Word: suggestibility
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...simply discussing a factor which goes into the making of culture. Admittedly, he is giving this factor a far greater causal role than it has ever been credited with in the past. But isn't this what scientific debate is all about? Many folks were outraged when someone dared suggest that Noah's flood was not responsible for all those fossils. But that was way back in the 19th century. We know the truth, now, so we can laugh at and make fun of anyone who tries to suggest that we might still be a little bit off track...
What all this comes down to, though, is Emmerich's last three paragraphs. This whole debate is shaping up into one more in the "man is the center of the universe" series. Copernicus got it, Galileo got it, Darwin got it. Anyone who dares to suggest that the universe is not divided into three parts--matter, life, and Man, with Man at the top--is accused of the most dreadful heresy...
...part requires extraordinary control, an ability to comically etch the distinctions between the rogue as rogue and the rogue as aesthete through consistent variations of voice and gait. Jackel too often mixes the two; under Seltzer's direction, he relies overmuch on standard poses to suggest his aestheticism, his favorite involving arms exhibitionistically extended to each side and face open in a self-satisfied grin. In failing to differentiate sharply enough between the man who plays a part and the part that the man plays, Jackel not only forfeits many of the humorous possibilities of the role but mutes...
...keep them honest. Is it not Emmerich who is distorting the truth when he asks, "and didn't distortions of Darwin's theory of 'survival of the fittest' and belief in inherent genetic inferiority lead once to the death of six million Jews?" (Dawkins never mentions race.) Does Emmerich suggest Darwin should not have published his theory, because it could be so abused? If distortions of the little hard knowledge and, more plausible though unsubstantiated theory that sociobiology is composed of are presented as justification for reactionary social policy, then, as always should be the case, they should simply...
...money. One is a varying yearly appropriation that is supposed to hold down rate increases; this year it is $792 million. In addition, the service now gets a fixed "public service" subsidy limited by law to 10% of the 1971 Postal Service budget, or $920 million. The commission will suggest that the public service subsidy be set in each year at 10% of the previous year's budget. In 1977 that would amount to $1.6 billion...