Remember Chancey from the movie "Being There." Actually that was not his name. He got it when he introduced himself as Chance, . . . the gardener. He is not very smart and does not read or write. Through a series of mishaps he becomes media celeb and Presidential advisor. Here is the dialogue from a scene with the President:
"Bobby": Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?[Long pause]
the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.
"Bobby": In the garden.
the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.
"Bobby": Spring and summer.
the Gardener: Yes.
"Bobby: Then fall and winter
the Gardener: Yes.
Rand: I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we're upset by the seasons of our economy.
the Gardener: Yes! There will be growth in the spring!
Rand: Hmm!
the Gardener: Hmm!
"Bobby": Hm. Well, Mr. Gardner, I must admit that is one of the most refreshing and optimistic statements I've heard in a very, very long time.
Benjamin Rand applauds.
"Bobby": I admire your good, solid sense. That's precisely what we lack on Capitol Hill.
People assumed he was special. A terrific little book -- The Drunkard's Walk (math talk for randomness) -- discusses the way that through luck people who are no more talented thousands of others become stars. And once they have that luck the assumption of expertise follows.
So, since somehow he has achieved a reputation as a genius, everything he says is interpreted to reinforce those expections.
That was alll supposed to be absurd but now with a few of today's politicians, the absurd has become the new normal.
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