"When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of political manipulation are sown"

This quote by Stephen Jay Gould talks to the value of crucial thinking and the dangers of blindly following one's hopes. When people do not have the tools of judgment, they are more likely to be swayed by those who seek to manipulate them for their own political gain. Without the ability to think seriously and make informed choices, people are vulnerable to the impact of those who seek to exploit them. This quote functions as a warning to be aware of the capacity for adjustment and to be conscious of the power of our own hopes and desires. It is very important to be able to think seriously and make informed decisions in order to secure ourselves from those who look for to control us for their own gain.