimidated to ask questions, questions less. Well done – you must be very proud!”
“I am very proud”, the first man said, “The last steps of preparation are almost complete! There are, however, some pockets of resistance that remain that must be neutralized in order to ensure victory.”
“And how is our plan coming along to accomplish this?”, his companion asked.
Before the first man could answer, he was suddenly distracted by the chime of his cell phone. Unclipping it from his belt, he studied the screen for a few moments before looking up and smiling. He held his phone out to his companion to allow him to examine the screen contents.
As his companion read the screen before him, he suddenly smiled. “The intelligence services on this planet are indeed useful”, he said.
“They are indeed”, replied the first man. “A united Earth is not useful to us. However, one divided by anger and paranoia – now that’s a different story! Our plans continue unabated.”
He returned his gaze to the monitor, observing the interview as it wrapped up.
“A world ruled by fear, the inability to evaluate situations based on data and the inability to exchange ideas peacefully”, he said quietly. “Their projection of their own inner insecurities defines their perception of their world. Their perception reveals their needs and intentions. Their needs and intentions reveal their weaknesses. Their weaknesses become our strengths. They believe they are so defined by their past that they waste their present and leave their future open to be defined by someone else.”
He paused for a moment.
“By the way”, he continued, “Don’t forget that our presentation to the President is still on for 9 am tomorrow morning.”
His companion nodded, lost in his own thoughts.
Both men became silent as they stared at the control room monitors.
To be continued.
© 2014 – Harry Tucker – All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer:
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Series Origin:
This series, a departure from my usual musings, is inspired as a result of conversations with former senior advisors to multiple Presidents of the United States, senior officers in the US Military and other interesting folks.
While this musing is just “fiction” and a departure from my musings on technology, strategy, politics and society, as a strategy guy, I do everything for a reason and with a measurable outcome in mind. :-)
This “fictional” musing is a continuation of the #1206 series noted here.
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