I think we could all do with a laugh at this time, albeit a serious laugh. What’s that you say? You’ve never heard of such a thing? All right, then, come along. Shakespeare has it that somewhere there’s a catalogue of men, and the Bard never lies. I’ve discerned from close local observation, four categories: 1) He who knows and knows that he knows. He is wise, so consult him and follow him. 2) He who knows and knows not that he knows. He’s asleep, so wake him. 3) He who knows not and knows that he knows not. He’s a child or a student, so teach him.
Now, here comes the big one: 4) He who knows not and knows not that he knows not. He is a fool, so shun him. Reject him—and never make the mistake of following him, for you’ll be asking to be led into the blazing inferno.
Where do you see yourself? In which category? Take your time deciding. Also of interest: Where do others see you? Enlightening to discover that, for sure. Perhaps you should be open-minded enough to enquire of your friends, family, even foreigners! A good cross-section of responses could well turn out to be similar. Yes, indeed, that could be most instructive. Might even necessitate a fundamental behaviour adjustment on your part.
While Shakespeare’s observation may not exactly be cut and dried, it does open a window on the different types of individuals we might daily come across—whether those oh so often mentioned but unidentified friends, family and foreigners, plus co-workers. Or those unavoidables (deplorables?) we encounter repeatedly on the radio or television. Again, while the categorization may not quite establish full cause and effect in each case, it may very well point to the existence of a correlative relationship, and could serve to open your eyes about a particular individual.
Let’s test the theory, then. Having recourse to specific examples familiar to everyone is always helpful, indeed required, whenever attempting to elucidate a theory. A few striking examples come to mind. Shall we begin with the ones who are part of a group, say, the always predictable head honchos of the Teachers’ Union?
They come, they go, they come, they go, the more they change the more they remain the same. They may as well not have been replaced. So predictable. This is very much the case at present. Another puppet of the puppet master. Where do you place him? I sure know where I do.
Then there are those clueless squawking heads that refer to themselves as political analysts, which always makes me think of them, I can’t figure why, as political proctologists. There’s a long list (too long, for me) of them. No need for names; you know them as well as I do. Like the legendary Energizer Bunny, they go on with their gibberish, on and on and on, burnishing the already burnished brass, so to speak. They are clueless about their singular subject—as if indeed more proof were needed that they know not that they know not. Good, you agree. We know where they belong!
Still in Category 4. But, let’s get really specific. I know you can hardly wait to get to him. Patience, please. He epitomizes Category 4. And I’m about to remind you of the evidence. Forever dishing out false information, or holding forth on stuff way over his head, being blissfully oblivious of his mess-ups. I mean, big time!
I realize you already know who will be our close encounter of the fourth kind, but still we can prolong the uncovering, just for the fun of it. Here’s a hint: “Keeping it Real! Keeping it Real! Keeping it Real every day, every day, every day!” All the while pounding the table with his little girly fist. No, no, Philip J. you got that wrong, too. It’s not every day every day; it only seems that way-to you. And that’s because De Bowtie Man is like Shadow’s bass man banging in your head. Believe it or not, “Keeping it Real” only comes on every Tuesday evening. That adds up to just once a week. Not every day, every day . . . Okay? You got that? I do hope so.
But dear reader the examples are endless. A couple more? Our LOO again: “The Prime Minister did not attend the meeting. He refused to get on the plane.” More proof that he knew not—and knew not that he knew not! Talk about kicking your balls between your own goal posts. Not once or twice but everyday, everyday, everyday!
There are a whole lot more where that came from, for they just roll off the LOO’s tongue, but let’s take just one last shot: his breaking-news prediction to the world that Election Day in Saint Lucia would be before the end of 2020. Ah yes, unforgettable. In the midst of the COVID-19 plague. It was August, and he was itching to be seen as Saint Lucia’s lead gadè.
“It must happen before 11th December,” he prophesied. Totally wrong, of course; ill-conceived. Just like that notorious dead-on-arrival No-Confidence Motion. But enough. We wouldn’t want to add him to our growing list of last-days false prophets. As they say, later for that.
So, what does that make him?, I wonder. The conclusion is obvious. Q.E.D. Particularly as the condition appears to be permanent. How are his handlers handling him? Or are they? Some in the public have even started to say those handlers have their own not-so-secret agenda. Which raises some sinister questions.
Isn’t it a good job we have neither a doomsday button nor a Category 4 prime minister to press it at his discretion? In our own national interest, I suggest we keep things just as they are, thank you. I’ll bet you do, too, dear cautious reader.
Oh, by the way, don’t forget to keep your masks on, wash your hands often throughout the day and, above all, leave the mass gatherings to those who cannot tell their own goal posts from their opponents’—or the difference between ole mas and the mass get-togethers that already have caused our nation much pain!
