So much of our days can be consumed by efforts at remedy and prevention that we may be lulled into thinking we have made real progress when all we have done is to preserve or restore the status quo.
But then, there are days when protecting the status quo can pass for progress if the proposed changes would produce a genuine reverse. Sometimes, the advice of former Secretary of State George Shultz - "Don't just do something, stand there" - is wise indeed.
In those circumstances, holding your ground may be all that should be expected. It may be an extraordinary achievement.
Curious, have you finished the Eco book?
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteI did finish the book and was disappointed. All of the various references to ads, comics, propaganda, and books became a gimmick. I would have preferred that he simply write a straight-forward story about living in Fascist Italy. After a while, I became less and less interested in whether the main character ever recovered his memory. In short, you were wise to bail out.
Great post, Michael. Although it is not always the goal, often maintaining a solid status quo is yeoman's work to be commended. I'm not sure if you've read Joe Sobran, but he has a great related line in one of his pieces on government: "Maintenance is a demanding activity, and the state that maintains a traditional order against all the forces of decay is not 'doing nothing.' It is doing plenty. It is doing nearly all we can or should ask of it."
ReplyDeleteKurt,
ReplyDeleteThat is an important point. Keeping the jungle from taking over the base camp may not be progress but it is crucial if there is to be any progress.