Scholars identify crises as periods when
outlier economic events (extreme data points) and social and political polarity
(absence of a center or consensus) prevail over what had been considered the
normative state. Economic, social, and
political order is in peril. Stated
otherwise, weirdness reigns. As an
Eisenhower baby I am old enough to remember a fair amount of tumult, but the
outliers and polarity today seems more pronounced and durable. Someday historians will turn the current
noise blaring at us from all directions into something melodic and lyrical, but
when you are in the midst of the milieu it sounds more like a kid performing at
their first violin recital. We grit our teeth and brace ourselves until the
tortuous fraying of the bow ceases. What
does this chorus of noise mean? What do
the various crises emanating from the political, economic, and cultural spheres
portend for you and me? How should we
respond to these events? What should we
expect of others and ourselves? Even more
importantly, what does it suggest about how we should conduct our lives vis-à-vis the purposes and
aims that define who we are? Is our destiny still even ours?
To
assure that our destiny remains in our control we must first embrace the notion
that crisis is good. It is like the fire
in the forest that is both devastating in the moment and essential for the future
of its eco-system. Crisis on a systemic
level allows a cleansing of the detritus that has built up from years of
traditional thinking codified to protect the status quo and, unfortunately,
compromise our future. What once was
thought to maintain stability—like a money supply untethered from the gold
standard—may mark the next tipping point toward systemic entropy. Crisis, however, creates new spaces and
resources for new actors to create and innovate. It is like rebooting your computer: the operating
system remains intact while the application software is disentangled from the
remnants of prior tasks. That is not to
say crises are thoroughly cleansing; some of the rubbish remains, and that
which does will fight mightily to do so.
We need look no further than some of the blowhards in politics and media
to recognize this. Yet, to succeed in
our particular purposes and aims, we must take what space and opportunities
arise and run through newly opened doors toward our future.
Embracing
crisis as a liberating force also allows us to learn from past crises so that
we might identify words, themes, and modalities we should employ to survive and
prosper, or at least find a measure of tranquillity, if not a state of grace. Reviewing the history of past crises while
also surveying the current political, economic, and cultural landscape leads me
to suggest there are six words or themes to write on the wall to guide us in
answering the question, how should we conduct ourselves today?[1]
1.
Authentic. Keep it real, and keep it true. During recovery from crises there is
not enough slack in the system to reward work that is almost right. Only the real stuff wins. Like most people, I appreciate irony, but too
often today irony is worn in much the same way as a teenage girl wears eye
shadow; more comical than alluring. Yet when
properly considered the object of irony—exposed in relief—reveals authenticity.
The question is, what is the fundamental value expressed in its simplest
form? Seek to produce values that are
pervasive and durable throughout the system, product, policy, or personal
regimen. Once identified, set them like
cornerstones to support everything you do.
2.
Resilient. Here is a not-so-newsy flash: you, your family,
your company, your community, your city, and your country will suffer a blow or
blows as we unwind from the current crises in the chaotic and messy climb
toward a new more settled state. Crises,
like forest fires, are indiscriminate.
Even if you avoid catastrophic damage, collateral damage is a certainty. Many herald schemes of sustainability and
independence, but they are just part of this larger objective of resilience. To survive we must have the ability to bounce
back. In our personal lives, this means
we have to be mentally and physically fit, and have access to sufficient
financial and human resources. On the
human relations aspect, trust others as Machiavelli might: expect them to
consider their own interests first—always ahead of yours. But, have go-to folks that can bolster your
efforts in those areas where they are stronger than you. Take personal responsibility for your lot,
however you define it. When the blow
comes take the hit, dust yourself off, and get ready to hit back. Make yourself a hard target.
3.
Gonzo.
Just when you thought this was going to be a treatise on conservative
realism, I invoke the late Hunter S. Thompson.
In shorthand, gonzo means that you should write all the rules down so
you know what not to do. Channel your inner Hunter, er Gonzo. The vast majority of rules, frameworks,
policies, and structures were adopted to protect those in power, not to protect
or serve you. Moreover, in a post-crisis
world, they don’t work in your favor even if you were one of their yesteryear authors. In the ascent from crisis, those who set
aside tradition and define their world in their own terms will be profoundly
successful and yes, much happier. When
you face the inevitable admonishment “you can’t do that” or “that isn’t
allowed,” simply respond: watch me.
4.
Transcendent. Rise above the rabble. Don’t be drawn into the muck of ignorance
that is so-often the marker of organizations and factions whose survival
depends on the condemnation of opposing perspectives. This is the basis of my objection to organized
religion—particularly monotheistic religions—that advocate intolerance as a
by-product of their own survival impulse.
The prevailing principle of these groups is, “if you don’t believe as we
do you are wrong and will be subjected to our wrath.” Political parties employ the same thinking.[2]
Be wary of ideologies and theologies
that practice judgment and condemnation.
They are debilitating. Retain
your free will. Read often and deeply;
look for character, structure, and meaning.
Pursue knowledge beyond your comfort zone. What does the artist know or do that might
benefit the scientist? This is the best
way to nurture the power of an opposable mind.
An opposable mind is always open to new ideas that create solutions no
one else has thought of.
5.
Stealth.
Several years ago I wrote an essay wherein I argued the next
frontier—after my father’s frontier of space—was the frontier of anonymity. It was based on the notion of harnessing the
benefits of digital technologies, in particular, networks, to operate in a
seamless and borderless manner to master the theoretically endless benefits of
globalism. All of this would be
conducted in an anonymous manner where code and avatars replaced our
traditional analog identities. In many respects
today, we are headed exactly in that direction as the anonymity of 1s and 0s
dominate our commerce and communications.
Aliases have become the norm.
However, there are other aspects of anonymity—of a stealth
existence—that have value beyond the ability to tweet your every thought behind
an opaque hash tag. High profiles are
dangerous in periods of crisis and in the period of objectivism that follows in
America’s historical four-phase life cycle
(crisis—objectivism—radicalism—idealism).
Humility and self-restraint are clearly preferable to hubris. There are many people who enjoy health,
wealth, and happiness who never stick their head in front of the camera. Be
like them.
6.
Grace.
There are many definitions and interpretations of grace, so let me start
by suggesting the grace I write about here is when the proper balance of
virtues are combined with other elements and resources to produce something
beautiful. A state of grace then is the
modality that produces beauty, whether it is an object, product, service, idea,
or writing. Pierre-Auguste Renoir often
argued that the most durable things in the world are those that are
beautiful. Grace is the capacity to bring
everything together in such a way that people say wow that is beautiful, or
amazing, or just plain cool. I am
suggesting here that grace is when you bring authenticity, resilience, gonzo,
transcendence, and stealth together in just the right way to assure your
destiny—which is indeed a truly beautiful thing. Then, you are in a state of grace.
As we emerge from this period of crisis and
enter a new period of objectivism, I expect those who seek grace through the
careful application of these ‘six words written on the wall’ will retain a
handhold on their destiny. The fate of
others will be chosen for them.
[1] The words and themes presented here all
have their basis of research and argument found in prior posts at
ameritecture.blogspot.com. Please peruse
the archive for more substantive material on these six ideas including
references to reading material.
[2] In my recent reading of memoirs from
members of the George W. Bush administration, I have found an overwhelming
sense of certitude that appears to have been the proximate cause of what I call
sclerotic decision making.
