labradore

"We can't allow things that are inaccurate to stand." — The Word of Our Dan, February 19, 2008.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pure and applied optimism: Orwellian Spin lays out the theory of "Optimistic Correctness." Polemic and Paradox provides an example of O.C. in practice.

At 7:12 AM, March 28, 2009 , Winston Smith said...: OC is an interesting phenomenon because it inculcates not only Doptimism but also tautological thinking.

Thus the budget is, to quote from P&P, an "optimistic piece of work that promotes a sense of optimism."

It kind of reminds me of when Monty Burns won the Award of Excellence in the Field of Excellence.
At 7:28 AM, March 28, 2009 , Edward Hollett said...: Tautologies are the stock in trade of the Danite and the PAP is an excellent example of type.

Good catch on this Optimistic Correctness thing. It adds to their reportoire. It will only be a matter of time before the stock PAP smear is that one is a traitor, a quisling and a pessimist.

Incidentally, I am sure you both noticed that the budget speech led off with the sort of praise of the glorious leader's glorious and valiant leadership in tackling all things financial that is seldom heard these days at all let alone in a democratic state.

Can it be too long before enterprising soul starts pumping out little red and green books of the sayings as well as listing all the great accomplishments, a la Joe?

Too bad the speech writers didn't carry on with the nautical theme in this year's everything and refer to the Leader as The Great Helmsman.
At 9:13 AM, March 28, 2009 , Winston Smith said...: Instead of looking for the little green book, I looked at the little blue book.

Amazing what one little web site can reveal.