The Armchair Critics of Politicians and Professors: A Scathing Rebuke of the “Noise-Makers”
After the publication of yesterday’s article titled: Setting The Records Straight Governor Otti’s Administration Is On The Right Track, I received lots of interesting comments. However, one stood out and thought about it for hours as I could not shake off it’s import. The very fine gentleman wrote and I humbly quote: Politicians and Professors: All noise and nothing to show for it Honestly, I was intrigued. In response, I found myself locked away for four hours crafting a soothing piece that could serve as an insight to millions of my passionate daily readers, who perhaps, may have pondered over this as well.
To my dear commenter, I dare humbly say, in the grand tradition of uninformed pontification, a chorus of self-proclaimed sages has emerged, decrying the supposed ineptitude of professors and politicians. These armchair critics, fueled by a potent mix of ignorance and hubris, loudly proclaim that these individuals are “making too much noise with little to show.” But, dear critics, we must ask: what, pray tell, have you accomplished?
As we gaze upon the vast expanse of human knowledge, we find that the acquisition of wisdom is a slow and laborious process. The tortoise-like pace of development is a testament to the complexity of the issues at hand. And yet, our esteemed critics seem to believe that professors and politicians should be able to conjure solutions to these weighty problems with the wave of a magic wand. Tell us, dear critics, how do you propose we accelerate the pace of progress?
Perhaps our critics would care to explain how they would navigate the labyrinthine corridors of academia, where the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor? Or maybe they could enlighten us as to how they would balance the competing interests and priorities that politicians must juggle on a daily basis? We await their pearls of wisdom with bated breath.
Meanwhile, as our critics continue to shout from the rooftops, the professors and politicians they so cavalierly disparage are quietly toiling away, striving to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields. They are the ones who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society. And yet, our critics see fit to dismiss their efforts as mere “noise.”
But what of the critics’ own contributions to the advancement of human knowledge? Have they published groundbreaking research in a reputable academic journal? Have they successfully navigated the treacherous waters of politics to enact meaningful change in Abia State, for instance? We think not.
It is laughable, really, that these critics believe themselves qualified to pass judgment on individuals who have spent decades honing their craft. It is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. For, while professors and politicians are busy making a positive impact in the world, our critics are content to simply make noise.
And so, we say to our critics: by all means, continue to shout from the rooftops. Continue to make your noise. But, until you can demonstrate a modicum of understanding and a scintilla of achievement, perhaps you should refrain from casting aspersions on those who are actually making a difference.
In conclusion, to our critics, we say: thank you for the comedy. Your antics have provided us with a much-needed respite from the seriousness of the issues at hand. But, when it comes to substance, we’ll stick with the professors and politicians, thank you very much.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke writes from the University of Abuja Nigeria.
