I have an older blog, which ran its course after 10 years of reviewing music and an occasional mad rant. My perspective grew considerably over that time, and I have evolved beyond using music as a crutch with which to discuss philosophical topics. Furthermore, I want to put some distance between me and some of my more juvenile musings.
So at the start of 20 “THIS IS OUR YEAR” 20, I decided to re-brand. Into what, I did not know. Then COVID-19 hit. Caring for a child while working from home was so mentally taxing, my focus was on surviving each day without heaving a living creature through a window. My creative reserves were dried up.
Then the protests started. That was the deluge.
In a short period of time, the nation was alert to a number of pervasive issues long blanketed in dirt. I initially abstained from contributing – I know plenty of good people spreading righteous messages. Besides, I am normally not so outspoken – our minds are already made up before we read anything.
But if I idly standby, am I not complicit? Voices I value say yes.
What role was I going to fill? I felt as if I was out of my depth on a number of issues, but then so are most of us when we share an article or comment online. I have never understood why we are always bickering with each other, as if there is a monumental chasm that separates two dominating mindsets. I will not buy into this.
So I will try to build a bridge that connects us.
A Better Bridge
The basis for this bridge has three pillars:
Remove Obstacles These include absolutes, partisan relationships, what-aboutism and other hindrances to reason. As hard as some of these are to avoid, we can at least identify their presence and navigate accordingly.
Educate Exemplified in my previous posts, our collective viewpoints are too scattered to be of any meaningful use. We are moving in different directions, some believing in political misguidance, some focusing on the symptoms rather than the disease, some confusing the effect with the cause. The best way to cut through the nonsense is to educate ourselves on real statistics, context, signs of mistrust and subjects that have true value.
Find Common Ground The cynic in me says if this rift continues, we’re doomed. The possibilist in me says if we can break down imaginary barriers and bring to light our bare necessities, we can finally progress as a species. Either way, we are responsible for our own fate:
“Just random matter suspended in the dark I hate to say it, but each other’s all we’ve got”
So, read it or not, I will be toiling about around here for the foreseeable future – a refuge of sense and reason shrouded in the ether.
Current Dig
I know I said I was not going to use music as a crutch, but this song spoke to me. I love the concept of a “better bridge,” so I want to run with it.
“I refuse to buy into this tired narrative That anyone who doesn’t run with me is a fool And I believe together we can build a better bridge That spans the breadth of stars connecting me to you”
