The Only People More Terrifying Than Us Are Our Leaders

“we have a direct correlation here between being objectively wrong and supporting a military intervention somewhere in the world”

“It turns out that it’s not just ignorance that leads to supporting terrible policies—it’s certainty.”

“we don’t want to be correct in some objective, empirical sense—we want to be correct in the eyes of the people whose opinions we value”

“Edmund Burke told the voters of Bristol, ‘Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.’”

“Our politicians are not, in fact, supposed to merely be delegates of the popular will. Rather, they’re supposed to do the work we can’t, devoting their time to using their judgment on matters we don’t have the time or expertise to consider.”