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"Did Jean Know Something?"
Hello
Reading, as I do, on a daily basis – pumping up the muscle on my shoulders – I
came across a footnote, which had me mousing into Google.
You see…
It
made reference to someone’s ass (as in donkey) and intrigued me to know more.
And
– when I did know more – I ummmed to myself in consideration of the usefulness
of the info
There are so many occasions…
When
the ‘ass’ comes into play and here’s one, which may have come up for you – or
may come up for you.
The
story goes about an ass – called Buridan’s Ass after the 14th century
French philosopher Jean Buridan. Buridan didn’t write about the ass – it
appeared in satirical writings about his writings.
Nevertheless…
The
paradox (if a paradox it is) – is that the ass finds itself between two bales of
hay and cannot decide which one to eat first. Stuck in this dilemma – the ass
starves to death! Silly ass!
However – without casting too many ‘sillys’ about the ass and his ability to
solve problems – let’s pause for a momentito and think about just how often in
life you and I (and others) have to face the decision making moments when two
apparently clear choices are
presented:
Let’s sidetrack for a moment…
Here’s a great cartoon:
It depicts Congress being stuck, like Buridan’s Ass, hesitating between a Panama
route and a Nicaragua route for an Atlantic-Pacific canal.
OK – back to…
Having two choices. I’m certain many people, especially in their younger days,
for some, have faced the ass of two possible partners.
Maybe – two ass-jobs have been on offer!
Perhaps – there have been two holiday destinations where the decision needed
bottoming out!
The challenge…
As
we’re reminded by our new friend - the ass – is to avoid doing nothing
and starve to death. We must make a decision.
You’ve seen as I have – those who failed to do so and found themselves
partner-less, job-less, even holiday-less as their indecision and
procrastination cost them – dear.
Decisive action – that’s the ticket! Do you need to buy one any time soon?
Go on then...
Peter Thomson
Editor and
AS Ever
Publisher
tgiMondays
PPS: comments, thoughts, ideas, puzzles or
laughter to:
peter@tgimondays.com |
