“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
The last part containing “democracy means that my ignorance…”, is still true today; decades later. I think this is Asimov’s best quote. I consistently experience Conservative Americans believing their opinions hold as much weight as an expert’s knowledge. To be fair it is not exclusive to Conservatives.
What a thoughtful post! I love how you’ve picked apart Asimov’s quote and unpacked its deeper meanings. It’s amazing how a few lines from such a prolific thinker can continue to provoke reflection long after reading. Thanks for sharing this, it’s a great reminder of how powerful language can be.
I love how you picked such a powerful Asimov quote, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent” really gets you thinking about how we approach conflict and wisdom in life.
This post reminds me of one of my favorite Asimov lines: “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” It’s a perfect lens for examining where we are today.
I appreciated this post. Asimov’s work has so many gems, like “The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing,” and this quote you shared fits right into that spirit of curiosity and discovery.