32 SEPTEMBER 2021 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The “Idiots” Corner by “Billy Bob Smith” History is full of people who thought they were smarter than the average person at the time. This is especially true of philosophers, psychologists, scientists, and even a few church leaders. I thought this month as we begin to enter the fall season, which for me is always a time of reflection and contemplation (no laughter please), I would share just a few quotes from the so-called “wise people” of their time and compare them to what we now know. Please note: I am not being disrespectful of any of the following as sooner or later we all say stupid, dumb, inappropriate, untrue, etc. things. And I am not challenging the validity of any of the following, just asking a simple question - Knowing what we now know, would any of these folks say differently what they said then? a“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” ~Charles Dickens. Really, your times were either or both - the best and the worst? What about starvation, plagues, or volcanic eruptions? Or, how about economic growth, inventions that improve life, or new medications that save lives? a“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” ~Albert Einstein. Okay, Dude, I know you invented a lot of stuff, but come on, is stupidity really an infinite issue or one of just ego, arrogance, or a temporary attitude about dumb things? a“Without music, life would be a mistake.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche. Really! Ever had a neighbor who played music so loud you couldn’t have a conversation with your spouse? Ever been in traffic at a stoplight next to an idiot whose radio was so loud you had to close your windows so you could think? a“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” ~Elie Wiesel. Sorry, the opposite of quotes like this is they are indifferent and I have better things to do. a“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead. So, Ms. Mead, World War II didn’t change the world? The cure for tuberculosis didn’t change history? The cell phone hasn’t changed relationships? The Internet hasn’t changed the flow of information? a“You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.” ~Kahlil Gibran. I respect you, but I can be at peace whenever I am not in the presence of an idiot. a“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” ~Laurence J. Peter. Okay, so what if a person runs a major organization and doesn’t even have a desk? Or, what about organized people who don’t live in chaos? a“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” ~William Shakespeare. I know you are famous, but does this mean people who hunt for a hobby are bad thinkers? Or, people who go to church and then murder people are good thinkers? a“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.” ~D.H. Lawrence. Ladies, I’ll leave this one up to you. Go for it. a“It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!” ~Friedrich Nietzsche. Finally, someone who makes a little bit of common sense . . . Billy Bob Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Ronnie, I like the new looks on the WorldWide Business Directory™ across the bottom of the page. Richard Van Gilder Bonnie, Thank you!! Version 2 is awesome. Appreciate all of you at WorldWide. Kevin Palmer Bit Co. Williston, ND Looking for Events? Click on this box in our online issue worldwidedrillingresource.com
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