The Conversations That Have No Point

The New York Times runs a regular feature called, “The Conversation.”  Columnists Gail Collins and Bret Stephens shoot the breeze in a stream-of-consciousness format.  The Conversation is lengthy, too lengthy once you catch on to its content.  You will find no new facts, a void in logic, and a great deal of snark.  In fact, it’s a fest to see which can be snarkiest.  Look no more for the source of division and contention.  The root cause is the terms, phraseology, and vitriole in our discourse.  We’re not thinking, analyzing, and grasping consequences.  We just keep harping on the same topics without the merciful realization that we already said that.  Herewith a few classic quotes from our hero and heroine, Bret Stephens and Gail Collins:

Bret:  Oh, and speaking of dealing with gangsters– your thoughts on the current crop of legal cases against the former guy?

Gail:  I’ve never thought — and still don’t– that a former president is going to go to jail, even for stealing federal documents or rousing violent crowds to march on the Capitol.

Bret:  Agree. Alas.

Gail:  But I’ve always had a yearning that he might wind up bankrupt and, say, living in a Motel 6.  Knew that was impossible — told myself to remember all the money he can make just on speaking tours or hosting parties at Mar-a-Logo.

Move over Archimedes!  There’s reasoning at its best.  Aristotle must defer because his definition of virtue has been shut down,  Where did they cross the line? Maybe in wishing for federal indictment and offering bankruptcy as  an alternative, a final resting spot that could achieve contentment.

Wishing prison and bankruptcy on anyone reveals a void in religious thought. Perhaps we could reach out to “love our enemies.”

About mmjdiary

Professor Marianne Jennings is an emeritus professor of legal and ethical studies from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, retiring in 2011 after 35 years of teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in ethics and the legal environment of business. During her tenure at ASU, she served as director of the Joan and David Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics from 1995-1999. In 2006, she was appointed faculty director for the W.P. Carey Executive MBA Program. She has done consulting work for businesses and professional groups including AICPA, Boeing, Dial Corporation, Edward Jones, Mattel, Motorola, CFA Institute, Southern California Edison, the Institute of Internal Auditors, AIMR, DuPont, AES, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Motorola, Hy-Vee Foods, IBM, Bell Helicopter, Amgen, Raytheon, and VIAD. The sixth edition of her textbook, Case Studies in Business Ethics, was published in February 2011. The ninth edition of her textbook, Business: lts Legal, Ethical and Global Environment was published in January 2011. The 23rd edition of her book, Business Law: Principles and Cases, will be published in January 2013. The tenth edition of her book, Real Estate Law, will also be published in January 2013. Her book, A Business Tale: A Story of Ethics, Choices, Success, and a Very Large Rabbit, a fable about business ethics, was chosen by Library Journal in 2004 as its business book of the year. A Business Tale was also a finalist for two other literary awards for 2004. In 2000 her book on corporate governance was published by the New York Times MBA Pocket Series. Her book on long-term success, Building a Business Through Good Times and Bad: Lessons from Fifteen Companies, Each With a Century of Dividends, was published in October 2002 and has been used by Booz, Allen, Hamilton for its work on business longevity. Her latest book, The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse was published by St. Martin’s Press in July 2006 and has been a finalist for two book awards. Her weekly columns are syndicated around the country, and her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Reader's Digest. A collection of her essays, Nobody Fixes Real Carrot Sticks Anymore, first published in 1994 is still being published. She has been a commentator on business issues on All Things Considered for National Public Radio. She has served on four boards of directors, including Arizona Public Service (1987-2000), Zealous Capital Corporation, and the Center for Children with Chronic Illness and Disability at the University of Minnesota. She was appointed to the board of advisors for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators in 2004 and served on the board of trustees for Think Arizona, a public policy think tank. She has appeared on CNBC, CBS This Morning, the Today Show, and CBS Evening News. In 2010 she was named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Business Ethics by Trust Across America. Her books have been translated into four different languages. She received the British Emerald award for authoring one of their top 50 articles in management publications, chosen from over 15,000 articles. Personal: Married since 1976 to Terry H. Jennings, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Deputy County Attorney; five children: Sarah, Sam, and John, and the late Claire and Hannah Jennings.
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