Y'know I often wonder about this notion of being the complete fool (making one of yourself by doing something exuberant, happy, extroverted, funny, affectionate). The direct implication here is that the "unfoolish" way to be is neutral, bland, unfeeling, indifferent, moderate in the extreme, un-inspired, quiet -- kind of like untoasted Wonder Bread, doughy and flat and tasteless but quite "safe" and "unfoolish", if insidiously oppressive.

Funny thing is, no one particularly believes this version of "wisdom", but many, many people seem to grow up in terror of violating it, of "looking foolish".

Where do we learn these weird, lifeless lessons? Why do we learn them so well? Where's the value in learning to imitate Wonder Bread?