DUNCES
WITH FOOLS
I
remember the award-winning movie “Dances With Wolves”; Kevin Costner’s role as
a cavalry lieutenant whose request to be posted at the frontier was granted;
and his eventual encounter with a Sioux tribe temporarily settled in the same
location. It taught me a truth, or a reality, in life which I learned way after
I repeatedly watched the film. In relation to this would be the phrase I
often heard since a child: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
It
turns out, in this world; the majority always sets the tone or the standards of
how things are to be. If one wants to be accepted; he should ‘play along’ and
become like the many or else, be rejected. I have seen faults, shortcomings,
inadequacy, mediocrity, and all such items which can be improved or corrected
in communities and clusters of individuals. When having attempted to right
these wrongs and flaws, because a majority of persons were practicing the
latter; it became apparent that I was not accepted, nor were my
efforts appreciated. The alternatives I had was to either disregard my
principles/standards and degrade myself by emulating their actions; or stand
firm and allow myself to be scorned. Fortunately, varying circumstances
rewarded me the privilege to exist with both; since there were a few who shared
the same sentiments, and others who chose to remain idiotic, but affable enough
to concede when interacting with me.
Irrationality and obstinacy, put into play by the multitude, will
justify even what is errant. Because it is ‘in’; it will be what is accepted.
Anything better than this; any effort to enhance what is presently mod; is
condemned. Moreover, not only are the suggested methods and/or remedies
despised; but the soul that offered it will be considered an outcast.
As disagreeable as this axiom is, I considered
it a practical strategy to work out a compromise. So I introduced my coffee and
guns to the indigenous folks I had to exist with; and took a whiff of their
spiritual pipe then danced around a campfire like a mad fool.
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