15 July 2005 - tide of knowledge

A rising tide lifts all boats, except leaky ones. The vast tide of knowledge has been rising for centuries, compelled by the moon of human desire and lifting us all to greater heights. Let us see what works of complex genius it has brought us to: The Valerie Plame scandal, so intricate it cannot be understood without a year’s study; the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, so detailed that it cannot be understood at all; and fanatic terrorists who believe that they understand everything. I wish it would bring caulk instead; we need to do a lot of boat repair.