Insanity

[trevor_macfee]

I was going to post in Daniel's liberalism thread the old saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." Then I realized it was a waste of time.

But then, because of MY certain type of insanity, I began to wonder who originated the quote. All I can find is that it is attributed to Einstein, but that's probably not right because he's like Mark Twain in that a lot of stuff gets hooked up to him that he didn't say just because it gives the saying some weight.

So, in order to humor my insanity, does anyone know the actual originator of that quote?

(Of course, an obsessive need to know is not my only insanity. I have that special insanity that comes with being a parent, among forms of mental instability.)

[WheresFanny]

I was going to post in Daniel's liberalism thread the old saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." Then I realized it was a waste of time.

But then, because of MY certain type of insanity, I began to wonder who originated the quote. All I can find is that it is attributed to Einstein, but that's probably not right because he's like Mark Twain in that a lot of stuff gets hooked up to him that he didn't say just because it gives the saying some weight.

So, in order to humor my insanity, does anyone know the actual originator of that quote?

(Of course, an obsessive need to know is not my only insanity. I have that special insanity that comes with being a parent, among forms of mental instability.)

But if you're not expecting a different result, then it's not insanity, right? I can't decide if the best alliterative word to replace it is idiocy or inanity.

I have always heard only Einstein on that quote, so I can't help you there. Although it sounds kind of Thurber-ish.

[earendel]

I was going to post in Daniel's liberalism thread the old saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." Then I realized it was a waste of time.

But then, because of MY certain type of insanity, I began to wonder who originated the quote. All I can find is that it is attributed to Einstein, but that's probably not right because he's like Mark Twain in that a lot of stuff gets hooked up to him that he didn't say just because it gives the saying some weight.

So, in order to humor my insanity, does anyone know the actual originator of that quote?

(Of course, an obsessive need to know is not my only insanity. I have that special insanity that comes with being a parent, among forms of mental instability.)

Googling turns up several different attributions, including Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, "an old Chinese proverb" and Rita Mae Brown.

[trevor_macfee]

I was going to post in Daniel's liberalism thread the old saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." Then I realized it was a waste of time.

But then, because of MY certain type of insanity, I began to wonder who originated the quote. All I can find is that it is attributed to Einstein, but that's probably not right because he's like Mark Twain in that a lot of stuff gets hooked up to him that he didn't say just because it gives the saying some weight.

So, in order to humor my insanity, does anyone know the actual originator of that quote?

(Of course, an obsessive need to know is not my only insanity. I have that special insanity that comes with being a parent, among forms of mental instability.)

Googling turns up several different attributions, including Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, "an old Chinese proverb" and Rita Mae Brown.

Ah, the Old Chinese Proverb. That has to rank up there with Einstein and Twain for random attribution of quotes.

[minimetoo26]

Googling turns up several different attributions, including Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, "an old Chinese proverb" and Rita Mae Brown.

That sounds like those lists of "If you could invite four people, living or dead..." Randomness rules!

[WheresFanny]

Googling turns up several different attributions, including Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, "an old Chinese proverb" and Rita Mae Brown.

That sounds like those lists of "If you could invite four people, living or dead..." Randomness rules!

"Einstein, Franklin and Rita Mae Brown walk into a bar......"

[WheresFanny]

Googling turns up several different attributions, including Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, "an old Chinese proverb" and Rita Mae Brown.

That sounds like those lists of "If you could invite four people, living or dead..." Randomness rules!

"Einstein, Franklin and Rita Mae Brown walk into a bar......"

It's a shame it's Einstein, because I just thought of a great punch line to this if it was Schrodinger instead.

[nitrah55]

I can't answer this question, but it does remind me of something that I've been planning to do at the end of the year.

I have a quote-a-day-from-Mark-Twain calendar on my desk. The quotes are cited, so I feel comfortable saying that Mark Twain said what he's purported to say- whether someone said it before him.

Sometime near the end of the year, I'll pull the best of "Things Mark Twain Actually Said," and do a post.

And no, I don't have the "Insanity" remark in my list.

But, as my old Pappy used to say, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and some of the people all of the time, and those are mighty good odds."

[BigDrawMan]

nutjob talkshow host Michael Savage wrote a book titled "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder".

I listen to him from time to time because he will have a nervous breakdown eventually, and I would like to hear it.

if you agree with everything he says, he will give you a free copy.

sir g listens to him as well

[BigDrawMan]

oops

I meant Dr Michael Savage, as he is a doctor of zoology

he loves animals

[Beebs52]

That sounds like those lists of "If you could invite four people, living or dead..." Randomness rules!

"Einstein, Franklin and Rita Mae Brown walk into a bar......"

It's a shame it's Einstein, because I just thought of a great punch line to this if it was Schrodinger instead.

Ooh. Would that mean that if we were to not observe or pay any attention whatsoever to Daniel's posts that he, in reality, is Bill Ayers in the box? Or Bill Ayers and James Falwell together in the box?

[earendel]

That sounds like those lists of "If you could invite four people, living or dead..." Randomness rules!

"Einstein, Franklin and Rita Mae Brown walk into a bar......"

It's a shame it's Einstein, because I just thought of a great punch line to this if it was Schrodinger instead.

So spill already!

[VAdame]

[quote][/"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." quote]
Couple of rebuttals to this one:

1) Practice makes perfect.

2) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. (Thomas H. Palmer, Teacher's Manual, 1840)

or: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it. (W.C. Fields)

and even: If at first you don't succeed -- maybe skydiving isn't for you!

[trevor_macfee]

[/"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." quote]
Couple of rebuttals to this one:

1) Practice makes perfect.

2) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. (Thomas H. Palmer, Teacher's Manual, 1840)

or: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it. (W.C. Fields)

and even: If at first you don't succeed -- maybe skydiving isn't for you!

And the WWTBAM audition corollary - "If at first you don't succeed . . . demand the return of the Phone Game!"

[WheresFanny]

"Einstein, Franklin and Rita Mae Brown walk into a bar......"

It's a shame it's Einstein, because I just thought of a great punch line to this if it was Schrodinger instead.

Ooh. Would that mean that if we were to not observe or pay any attention whatsoever to Daniel's posts that he, in reality, is Bill Ayers in the box? Or Bill Ayers and James Falwell together in the box?

Wow, you put WAY more thought into it than I did. Ha!

[MarleysGh0st]

And the WWTBAM audition corollary - "If at first you don't succeed . . . demand the return of the Phone Game!"

Ahem.

[trevor_macfee]

And the WWTBAM audition corollary - "If at first you don't succeed . . . demand the return of the Phone Game!"

Ahem.

Just to clarify, I didn't mean to personally disparage anyone with my "WWTBAM corollary" post. Especially not Marley - whose "never surrender" attitude I greatly admire. Remember, I myself am a multiple-times auditioner for both BAM and J!, and I someone who very much enjoyed the phone game and who appreciated the philosophy behind the phone game. Believe me, I know how fortunate I am - as a MAWG I definitely had better odds of getting on the show pre-audition.

Looking for information about the phone game was how I originally found this bored (well, not this bored, but you know what I mean).

My very sincere apologies if I offended!

[MarleysGh0st]

My very sincere apologies if I offended!

My skin is a little thicker than that.

What I objected to in the original quote was the implication that auditions are the proper means for selecting contestants and that requesting a return of the Phone Game (or any equivalent test of trivia skill) is an unreasonable search for a loophole.

I don't want to qualify for a talk show.

[gsabc]

I don't want to qualify for a talk show.

Sure you do! Winning the million pretty much guarantees you'll be on Regis and Kelly, at the least. It's getting past that first hurdle that's the hard part.

On the "one thing leads to another" note --
Jack: Mom, Dad, I've taken the first step toward a divorce.

(much wailing and yelling and tumult in the rest of the family)

Jack (continuing): I've asked Jill on a date.

[MarleysGh0st]

I don't want to qualify for a talk show.

Sure you do! Winning the million pretty much guarantees you'll be on Regis and Kelly, at the least. It's getting past that first hurdle that's the hard part.

1. I don't think million dollar winners get that kind of publicity any more, even on a show that hasn't had one in six seasons.

2. Meredith never recognizes Regis's role on the show, so why should Reege give any publicity to Mere's version?

[frogman042]

If you have ever read Robert Anton Wilson's 'Masks of the Illuminati' (and if not, what are you waiting for!) he has Einstein saying the phrase 'Only the insane is absolutely certain'.

I don't think that is a real quote from Einstein - but this thread reminded me of it and gives me an excuse to plug one of my favoriate (and fairly obscure) books.

---Jay