idea. it is the most powerful thing i know. it's the box under the red drape in the ibm commercials that keeps growing and growing in the background. perhaps it is the proverbial pandora's box. the recording industry sure thought so, when the idea was napster. we probably all thought it was the best idea ever, back in college or high school. itunes comes in a distant second for the consumer. but it's still a good idea. and it's still better than radio, right? come to think of it, radio was pretty good idea too. these are just a few examples. how much have they affected your life? and this is just recorded or broadcasted sound. that's chump change.
the nba finals wrapped tonight. those 6'8" and 7-footers seem awfully powerful. yet where would lebron and tim duncan or even michael jordan be, without an idea? james naismith had the idea to throw a ball into a peach basket. william wilberforce had the idea that slavery was bad. a few people agreed. of course, there were plenty who thought that was a dangerous idea. they fought about that for quite a while.
martin luther had the idea to reform the church. he nailed his ideas on a church door in 1517. you might not be sitting in your bedroom or office reading this, had he decided to let it slide.
we're always on the lookout for innovative ideas. but, it's often old ideas that make the biggest difference in our world, whether we realize it or not. sure, a plasma screen is a good idea (a really good idea), but is it an idea of great consequence? all ideas have consequence. hitler's ideas and bin laden's ideas started wars. of course, wilberforce's and luther's ideas started wars too. they were not the first to formulate those thoughts, nor will they be last. the kernel of an idea was molded by many others. to some extent even you and i mold it now.
the idea that is articulated in word or deed has consequence. this world of powerful giants and inhumane weapons is at the mercy of the idea. it turns out that little, inconsequential men like nietzche and kierkegaard rule the world through their consistent, vehement articulation of their ideas. that is comforting and frightening all at the same time. it is survival of the fittest. the strongest idea wins. and the consequences of that idea will be felt by every person who is living, has lived, or will live.
that's what i struggle with in my silence. what idea is worth saying? what idea is worth developing, and articulating with any depth? is there anything i can even add to the debate? i think it's easy for our minds to be plagued by ideas that aren't worth a moment, much less a word. sometimes it just feels better to slow down and shut up. sometimes it is better. perhaps if we listen, the idea, or the word will find us. what do you think?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
That was a great idea to write this post Garrett :). I do agree with you, though. As a fellow contemplative guy, I also struggle with knowing what ideas are worthy to come out my mouth. A lot of the ideas that come into my head kinda scare me, so I try not to let those out too often.
I think that's why I'm really enjoying studying philosophers right now. It's crazy to see a guy like David Hume, in the mid 1700s, throw out the idea that there are no absolute moral values. Just a thought, no biggy, right? Well, just take a look at history following these thoughts. The 20th century begins just 150 years later and is to become become bloodier than all other previous centuries combined.
So, I guess the moral is to watch what you say. Maybe sit on ideas a little longer to think out the implications. They might not be so great.
Post a Comment