Jul 10·edited Jul 10Liked by DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD
I really appreciate this poem; thank you for sharing Allan! I've been in many conversations lately on similar topics, though by another name: Systems. Systems of government, systems of patriarchy, systems of capitalism / consumerism, often coupled with a desire for change.
However, my frequent rejoinder is: "But we *are* the system." Zoom in close enough and there we are, all individually following the same paths laid down within the system where millions of others have trod before us.
We follow these paths because it can be easier to follow. It can provide useful signposts that suggest 'safety' or 'efficiency', which might influence our sub-conscious. After all, walking off the path could equally lead to danger, and it's possible that some who did may have experienced calamity, resulting in others putting up fences along the way (rules and regulations on the one hand, stories and traditions on the other) or handrails to make it easier for those less capable of say, navigating slippery terrain, to get through the forest.
However, the path is just an unfeeling, inanimate 'thing'; it doesn't really care if people walk the path or not.
Which comes back to Foss' critique and provocation: We *can* choose to walk off the path, should we but muster up the courage or the curiosity to. And the power of that lies within each individual.
It's the "Youngsters" who are standing up and Saying "Enough is Enough " our generation appears to have become apathetic, although I still stand with the "No more War" and Eqaulity path , I will try to keep giving my opinion, I have even begun to write to Members of Parliament here in the UK. I have also written to the EU Parliament and the ICJ, ICC ( not yet sent to the last two) the first two I've written has been to demand no more Arms to Israel the last two although written but not sent are demanding that all Leaders who continue to sell/ give Arms/Aid to Israel are held accountable for enabling Genocide and Complicity in Mass Murder. It won't make any difference just one person writing letters/ emails, but more and more from many Countries are doing the same thing. Eventually someone Has to listen! I Hope.
I think Humanity.anity in the main follows the path our parents have guided us on ,the path society wants us to take! Those who veer from the path are either shunned as "Wrong Uns" or geniuses if they happen to have success in societal eyes.
Myself I followed a path that took me places, a path that has made me who I am today, I have seen much of the World ( Good and Bad places) to some of my peers I was a Brave person to others it was almost as if I had been a Murderer or something as bad. I know that those who came back from Vietnam ( a place I'm very glad I didn't end up as was to young) the American people appeared to hate as they were shunned by some due to media going on about babu killers etc. Thankfully I believe that has changed now.
The biggest problem with Society is if you follow the path laid out there would only be Robots not the individual that humans should be. My Grandfather taught me" In life you can take any road you want! The 'Straight and Narrow' or the road that is all over the place that still leads to one place, we know once we are born we will eventually die it's what we do in-between that matters"!
Sounds like that calf laid out Boston's streets.....
Tim
I really appreciate this poem; thank you for sharing Allan! I've been in many conversations lately on similar topics, though by another name: Systems. Systems of government, systems of patriarchy, systems of capitalism / consumerism, often coupled with a desire for change.
However, my frequent rejoinder is: "But we *are* the system." Zoom in close enough and there we are, all individually following the same paths laid down within the system where millions of others have trod before us.
We follow these paths because it can be easier to follow. It can provide useful signposts that suggest 'safety' or 'efficiency', which might influence our sub-conscious. After all, walking off the path could equally lead to danger, and it's possible that some who did may have experienced calamity, resulting in others putting up fences along the way (rules and regulations on the one hand, stories and traditions on the other) or handrails to make it easier for those less capable of say, navigating slippery terrain, to get through the forest.
However, the path is just an unfeeling, inanimate 'thing'; it doesn't really care if people walk the path or not.
Which comes back to Foss' critique and provocation: We *can* choose to walk off the path, should we but muster up the courage or the curiosity to. And the power of that lies within each individual.
Thank you for sharing the poem!
Scott, thank you for your comment. You are directly on target.
It's the "Youngsters" who are standing up and Saying "Enough is Enough " our generation appears to have become apathetic, although I still stand with the "No more War" and Eqaulity path , I will try to keep giving my opinion, I have even begun to write to Members of Parliament here in the UK. I have also written to the EU Parliament and the ICJ, ICC ( not yet sent to the last two) the first two I've written has been to demand no more Arms to Israel the last two although written but not sent are demanding that all Leaders who continue to sell/ give Arms/Aid to Israel are held accountable for enabling Genocide and Complicity in Mass Murder. It won't make any difference just one person writing letters/ emails, but more and more from many Countries are doing the same thing. Eventually someone Has to listen! I Hope.
That is wonderful. You see I knew you are a wonderful man
I think Humanity.anity in the main follows the path our parents have guided us on ,the path society wants us to take! Those who veer from the path are either shunned as "Wrong Uns" or geniuses if they happen to have success in societal eyes.
Myself I followed a path that took me places, a path that has made me who I am today, I have seen much of the World ( Good and Bad places) to some of my peers I was a Brave person to others it was almost as if I had been a Murderer or something as bad. I know that those who came back from Vietnam ( a place I'm very glad I didn't end up as was to young) the American people appeared to hate as they were shunned by some due to media going on about babu killers etc. Thankfully I believe that has changed now.
The biggest problem with Society is if you follow the path laid out there would only be Robots not the individual that humans should be. My Grandfather taught me" In life you can take any road you want! The 'Straight and Narrow' or the road that is all over the place that still leads to one place, we know once we are born we will eventually die it's what we do in-between that matters"!
But mankind as a whole keeps doint the same old, same old thing: wars, crime, greed, etc. It feels to me at age 81 like we have gotten nowhere at all.