As I See It / July 2007
For Better, From Worse
Whether the glasses are rose tinted or not, whether the glass is half empty or half full, perspective can be as important as fact in generating a view of the world. Scientists understand that the universe looks and acts very differently at the subatomic level compared to the way it looks and acts out in the galaxy. Water under a microscope bears no resemblance to water seen through a telescope. CEO’s see “the big picture”. Workers see the pay cuts.
It works pretty smoothly as long as no one turns their head to look another way. The knocks, bumps and odd noises only begin when someone tries to see things from a different point of view.
The agitation people experience as they attempt to reconcile disparate views is called cognitive dissonance by mental health professionals. Most people just say it makes them crazy. A popular poster sums it up neatly: “Yes, but when I try to see things your way, I get a headache.”
The headache is a natural consequence even when it’s just one person looking one thing two ways.
Through arrogance and ignorance, people have fouled the air, the water and the land that sustains them. In their single minded pursuit of self satisfaction, to fill their bellies and their pockets, human beings have systematically looted every natural resource on the planet. To serve sick psyches, they rape children, beat women, torture and kill by the thousands. What were once called ‘’atrocities of war’’ are now just another story in the daily news.
There really is no hope for us.
Those “hunters” who killed millions of buffalo just because they could, men who support the slaughter of elephants just for their tusks, just for the sake of an erection, people who sell children and poor girls for work or sex or pornography, they are still here. The faces change, but the savagery and the damage goes on. People have poisoned the oceans, devastated the forests, killed hundreds of species and destroyed the atmosphere. Thousands upon thousands of more people arrive every day. The future of earth is melting as surely as the glaciers.
And yet we have come so far. The same race that once decorated caves is designing space stations. Physicians replace heart valves, irradiate cancer cells, prevent infections and treat diseases. Instant, global communication is a part of life. We have harnessed water and the sun to make energy. We know so much about biology, physics and chemistry. There is art, music, theater and dancing.
And, there are many nice people, people working to educate and heal, saving whales and taking care of the less fortunate. There are neighbors who share their tomatoes, friends that baby sit, soccer coaches, bosses who take care of their employees and employees dedicated to quality. Looking at friends and family, it’s hard to damn the human race.
Surely there must be some hope for us.
It’s all in the perspective. The long term view leads to despair. But, the short term view, however cozy, is what put us in this cosmic pickle. It’s a headache of monumental proportions.
As Pogo once reported, “We have met the enemy and it is us.” Life may be improving, but people aren’t and that’s all that is going to matter.
Whether they are trading recipes or stock options, whether their lives are focused on “the big picture” or the neighborhood, women have a huge role to play if the world is going to be salvaged. It’s time to take center stage.
Women have always been in the people business. For centuries, through their love and work, in tears and against all adversity, women have risen to the occasion, fixing what couldn’t be fixed, doing what couldn’t be done. Now women have the ultimate challenge - make people better.
Take two aspirin and start today. PL
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Designed by Livewire Studio
