"The Myth Of Self"

The second in a series of seven

Fifty-odd years.
It’s not even a wink in the “eye of time”.
But, perhaps, enough time to observe some small, subtle changes.

Now, I’m not going to pretend to be naive about it. There has never been an acceptance of individuality in our culture, or most cultures for that matter.
Yes, we have paid lip service to “the myth of self”. To those rugged individualists, who, stood up for what they believed in. Fought the good fight, regardless the consequences. And, we lionize the “outsider”, the slightly dangerous, the bad boys in our popular culture.
But... in the realm of our individual lives, our concern becomes  more of  our immediate circle, our place in that circle and how best to maintain it. Individuals, outsiders and the bad boys do not factor well into the orderly shape of a circle.
It’s true. We’re all subject to the pressures of our peers. With our “myth of self”, most of us are uncomfortable with that “truth”, but none-the-less, it is what it is. It’s necessary for the orderly operation of a society.
Isn’t it?
Is our social fabric so fragile? Does it’s very survival really depend on an ordered conformity? The subtle and not so subtle repression of that which is different?

Being a student of the “human experience”, I like to imagine I’m keenly aware of what’s going on here.
Evolution, the social just as with the biological, is always in a constant state of flux.
Sudden and often radical alterations of the environment can  result in the appearance of mutations. Now, most mutations don’t survive for long. Some are of little consequence. Some even threaten the survival of the organism. However, occasionally, a mutation will come along that is positive, an improvement in some way. If the organism is able to incorporate the change, it becomes stronger because of it.
I think you can see where I’m going with this.
“Social evolution” follows a similar track. Environmental changes... conflict/peace, poverty/prosperity, geographic/cultural differences, disease and natural disasters. All can result in “mutations”, those individuals who are just a little different from the rest of us. They may have a slightly different take on things than you do. They see problems and answers where you may not. They may provoke or inspire you to thoughts you may have overlooked. Sometimes, they can posit an idea that is truly exceptional, unique , an “ah-ha” moment if you will.
Conversely, they may present ideas that represent a clear and present danger to all of us.
Or... they may just fizzle and disappear, ignored by the “normal” squeezed aside by the pressures to conform.

More recently, these “mutations”, these agents of change have come to be known as the “creative class”.  The truth of course is that, whatever they’ve been called’, they have always been a part of the “human experience”, beginning with day one.
Civilization as we know it is largely a product of their efforts.

I submit that it is only normal that a society will inevitably attempt to resist the “threat” posed by the influences of such individuals. Furthermore, I submit that this resistance in itself, in all likelihood, is as equally essential to it’s continued survival.

May I humbly suggest, however, that we offer, if nothing else, a bit of tolerance for those who are different. For all you know they may just be that rare and wonderful “mutation” that will make us all stronger.



I leave you with two of my favorite quotations on this subject:

“To be one’s self, and unafraid whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to authority”.  
Irving Wallace

And, from Margaret C. Patton, my teacher, mentor and my life-long inspiration,
read from her card to me congratulating me upon graduating from high school:

“May you never belong to that strange race of people spending their lives doing work they detest, to make money they don’t want, to buy things they don’t need in order to impress people they dislike”. “A Frenchman said it, but it packs a world of wisdom in a few words”.

It did, and it does. This little card still rests on a shelf in my library by my chair to this day!    

"He Keeps Himself To Himself"

The first in a series of  seven.

The English... they have such a lovely way with English.
But... I mean... they would now, wouldn’t they?
They have such beautifully colourful ways to describe the oft arcane attributes of human behaviour.
A choice example, might be the word,  eccentric.
If you’re middle class and “odd-turned” as my ole granny would have said, you’re “just a bit eccentric”.  Now, add money and/or title and it’s “ delightfully eccentric” or “terribly eccentric”
And here’s the thing. It is a condition if you will, to be generally admired.  A uniquely English quality to be treasured.
Now obviously this does not translate well into our American experience.
You’re odd, kooky, weird or just plain nuts. To be regarded at best with suspicion, at worst derided or made fun of.  But not, not likely to be admired or treasured.

My favourite “Anglicism” of all has got to be “He keeps himself to himself”, perhaps in no small part due to a personal introspection.
Once again, we have this expression that doesn’t “translate well”.
It’s not just that the words don’t translate easily. I guess that if I were to say that “He keeps to himself”, in American English, the literal meaning is similar and understood.
But.. the statement somehow implies a certain, unsocial quality to the person’s behavior.
A quality implying at best an introvertedness, social awkwardness, or worse, he doesn’t like people..
With a person who “keeps to himself”, there is an almost unconscious suspicion, something's wrong.

If, however, I were to consider the expression “He keeps himself to himself” in English original, and in situ (in it’s place), there is no implied negative context.
The English are as likely to regard this person as not bothering anybody, minding his own business. He keeps out of trouble and he makes no trouble for anyone else.
This person is viewed in an entirely different light.
It is an expression of conduct, most surely, but it implies an  approval of his character.
What might appear at first to be  a slightly back-handed compliment,  is just a compliment, nothing more.
Funny thing, perception. And, context

Once again, the words become lost to their “cultural meanings”.

I suppose it’s always been a little perplexing to me.  As Americans, we celebrate “the myth of the individual”, yet we tend to shun and discourage individual behavior at every turn.
I understand that “He keeps to himself” could yes, describe someone who is somehow unsocial.
But... how is it then that “He keeps himself to himself” can be viewed by some so positively?

Seriously though, doesn’t individual behavior span a broad spectrum?
There are those who thrive on, even crave the “bright lights of the social stage”.
Others are content to just “flit onto and off of the stage”.
Some are terrified and suffer terrible “stage fright”.
And even those who loathe the “stage” entirely.

What we obviously face here, is how differently cultures regard this element of human behavior.

Surely, “He keeps himself to himself” merits a warm regard in both Englishes.

Do we really desire that everybody be “just like me”?  How sad would be a truly crowded or a truly empty “stage”.
And... in reality, don’t we need that “full spectrum” of behaviors to  be at our best?

The Rants and Raves of a "Crazy Old Man"

I have a friend, also named Kevin, who has been known to refer to me as such.
Huumm?  Maybe he's right.

OK. Now for something completely different!
Welcome to a slightly  re-tooled and re-focused "new" blog .
This is where I get to have some real fun. I get to say what I want about what I want and if you don't particularly care for  it, you may exit at any time.
I'm un-apologetically "Liberal" and  unafraid to admit it in today's "tea soaked" environment.
Somebody has to, we gotta get back to that “agree to disagree” moment, and somehow manage to coexist.
Now. If you are of a like mind, you'll probably read, maybe even enjoy some of my my diatribes.
If not, “prepare for the worst”, or click off of this blog immediately for it could be hazardous to your closely-held preconceptions.
So, do I just spew out an endless stream of pure liberal claptrap, or do I actually try and compose my thoughts and attempt to deal with a coherent subject or two?
I rather think the latter less I try the patience of even my "fellow travelers".
In my politically incorrect manner I will take on politics, religion, popular culture, idiots, aesthetics and the arts, maybe even the meaning of life, all to my varying abilities. Suggestions and comments will be welcome.

Soon to be released!!

I have my whole life been a self-proclaimed “student of the human condition”.
No matter my locale, I find I am absolutely fascinated by people, their “similar but different” take on our “common human experience”.
The following posts are my humble attempt to share some of my “observations” with you:

“He Keeps Himself To Himself”
“The Myth Of Self”

“What Church Do You Go To?”
“Critical Thinking And The Scientific Method”
“In Defense Of Pragmatism”
“Would You Like To Trade Places With Them?”
“An Accidental Life”