Hi Greg — Remember, “36” is just metaphorical. The intent of the old rabbinical tale is to show that, even though at so many times in history, it appears that the world is entirely mad, actually, a few people always are awake, that it is impossible for everyone to be unconscious — no matter how unlikely it often seems.

And, also, in such a completely rabbinical aside, these people are so ordinary that no one even suspects who they are. The flip side is that the showy “experts,” (I can’t help but think of my favorite idiot, Tony Robbins) are so so likely to actually know nothing at all.