When you're stuck inside an out-patient waiting room you're stuck between the macro and micro of your world. Up there on the wall, a screen that assaults you like something from "1984's" Big Brother. On this particular morning it's that unremitting gusher of black gloom in the Gulf. A cynical coda to the over-reaching technology sung by modern man.
But then they call you in for your tests. Exotic radiological tests carried out by extraordinarily sophisticated technology. A brass section fanfare by doctors and nurses poised to do here what can't be done down there. Salvage something that has broken!
On that macro planetary stage -- technical disaster. On this micro personal stage -- technical achievement. The life of an entire coastal region is surely worth more than the life of single small soul. And yet, a single small reminder here that humanity is not only as bad as its worst disaster, but as good as it best achievements.
And to their enormous credit, this hospital staff is a symphony of races and nationalities working together in ways that would have one really believe: Yes We Can!
AS THE GORES SLIP INTO THE SUNSET
As Al and Tipper Gore announce their parting of the ways, how sad that we as a society are so trivial as to remember only the trivial. In his case: The Kiss. In Bush's case: The aircraft carrier landing. In Clinton's case: Monica Lewinsky. In Gerald Ford's case: The trip coming down the plane steps.
And so on and so on and so on...
The mind struggles to explain why the media reports and we remember mostly the silliest of moments. One possible explanation -- large complex achievements are too large to hold, and so we cling to the littlest and silliest of foibles. You know -- just to convince ourselves the mighty aren't all that much mightier after all...
Jack,
ReplyDeleteI predict His and Her books out in less than a year!
Jerry, that's a prediction I can take to the bank!!
ReplyDelete