Writing Without Bullshit by Josh Bernoff

Author:Josh Bernoff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

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In 1961, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. published the short story “Harrison Bergeron.” It’s a masterpiece of ironist thinking in 2,200 words. It begins like this: “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal.”

The reason people are equal in 2081 is that the government has taken the necessary steps to make them equal. If you have any outstanding qualities, then Diana Moon Glampers, the government’s Handicapper General, will ensure that you cannot use them.

If you are graceful, you must wear weights on your ankles. If you are beautiful, you must wear a mask. And if you are more intelligent . . . well, here’s how Vonnegut explains it through the experience of two characters, George and his wife, Hazel:

George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.

George and Hazel were watching television. There were tears on Hazel’s cheeks, but she’d forgotten for the moment what they were about.

On the television screen were ballerinas.

A buzzer sounded in George’s head. His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm.

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