I have a sense of humor; but over the years that sense has developed one blind spot. I can no longer laugh at ignorance or stupidity. Those are our chief enemies, and it is dangerous to make fun of them.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing ignorance as a serious issue, rather than simply a subject for humor.
Charles Francis Richter highlights the evolution of his sense of humor over the years, noting that while he still enjoys laughter, he has developed a critical view towards ignorance and stupidity. He suggests that mocking these traits can be dangerous because they are significant societal problems that demand awareness and understanding rather than ridicule.
In practice
During a speech about critical thinking, this quote can highlight the risks of ignoring ignorance.
Magnitude may be compared to the power output in kilowatts of a [radio] broadcasting station; local intensity, on the Mercalli or similar scale, is then comparable to the signal strength noted on a receiver at a given locality. Intensity, like signal strength, will generally fall off with distance from the source; it will also depend on local conditions at the point of observation, and to some extent on the conditions along the path from source to that point.
Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a long period of time.
Only fools, liars, and charlatans predict earthquakes
Lady Bracknell. Good afternoon, dear Algernon, I hope you are behaving very well. Algernon. I’m feeling very well, Aunt Augusta. Lady Bracknell. That’s not quite the same thing. In fact the two things rarely go together.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
If men are God's gift to women, then God must really love gag gifts.
Comedy holds the greatest risk for an actor, and laughter is the reward.
If Hamilton were on Twitter, he would have been a worse oversharer than me.
You're one of those guys who can make a party just by leaving it. It's a great gift.
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