Shane Castle
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I remember you having Miles say of Cordelia that she has conquered the will to be stupid (a paraphrase as I am too lazy to find it right now). I came across a rather shallow article discussing one aspect of stupidity: https://psyche.co/ideas/why-some-of-the-smartest-people-can-be-so-very-stupid Have you encountered any similar articles?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Some, in WWI analyses and the like historical examinations. Stuff on the Dunning-Kruger effect (smart people underestimating themselves, non-smart people overestimating) has been kicking around for a while, but that's rather different.
I understand the use of repurposing of standard English words into specific other meanings for the purpose of precise argument, which he does here, but it irritates me, as it seems more likely to lead to misunderstanding than the intended reverse. Otherwise, yes, I get what he's trying to say and somewhat agree.
My own related observation, which does dovetail with the article, is that stupid (in the original meaning) people fool themselves in stupid ways, and smart people fool themselves in smart ways. Examples of the latter may be found in dead-end scientific theories -- all those complex calculations for epicycles of planetary motion were not done by stupid people -- and high-end theology -- Scholasticism makes an interesting study of enormous amounts of brainpower wasted on systematic rubbish. The biggest problem with the latter category is how hard it is for anyone else to combat, since it will certainly look convincing.
Ta, L.
Some, in WWI analyses and the like historical examinations. Stuff on the Dunning-Kruger effect (smart people underestimating themselves, non-smart people overestimating) has been kicking around for a while, but that's rather different.
I understand the use of repurposing of standard English words into specific other meanings for the purpose of precise argument, which he does here, but it irritates me, as it seems more likely to lead to misunderstanding than the intended reverse. Otherwise, yes, I get what he's trying to say and somewhat agree.
My own related observation, which does dovetail with the article, is that stupid (in the original meaning) people fool themselves in stupid ways, and smart people fool themselves in smart ways. Examples of the latter may be found in dead-end scientific theories -- all those complex calculations for epicycles of planetary motion were not done by stupid people -- and high-end theology -- Scholasticism makes an interesting study of enormous amounts of brainpower wasted on systematic rubbish. The biggest problem with the latter category is how hard it is for anyone else to combat, since it will certainly look convincing.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
yang hwa
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Reading the Vorkosigan Saga inspired me to pick up drawing after a 10-year hiatus and draw some fanart, of which there's a sad dearth. What fanart I saw puts the Barrayaran women in Victorian/Edwardian-style clothing, while I've always imagined them in 1930-early 1960s clothing (boleros, calf-length skirts, skirt and blouse combos). Am I right and did you have any other fashion inspo I should take into consideration?
Shane
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
My Dad and I started reading your books in the late 1980s. His favorite character was Ivan Vorpatril. My Dad would have love Captain Vorpatril's Alliance. Have you considered writing a book where Ivan is the ambassador to Jackson Hole? Thank you for all your books over the years. I actually read Cryoburn to my Dad at his hospital bedside. I still cry when I read the dribbles at the end. Good memories.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more