"You can't do that -- Andy, do NOT hit the send button on that email."
Of course I hit send.
Everything Changed. Minute by minute, hour by hour.
It all got darker. I was the bad guy. I was the villan. I turned from, "nice Andy who gets along with most people --- into the pariah, the wild one in the group."
Despite everything. Despite all the bad mouthing, and negative energy heaped on me for my rudeness, my insensitivity, my foul language -- I would do it all over again, and change exactly nothing.
We all have our "red lines" in our life. Family, health, kids, job, and possessions. These are core to who we are.
But, I'm talking about beliefs. We all have core beliefs, principaled stances -- and truths we hold dear to our heart, that we cannot waiver from, no matter how hard we may try.
Think Religion.
Think Politics.
Think your stance on pro-choice/pro-life issues.
Think your opinion on key issues that you cannot separate yourself from.
These are WHO YOU ARE. They comprise the person you have become, and the person you are projecting on others. (how others view you)
As we age and get older it seems that EVERYTHING BECOMES A RED LINE. Our patience runs thin in every small disagreement, as well as our ability to understand how others around us feel.
Children don't have red lines, they develop them as they get older.
I'm fearful that we as a country have polarized around "red line" issues. It pains me to see that there is very little middle ground. You are either, "with us or against us."
It makes me mad. It really gets me angry. I think our country is in a bad place.
"Up among the firs where it smells so sweet
or down in the valley where the river used to be
i got my mind on eternity
some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me
and i'm wondering where the lions are...
i'm wondering where the lions are..." Bruce Cockburn
Truth is, it has always been this way. There has always been distinct and clear "red lines" between views, groups, and political parties in this country. Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative -- it makes no difference. Centuries come and go, but our country is in a perpetual state of talking about, and contrasting "red lines" challenges and how to solve them.
Think the Civil War. Brother against brother. State against state.
How to deal with armed conflict, Spanish/American War? Getting involved in WW 1 and WW2. The Civil Rights Act?
Federalists papers? States right? Do you think that any of the "red lines" disagreements between opposing views WERE NOT AS INTRACTABLE, AND FULL OF RIDDLES AS OUR CHALLENGES OF TODAY?
We have a ex-Vice -President in 1804, who killed his rival (Aaron Burr dueled Alexander Hamilton in Weehawken. Its a GREAT STORY.
4 years BEFORE the famous duel of leading politicians, a little known fact.
"The relationship only became more fractured during the election of 1800. The electoral college was at an impasse as to the selection of the president between Thomas Jefferson who was supposed to be running for president and Aaron Burr who was to be the Vice President. However, once the votes were counted, both Jefferson and Burr were tied. While Hamilton didn't support either candidate, he couldn't stand Burr more than Jefferson. Through his political maneuverings in the House of Representatives, Jefferson became president and Burr was named his Vice President."
We solved the same kind of issues in the 2000 election betwen Gore/Bush, without a shot fired, without a duel.
It was solved in front of the world, in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Our problems of today are only magnified because of two main issues:
1) the problems and challenged we face SEEM bigger than ever before
2) the problems and challenges SEEM bigger and more crucial, because of the technology that has engulfed us -- as an example, a 24 hour constant barrage of information being thrown at us. We click on the web, turn on the TV, see images and issues all around us -- around "red lines."
It's overload. It's too much. It's not that the "red line" issues we have are too much, its that the MANNER IN WHICH WE ARE BEING PUSHED INFORMATION IS TOO MUCH -- ITS BORDERING ON OVERLOAD.
And, it will affect our children, and our future -- as the technology they are using is riddled with "red line" issues. Campaign Ads on YouTube, videos on their games -- from candidates and special interest groups, PUSHING THEIR RED LINE ISSUES ON OUR KIDS.
I love technology. I helped build a technology company.
My red lines are not going to change, and frankly either will your's.
But, what should change is the realization that all is not lost, our "red lines" issues that we are think are dividing us, spliting our country in two, or hurting our future -- is simply, "an overload of information. and how that information is managed" -- rather than a broken system of government.
Our government has NEVER worked better. It's got problems, but it is the BEST IN THE WORLD. There is not even another system that comes close. NOT ONE.
"You can't do that -- Andy, do NOT hit the send button on that email."
I sent it. It's OK to have red lines. Defend them.
And know, you are living in a GREAT COUNTRY - at an unbelievable time in the history of the world.
Tell your kids. Make them aware of how lucky they really are.
Thats a good "red line" lesson to hold dear.
Andy,
I am so glad you are writing these to give me (and others if they like) a platform to communicate themselves. So here it goes, in no random order:
- we are not the greatest country in the world. We are a great country but Just look at our poverty, hungry, uninsured, growing gap between rich and poor, oh and our political situation
- we are dealing poorly with adversity because we don't know how to deal with it and our ugly side is coming out, not our better side, our more charitable side
- people are scared so they are becoming more selfish than they were when things were good
- it is not technology and information, but how people use it to feel self-empowered, to get their share and are less caring
- Money has become the only God that matters and it is causing problems (and I like money)
- Red Line issues can create, but also foster war, famine, divisiveness, etc.
- Buddha would say all we think we have and are are illusions. Reach Thich Nhat Hanh if you wish to be inspired by love vs. the brain
- Your passion is what makes you so attractive Andy. Thanks again for writing this stuff. It inspires me to do the same.
-
Posted by: Jonathan London | January 21, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Jonathan -- thanks for the comment.
It will be hard for me to "prove a negative," But, I will try.
Look around the world. Jon, you won the LOTTERY. To be born in the second half of the 20th century, during the greatest industrial and technological boom the world has ever seen. BAR NONE.
In the greatest country. With the most diversity of its inhabitants, the most wealth, and the greatest differences amongst people and views.
And, yes we have problems. Yes we have issues.
But my friend WE BOTH won the equivalent of -- "the galaxies surreal lottery." We won the mega jackpot.
You could have been born in china during mao, vietnam the 60's, or north korea. Those people would trade with us to be here in a heartbeat.
Our ancestors who fled their native lands. They left uncertainty and fear. You (I hope) dont go to sleep at night with any sort of fear for your safety, or that of your children?
And even today -- our country elected an African American to lead us. That in itself is such an incredible and amazing statement about who we are as a people -- and what our system can offer.
Once again, we do have challenges, and problems. None of which are insurmountable -- especially after looking at how the country fought each other in the civil war, and then rebuilt...despite the animosity and hatred of each other. How we disagreed vehemently on "red line" issues of the day (in the past)....
Its our system, and it is the BEST equipped to deal with these challenges. Rather than a totalitarian leader who will mandate, and force change. Its about consensus, and incremental change -- through debate, and compromise. My point of the post was that this is overload, and entertainment. It wasnt intended to be. Much of politics is "sausage making" -- and it has become the equivalent of "sports in real time, updates on the hour." This (politics) has evolved into entertainment, through our technological advances. That is a shame
Dont fall for the pessimism rap being fed us. People ARE NOT dying in the street. There is NOT an outbreak of malnourishment and children going hungry in mass. There is not a government slaughtering people in the streets like Syria.
We have a good system, and a great life. I know we have problems (once again)......but, I also know that the past 230 years have been fraught with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and we have overcome all of them. ALL OF THEM.
We will come through. And, you will live to 120 years old to see it all -- because your winning lottery ticket changed the life expectancy from your grandfather to you, from 58 (your grandpa) to 76 for you. And, knowing you -- you will live to 120 -- and see it all.
Stressing every minute along the way.
:)
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