For no particular reason …

[aadler]

 
… I felt like going off about one of my pet peeves.

I keep hearing/seeing people repeat an old chestnut (and always, seemingly, in the belief that it automatically discredits whoever they happen to disagree with): “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

Except, no it isn’t. It’s a general quote, attributed — with minor differences — to everyone from Benjamin Franklin to various football players, with Albert Einstein being the most popular cited originator. (Only that’s never been verified.) So,

Definition of INSANITY

1. a deranged state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder (such as schizophrenia)
2. such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or civil responsibility
3. a. extreme folly or unreasonableness
   b. something utterly foolish or unreasonable

… and the next time somebody trots out what has rapidly become a cliché, point to the nearest dictionary and tell them to go pound sand.

PS: I’m on my second day of ‘vacation’ in the Great (Not-Yet)-Frozen North. Today we visited a birds-of-prey sanctuary. Tomorrow we’re going to a military museum. Tonight I’m picking up sroni at the airport.