The Emperor's New Costume

Once upon this time, in a land not so far away, there lived a carefree Emperor with few official duties and whose chief concern in life was to preside over and participate in costumed parades. He loved playing d mas and putting on colourful carnival costumes. Unfortunately the Emperor was sometimes a little careless in his decision making and had twice now made serious miscalculations in his recruitment of masqueraders. His wounded subjects began to wonder what sorts of malfeasance might be afoot. Knowledge of the Emperor’s personal preferences, relaxed disposition and problems spread across the networked kingdoms of the common world. His subjects’ distressing concerns found their way to him also, interrupting his deserved vacation.

A cunning mass-(media)-man who was on vacation at the same and had heard of the goings on approached the morose Monarch. “Sir, I believe I can make you merry again, I have recently acquired a magical costume. It is imbued with Old World colonial magic and can deflect criticism away from you onto other individuals and structures making them seem incompetent and less than honorable. It can give the wearer the appearance of honesty, respectability and culpability and soothe your spirits so that you can enjoy the remainder of your vacation in peace. It will also make your critics appear unsophisticated and unintelligent, unable to move on and enemies of the empire and of democracy.” The monarch’s spirits rose, excitedly he demanded, “Give me this costume. I will pay whatever you ask.” They agreed to terms and the man removed from a pouch he carried a small cloth loin covering. “Simply utter the magical incantation, “I accept responsibility” and you will never have to explain your actions or be held accountable or answerable to anyone” the man instructed and went on his way. Putting on his new costume and repeating the magic words to himself the Monarch began to write a letter to his subjects which began…“The occasion arose in February of this year for the appointment of an entirely new membership of Commissioners to the Integrity Commission…” Afterwards he was very pleased with his apology and was able to enjoy the rest of his vacation in peace without further distraction.

But many of his royal court were not convinced and demanded an explanation from him upon his return. Finding himself troubled, under fire once again and growing angry, he turned to his sycophantic sorcerers of the air. After some time they counseled him, “Sire, you relied only upon Old World magic in your first address, you must also use New World magic if you are to be successful in besting your critics. We have concocted a magic glitter dust that we believe will complement your loin covering. Simply rub it over your body before you make a mas of your Office on the airwaves and your words will shine with brilliance and erudition, you will appear an honorable man, luminous in integrity, unafraid of challenge, and someone whose opinion while not infallible inspires confidence and trust. The dust will also lull your fixated detractors into a restful and forgetful slumber.” Agreeing with them he put his faith in the protective magic of his loin covering and the persuasive magic of the shiny dust and sitting under the spotlight addressed his kingdom…“I do not share the opinion held by some that I have brought the office…into disrepute and accordingly, see no reason to resign or to engage in further debate on the matter.”

A poor child who was awaiting her SEA results, and knew little of old or new world magic, watched the broadcast. After it was over she turned and said, “Mammie, look ah mas!” The child wondered…Soon however she would be in secondary school, relieved of the unnecessary burdens and luxuries of thinking, questioning, investigating and learning to act responsibly for oneself on behalf of others. In time she too might become a good masquerader for d band. The Emperor, still spellbound by his new costume continued to preside, pronounce, primp and prance fully believing in the power of magical incantations, that to utter something often enough, or in the right way, the right place/time, somehow made it necessarily true.

Personal opinion without a requirement to make publicly available and accessible evidence or the structure, sequence, and source of one’s reasoning apparently provides sufficient justification for publicly ineffectual and aconsequential policies and polities. In the meantime the child’s observation would take root, grow and work its way towards the summit.