Caught Between The Yin & Yang
- S. A. Gibbs
- Feb 5, 2017
- 2 min read
I’ve frequently referenced the rapid change and divisiveness that characterizes the world we live in. Although some delve into the noise and ruckus, others seek places of calm. That would be me. Recently my wife and I were spending the weekend in Portland Maine. While slowly walking down Exchange Street, a man walked by us holding a sign. He turned and approached me with his sign thrust towards my face referencing President Trump’s willingness to work with Russian President Putin as an act of treason. He was obviously aching for a response. So, in an effort to terminate this unwanted exchange, I blurted, “I don’t talk politics.” His retort was something to the effect, that’s how Stalin rose to power. Objective achieved, he disengaged walking away in disgust.
In his new book Mega Change, Darrell West talks about the polarization of our so-called leaders and population along a host of political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues. Darrell attributes this polarization and anger over a host of major events stemming from post 911 terror concerns, large-scale dislocation of people from the Middle East and Africa, and the rapid globalization of economies and the resulting collision of fundamentally different cultures. The end result is the radicalization of political parties, religions and people. One thing is obvious to a man of my age, radicals do not converse civilly, have no empathy for other’s opinions, and do not negotiate. It’s a winner-take-all world so it’s my way or the highway, so fuck you.
I struggle to find my place in this world. It’s not that I don’t care, I do. I’m a voracious reader who seeks ideas and opinions that are contrary to mine. I have changed much over the past ten years. I also try to see things from other’s perspectives, understanding that my opinions and perspectives are based on a host of factors creating the filters through which I see life. But I’m not looking for an argument or to win the debate. So, I retreat to my own thoughts, disengaging from the noise. I have much to contribute to the conversations, but people don’t seem to want conversations. It’s not easy when you see the validity of both sides of an argument, caught between the Yin & Yang of our world.
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