Frazz by Jef Mallett for September 17, 2020

This is all poppycock, a product of a fevered brain and a too-close adherence to the tenets of bi-lateral subsequentialism. You might as well have written it out in iambic speedometer!

I’ve read this three times and I still don’t know what Mr. Mallett is trying to say.

I’m not sure if I lack knowledge or imagination, or maybe both.

So, intelligent isn’t a factor? Knowledge can be gained after ignorance. Stupidity is another problem

If one has knowledge, experience will bring application, expansion, and progress. If one simply imagines possibilities without practical knowledge, will application occur?

Knowledge can be acquired. Imagination has to come from within.

“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”- Samuel Johnson

sounds like we are indirectly veering into political territory…..

It’s both without conscience.

Technology can be used to cure cancer or kill large numbers of people at once.

Perhaps this is a comment about people who see these as distinct groups rather than generally dangerous. Knowledge without imagination generally is how death spirals get created – understood patterns are followed without deviation. It also is the basis of authoritarian views – i.e. such and such a person is an authority therefore we must follow them.

Imagination with little or no knowledge is the basis of every conspiracy theory, every idea about flat earths, the idea that vaccines cause autism – humans have always invented explanations for things they don’t understand and matched belief to them in absence of knowledge.

Human tragedies of profound historical depth have occurred from both cases – Einstein knew this, and sought knowledge to test his imagination, and did not respect people who didn’t understand this balance.

Some people are the light; others are the mirror that reflect it.

Data is. . . Knowledge is data in context. . . .Wisdom is knowledge experienced. For example -

12. . . . .12 F is a temperature. . . . . Going outside when it is 12 F gives you the wisdom that a coat is a good thing.

That’s why it’s important to have both so you can recognize yourself as a nut who is dead wrong in thinking you know everthing.

Just go out and enjoy life. Forget about hypotheticals that you have no control over anyway…..

I imagine someone knows the answer…

Always wrong, but never in doubt.

Is it possible that there’s a bit of self-realization happening here? We certainly have a kid who can’t possibly imagine that they’re ever wrong, and could be argued that a school janitor who chooses to spend 90% of their time (work and otherwise) debating morality and philosophy with assorted 8 year olds is long overdue for a psych eval.

“No amount of experiments will prove me right, it only takes one to prove me wrong.” – Einstein. For all his own dogmatic views (pantheism etc.) I think he ranked doubt pretty highly.

“Inspiration”. Marco Pagot to Fio Piccolo in Porco Rosso. Which in my mind is imagination fired by knowledge and experience. And mind you, Fio did a brilliant job being only 17.

Jef Mallett’s Blog Posts

Frazz20 hrs · Let’s take a break from pondering whether imagination or knowledge is the prime engine of human intellect. Let’s pause and consider an observation from a friend of mine who knows a thing or two about auto racing. He points out that while it’s the engine that MAKES you go fast, it’s the brakes that LET you go fast. A fast car with crappy brakes isn’t just an accident waiting to happen, it’s a slow car. Good brakes mean you can carry a lot more of your engine’s speed a lot farther into the corner. Good brakes mean less coasting.

I take that allegory to heart. If knowledge and imagination are the opposing rows of pistons that make the thing go, doubt is the brakes. And brakes aren’t limiters. They’re enablers. Observe this in action:

I could be wrong about all this, but I doubt it.