Stormlight Archive is considered Sanderson's magnum opus. His crown jewel. The story he has always wanted to tell. I could focus on the very diverse cast for the sake of a blog post, but today I will focus on one character and one character only.
For the sake of avoiding spoilers, the character I refer to will not be named, except as "Character X". Though, any that have read the series will know who I am referring to.
Character X has an unusual circumstance. They wake up every morning with a different level of intelligence. After a series of tests to determine what Character X has as far as intellect that morning, a decision is reached. If Character X has a non outlying level of intellect, they are allowed to leave their home. However, should they be deemed either far below or above average, Character X is not allowed to leave.
This is done due to the fact that Character X has much political power where they live. The advisers of this person learned the hard way before this system was implemented what happens when they are allowed to lead with one of these drastic levels of intelligence.
When Character X has far below average intellect, they tend to bring to the table social reforms for the good of all. Reforms such as free healthcare and a larger amount of spending on items that would greatly benefit the common people. However, these reforms if continued over a long period of time would lead to bankruptcy and would destroy the nation, thus being counter intuitive. Emotions dominate over logic at this point.
When Character X has far above average intellect, they tend to bring to the table social reforms for the greater good. Reforms such as selective breeding, and executions of people that are too dumb to live as well as the poor and homeless. However these reforms if continued over a long period of time would lead to a police state along with genocide and would thus destroy the nation, thus being counter intuitive. Logic dominates over emotion at this point.
Which leads me to Ben Carson. Carson is a well learned medical doctor. He has gained appeal because he is not held by strings to government officials. He also has lots of schooling and has made some very tough choices. All of them for the greater good. This concept of greater good regardless of price is why Carson would make a terrible leader.
Ben Carson is the type of man who does not get held back by emotions. He would do what seems logical. This is all good and done when doing medical procedures as well as a multitude of sciences. However, when dealing with living breathing people, equal parts emotion and logic are needed.
A strong, skilled leader does not throw away lives that can be saved, even if the outcome is desired as a result. Nor does a leader that the President of the United States needs to be let what logic dictates to be common sense have the final word. Common sense would dictate that brutal dictatorship will keep people in line. Cold logic dictates that soldiers are willing to die the moment they sign up for armed service.
People are people though, and they cannot function with happy and fulfilling lives when one of the chief leaders of their nation sees them as more livestock than as human beings.
And so, I hope that our future leaders use both logic and compassion when they help bring America to greatness. Neither must be flexed at the expense of the other.
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