WebKittyn Warbles

Sunday, August 29, 2004

People Just Don’t Get It.

Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm some branch of lunatic who lives in her own little world with her own little set of mores and I can't quite believe that. I've run into like-minded individuals in my life so it can't be all me.

I think there are three types of people in the world. There are the sheep, the majority of the populous. Now sheep doesn't have to connote something negative, there are happy and successful sheep. By sheep I mean those who while they may achieve personal success and happiness, do not impact the world. Sounds vague but Hell, who am I explaining to?

Next are those who for whatever reason are destined from birth (or before) for greatness or infamy. A Mother Theresa isn't just born, neither is a Hitler or a Bill Clinton or a Jack the Ripper or an Elvis Presley. I believe the true icons are icons when they come into the world, call it my own version of pre-destination if one needs to label things.

Third are the guides. Behind every Elton John is a Bernie Taupin, behind every F.D.R. is an Eleanor, behind every Mick Jagger there is a Keith Richards, etc. The watchers are the Spocks to their Kirks, not wanting the spotlight at all yet with a purpose to help the targeted icon in their world get to where they are supposed to be. These are the empaths and people readers, the campaign planners and thinkers.

All three end up living and working together in the world and this is what creates a balance. Not everyone is fit to be President of the US, not everyone is talented enough to sell a million records. Not everyone aspires to these levels of greatness and many are content to live vicariously through others or simply to enjoy the books, music, ideas, philosophies and such of the icons.

I see the Rand in my way of thinking, I'm reminded of Atlas Shrugged and those who make the world.

It's a necessary thing, there have always been icons of all sorts and they are important to people. Kerouac, Hemingway, Salinger, Jack Nicholson, Jimi Hendrix, Dylan.. These are people who through their work touched the masses. Often from the icons comes the emergence of a new generation or sub-culture a la the Beatniks. The world needs icons.

What saddens me and scares me is when I can spot one of those icons who haven't made it yet and who seem to be blowing the responsibility they brought with them with their cries into this world. People who for their own reasons would rather be caught up in the banality of the day to day and just can't see the bigger picture beyond the dome. What happens if those who make the world happen just stop doing... What happens if those who are supposed to make the world happen never arrive at their potential.

Look around, look at the fucked up world of today. I don't know about anyone else but from where I sit it's not a pretty picture. The world doesn't need another Britney Spears, the world doesn't need another Jack Black, the world doesn't need another magical pill to make it all better. The world needs a new and genuine icon. Make that icons.

Conquistador a vulture sits
upon your silver shield
and in your rusty scabbard now
the sand has taken seed
and though your jewel-encrusted blade
has not been plundered still
the sea has washed across your face
and taken of its fill

Warbled by WebKittyn at 10:34 am in

• Thoughts on People

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