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To the editor:
The term “common sense” has become a MAGA mantra. MAGA Republicans cite common sense in shaping public policies regarding everything from vaccine recommendations to school curriculum.
However, common sense once held that (1) the earth was flat, stationary and the center of the Universe, (2) the germ theory of disease was idiotic, (3) burns were best treated with butter and (4) infants’ teething pains eased with whiskey.
As Albert Einstein noted, "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
I believe expertise is a far better servant to human progress than common sense. Every human achievement was made possible through the expert application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Common sense didn’t build the pyramids, the Roman Colosseum or Machu Picchu. Common sense didn’t unravel the secrets of DNA, land a man on the moon or design the smartphones we take for granted.
And, the NASA scientists that performed telemetry calculations for Artemis II certainly didn’t rely on common sense. Even great works of art like Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Michelangelo’s David and Bach’s Art of Fugue were products of expertly applied mathematics, proportion and engineering.
A recent letter suggests our nation is dying. In no small part, substituting common sense for expertise in finding solutions to the myriad problems our nation faces - poverty, healthcare, climate change, wealth inequality, food insecurity, debt, world conflict, etc. - has accelerated that demise.
However, if we reject the snake oil elixir of “common sense” that MAGA offers and once again confront challenges with competence and expertise, we can recover. That choice is ours and it is on the ballot this November.
Joseph Cannisi
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Valete
In your letter, you mistakenly equate common sense with the MAGA approach to the nation’s challenges. However, the true essence of MAGA is fostering curiosity, skepticism, and methodology—the very lifeblood of science.
In your letter’s closing paragraph, you incorrectly claim that the MAGA movement promises common-sense solutions to the nation’s myriad challenges in the upcoming November election.
In reality, the MAGA movement exhibits curiosity, skepticism, and a methodical approach to addressing these issues. These are the fundamental components of science, which are crucial for solving the nation’s problems.
( Therefore, before casting your vote in November, remember that MAGA offers scientific solutions to the myriad of problems the nation faces in the future. )
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
Admin
MAGA emphasizes curiosity, skepticism and methodology? In what alternate universe? Neither do they emphasize common sense. They emphasize nonsense and bigotry.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
wpeakes
@Admin
You're absolutely correct!
Monday, April 13 Report this
fcannisi
Raising doubts about 200+ years of medical science related to vaccines isn't skepticism it's stupidity. Unilaterally ending a non-nuclear proliferation deal that took 2 years to negotiate between 7 countries isn't methodology it's madness. And, shutting down an investigating into one of the largest child trafficking ring to protect the perpetrators isn't curiosity it's a cover-up.
Tuesday, April 14 Report this
krell1349
The MAGA administration lacks the common sense to do anything right. They are like the Keystone Cops. A big bunch of incompetents.
Wednesday, April 15 Report this