Put a name on that metaphor I don't like

1 files changed, 11 insertions, 9 deletions

diff --git a/reviews/books.md b/reviews/books.md
index c2f9d47..51326e6 100644
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@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@ author's point: they re-state their own convictions with added
 cosmological sugar ("the principles by which nature works"),
 antagonizing metaphors ("agriculture as an engineer might conceive
 it"), sweeping generalities ("man has displayed a passion for
-simplifying it"), and romantic allegories ("the built-in checks and
-balances by which nature holds the species within bounds").
+simplifying it"), and romantic allegories^[See also: the Gaia
+hypothesis and its [criticism][gaia-critic].] ("the built-in checks
+and balances by which nature holds the species within bounds").
 
 These sentences take a grim and uncomfortable (and well-documented)
 reality, and transform it into a lyrical fresque of Good versus Evil.
@@ -35,19 +36,20 @@ insightful report, and twist it into a sublime, emotional, and
 *simplified* depiction of some Universal Truth.
 
 What bothers we with this vocabulary is that it is indistinguishable
-from zealotry.  Cults successfully grow on broad, universal
-explanations for complex issues: Us versus Them, individual redemption
-for collective sins, Mother Nature…  To me, these tropes are red
-flags; when I see them, I instinctively wonder where the fallacy is:
-why should the speaker need to appeal to some nebulous higher
-principle?  Is it as universal as they claim?  Why can't they root
-their point into observable evidence?
+from zealotry.  Cults thrive on broad, universal explanations for
+complex issues: Us versus Them, individual redemption for collective
+sins, Mother Nature…  To me, these tropes are red flags; they invite
+me to wonder where the fallacy is: why should the speaker need to
+appeal to some nebulous higher principle?  Is it as universal as they
+claim?  Why can't they root their point into observable evidence?
 
 I actually do buy the authors's point; I merely wish it didn't come
 with fake gold plating, since it makes people I want to share it with
 go "Wait, what's up with that cheap cheesy decoration?  It looks
 silly".
 
+[gaia-critic]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis#Criticism_in_the_21st_century
+
 > Parathion is one of the most widely used of the organic phosphates.
 > It is also one of the most powerful and dangerous.  Honeybees become
 > ‘wildly agitated and bellicose’ on contact with it, perform frantic