BS and Nightmares

Two items from today's Guardian G2 section worthy of note. First is a feature piece on Harry Frankfurt's essay-turned-cheap-bestseller-book, On Bullshit. A little excerpt is included.... Second is an article on the TV-documentary-turned-movie, The Power of Nightmares. This three part TV show was broadcast on the BBC in the UK just prior to the US elections, but it could not find an outlet in the US -- and so the turn to movies. The article notes that the movie version, being shown at Cannes, does not come off as well as a Michael Moore flick. In its TV form this was a really thought provoking documentary that focused on the parallel history of the Islamic movement that spawned Al Queda and the Straussian school of political philosophy that gave birth to the 'neocons'. Too bad it will not get a full 'airing' in the states -- while I have some qualms about the presentation and content, it would have stimulated a much more interesting debate than Moore's rantings....