And so it is that you by reason of your tender regard for the writing that is your offspring have declared the very opposite of its true effect. If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls. They will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is written, calling things to remembrance no longer from within themselves, but by means of external marks.

What you have discovered is a recipe not for memory, but for reminder. And it is no true wisdom that you offer your disciples, but only the semblance of wisdom, for by telling them of many things without teaching them you will make them seem to know much while for the most part they know nothing. And as men filled not with wisdom but with the conceit of wisdom they will be a burden to their fellows.

Plato, 370 BC

[–] Gabu@lemmy.ml 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Also greek philosophers: Farts are bits of the soul leaving the body.

[–] Barbarian@sh.itjust.works 0 points 9 months ago

Yeah, that's pretty nutty. I'd argue what I quoted, which is basically "Reading makes your memory shit because you won't need to exercise it" is also a pretty bad take.

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