(Since it's been a while since the last one, a reminder that the [NP] in the post title means it's not about pinball. This is your chance to skip it if you're not interested.)
In 1986, the philosopher Harry Frankfurt first published the essay On Bullsh*t, which is as far as I can tell the first serious attempt to A) actually examine the origins and functions of bullsh*t, B) provide a rudimentary theory concerning the production and uses of bullsh*t, and C) write a scholarly piece containing the word "bullsh*t" about every other sentence. Reason C is enough by itself to buy the essay - it's too long to be an article and too short to be a book - and it actually is a thought-provoking read on its own merit.
Mr. Frankfurt wisely refused to write a sequel, correctly sensing that this particular humor would only be funny once. A few others tried to explore the concept further, the best effort of which is probably Deeper into Bullsh*t, but it just wasn't the same.
Apparently, last year Aaron James took a different approach and wrote A**holes: A Theory, which predictably enough contains a general theory of the origins and functions of a**holes in society. The short form of the theory is:
I think we may have just identified the true nature of the invaders.
In 1986, the philosopher Harry Frankfurt first published the essay On Bullsh*t, which is as far as I can tell the first serious attempt to A) actually examine the origins and functions of bullsh*t, B) provide a rudimentary theory concerning the production and uses of bullsh*t, and C) write a scholarly piece containing the word "bullsh*t" about every other sentence. Reason C is enough by itself to buy the essay - it's too long to be an article and too short to be a book - and it actually is a thought-provoking read on its own merit.
Mr. Frankfurt wisely refused to write a sequel, correctly sensing that this particular humor would only be funny once. A few others tried to explore the concept further, the best effort of which is probably Deeper into Bullsh*t, but it just wasn't the same.
Apparently, last year Aaron James took a different approach and wrote A**holes: A Theory, which predictably enough contains a general theory of the origins and functions of a**holes in society. The short form of the theory is:
(Note: Emphasis added. -SDC)Aaron James said:In interpersonal or cooperative relations, the a**hole:
- allows himself to enjoy special advantages and does so systematically;
- does this out of an entrenched sense of entitlement; and
- is immunized by his sense of entitlement against the complaints of other people.
I think we may have just identified the true nature of the invaders.
