“If you think there’s a solution, you’re part of the problem.” George. W? No, C.

George Carlin. Man of many words, and I will  not speak to any of them, but I will borrow this quote, and add it to a Billy Joel song, “Angry Young Man.” For me, it raises the question of, why am I alive? And the answer of course is only mine, for me. And it goes like this:

Eritrean–Ethiopian, Irish Republican-Protestant, Bosnian-Croatian, Palestinian-Jew, Chinese-Tibetan – Protracted conflict. I am not representative of one of these groups so I have never had to choose between aligning myself with one side, or facing the consequences. I should say, aligning, or not, and facing the consequences. I am privileged. I live where there is a functioning legal system (relatively speaking), and a functioning economy with abundant resources. I also live in a country with, and of, many cultures, so I have never had to choose sides (except on election day).

I have the luxury of non-involvement. Should I choose, I can stay on the sidelines of many things. Actually, living in the US, I can sideline myself from almost everything, as of this date (2010). Concerning myself with “solutions” can stay an issue I apply only to obtaining food and other necessities. If I “play my cards right,” no sides, just strategy.

So what. So in my position, global solutions – anything not addressing my basic needs - can be an elective. I have a convenient position being able to distance myself from many of the issues of survival, others face on a day-to-day basis. Instead of “Think globally, act locally,” I can ”Think locally, act locally.”

But George Carlin did NOT say, “If you work toward a solution…” Or, “If you hope there’s a solution…” He said, “think.” Which for me means being a bit obsessed about the whole idea of there being, “a solution.” It assumes you are walking around always talking about how we WILL solve the world’s problems. So that’s a good way for this progressive to look at this statement. Also considering I love the works of George Carlin and Billy Joel.

But there’s a second part to this phrase. “…, you’re part of the problem.” What problem? (Other than the fact that it’s a beautiful day outside, and I’m inside thinking too much.) (Actually, I think that’s the problem.) Actually, I think that’s the problem – it’s a, “Life is what’s happening while you’re busy making other plans” kind of thing (adding John Lennon to the notables). 

All these words because I wanted to show off a composite photograph I made a few years ago. It shows my good friend Igor, carrying his then (almost not) baby girl, conspicuously dropped onto a beach. Walking, while a speed boat goes by, Igor focuses on carrying his load while his daughter looks back and notices a butterfly.

And my friend Igor still works too many hours in a day. “Stop and smell the roses.”