Eye of the Beholder: Observations On America
People want to tell you their stories. I have wanted to tell you mine.
My story of this trip involved jumping out of my little world - free from TV, social media, my normal lazy routines, and the otherwise habitual interaction with my cell phone. The constant focus and interaction with the road, the elements, and the people slowly and unconsciously changed me.
What I found was that politics and the drone of media superimposes on America a kind of salesmanship. Just as we impose on the world our perceptions, problems, and insecurities to the exclusion of what is reality that is right in front of us. We live our lives in a bubble vaguely negotiating with others through the lens of politics and other cultural imprints of thought - all to get us through the day - to unconsciously define us in abstract ways. Who is right and who is wrong. Who is good and who is bad. Equating what is right with what is good; and what is wrong with what is bad. Imposing moral judgment on the soundness of an intellectual argument and on our political differences. That imposition is the only thing that can explain the vehemence from which we act or the passion with which we adhere to certain positions.
The reality that I observed is that people are basically the same throughout the US - and the rest of the world for that matter. We have the same human need for love, family, basic material comfort, and security. Unfortunately, we also have the same human reaction of fear, anger, elitism, and judgment when our needs are not perceived as having been met.
I observed that our nation is tied together by common structures that define our daily world: common commercial chains, all forms of media, and a governmental structure. But beneath all that we see there are just people. One-on-one interaction disclosed that they love to talk about their families, personal and business activities, and love. Strangely, I did not see anyone tied to their electronics in the public sphere. Sitting at cafes in the morning, at restaurants/bars at night, and at gas stations or at hotels, people were just willing to talk about their lives in real and immediate terms. People were generous and sought connection. Media was never present - like the world used to be.
I witnessed stunning beauty in the countryside, and depressing decay in some cities. The roads were mostly good in the areas I traveled.
It was lonely at times, but focus on the road, weather, and immediate needs narrowed my vision that provided no room for silly or fruitless wondering of the mind. I just needed people with whom I could interact in an immediate way. Just me and my bike thousands of miles away from home - in the wilderness.
I even learned not to fear driving my motorcycle in the rain.
***********
Thanks to all of you for sharing my time on the road. Knowing you were there kept me going.
My story of this trip involved jumping out of my little world - free from TV, social media, my normal lazy routines, and the otherwise habitual interaction with my cell phone. The constant focus and interaction with the road, the elements, and the people slowly and unconsciously changed me.
What I found was that politics and the drone of media superimposes on America a kind of salesmanship. Just as we impose on the world our perceptions, problems, and insecurities to the exclusion of what is reality that is right in front of us. We live our lives in a bubble vaguely negotiating with others through the lens of politics and other cultural imprints of thought - all to get us through the day - to unconsciously define us in abstract ways. Who is right and who is wrong. Who is good and who is bad. Equating what is right with what is good; and what is wrong with what is bad. Imposing moral judgment on the soundness of an intellectual argument and on our political differences. That imposition is the only thing that can explain the vehemence from which we act or the passion with which we adhere to certain positions.
The reality that I observed is that people are basically the same throughout the US - and the rest of the world for that matter. We have the same human need for love, family, basic material comfort, and security. Unfortunately, we also have the same human reaction of fear, anger, elitism, and judgment when our needs are not perceived as having been met.
I observed that our nation is tied together by common structures that define our daily world: common commercial chains, all forms of media, and a governmental structure. But beneath all that we see there are just people. One-on-one interaction disclosed that they love to talk about their families, personal and business activities, and love. Strangely, I did not see anyone tied to their electronics in the public sphere. Sitting at cafes in the morning, at restaurants/bars at night, and at gas stations or at hotels, people were just willing to talk about their lives in real and immediate terms. People were generous and sought connection. Media was never present - like the world used to be.
I witnessed stunning beauty in the countryside, and depressing decay in some cities. The roads were mostly good in the areas I traveled.
It was lonely at times, but focus on the road, weather, and immediate needs narrowed my vision that provided no room for silly or fruitless wondering of the mind. I just needed people with whom I could interact in an immediate way. Just me and my bike thousands of miles away from home - in the wilderness.
I even learned not to fear driving my motorcycle in the rain.
***********
Thanks to all of you for sharing my time on the road. Knowing you were there kept me going.
Wow! What an adventure!
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