Terry Oxley

How Durable the American Idea?

The transcendent American idea is declared in the Declaration of Independence and given terrestrial form by the Constitution of the United States. The Declaration proclaims all men are created equal, and the only legitimate form of government is one deriving its powers from the consent of the governed. The reference to men is synonymous with person and makes no distinction based on ethnicity, race, gender, religion, place-of-origin, social standing, rank, or other dimension. The principles of individual sovereignty and equality are considered providential and forever beyond the reach of self-appointed elites, autocrats, kings, or tyrants.

The common Q?

On the heels of every outrageous act by an elected official someone will ask a question something like, “how did someone so inept get elected to public office?” This question, usually expressed in more colorful language, is always rhetorical. No thoughtful response is expected an eye roll, or a “good question” quip will usually suffice. Irrespective, this is a serious question worthy of contemplation as ill-suited individuals not only run for elective office they frequently win.

Isn’t It Odd?

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These frequent and untethered thoughts are most always metaphorical and associated with contemporary events. Events that my reticular activating system (RAS) is trying to make meaningful. RAS in neuropsychology describes how humans manage the flood of inputs constantly received and interpreted by a part of the brain called the epithalamus. To avoid sensory chaos, the brain prioritizes these inputs – some are ignored because they are of no immediate importance, like the droning sound of distant traffic. Conversely, a nearby horn blast is given rapt attention. Inputs not so easily categorized end up in the RAS inbox awaiting a proper accounting. So, what is with this inbox item labeled, “Isn’t It Odd?”

That Ugly Old Tree

From out of the ether it came to mind, a phrase of sorts I surmise. It demands attention to four short words, “that ugly old tree.” These jousts with meaning always begin as foggy notions resisting all efforts to ignore them – at least until respected with fingers on the keyboard.

What is the meaning of “that ugly old tree?” These annoying words and phrases always turn out to be metaphorical which eliminates that weather-damaged juniper tree in my back yard. So, what has been weighing on my mind lately?

The Value of Discomforting Thoughts

Bias is a bit like an autopilot that once programmed guides us along the most agreeable route to our predetermined opinions. It navigates away from the contrary and stops along the way only for those bits of information that confirm our prejudices.

In social science, this tendency is called “confirmation bias.” Awareness of confirmation bias, sometimes called wishful thinking, delivers truckloads of insight about how notoriously flimsy notions persist. It follows then that Individuals/groups lacking objectivity as a core value are absent from any list of the “most trusted” and unsurprisingly a recent Gallop Poll pegs congress members as next to last on the trust scale just above telemarketers.

Beware the Narrative

Every now and then I must contend with a word or phrase that comes to mind and just will not go away – at least until acknowledged in writing. The phrase currently pestering my consciousness is: Beware the Narrative.

Webster’s defines “narrative” succinctly as “a spoken or written account of events, a story.” The verb “beware” simply means to be alert to the dangers of something or someone. So, what is up with this free-floating admonition to be alert to the dangers of a story? I have some clues.

The National Divide – Something Old or Something New

I penned this piece to bring order to my thoughts – worrisome thoughts. Progressives seem confident that resistance to radical social change can be dismissed as simple anchor dragging by reactionaries meaning those on the political Right. A serious charge but is it true?

There is a predictable stress point between impulses to conserve the traditional and familiar and to change the status quo. Both are survival instincts, failure to embrace change stifles creativity and adaptability. Conversely, jettisoning what is foundational for the theoretical can be destabilizing and destructive. Balancing the virtues of both would seem the logical path, however, contemporary events show our cherished republic is at an impasse and foundational liberties are under siege.