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Replies to #83819 on Biotech Values
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medchal

09/21/09 8:10 AM

#83851 RE: DewDiligence #83819

Far more bearish for humanity, to me, is the Harry Lime mentality that seems always to be with us. Stupidity is understandable, and each of us is, after all, stupid in his own particular ways. Stupidity is also at least somewhat susceptible to amelioration. Character traits, generally, are not, except in those few instances in which punishment proves effective to changing behavior. The way the Limes of the world (some in each of your first two categories, but mostly the second) appear on message boards, proclaiming themselves savvy traders and even expecting adulation for their immorality is nauseating.

If you've never seen Harry's speech, it's well worth the 30 seconds it occupies. Quoting something on the internet doesn't even begin to compare to seeing Orson Welles deliver it. At the 3:45 mark here:



Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten): “Have you ever seen any of your victims?”

Harry Lime (Orson Welles): “No, I never feel comfortable in these sorts of things. Victims? Don't be melodramatic. [Opens door of ferris wheel compartment and surveys the people below.] Look down there. Would you really feel any pity if one of those...[pause]...dots stopped moving forever? And if I offered you 20,000 pounds for every dot that stopped, would you really, old man, tell me to keep my money, or would you calculate how many dots you could afford to spare....”

Harry, of course--like most immoral people--thinks his question is rhetorical; but, of course, it is not.