Putting things in context

Posted on 06/10/2021 by Dr Bob Rich

I have a gentle, self-effacing friend in Britain I would be happy to vote for as President of Earth. This is because he would not exercise power, and so would not be corrupted by it. He would make sure all the decisions were made by those most qualified, on the best available evidence, rationally, calmly, with decency and compassion.

When he reads this (because he is a follower of Bobbing Around), he will not recognise himself from this description. That of course is one of the necessary qualifications for the job of President of Earth.

Another is a sense of humour that cheers up my day. Isn’t spreading smiles around the globe a necessary requirement?

But most important is a quirky imagination that connects up dots that were previously strangers to each other. To see what I mean, please read his latest post.

It is short, but may well make you think for a long time.

About Dr Bob Rich

I am a professional grandfather. My main motivation is to transform society to create a sustainable world in which my grandchildren and their grandchildren in perpetuity can have a life, and a life worth living. This means reversing environmental idiocy that's now threatening us with extinction, and replacing culture of greed and conflict with one of compassion and cooperation.
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6 Responses to Putting things in context

  1. Dr Bob Rich says:
    08/10/2021 at 10:35 am

    PeNdantry, “Does Plato have anything to say about that? Do you?”
    Plato decided that leaders need to be trained to the role from infancy. His student, Aristotle, put this in practice with Alexander, and what we got was a mass murderer who conquered cities with little tricks like lobbing plague-infected bodies over the walls.
    Personally, when I have been forced into leadership positions, my only tool was, “This is a good road I am walking on. Come with me.”

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  2. Dr Bob Rich says:
    07/10/2021 at 8:53 am

    I found it!
    https://www.azquotes.com/quote/912336
    Only those who do not seek power are qualified to hold it.
    Plato
    I like my translation better.

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  3. peNdantry says:
    07/10/2021 at 12:36 am

    Connecting up another dot, I offer you a quote:

    Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.
    – Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

    I’m glad I was able to bring a smile to your face, Bob; my work here is done.

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    • Dr Bob Rich says:
      07/10/2021 at 8:51 am

      I think from memory Plato also said something like, anyone who seeks power should be denied it. If he didn’t say it, I will.

      Actually, I’ll say it even if he did.

      Hey, I just have!
      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • peNdantry says:
        08/10/2021 at 5:28 am

        It’s a real quandary, isn’t it? We clearly need leaders, but we don’t need those who want to lead (and we can in particular do without those who want to lead because of what they can themselves gain from the position). I don’t have an answer for that conundrum. Does Plato have anything to say about that? Do you?

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  4. Carolyn Howard-Johnson says:
    06/10/2021 at 10:12 am

    You are fortunate man, indeed.

    Forgive typos, please. I dictate when using iPhone. Carolyn Howard-Johnson Author of the multi award-winning HowtoDoItFrugally Series of books for writers E-Mail: hojonews@aol.com Free resources for writers: http://HowToDoItFrugally.com Retweet with me: @frugalbookpromo. Find me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson Follow my Amazon profile: http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile

    >

    Liked by 2 people

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