rattus rattus’ blog

paradoxes

are

paradoxes

Here is one more quote about public opinion:

Die öffentliche Meinung ist der Lärm, der entsteht, wenn die Bretter aneinanderschlagen, die die Leute vor dem Kopf haben.

— Volkmar Muthesius

Wenn wir uns als Teil der “Leute” sehen, so können wir das Zitat auch als eine grobe Variante des Lügner-Paradoxons sehen, abgesehen davon, dass Sehen mit einem Brett vor dem Kopf möglicherweise schwierig ist. Aber so sehe ich das eben.

[According to my available sources there is no English phrase or saying that literally translates German “ein Brett vor dem Kopf haben”, meaning “having a board before your head”. Can anyone help with a translation of the above quote?]

Truth and knowledge often enter the arena hand in hand. Knowledge being honored if true, truth being more valued if known.

Imagine Socrates were living in Crete. Say, being Epimenides‘ brother. A liar saying he knows nothing but the fact of his ignorance. The Honorable Chief Judge Aristotle, as yesterday so today, might have had him burn at the stake much earlier.

In some languages a double negative resolves to a negative, while in others it resolves to a positive. (Wikipedia, as of 2006-08-06)

Let’s try this. Do the following resolve to a negative or to a positive?

• I can’t get no satisfaction.
• But never do what you are not told.
• He doesn’t know nothing ’bout no knowin.
• Though, she does not know her ignorance.
• Anyway, no words ought not to be trusted.

It’s a weird thing.

I am glad I am a liar who knows nothing save that there is more to know than knowledge. Now, go ahead, sue me!

[Ratta says: Please, could you try a little harder to feel less pressed!]

[Ratta says, it’s good to know that getting no comments is one hell of a comment.]

Cartoon by hugh macleod

The annoying thing about people like you is the expectation to be taken seriously by people like me.

When I read you and I I am always wondering who is addressed. The author, the writer, the reader, me, you, or the story’s fictional characters? And what if I read a text to someone? Or, when I quote some text?

Maybe, I should just try to annoy myself less.