About the Same Difference
Post 280:
If it doesn’t come across in my writing or in my blog posts, it’s only because I’m being coy. The truth is, I value individualism as much or more than any other idea or construct out there.
So the other day I’m at the DMV. Look, I’m pretty sure no good piece of writing ever started with so the other day I’m a the DMV, but dammit, let’s do this.
So the DMV. I was replacing a lost license, because as much as I try to obfuscate the fact, I’m a nightmare and a colossal fool. I’d lose my hands if they weren’t attached at the wrist. Anyway, you know how the DMV goes. You’re in there and everybody’s stressed, everybody’s at their worst, sort of not sure if things are going to go right. Add the giant turds that are paperwork and government bureaucracy, and there it is. The complete package.
In truth, it wasn’t all that bad. The diversity is amazing. People really are individuals, and if you want proof, go to the DMV. All rungs of the ladder, all ages, backgrounds, whatever. And those things are pretty superficial. The various temperaments are even more pronounced.
So it’s ironic. Because everyone in the joint is completely different from the next person, but we all feel the same. The place is the great equalizer. It’s messing with my head.
This post is one of reflection and a bit of self-reproach. I’m big on observation and evidence, taking careful concern with what I see and hear. I’m also big on the things that I hold to be true; my constructs, like Individualism.
Hopefully I’m making myself clear on this one. It’s hard to do succinctly. Probably why philosophers have written billions of pages and said almost nothing.
The DMV tells me that we’re all completely different, except when we’re at the DMV. There’s my view that every soul is sacred and indivisible, completely unique and essential to the Universe, but then, we’re pretty much just a wagon full of lemmings dropped off at a building, walking through a little thing, holding up our little things.
This is why almost nothing is simple, and why one should always be willing to take their preconceptions to the DMV. Maybe your mind will change and maybe it won’t, but at least be open to it. There are things in this world that you just can’t ignore if you have any interest in learning something new.
Or you could just hold onto your Driver’s License. That could spare you the entire mental endeavor, and you can skip around thinking you’ve got the human race figured out until you run into the nearest post office.
Cheers humans. Get out there and be somebody. I’ll see you after.
