March 17, 2009
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Seriously.
That was my first thought when I read that Alan "libertarian/objectivist-philosopher-Ayn-Rand-was-my-best-friend" Greenspan said that nationalizing the banks was inevitable.
And not in his trademark fog of words style either. The former Federal Reserve Chairman, well known for impenetrable vagueness during his tenure, came right out and said it as plainly as a man ordering a hotdog at a baseball game:
"It may be necessary to temporarily nationalize some banks in order to facilitate a swift and orderly restructuring."
Greenspan? Nationalize banks? Necessary? What else could it be but aliens, I thought.
But why should we find it so weird that he changed his mind? After all, isn't that what intelligent, rational adults do when presented with new information? Maybe. We just don't seem to find all that many people in public life who fit the description.
Our folklore of certainty
In general, we don't like people who change their minds. We don't celebrate the great mind changers through the ages ("Give me liberty or give me something else"); we don't even know who they are.
Can you think of an historical figure, political icon or Hollywood hero who isn't steadfast in his resolve, overcoming every obstacle that stands in his way through a combination of guile and tenacity?
Look at the derision that greeted New York Governor Paterson's on-again, off-again process for the choosing of a Senator. Or consider how quickly the term "flip-flopper" is tossed at any public figure who shows a readiness to modify a previous position. No, in our culture, changing your mind is tantamount to weakness.
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