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***Under ordinary circumstances, I'd tell you how poorly you understand the concept of a catch-22. However, since you apparently can't procure a copy...***
I've read the book a dozen times at least Kali and realise I took liberties with the concept for my post.
I recall first coming across the paradox way before the book was published when my Old Man was telling me about his wartime service in the Royal Navy. Part of his job on an aircraft carrier was to take notes of some senior officers' conferences. He once went to the ship's store for a new pen and was told he had to sign for it. He couldn't ... because he had no pen.
Of course, back then, it wasn't known as Catch 22. Such impossibilities as having to be sane to want out of the military on the grounds of insanity, though, were anything but rare. Heller's spark of genius was in giving such nonsense a 'catchy' term and in writing such a wonderful novel around it.
Cheers. Neil
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