virus: The Joke's on Us (was: how does a shaman pay?)

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Tue, 12 Aug 1997 10:27:38 -0700 (PDT)


On Mon, 11 Aug 1997, Brett Lane Robertson wrote:

> I've always been fascinated by the role that
> Jesters played in a king's court (and assume that it was more than
> entertainment).

The Jester had a unique role. He was the only person in the kingdom
allowed to mock and poke fun at the king. In fact, that was his job. And
a wise king *always* keep his jester handy, usually a member of the court
in his own right (even if not acknowledged as such). And why? Because a
wise ruler realizes that abuses of power begin from taking yourself and
your power far too seriously.

-Prof. Tim