Alvin the Hamster relished tissues. He’d gladly accept one, and immediately shred it to bits, strewing it across his cage, then make a cozy nest.
I do the same with books. Sometimes I read them, but mostly they are shelved, stacked, scattered, left out, drift about, displayed, and occasionally referenced.
Today’s big thoughts (sponsored by Advil for the rest of you) is brought to you not by Camus, or Jung, or Jefferson, but by…Megadeth.
Here’s a chestnut from the heavy metal classic “Symphony of Destruction”:
You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a God
Watch people's heads a-roll
Later on:
The Earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Another unsettling album cover. I would have called it “Monday Morning” personally…
Starting to Tackle Anything
Most of us…
We often..
It seems to me that when we…
I can’t even start the sentence properly, and that’s the problem. My default reaction to big problems is an immediate jump to abstraction.
We need to start a foundation.
They should pass a law. (Well, I generally don’t think that anymore.)
If people would only…
Times are unsettling. I look. I stagger, and wonder how could one ever do anything about anything.
I’ve found a few themes in my thinking:
An outward movement: start a foundation…
A grouping thought: youth, Americans, men, women…tend to think that___.
Passing the buck: They should…
Excuse for inaction: The broader themes imply..
A Caveat
Big problems often need big solutions. The Big vs. Little / Global vs. Local / Political vs. Individual debate is needed, and enjoyable. Several of my friends bring their valued opinions by for spirited discussions, and we’re all the better for it. I’m glad that someone is willing to pick up the slack in that department. It’s essential and appreciated.
An Example
Oh, sometimes I’d like a tweed jacket and one of those Sherlock Holmes pipes so I could sit around and say things like “Societal trends indicate ___. Statistics show that 27% of ___ leads to ___. So how do we respond to culture thinking that? What must we do to help the children get off their phones and save the world? I’m starting a foundation, and with a few small donations…”
Then I saw someone with a different way. Let’s call him…Tom.
“They told me the water heater was broken, and it would cost twelve grand to fix it. I found one on eBay for less than half, and ordered it. Then we put it in.”
Stories vs. Theories
The water heater story cut through the haze of theories and statistics in my mind like a wind in the fog. Someone opened a window, and the smoke didn’t stand a chance.
“So I did something about something, and this is what happened.”
Tom’s story got much bigger, but still was hyper-centered on the individual acting.
An endless stream of podcasts and (cough cough) blogs and “thought leaders” and even the great authors have me drowning in Generalization, in the we shoulds and people tend to think that.
Hand me a hammer.
Now I see a hammer I’m picking up.
I looked at Tom, and realized that’s what he did.
Something.
The difference in thinking is visceral for me: the task of starting a movement is about as appealing and disheartening as doing taxes. Looking outward makes me feel weak. Looking inward, smaller, hyper-local is the opposite, changed with possibility, with tasks immediately becoming obvious and meaningful.
This is exciting.
The question hit me: Is my jump to abstraction, to a “we” solution a substitute for legitimate experience and uncertainty?
It’s easier for me to look at an imaginary group of people (the left, the right, women, men) than to engage in a conversation with an individual. Things get much more complicated that way.
But I think that’s exactly where my work is.
One Person Wide
There’s that old Margaret Mead quote:
Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Some people love this, and the appeal is obvious. For some reason, I’ve always read this as a way to recruit to a lost cause, or to squint my eyes to crushing reality–a way to feel better about getting my head handed to me after a devastating town hall.
We shall overcome (someday).
After hearing what Tom had to say, I still think that Mead quote is complicated–because a small group is too big.
It became clear that the line between Ruin and the chance to fight another day is often only one person wide.
I shook Tom’s hand and thanked him for his service. “Courage is contagious, sir.” Let’s hope the infection stays.
Solzhenitsyn said "The line between good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties — but right through every human heart.”
A New Joy
I’ve been digging into my daily work with a renewed zeal. The world is calling. There is much to do, right here, right now. What a joy, and what a blessing. This is the work, not the placeholder until I can find that tweed jacket and tell you how you think.
It’s now. Today. Yes.
“Modern man can't see God because he doesn't look low enough.” –Jung
But see? There I go, talking about “modern man”, and with borrowed wisdom.
Megadeth
Back to the metalheads and their symphony lyrics:
The Earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Indeed.
I’m trying to stand up. I’m working with joyous ferocity. These thoughts will get clearer, but it’s a start. Send me yours if you’re so inclined. I’d love to hear them.
–Josh
P.S. I’m so glad we get to do this. You know, think together, and live better, stumbling forward through the night. Thanks for the notes of support, and the constructive criticism, the adding of ideas, and the rattling off of ones that don’t work. Thank you.
On the road again. About to miss the left turn.