On Dynasties

[H2O Man]

35. I never use

the "sarcasm" thing, either. Hence, we run the risk of people not understanding what we are actually saying. That is, of course, if I am correct that you purposely provided us with an example of concrete thinking plus lack of understanding of very basic sociology or history.

The reason that the Oxford dictionary speaks in the context of father-to-son is so simple that even Barbara Bush could understand it: patriarchal societies have been the source of dynasties in our human experience. Matriarchal societies (few as there have been) have a built-in safe guard preventing male children from inheriting too much wealth and political power.

Generally, we would hope that our children would learn such basic concepts by, say, the sixth grade. Certainly, in any current socio-political class, if a 12th-grader advanced the "theory" that it would be impossible to have a dynasty in the USA in current times -- and based such a silly claim on using the Oxford dictionary -- they would get a failing grade.

Thanks!