Two Paths - A Lament
Two friends challenged me to write without complaining........this is dedicated to Amy and Tam Tam
An Election Year
Recently, the first presidential primary took place in New Hampshire.
The indigenous culture of this small New England state is not a large and diverse bunch in the ways people prefer to parse out people these days. However, Ma and Pa New Hampshire are deeply committed to the election process and attend party meetings, listen to different candidates for months and months before annoying political ads appear in the rest of the nation’s Facebook scroll.
In the depths of my imagination, civic-minded citizens bloom with the forsythia of friendly discourse on the subject matters of nominees and initiatives. The chilled winter air gently warms with the amiable bickering derived from friendly competition between candidates and political parties.
My hard shell of sarcasm hides a marshmallow layer of gooey happily-ever-after.
I know this vision is only in my mind…….the narrative in my head does not correspond with reality.
Political ads larger than a small automobile are proudly displayed in folks’ yards from town to town. Walking along a quiet country lane, one knows another’s political affiliation long before discovering if they believe in God or the viability of social security.
On that rural route correctly or incorrectly, someone assumes the person sporting political signs has a certain character or temperament and are not alone those assumptions.
The ability to find a like-thinking gaggle of people, that rejoice or loathe at the sight of giant political banners, is entirely too simple. This subtle toxic self-clustering of humankind has permeated every corner of the world…..and is called “groupthink.”
Winds of Change Bring More of the Same
Each of these echo-chambers long for something…….typically the fantasy of the past or the over-promised under-delivered future. This notion engenders warmth and purpose in their hearts.
The reality of the past was never warm nor healthy for everyone but a small few. If we refuse to address the here and now, the future gives birth to more of the same.
Is the goal of groupthink more love….more giving…..more accepting…..towards each other?
The skill of “love thy neighbor” seems as common among groupthinkers as a wisp of a daydream, wrapped in a moonbeam, and dropped into the depths of a starry sea…….a beautiful idea, but non-existent.
History and statistics illustrate the past wasn’t kind to everyone……just some. Not surprising…….one can find evidence of groupthink in every generation and culture…….a chronic disease that is never prevented nor cured……..because that route is too arduous for the average human.
John Winthrop - Not a Political Speech Writer
John Winthrop, almost 400 years ago, in a sermon given to his compatriots in the Massachusetts Bay Colony stated that they “shall be as a city upon a hill”.
Winthrop’s sermon is quoted by almost every single president since J.F.K . What politician hasn’t woven the metaphor into a rallying cry?
May I ask? Did the oligarchy seek to understand John Winthrop’s purpose for writing his sermon before quoting him?
The sermon begins with inequality, rich and poor, weak and strong. Winthrop’s fellow pilgrims were fleeing a world that was not kind to them, in search of something better, or so that was the plan.
Winthrop begins the sermon by explaining why God would allow such disparity of humans on this planet.
Reason 1: People are not the same, there is variety and depth to God’s creation; ergo, some thrive, and some suffer.
Reason 2: “The rich and mighty should not eat up the poor.” Sounds great. But he also said that the poor should not rise up and “shake off” the yoke of the rich and mighty……What? No Eat the Rich? Winthrop believed the disparity was a great way for God to affect everyone’s lives equally but in different ways……not sure I agree, but an interesting idea, nonetheless.
Reason 3: “Every man might have need of others, and from hence they might be all knit more nearly together in the bonds of brotherly affection.” Winthrop believes this disparity requires rich and poor, strong and weak become one large symbiotic mass of “brotherly affection.”
Reason #3 is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of Winthrop’s sermon. These bonds are elusive in communities yesterday, today, and probably tomorrow.
Winthrop identified imbalances between humans but purposely preached against groupthink that comes all too easy from such disparity. He fights the malignancy of groupthink using phrases like:
“Keep an honorable remembrance” of those in other churches suffering their own indignities.
The privilege of being in the new world is a covenant with God. The promise is that God will bring peace until we are focused selfish pursuits then “the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us.”
Politically incorrect ditties just thrive Winthrop’s words. “For this end, we must be knit together, in this work, as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection.”
The beauty of his thoughts is there is no place for groupthink in that shiny “city on a hill”.
This doctrine of brotherly love was preached to a fledgling nation and oft quoted by many a politician. Almost four hundred years later, the well of brotherly and sisterly love is long dry…….dust-ridden and empty. I rather doubt it was more than a puddle to begin with.
Are there only two roads? Groupthink? Brotherly Affection?
I’d settle for plain ole’ kindness and a smidgeon of reason.
In the 21st century, as in the past, the highway of groupthink is easy access to an effortless ride.
The expertly maintained road is flooded with people from all walks of life. In less time that it takes to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, any Ma or Pa Discontent can connect with a groupthink of their choice……..dining on bad blood and dancing to the tune of disgust and disapproval with a band of freshly minted “like minded” friends.
Various groupthink vitriol is vomited on television, on phones, in neighborhoods, and even in homes….there is no escape from the effects of the echo chamber.
Much more formidable of a feat is eschewing groupthink, exercising brotherly and sisterly affection, and learning to think and reason for oneself. This arduous route is an uphill walk, both ways with nary a motorized vehicle in sight. At times the road is scarcely populated, and one feels alone in their effort.
During election season, the solitary road is all but empty and certainly void of any politician or government leader.
YES, Another Asian Drama
My favorite Chinese drama in the whole world is The Untamed. It is based on the fabulous novel “Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation” written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.
Ms. Mo has mastered the art of illustrating groupthink in at least two of her books. Grandmaster and Heaven’s Official Blessing both rip the reader’s heart out and stomp it into dust illustrating the fallout that comes from skipping brotherly affection and reason for the safety of the “group”.
The intrepid hero, Wei Wuxian in The Untamed, exudes loving one’s neighbor from the beginning to end of the book and drama. We even get to hear his thought process as he weeds out the bad from the good.
Wei Wuxian’s acts of kindness extend to people under the rule of the enemy government that killed his family and severely injured his brother.
Spoiler alert: Our sweet Wei Wuxian sacrifices his own abilities to make his brother whole……..sob, and is physically and spiritually compromised all in the name of brotherly affection.
Wei Wuxian loves his neighbor so much; he walks away from groupthink completely. By doing that, he forfeits the companionship of loved ones, including his brother and sister, who choose to stay with the collective.
The second main character is Lan Wangji. This dashing hero spends most of the book and drama struggling in the echo chamber with friends and family, while trying to make correct choices. Wrestling with wrong and right, he eventually decides his place is next to Wei Wuxian, protecting the weak……not with the mutual admiration society of the day.
Winthrop would have been proud of dear Wangji.
The author, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu weaves Winthrop’s principles (I doubt she read the sermon) into her books, demonstrating the universality of traits like kindness, acceptance, and reason. “Honorable remembrance” for those who do not agree with you but are suffering just the same. Rich, poor, strong, and weak thrive in an uplifting symbiotic relationship.
The Chinese writer touched this jaded American heart with her stories.
Forward Thinking
Winthrop did not preach his sermon to look backwards, but forwards. His goal was to set the tone for the fledgling colony, entering the unknown.
Do political speeches quoting Winthrop’s sermon ever use these words?
“…..abridge ourselves of superfluities, for the supply of other’ necessities.”
“…… delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body.”
My passion for this subject waxes strong……
Here is Winthrop’s full quote about that city, “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.”
How close is the United States to becoming that “by-word through the world”?
Winthrop’s words were not pulled out of thin air they are based in basic religious ideals. I read a blog where the writer pointed out 12 worldwide religions’ core beliefs contained requirements for kindness……just plain old kindness.
If this writer is correct then according to the internet religious population statistics, six billion people or seventy-four percent of the world’s population should be oozing in compassion……..if they are committed to their religion.
What is the probability that those billions practice kindness on a regular basis?
The other twenty six percent must be the oligarchy and not likely to have read Winthrop’s sermon….nor understood it.
What about me? I’ll skip the groupthink…….and embrace kindness and reason….that is the goal.
Indeed. My objective should and will be showing “brotherly affection” towards neighbors, no matter the lawn decoration. Walking the hard path of reason and kindness, I will avoid travel on the easy-breezy highway of groupthink.
My actions won’t change the world, but Wei Wuxian would be proud…….come to think of it, Winthrop as well……and that’s enough for me.
What about you? Tell me. Which road are you on? Are there other roads I have not mentioned?
WHAT IS FABFU STUDYING
UK Modelling Agency Breaks Catwalk Taboos by London (AFP)
Do I care? Yes, I do. A lot of the norm we teach the next generation comes from what they see represented in entertainment and advertising. As a child taught by these influences, I learned that Cindy Crawford was the ideal woman. This distorted my idea of what was normal as a teen. Diversity in advertisement and entertainment is NEVER a bad thing.
Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center by ANNE HELEN PETERSEN
This was a great read that I identify with strongly. After considering moving to a new town. I told my spouse I had no issues moving unless it wasn’t closer to a couple of my dearest friends who live more than thirty minutes from my house.
For many, friendship is not a valued relationship as it was more than a century ago. I do believe my friends have a greater influence over me than my significant other. Friendship is a vital necessity for my mental health
Ghosts Know What I Experienced by MO CHEN HUAN
Main characters aside, this book is rich with comedy, horror, and Chinese mysticism. I am rather amused by the different personalities of the celestial masters. The main couple is quite cute and powerful (my favorite combination) as they search out malicious ghosts.
The book has hints of Zhen Hun (one of my favorites by Priest), but not as strongly developed characters.
Marry My Husband – Korean Drama with Park Min Young and Na In Woo. This drama has reignited my love of Asian dramas. The implausible story is rather entertaining as a woman who gets a second chance at life after she is murdered by her husband and best friend.
The characters of these toxic dopes delightfully played by Lee Yi Kyung and Song Ha Yoon are insanely bad……I love them. The show may have typical k-drama clichés scattered like stones in a stream, but it really sparked my interest in binge watching again.
Wow! So much depth here!!! Nice lamenting...but then finding the joy, too. Thank you for the dedication and making me think. (and I, too, need friendship for mental health).