But there was a difference in the founding generation’s trolling. Our Founding Fathers weren”t rattling the hornet’s nest for inane ideas like gender equality. They were asserting their rights as Englishmen. Self-governance was their goal. George Washington wasn”t tweeting at George III or cracking wise about his Queen Charlotte. He led a ragtag army to victory over the most powerful military on the planet.
Trolling can produce good results when it is backed by a moral imperative. During his congressional stunt, Shkreli was challenged by Rep. Elijah Cummings to quit the shenanigans and do something productive. “The way I see it, you can go down in history as the poster boy for greedy drug company executives, or you could change the system,” he told a smirking Shkreli. Undeterred, Cummings continued: “I know you are smiling, but I am very serious, sir. I truly believe you can become a force of tremendous good.”
How did the self-styled reform entrepreneur answer the call to arms? By tweeting out: “Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.”
So much for sticking it to Big Pharma. And so much for changing the drug market for the better.
If Martin Shkreli’s destiny is to be a happy-go-lucky jokester, then so be it. Like Russia, every society needs a few holy fools. I just wish Mr. Shkreli would add some holy to his foolishness.
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