Word on the Street
Everyone is saying it, so it must be true.
Word on the Street
When I think, I generally think in words. I’m thinking in words right now. Animals think, too, but they know few if any words. So how do they think? How much can they think? Our pet dog, Toby, is very perceptive concerning our daily lives. He knows that, when we put the harness on him, he’s going out the kitchen door for a walk or to get in the car to be driven someplace. If we send him out the front door, there is no harness, and he goes into the yard, where his range is limited by an electronic fence. And he has learned the exact limits of that fence to the inch. He never wonders why everyone else can go as far as they want, but he gets a shock when he goes too far. He just accepts that that’s how it is.
Toby can learn, he can perceive, but he is limited by a lack of language. We don’t have deep conversations. But Toby can express happiness, fear, anger and love. And we can express those feelings back, all of it perfectly comprehensible to each of us.
I’ve thought about this for a while, how it concerns communication between people. Certainly we can all express happiness, fear, anger and love. We can do it wordlessly, or with words, without misunderstanding either way. But it gets trickier when the communications are more complicated. Like directions, for instance. “Drive three blocks, and then turn right at the church. Bear left when you get to the fork in the road, and then take an immediate right. Go about three miles and then turn left at the big oak tree, and then go another five miles and your destination will be on the left.”
Ok, now repeat that back to me, without looking. That’s how it was, in the olden days, before GPS. And even with the directions written down, there were still problems. Did they mean THIS church? Is this the fork in the road they meant, or is this just a wide left turn? Is that an oak tree? Communicating love, hate, anger and joy go off without a hitch. Beyond that, it gets dicey.
But no problem, because now we have GPS! I think people have come to believe that all of human culture has some inherent GPS, saving them the trouble and stress of thinking, of determining their own way. For example, economics is extremely complex, beyond the full comprehension even of experts. Yet people want to believe there is some sort of economics GPS; follow the directions, and you’ll end up solvent. Healthcare, the same. Take these pills. Follow this regimen. Create another government program. This one will work for SURE!
Same for politics, of course. Follow the party line, whichever party you’ve ‘chosen’. When was the last time you heard a politician invoke thoughts, questions to consider, as opposed to assuring you that you need not think; just rely on them. Toby comes back to mind. He doesn’t know where we’re going, or why, but if I put on the harness, he’s ready to go.
Thinking in words. Digging deep. It’s what makes us human, not just somebody’s pet. Don’t be the politician’s pet. When they tell you where they’re going to take us, insist on having them explain the directions. How long is it going to take? How much is it going to cost? They’ve been leading us in this direction for decades, why aren’t we there, yet? Near as I can tell, we aren’t any closer. What gives? And the really big question, who put them in charge?
Ask the questions in real words, not feelings. Not, “I feel like they are a nice person that cares”. ARE they a nice person that cares? Anyone can fake it. Phony caring is the hallmark of every con artist. Think it through in WORDS, not FEELINGS.
And if they care, are they competent? What is their success rate? No, not success at getting elected; that solves nothing. Real success at solving problems. Never mind the feeling of security that the politician imparts; ARE YOU SECURE?!
I’ve noticed, with increasing despair, that nearly all of our ‘leaders’ lead by emotion, not reason. Toby can express love, hate, anger and fear, and he can sense it from us. No problem. But, speaking of problems, he can’t solve them. He relies on us. We are his GPS. Our politicians now primarily express themselves through feelings. They express love for these people, hate for those people, fear of other people, and happiness at whatever. Who cares? I don’t need them for that. My dog can do that. I want rational explanations, plans that make sense logically, and budgets that actually balance. We don’t get any of that from politicians. We get ASSUANCES of that, but we are offered nothing more than feelings. They sell us the feeling that it’s under control, regardless of the reality. I hate to be macabre, but Toby wouldn’t know, when I put the harness on him, whether I was taking him to the dog park to play, or to the vet to be euthanized. He would go with me faithfully, trustingly, no matter what. Don’t be Toby. Think in words, not feelings. Insist that your politicians do the same.
Comments?
Absolutely true; everyone says so...