the outcome of the election

[--Pete]

Hi,

Rest assured, I've got my diploma in something practical, . . .

Well, my doctorate is in experimental physics. I'm semi-retired, but I spent my career working problems like armor, weapons, radiation hardness of electronics in space, and ways to use satellite imagery to improve agriculture. So, in terms of practicality, I think I'll take a back seat to no one.

. . . but spending my time in books has never been a priority. While I do value those more educated than myself's opinion, that doesn't invalidate my perspective.

Yes, it does. If you are ignorant about a topic, you are still entitled to an opinion. But that opinion is *not* entitled to the respect of those who are not ignorant.

Anyway, all we have to rely on is our perception of reality, how you choose to colour it is up to you.

The irony here is that you've just summed up *my* argument (well, not really mine, but rather the distillation of arguments from Plato to Wheeler) and are too naive in the subject to realize that you've just supported that which you are debating against.

You've clearly chosen to spend time filling your brain with other people's ideas.

Yes, I have. And I've used those ideas as a springboard to further thought and a guide around the pitfalls made in the past. Thus I have a basis for rational thought and opinion on these subjects that I would never have developed had I relied only on my own observations and meditations. Not only were those philosophers smarter than I am, they collectively had much more than my one lifetime to work on the ideas. I might not be capable of matching their thought process, but I am capable of understanding it and using it to improve my own. And that is because, unlike you and our president, I am not afraid to read.

Excuse me for trying to come up with something new.

How will you know 'something new' if you should stumble on it, since you are ignorant of everything old?

--Pete