It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the Internet has evolved into a force strong enough to reflect the greatest hopes and fears of those who use it. After all, it was designed to withstand nuclear war, not just the puny huffs and puffs of politicians and religious fanatics.
|
I have observed that the world has suffered far less from ignorance than from pretensions to knowledge. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. No agnostic ever burned anyone at the stake or tortured a pagan, a heretic, or an unbeliever.
|
Fanatics are picturesque, mankind would rather see gestures than listen to reasons.
|
The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice. ... But so long as men are not trained to withhold judgment in the absence of evidence, they will be led astray by cocksure prophets, and it is likely that their leaders will be either ignorant fanatics or dishonest charlatans. To endure uncertainty is difficult, but so are most of the other virtues.
|
The worst government is often the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.
|
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
|
... we are not dreamers or fanatics; and we know that the ballot when we get it, will achieve for woman no more than it has achieved for man.....
|
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.
|