it was called a ship of fools.

Forsdale: Most of them came to the United States.

McLuhan: Well, there were some very serious people, which is another name for insanity. There were some terribly earnest people—“importance of being earnest” means importance of being a madman. When you become very earnest, very uptight, you’re off your rocker. So our friend, who’s The Importance of Being Earnest  man?

Forsdale: Wilde.

McLuhan: Wilde, Oscar Wilde. Thank you. . . . Wilde!

Forsdale: Word play.