it was in the 1960's a genuine academic told me how everyone quotes the same paragraph from Godwin's Political Economy - a book that at the time hadn't been available for decades. yet they all pretended that they'd read it, Jim.

Apparently they ALL do it. no one can read EVERYTHING - its common sense really. yet some people pretend they have - they have to. its their job. its like the guy who fixes your plumbing, or who fixes your car or mends your guitar.

confessing ignorance is not a confidence inspiring strategy. when's the last time in PM questions, someone said - fuck me! i didn't know about that!