There are better sources for exploring exactly how the current political regime’s actions rhyme with other populist and fascist movements. Instead, let’s consider a story that is tamer while also being emblematic of current policies.
In 1897, a state representative in Indiana attempted to legislate that a disproven mathematical statement was true and, in the process, implied that π is equal to 3.2.1An excellent, detailed account by Arthur Hallerburg at Valparaiso University can be found here.
Here’s a quick version of the story: E.J. Goodwin was a medical doctor dabbling in mathematics. Like many recreational cranks over the centuries, Goodwin believed he had developed a method to square the circle, which means using a compass and straightedge to construct a square with the exact area of a given circle. An 1882 proof that this was impossible was evidently insufficient.
Goodwin wrote the bill in question to proclaim his “discovery” as true, at least as far as the state of Indiana was concerned. It passed the House, but thanks to the timely arrival of a Purdue mathematics professor who was handed the bill and managed to help the Senate see reason before Indiana got itself into quite a bind.
Indeed, this event’s analogy to today has nothing to do with the professor whose expertise and knowledge were respected by legislators. I dream of the day when a factual matter can again be agreed upon. Instead, focus on Dr. Goodwin: Here is a man whose success in one field led him down a conceited path of misguided academic inquiry.
This fallacy of irrelevant authority plagues modern society. We see business leaders believing they are equipped to run governmental structures, technology experts convincing themselves that they alone can fix our broken systems, career politicians posturing as health professionals, and nearly every adult convincing themselves they are uniquely qualified to educate the next generation.
The problem is more insidious than isolated incidences of misplaced ego. It stems from an outright rejection of expertise and training, a sense that experience and years of dedication to a field of study are worthless. By discarding anyone who previously held power due to their merits and could thus effect change and aid in progressing our society, scammers whose only desire is the power itself have rapidly filled the resulting vacuum. This desire is precisely what they claim the previous leaders were guilty of: consolidating power for personal gain rather than good-hearted curiosity and a desire to serve society. These new entrants convince others that their oft ill-begotten “success” is precisely the necessary bona fides to take on yet more responsibility by feeding on the fears that perpetuate their role.
I have no quick fix or trite solution. Education and empathy are two key factors that are difficult to nurture systematically when the people in power are opposed to allowing their growth in society. Enough of the country—and the world—is excitably gobbling up the false promises and hateful rhetoric of a wealthy ruling class that many vital institutions are suddenly on shaky foundations.
Even so, excellent people are continuing to fight for equity, knowledge, curiosity, and kindness in our society. I donate to several of them—the ACLU, a local food shelf, and The Trevor Project—and urge anyone who can donate to or volunteer for any organization dedicated to a truly positive impact on the world. We need more of that if the most prominent institutions and most powerful people are against helping the world move forward. We need more experts, not fewer. More discussion, not less. More complexity and diversity. It’s healthy. It’s fun and exciting and the only way to avoid losing progress.
- 1An excellent, detailed account by Arthur Hallerburg at Valparaiso University can be found here.