I underestimate human beings.
In the 4th grade, I was introduced to “critical thinking.” Since then, I’ve concluded that most Americans especially, are dumb. The only exceptions – then and now – are those who also recognize the innate stupidity of Americans and every non-American who act like or wish they were American.
My diatribe is not to demean Americans or claim (yet) that I will be an expatriate of the very country in which I was born. Or maybe it is, and I’m not aware of it yet.
It is worth noting that it is quite incredible that I have the innate right, as an American, to think whatever I want, say whatever I want and publicly post whatever I want for the world to see if they wanted to.
I think about the notion of reality and alternate realities often throughout the week. This week, I drew a connection between the mortal reality and the “fantasy” reality. I distinguish the two like so: the former being the one from which we anticipate, and for some desperately strive, to leave; and the latter being the unknown, or at least the better reality.
The fundamental question here is also the simplest question. What’s the point? Of anything? If the grass is always greener on the other side from whichever side you’re standing, then nothing matters equally, as equally as everything mattering equally.
The last thing I remember being told in high school by my teachers, high school counselor and principal was to follow my dreams. Turning 18 and becoming an official adult was not what I anticipated in relation to following the dreams from my adolescence. On the contrary, average people – most people – are reminded of how impractical and unrealistic dreams are. Why? Because there is always a bottom line and the bottom line is what no one wants to hear or face, whatever it is. Bottom lines are relative and the point is is that we don’t like them. Bottom lines are the ugliness of reality. And the sad thing about existing is that we wait it out until our last breath. We tolerate bottom lines by distracting ourselves with pastimes like buying stuff, working too much, watching baseball and performing duties we give ourselves.
I’ve overestimated human beings and have been disappointed, regretfully. So I’ve defaulted to underestimating so that I can enjoy an occasional surprise, experience an alternate reality for a moment.
Realities
Advertisement
