In principle, an open society sees information flow as a good thing, to be hampered only in the presence of strong evidence that harm cannot be preve… - David Brin

How can we set up a system which encourages individuals to strive and excel, and yet which shows some compassion to the weak, and weeds out madmen and tyrants?

He read about humanity’s age-old racial struggles. Had it really been less than half a millennium since humans contrived gigantic, fatuous lies about each other simply because of pigment shades, and killed millions because they believed their own lies?

Another notion occurred to me as I stood contemplating my next move—a piece of advice Clara once offered:
“When in doubt, try not to think like the dumb hero of some movied.”
Charging into danger was one of those overused cinematic clichés, religiously adhered to by eight generations of brain-dead producers and directors. Another went: A hero must always assume that the authorities are evil, or useless, or bound to misunderstand. It helps keep the plot rolling if your protagonist never thinks of calling for help.