http://mindscalpel.com/2008/01/19/pact-with-satan-you-decide/ Stupidity got us into this mess; stupidity will get us out! Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:34:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://mindscalpel.com/2008/01/19/pact-with-satan-you-decide/#comment-7 Bartleby Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:05:02 +0000 http://mindscalpel.com/2008/01/19/pact-with-satan-you-decide/#comment-7 You know, I'm just not sure. The Pact with Satan hypothesis only works (hell, is only necessary) if you assume that NORMALLY there is a correlation between (a) financial success, fame, recognition, etc. and (b) level of intelligence, talent, diligence, or general merit. A broader example suggest a perfect zero correlation: Russia is a country where a cerebral game like chess is so widely practiced and admired that it is practically the premier spectator sport, and yet the country succeeds only at failing, materially, at least. In Hollywood, on the other hand, where the combined intellectual force of the top 10% is still a few points below "idiot," they are drowning in money and recognition. (I cannot honestly take credit for this comparison, but unfortunately neither can I remember who to give the credit to. Has kind of a Dennis Miller ring to it, but I don't think that's it.) You know, I’m just not sure. The Pact with Satan hypothesis only works (hell, is only necessary) if you assume that NORMALLY there is a correlation between (a) financial success, fame, recognition, etc. and (b) level of intelligence, talent, diligence, or general merit. A broader example suggest a perfect zero correlation: Russia is a country where a cerebral game like chess is so widely practiced and admired that it is practically the premier spectator sport, and yet the country succeeds only at failing, materially, at least. In Hollywood, on the other hand, where the combined intellectual force of the top 10% is still a few points below “idiot,” they are drowning in money and recognition. (I cannot honestly take credit for this comparison, but unfortunately neither can I remember who to give the credit to. Has kind of a Dennis Miller ring to it, but I don’t think that’s it.)

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