R. A. Fisher’s demonstration of the way in which a society that measures success in economic terms must fatally and inevitably eliminate all heritable ability above the normal?’

Let us ignore the demon; or rather let us piously hope that something may be done about him before it is too late. In the meantime the battle between the rival snobberies comically rages. A sham fight still; there is as yet no actual persecution of highbrows. We are safe. But even as things are, there are wholesale desertions and betrayals. Caliban’s mere contempt is enough to shame hundreds of highbrows into a denial of their nature and upbringing.

‘You’re cultured.’ Caliban points accusingly. ‘You’re intelligent.’

‘But no! How can you say such a thing?’

‘I distinctly heard the word “Mantegna.” ’

‘Impossible!’

‘I did hear it.’ Caliban is inexorable.

The highbrows shake their heads. ‘Then it must have been a slip of the tongue. What we meant to say was “gin.” ’

The end