Saturday, Sunday, Funday
Today was a fun day, or so it seems. Despite of the fact that it was (obviously) Monday, it was fun. One major reason for that is the fact Monday morning in Bucharest is Sunday afternoon in Seattle ;-)
For any poor soul that may have wandered on this particular corner of the web, the two posts before could be startling and discouraging. Well, sorry about that, but they are just two quotes from the book I'm currently reading that I found to be insightful.
The part of the book I managed to read, and also the letter from a land far far away :P have a quite big part reserved to the same subject: the choice of destiny that a young member of the elites has to make and, of course, the consequences of that choice.
Still here? Ok, it seems you're brave enough, so let's proceed then [1] !
This book is written as a biography of Magister Ludi Josef Knecht [2], from the time he is head hunted on. After joining the elites he sees his life path quite standardized before him. He will finish his studies, join The Order and serve the human spirituality in the best way that suits him. Note that he makes this choice absolutely free of any pressures or conditions of usefulness to society.
Sounds like a good, fulfilling life, eh? Well, wait until you read the fine print ;-) All members of The Order are provided with food, lodging, access to the best libraries and laboratories they need to do their service to humanity. BUT they waive their right to have any material possessions, marry or even stay in touch with their family. They must dedicate their whole being to The Order. Scary? Well, some of you will say "You bet!", but others will jump and say "Where do I sign?"
Those who are elected to join the elites, but who go back to the ordinary schools and also those who finish the schools for the elite, but don't want to join The Order simply go out into the world to practice what they have learned, to work as part of the society and deal with all the usual mundane problems.
And the paths are just as described above and apply at this day and age. You can study very hard, make sacrifices for it, get your degree, go to grad, get a PhD, research, be a university professor, etc OR have your share of studies and when you are ready and/or willing you join The World. That is, you get a job, get married, have kids, buy a house, etc. You know the drill.
The interesting side of this, and the one that turned today into Funday is the fact that, although initially part of the same elite group, people who choose different paths will never really see eye to eye ever again.
This different choice will perpetually be a cause of bickering between the two "camps". The "professors" will often regard the "normal people" as epigones who betray the high ideals of the intellectual caste while the "professors" are made fun of and challenged as cowards who are afraid of joining The World.
You might say that this is not interesting. Well, maybe it's not very interesting, but it is very funny. I find it very fun to watch great minds of our time caught in the act of being oh so human, loudly denying each other's accomplishments, while at the same time they may be silently suffering of the so common "Grass is greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome.
Don't you?
[1] A hero is just as brave as an ordinary man, the difference is that he is brave 5 minutes longer
[2] knecht means slave in German
For any poor soul that may have wandered on this particular corner of the web, the two posts before could be startling and discouraging. Well, sorry about that, but they are just two quotes from the book I'm currently reading that I found to be insightful.
The part of the book I managed to read, and also the letter from a land far far away :P have a quite big part reserved to the same subject: the choice of destiny that a young member of the elites has to make and, of course, the consequences of that choice.
Still here? Ok, it seems you're brave enough, so let's proceed then [1] !
This book is written as a biography of Magister Ludi Josef Knecht [2], from the time he is head hunted on. After joining the elites he sees his life path quite standardized before him. He will finish his studies, join The Order and serve the human spirituality in the best way that suits him. Note that he makes this choice absolutely free of any pressures or conditions of usefulness to society.
Sounds like a good, fulfilling life, eh? Well, wait until you read the fine print ;-) All members of The Order are provided with food, lodging, access to the best libraries and laboratories they need to do their service to humanity. BUT they waive their right to have any material possessions, marry or even stay in touch with their family. They must dedicate their whole being to The Order. Scary? Well, some of you will say "You bet!", but others will jump and say "Where do I sign?"
Those who are elected to join the elites, but who go back to the ordinary schools and also those who finish the schools for the elite, but don't want to join The Order simply go out into the world to practice what they have learned, to work as part of the society and deal with all the usual mundane problems.
And the paths are just as described above and apply at this day and age. You can study very hard, make sacrifices for it, get your degree, go to grad, get a PhD, research, be a university professor, etc OR have your share of studies and when you are ready and/or willing you join The World. That is, you get a job, get married, have kids, buy a house, etc. You know the drill.
The interesting side of this, and the one that turned today into Funday is the fact that, although initially part of the same elite group, people who choose different paths will never really see eye to eye ever again.
This different choice will perpetually be a cause of bickering between the two "camps". The "professors" will often regard the "normal people" as epigones who betray the high ideals of the intellectual caste while the "professors" are made fun of and challenged as cowards who are afraid of joining The World.
You might say that this is not interesting. Well, maybe it's not very interesting, but it is very funny. I find it very fun to watch great minds of our time caught in the act of being oh so human, loudly denying each other's accomplishments, while at the same time they may be silently suffering of the so common "Grass is greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome.
Don't you?
[1] A hero is just as brave as an ordinary man, the difference is that he is brave 5 minutes longer
[2] knecht means slave in German
posted by George | 2:06 AM
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