I studied it back in highschool for an English literature class. Ever since Tumblr came about I have not been able to put the story away from my mind. To quite

I studied it back in highschool for an English literature class. Ever since Tumblr came about I have not been able to put the story away from my mind. To quite directly from the text: "Beware of first- hand ideas!" exclaimed one of the most advanced of them. "First-hand ideas do not really exist. They are but the physical impressions produced by live and fear, and on this gross foundation who could erect a philosophy? Let your ideas be second-hand, and if possible tenth-hand, for then they will be far removed from that disturbing element - direct observation."