Gadfly - Irritant or Necessity? | The Deeper Thinkers

Message 1115 of 3859

Gadfly - Irritant or Necessity?

Socrates claimed his role was that of a gadfly to sting into action the lumbering Athenian government.

It would seem that there are a number of Eons members in many groups who view their activities in the same light.

Do we need gadflies vis-a-vis our government and in the groups here as well? Or is it just useless badgering, and self-indulgent posturing?

posted by MartiInMexico

Replies 1 - 10 of 62

1 2 3 ... 7 Next »

I think one differece was the belief that socrates had about not having all the answers and his pesonal need to lear. Many gadflys do not seem to share that.

posted by yichel
over 2 years ago

Extreme partisan opinions should never be left unchallenged.

posted by LenRobertson
over 2 years ago

An unpleasant and uncomfortable necessity for balance in humankind, imo.

The trickster and his/her role. Many "messiah" figures who have brought back needed balance have played the same role,..they most ofte to NOT follow the current party line. I think that our social sheep-like natures keep things running smooth but can also lead to terrible stagnation or bad places (with poor leadership). Yes, need a few rebels (with the right intent) to stir things up, get people thinking.

The role of the Trickster (and all his/her various names/offices, including the comedians that have the beautiful talent of shoving ugly truths in our face and making us enjoy it all the while)

view link

The "trick" is being able to tell the difference between a trickster and a trouble maker (not many can, imo),...it's all about intent.

posted by PTpan
over 2 years ago

I like to occasionally poke a finger at things and see where they go. I only know when I've gone to far AFTER I tip over the sacred cow. I try to learn from such faux pax, but I see some who don't learn from it. I feel sorry for those who have something to offer but continually shoot themselves in the foot. I admire those who deftly navigate social morays and build bridges with their prodding.

I just watched the movie about Joan of Arc, talk about pushy - sheesh! But what an impressive human being. To bad she didn't learn before she burned.

posted by MisterScience
over 2 years ago

I was thinking more on this because of how society often confuses the "rebelliousness" of tricksters with "bad eggs/trouble makers". They ARE natural boundary pushers (which does cause discomfort/change) but the positive trickster instinctively knows which boundaries are the APPROPRIATE and healthy ones to push. Positive trickers with good intent are not looking to get "rises" out of others just because they can or because they enjoy the ensuing chaos or emotional upheavel,..or because they think (and try to prove) themselves smarter than everyone else,....all the simple little people who should be amazed with all their glorious intelligence.

The latter I despise. No good comes from them no matter how charming and "pithy" they can be otherwise.

posted by PTpan
over 2 years ago

I agree, PT, that intent is what's important. What good can come of this? Useless harassing is pointless in my humble opinion.

posted by BarbInBend
over 2 years ago

However most dialogues ae systens rthat trigger responses. i tend to respond to what i see as extreme positions. My problem is that I am comfortable on the attack mode.
This i found tghis interesting how can one tell intent is it just intuitive? "The "trick" is being able to tell the difference between a trickster and a trouble maker (not many can, imo),...it's all about intent."

posted by yichel
over 2 years ago

Figuring out intent depends on figuring out their point, purpose or goal,... even if you can't tell right away, eventually you can. Patterns of behavior will also tell you, over the long run especially,.even if they camoflouge with periods of charming niceness (usually they do, they HAVE to in order to keep people off balance and from kicking them straight in the a..).

posted by PTpan
over 2 years ago

Socrates did not use the question and answer method because he wanted to hear the answers. He believed he already had the answers. It was a technique to lead the student to discover that same answer for himself.

Of course, if you poke the bear in power too much, the bear pokes back. Socrates was condemned for his gadflying efforts, and lost his life thereby.

posted by MartiInMexico
over 2 years ago

So can a gadfly of the overbearing variety be quantitatively defined by their inevitable swat into oblivion?

posted by MisterScience
over 2 years ago

Replies 1 - 10 of 62

1 2 3 ... 7 Next »