Am I poorly educated?

 I have always prided myself on being efficient and there is an entirely selfish reason for it: “The more efficient I am, the less work I need to do.” So when I first heard of DOGE or Departure of Government Efficiency I didn’t give it much thought. I am biased to think efficiency is a good thing. So this shouldn’t be that bad right? Then I uncovered an uncomfortable truth about efficiency that I had no idea about… another lesson in being poorly educated I suspect. An idea sparked recently (with the help of slight intoxication, that I am not condoning!). What happens when a government is “efficient” typically. I decided to just ask the oracle “ChatGPT” a simple question: “ What are some common drawbacks of an efficient government and its typical implementation?” Sure. An efficient government can have drawbacks such as: 1. Authoritarianism – Centralized power may limit democracy and debate. 2. Lack of Transparency – Streamlining can reduce oversight and increase corruption r...

<my self dialog and inner struggle> Self: Am I am poorly educated? Me: “Don’t be ridiculous! I am a genius!” Self: Are you sure? Me: “Yes” Self: Then answer this basic question, what was one of the key reasons for Income Tax in the US? Me: “You know I actually don’t know that…but like, who knows that really?” Self:    “How did Hitler come to power, his strategies and tactics?” Me: “Well crap, I don’t know the answer to that either!”  Self: “… And? What should you draw from that?” Me: “Wait, no, you aren’t accusing me of being poorly educated because I can’t answer that?    Right? You are ridiculous!” These things I wrestled with in my head for a while, certain of my educational knowledge, my intellectual prowess. I was certain I was above average of course, I think I scored like a 114 iq one time. I went to a public school, it wasn’t the worst high-school, pretty good compared to others actually, I graduated with a 3.8gpa. I am smart! Then one day I watche...