“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

In my opinion, people who blindly follow ideology are engaging in the hobgoblin of little minds. One of Emerson’s themes in his writings was that individuals should avoid conformity and false consistency and follow their own instincts and beliefs. I agree with that paradigm.

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Fifty years ago today Apollo 11 launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Unfortunately, I think this country is so divided today that the near-universal support this mission enjoyed would not exist. Was the level of support a foolish consistency? I don’t think so; the Apollo program was an amazing achievement.

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From autowereld.com a picture of the new Ferrari F8 Tributo:

 

 

OK, so the car doesn’t really look much different than the 488 to me although Ferrari claims that this “new” design is the bridge to future exteriors. The engine is the same as in the 488 Pista, a 3.9 liter, twin-turbo V-8 that produces 710 HP and 568 LB-FT of torque. That is the most powerful V-8 Ferrari has ever produced. [So, should it be V-8 or V8? I use both; don’t want engage in the hobgoblin of little minds, I guess. :)] The car is supposed to be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 KM/H (62 MPH) in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 211 MPH. Like all Ferraris the engine is mated to a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission that can be paddle-shifted or used in auto mode.

From Ferrari’s website: “The name [Tributo] is an homage to both the model’s uncompromising layout and to the engine that powers it with a massive 720 cv and a record specific power output of 185 cv/l.” The base MSRP is about $275,000. By the way, the price of Ferrari’s stock (traded under the symbol RACE, of course it is) is up almost 70% year-to-date. The stock even pays a dividend.

Obviously, that’s a desirable automobile, but I think owning a red Ferrari is asking for trouble. Maybe owning any Ferrari is.

 

#HobgoblinOfLittleMinds

#RalphWaldoEmerson

#Apollo11

#FerrariF8Tributo

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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P.S. Nine years ago today my wonderful wife and I moved into this house. That is the longest we’ve ever lived in the same dwelling. The odds we make it to ten years? Of course, they’re not 100% (life is finite), but I suspect those odds are far less than 100%. For the cryptographers out there: ukhfh ymbfe flwdfh