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The Forum > Article Comments > Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and the case of the uncomfortable election > Comments

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and the case of the uncomfortable election : Comments

By Michel Poelman, published 4/7/2013

Electors should follow their heads and not their reflexes when voting.

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But all that a Watson has to do is to find a reliable Holmes; and all that's necessary to achieve that is to observe what the potential Holmes says and does, and note whether the results accord with observed reality. Critical thinking may take weeks or months to teach in full; but the basic principle of empirical testing can be conveyed in a few minutes. (Of course, there is an even easier way: find someone like Paul Ehrlich who has NEVER been right, and whatever they say -- do the opposite.)

Just in passing, the Watson of the original books is nothing like the bumbling idiot he is often made out to be. He is a qualified doctor whose skills are often of use to Holmes, a brave and intelligent friend and a loyal companion.
Posted by Jon J, Thursday, 4 July 2013 8:33:57 AM
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On the other hand, one could describe us as mostly taking the "Hastings" default instead of the "Poirot".

Poirot suspects that both parties are not too dissimilar - and that all of us when we switch to the Hastings/Watson mode are patsies beholden to populist politics and media drivel.
Posted by Poirot, Thursday, 4 July 2013 9:02:02 AM
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Michael, like many intellectuals, appears to be up the Poel!

Most Australians, confronted by electoral choices, do what their newspapers tell them. The only time they don't is if a politician or party is promising them large, inviting bribes.

There is another group who are happy to be manipulated by cunning shock-jocks who, with bombast and hidden agendas, manipulate their devotees ruthlessly.

It's elementary!
Posted by David G, Thursday, 4 July 2013 11:20:46 AM
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Yeah, I think I'll stick to the Laurel approach rather than the Hardy line.
Posted by Loudmouth, Saturday, 6 July 2013 6:40:02 PM
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