Page 35 - Ruminations

33. Triplicities

Fantasies from an earlier era are exotic three ways:

1. The earlier era is exotic now.
2. The earlier era’s presentation of the fantasy is exotic.
3. The subject of the fantasy is still exotic.

The mirrored ceiling of a moving glass elevator tells three lies:

1. It shows your left as your right.
2. It shows you upside-down.
3. It shows you moving in the opposite direction.

Three popular existential denials:

1. Of transience.
2. Of contingency.
3. Of unexceptionality.

Why the best anecdotes of embarrassment are those told on oneself:

1. It shows humility.
2. The personal touch adds veracity.
3. They can be cruel or crude without offense.

Theocracy provides for all three levels of need for authority:

1. cosmic/universal
2. social/national
3. personal/behavioral

Three kinds of cherished pie:

1. Mud pie: child’s naïve version of a cherished thing.
2. Cream pie: cherished by children, adults and comedians.
3. Pie in the sky: adult’s naïve version of a cherished thing.