Sigmund
Freud identified an interesting twist in the spectrum of human emotions which he
labeled “transference.” This was the
tendency of those being psychoanalyzed to view their psychoanalysts as
all-knowing and all-seeing … and thus an object of veneration (frequently
falling in love with them.)
Siggy baby
had it right … but he didn’t nearly go far enough. It seems that our society today engages in a
wide variety of illogical transference-like emotions. We view successful investors (such as Warren
Buffet) as super-experts in taxing policy.
We view movie stars (such as Sean Penn) as super-experts on
international relations. We view pop
singers (such as Madonna) as
super-experts on child-raising. We view
comedians (such as Jon Stewart) as super-experts in news commentary. We view the spouses of legislators (such as
Clair McCaskill) as super-experts on law-making.
And we view
consummate politicians (you pick your favorite) as super-experts in governance. (I guess I have also to add that we view successful venture capitalists as super-experts in politics.)
2 comments:
How about all the people who think that blowhard -- Rush Limbaugh -- is an expert on the evil nature of democrats?
(BTW I don't disagree with your thesis, but some of the examples do not resonate. No one would pay any attention to Madonna on parenting -- nor does anyone who watches the show think Jon Stewart is anything but a comedian posing as a fake news analyst.
On Madonna, see: http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/madonnas-parenting-secrets-7242846.html
On Jon Stewart, see:
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-207_162-603270.html
The evil nature of Democrats is self-evident independent of Rush Limbaugh.
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