Progress, Not Perfection

Why is it that we Americans are such staunch individualists? Why do we trumpet the inherent nobility of the rights of individuals? Maybe it can be explained by the influences of Greek philosophy on the Western world. Maybe we are just really selfish. It could be for any number of reasons, but the reasons behind it are not important. The fact is that American culture heralds individuality as a basic human right, and I am curious about that. Why are we so adamantly opposed to socialized medicine, or social welfare? Where is the safety net for human error in a society that insists on 'personal accountability'? For what their worth, I have some thoughts on the subject.
In contrast with US norms, Japanese culture places more importance on the society as a whole than the individual alone. For instance, school children generally walk to school each morning, and they do so together, all wearing uniforms and bright yellow hats so that they are easily identified. Every neighborhood has its own 'captain'. He/she is responsible for getting all of his/her classmates to school. Additionally, parents in the neighborhood take turns serving as crossing guards at each intersection along the way. In this system it is not merely the responsibility of the individual student to get to school on time, it is his classmates' responsibility to make sure he gets there. And all of the parents participate in the process by standing watch by the intersections. When the kids reach junior high they are allowed to bike to school. Of course, there is only one standardized bike that is allowed so as to encourage a spirit of equality. Why are we, as Americans, so committed to the importance of showing off our own style and wealth with 'unique' bikes and clothes? Is it more important that we express our individuality than that we be mindful of the greater good? Even as adults in Japan the idea of group responsibility is evident. If someone chooses to drive drunk and gets caught, the passengers also get a fine. In the States we insist that it is entirely the drivers fault, while in Japan it is acknowledged that people make mistakes and it is everyone's responsibility to help them avoid such errors in judgment.
Japan is far from perfect. Women are treated as less than equal in many cases, bureaucracy is rampant, and cultural norms are often too strictly imposed. But the notion that the we are all responsible for each other is noble and effective. There is a lot wrong with America in my opinion, and I have spent many years moving from country to country trying to find utopia. It doesn't exist. But a friend of mine recently told me that our goal should always be progress, not perfection. Neither America nor any other nation on earth will ever be perfect, but maybe we can learn a few things from our friends and at least make some progress.

Last weekend I enjoyed the chance to finally visit a Japanese surf beach. As I stood for the first time on the Pacific's western shore, I recalled my first glimpse of the eastern shore in Cannon Beach, Oregon. That was quite a few years ago, and many miles removed. It was nice to literally see something for a completely new perspective. I had watched the sun set from America's west coast, and now I saw it rise over the same ocean. As I stood there admiring the view, I started to muse...
Everyone has their preferred method of relieving stress. My mother wakes early to reflect and pray. My father relaxes to the sound of babbling mountain streams. I have friends who will mercilessly beat a punching bag, and others who practice yoga while meditating on peaceful thoughts. For me its always been the sea. Whether I am submerged in it or merely watching from the sidelines, the sea puts me at peace. I find great comfort in the knowledge that as wave crashes, dissipates and returns to the sea, another is following just behind it. As long as the world has existed this has been the case, and it will remain, I guess, until the earth is no more. Its a fascinating and largely unmatched example of dependability, and the thought is soothing to me in the midst of this unpredictable life. But there is something even more interesting about this pattern.
Day after day, year after year, and age after age the waves relentlessly assault the shore. All day and all night, without exception, untold tons of water slam into the sands, yet the sands remain. It is impressive, and reassuring, to see that the sands can withstand this endless barrage of crashing waves without conceding an inch. But while the beaches continually withstand the might of the sea, a barefooted child can leave a footprint. An idle hand can easily dig through the sand, but the mighty Pacific Ocean can't move it. I won't rant about the philosophical lessons one might draw from this amazing natural occurrence, but if we stop to reflect on it I think we can all see the parallels.

Technological Pessimist

I recently wrote a little about the loss of our community spirit. The diatribe was largely based on observations of our increasingly isolated shopping districts and our diminishing sense of customer care. Since then I have reflected further on the unraveling of the community fabric, but from the perspective of the so-called "technical revolution". I recognize the fact that I have entirely too much time on my hands if I am able to sit around and ponder such abstract ideas, but that is just one of the many blessings I enjoy. And I confess that the irony is not lost on me that I am bemoaning all of this new technology through the same medium that I profess to oppose. Nonetheless, here we go.
There is no question that our communities have, to a great extent, evolved from the days when walking the town square and chatting with your fellow citizens was commonplace. For better or worse, knowing everyone in your local community is not the norm, these days. We don't know all of our local merchants (if we know any at all), and we too rarely see familiar faces enjoying the weather on a downtown bench. It is presumptuous to think we can fully understand how that has happened, but I want to share what I think is one piece of the puzzle. The technological revolution, as the optimists call it, is actually working against us in many ways. Yes, it is nice to have access to so much information via the internet. And it is nice to talk to old friends far away via email. I like having spell-check for all my work, even if it has destroyed my ability to spell from memory. But what is the downside to all of these advancements?
In years gone by we would think it something special if someone had an expensive suit tailor made. Now we can simply order through any large department store. Once upon time we could campaign outside of a business we thought to be unethical. Now Wal-Mart can have you escorted from their privately-owned parking lot. There was a time when political ideas were discussed on the street corner but, like so much our history, those days have faded into obscurity. Now people can buy anything they want over the internet. "If you can't find it on eBay, then you don't need it," I heard someone say. Now we send emails about Wal-Mart's unethical practices to people who already hate Wal-Mart, and the company rarely has to face anything more than a handful of angry letters or petitions that they promptly delete. Now if you want to talk about your political concerns you just start a blog or join a chatroom. Its a great way to rant endlessly to nameless, faceless people. But isn't that easier? It takes some serious conviction for a man to stand on a street corner in front of his friends and relations, his co-workers and neighbors, and tell them exactly what he thinks about a given issue. On the other hand, anyone can post a message on the internet with no fear of reprisal from the people they deal with every day. So, yes, it is easier, but that doesn't make it better. Maybe I am a pessimist, but I am not thrilled about living in a world where internet dating is taking the place of human contact. I cannot imagine opting for an impersonal meeting via the internet over that petrifying fear of approaching someone who captivates you, swallowing all pride, bracing for rejection and hoping for opportunity as you ask out the girl you see during lunch everyday.
I guess I am a pessimist, because I do not like this "technological revolution", or what it is doing to our communities. There is a an old joke the does well to explain the difference between the optimists and the pessimists...The optimist says, "this is the best of all possible worlds." The pessimists replies, "I agree." It is sad that our Norman Rockwell-like days seem behind us, but I guess that is just the way the world works. Some things gets better, while other things gets worse. I never claimed to have any answers, just a few thoughts.