Or a simpler example, Discussing a drowning death over memorial day weekend, and not commenting that water is wet.
While an exaggeration I get your point. Reminds me of another thread here this morning...
I think you and FoaS have hit on the nut of it.
Problem is Nemesis, a reputation for genius sucks. Mostly because everyone expects what you say to be brilliant, and when it is, they just don't get 80% of it - but make one error and they get it for sure.
A philosophical question: Why does it seem so much easier/desirable to prove someone wrong than to prove someone right? Even our statistical jargon uses the counter intuitive term "null hypothesis" as the normal assumption in hypothesis testing. The whole logic structure of our minds seems built to prove things wrong, not right. it is incredible we get anything done.
People like to share knowledge, no question, there is reward in it, both for the ego and for altruistic reward. But too often it is confrontational, I catch myself doing it.
I guess Genesis asked the same question: "Why, why do we suffer each race to believe that no race has been grander?"
The problem is not only an individual one but a macrocultural one. I don't think I'll ever solve it, but a little more understanding helps.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrJ1EUrJhOQ[/youtube]
Wait, let me listen to that again (for the four thousandth time...) I think they answer the question in the next line...:
"It seems because through time and space
Though names may change each face retains the mask it wore."
Hmm, not much of an answer, but I don't suppose I could do much better. Odd that I should listen to that song for 30 years and only notice that now.
Ah, I think what Pete is saying is that precisely because we are all really the same, that is itself the explanation. It makes sense in a tautological way.
Sometimes I feel like I'm still 10 years old. <shakes head>