I examined my Liberalism and found it like an addiction to roulette. Here, though the odds are plain, and the certainty of loss apparent to anyone with a knowledge of arithmetic, the addict, failing time and again, is convinced he yet is graced with the power to contravene natural laws. The roulette addict, when he invariably comes to grief, does not examine either the nature of roulette, or of his delusion, but retires to develop a new system, and to scheme for more funds.
In his work "The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture," David Mamet reflects on his liberal beliefs, comparing them to an addiction to gambling. He suggests that, despite clear evidence against their efficacy—similar to the odds in roulette—many liberals, like gamblers, persist in their beliefs, convinced they can defy reality. They fail to learn from their repeated disappointments, instead focusing on developing new strategies to fund their continued pursuits.
Mamet's analogy emphasizes the irrationality of clinging to certain ideologies in the face of consistent failure. Just as a gambler refuses to acknowledge the futility of their addiction, many political adherents overlook the flaws in their beliefs, hoping that a change in approach will yield different results. This critique offers a compelling perspective on the nature of political beliefs and human behavior, highlighting the challenges of recognizing and overcoming deeply ingrained convictions.
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