08-05-2010, 03:45 AM
A false witness is sent to an honest researcher.
The false witness, while presenting a story as relatively sophisticated as it is enticing, intentionally if quietly makes a miscalculation that gives away his game to the honest researcher.
The honest researcher exposes the false witness to an engrossed research community.
The honest researcher makes his bones and subsequently achieves prominence in the research community.
The honest researcher's judgement is celebrated and trusted.
Sometime later, another false witness -- this time with an ultra-sophisticated story -- is sent to the honest researcher, who cannot find fault with the bill of goods he's been handed.
The honest researcher, with the best of intentions, endorses the false story and lends his prestige to it. It's a classic argument from false authority, and it wins the day.
The damage is done.
This game plays out at its own pace. No need to rush the time, as they say at the Village Vanguard.
Time is on their side.
The false witness, while presenting a story as relatively sophisticated as it is enticing, intentionally if quietly makes a miscalculation that gives away his game to the honest researcher.
The honest researcher exposes the false witness to an engrossed research community.
The honest researcher makes his bones and subsequently achieves prominence in the research community.
The honest researcher's judgement is celebrated and trusted.
Sometime later, another false witness -- this time with an ultra-sophisticated story -- is sent to the honest researcher, who cannot find fault with the bill of goods he's been handed.
The honest researcher, with the best of intentions, endorses the false story and lends his prestige to it. It's a classic argument from false authority, and it wins the day.
The damage is done.
This game plays out at its own pace. No need to rush the time, as they say at the Village Vanguard.
Time is on their side.