E. A. Blair: February 2008 Archives

Seeing the Too-Big Picture

Tim’s article on Monday about Howard Rheingold's TED Conference video concerning cooperation got me thinking about the idea of an increasing global cooperative and how it may affect individual mind set and how exactly change is made. There are many cases in our society when a man or a woman may act in a manner that is the antitheses to productive cooperation and in doing so will use the crutch of, “What does it matter... I'm only one person, what difference can I make?” The individual choice to vote or not to vote in an election, discarding trash in a street side waste basket instead of the gutter, or buying a slightly more environmentally friendly car are all examples of instances when many people fall victim to seeing too grand of a big picture.

I think often about where we came from, where we are now, where we may advance to, and the decisions, either conscious or subconscious, that guide us along the way. The majority of our day to day life is dictated by our inertia. We compile pieces of ourselves, like a Russian nesting doll growing layer by layer, aggregating components from generations past to what comprises our daily lives. These pieces are typically seen as advancements, so called improvements, in how we live, work, and play. We use science, industry, technology, medicine, and religion – fostered by our inertia – to work toward the greater goal of growth.

I can’t seem to stop thinking about delegates these days. Pledged or unpledged, regular or super, elected or non-elected. The more I research the rules governing the delegates, those who will ultimately decide the two contenders for the presidency, the more I’m confused.

Both the DNC and RNC have informative sites you can visit to research any number of topics about the primaries and the upcoming conventions. The DNC even includes a section on how to become a delegate, but the Republicans don’t necessarily have their act together.