Weekend Reading
Writing worth reading - 3rd/4th August 2024
The Right Kind of Stubborn by Paul Graham
“If that's the only difference then there's nothing to be learned from the distinction. Telling someone to be persistent rather than obstinate would just be telling them to be right rather than wrong, and they already know that. Whereas if persistence and obstinacy are actually different kinds of behavior, it would be worthwhile to tease them apart.…”
The Tories will keep losing if they chase Reform by David Gauke
“It is certainly true that the split on the right badly hurt the Tories but it does not follow that the answer to their woes is simply to unite the right. The main argument against this analysis is, first, that you cannot simply add the Conservative and Reform votes together: many Reform voters would not consider voting Tory and many Tory voters would have nothing to do with a party that reached an accommodation with Nigel Farage. Second, even if this degree of unity could be achieved, it is still not enough to form a parliamentary majority.…”
“Most people who see the truth refuse to acknowledge it. We can notice an unhappy customer, a shoddy product or a decaying industry, but we don’t want to be aware of it. Our attachment is to a future that looks like the past, 7 and so we ignore the data or diminish its importance. We don’t mean to lie; we’re just in denial. Those who can see the truth often hesitate to speak up. We don’t want to upset the status quo. We fear the wrath of our peers if we call the emperor naked. This is not the time to be a team player; it’s the chance to be an artist..…”
Upcoming meals with 9others
Thursday 19th September — Manchester — details and signup here.
Wednesday 25 September — London — details and signup here.
Wednesday 30 October — London — details and signup here