What can society do about these people who think that they know something? Well, first we deny the possibility that they have anything novel to say, then we arrange to have them find fault with themselves for what they perceive as their own shortcomings. Then after they have injured themselves trying to correct this implied deficiency, we tell them that maybe their ideas had merit, but the only efficient way to assess any idea, is for the originator to take responsibility for making them happen. If they are unable to demonstrate the successful application of the idea, we take this as proof that the idea was no good to begin with. Such is the application of market theory to the systematic suppression of unsupported ideas. The attitudes of Winners and Losers alike, are taken to be the causative factor. We recognize the effect of the self fulfilling prophesy. In both cases what is going unmentioned is the structural context. Winners are those we give credit to, Losers face responsibility for not being creditable. Winners will credit their success to luck and hard work, but Losers are left to reach the conclusion that either it is all their personal fault, or they have been the victim of bad luck. What to do about the illusion of functional autonomy vs. the principle of independence? Self control: we must become sufficiently self aware to realize that this vital instrument of independence is exactly the force that imprisons so many of us within a personal hell. As a society we would be well advised to examine the structural realities that leave so many of us with broken dreams and a poverty of options. The merit principle is all very well, but isnt it is a clear sign of a sick society, when we conflate winning the lottery, with demonstrating competence? ---------------------------- Tim would bake them John word salads While Bobrah sells tickets to a geodesic fantasyland Detweiler mourns with Vulis, Choate and Sunder trade insults While Art and CJ make licences in an authoritarian nightmare me, I'm just a lawn mower