Also behind her success in getting the institute under way was her obstinateness in the face of improbability.

Heresy, being the belief in an innovated matter which contradicts the established religious practice originating with the Prophet due to a misconception, not obstinateness.

Smuts' obstinateness became the butt of jokes, some of which described South Africa as "a democracy, with due apologies to Jan Smuts".

By mocking us, they guarantee our natural obstinateness will demand we "hold the course" regardless of inevitable failure, thereby locking Americans behind ever less competitive speeds and shunting our ability to compete.