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More on irrationality

• Justin Webb
• 8 Apr 08, 10:42 PM GMT

Manuel - there is a wonderful reference to the "Where is New Mexico" problem in .

Dr Kotkin is right - I agree that Susan Jacoby should not have the last word on these issues of rationality etc: in particular I think she under-appreciates America's continuing contribution to learning and the advancement of human comfort and happiness - for instance in medicine.

Vincent, Jacoby is American! This is a US debate not a transatlantic one. And our teeth ARE bad.

Alexandria Marder asks where the figures come from: they are Jacoby's, but I see that might be responsible for the sun/earth question. I would be interested to see the same question asked of British people - or Chinese or Russian. The depressing thing about it is not the ignorance of the one in five: it's the lack of intellectual curiosity.

As for the Petraeus-Crocker appearance - is one of the weirder reactions. I didn't understand either. is the straight version.

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Letting it all out

• Justin Webb
• 8 Apr 08, 04:10 AM GMT

Part of the process of becoming presidential involves the creation of the sense that you have a strategic vision, that your eyes are set on distant horizons. That is why Hillary Clinton's latest gambit - the suggestion that - might not work.

you might expect to be friendly to the overall notion are unconvinced that this is part of any long-term properly thought-through policy.

Meanwhile Tony Blair is really letting it all out now and the