The American dream is failure.
That is not to say that the American dream is a failure, rather that Americans dream of failure. Failure is the backbone of our society. Failure keeps us honest. Failure wins us gold medals.
As President Obama reshapes our society he will seek to protect much about our way of life. He will safeguard your savings. He will preserve your job. And he will shield you from foreclosure. While well intentioned, these prophylactic measures are nothing short of tragedy. For with each government-backed program President Obama signs into law, he undermines the American people’s ability to fail. It is this right of failure that grew America strong, and by taking it away President Obama erodes the fabric of our society.
Failure defines America because without it we cannot define success. What do Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan have in common? All three missed more shots than they made in their respective careers. What experience do Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin share? They both lost political campaigns on a national stage. What is a common thread in the life of all five? Success. Indeed, failure breeds success. For in failing one learns the value of succeeding. Yes, failure educates. You correct mistakes, modify strategies, and start over. Thus, if there is one thing to be defended it is the right of failure. Sadly, it is that right that is being sacrificed as President Obama guards our success.
The right of failure is critical to American society because without it there is no incentive to succeed.* If President Obama punishes success to prevent failure, he will soon find a dearth of success from which to draw. Will millions of immigrants still call America home when they encounter a limit to their dreams? Will American workers maintain their appetite for elbow grease when their peers work less and don’t suffer the consequences? No. Preventing failure prevents success because the fear of failure drives success. Diminishing that fear inevitably decreases the allure of success. That allure, and the freedom to pursue it, is what distinguishes America from all the rest.
In short, America is built on a foundation of failure. We are not entitled to two cars. We are not entitled to homeownership. We are not entitled to a hypoallergenic dog.
We are Entitled To Fail.
*Idea courtesy of Mr. Owen Handy
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bring Back The Radio
Despite the current news reports, the world is a wonderfully wonderful place. A place where peace and harmony are the status quo, and discord an anomalous inconvenience. There is hope and joy round every corner, and the good guy always gets the girl. Robbers are just nice guys down on their luck. Taxes are for the common good. And Al Gore really did deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.
Absurdity you say? Not at all. Hyperbole? Far from it.
How can such a claim be made? It’s very simple. Listen to the radio.
Listening to the radio makes the world a better place because it’s a bastion of community in an individual society. Maybe it’s realizing that we’re not alone in cursing civic engineers at rush hour. Perhaps it’s the frantic race to be “caller number 10.” Or could it be the collective laughter when “caller number 10” actually admits to an N’Sync tattoo on his backside? Whatever it is, the radio unites. Where iPods force us apart, the radio brings us together. In doing so, it allows us to laugh at corrupt governors with bad haircuts, critique Britney’s latest comeback, and dispense free coaching advice on our way to the day job. This catharsis keeps one sane, and the glass half full.
The radio makes the world a better place because it keeps the focus on everyone and everything, except oneself. Go ahead, switch the alarm from the siren setting to your local country station, see what happens to your morning routine. Chances are, the first thought in your mind tomorrow morning will be how in the world someone can sing about wanting to “check [their girlfriend] for ticks.” Though admittedly this may not be the most appealing thought to dwell on, it sure does beat the self-pity of typical Monday morning ruminations. That’s what radio does, it distracts us from ourselves. Rather than dwelling on to-do lists, the radio exposes us to new songs, new trends, and new people. This process reminds us that we’re just not that important. Such humility goes a long way in keeping society kind.
In short, there’s very few resources with the power of radio. It frees one to laugh at a neighbor’s first date horror story. To commiserate with fellow sports fans after a tough loss. Sing along to songs that you’d never admit to. And remind oneself of the world beyond.
So make the world a better place. Bring Back The Radio.
Absurdity you say? Not at all. Hyperbole? Far from it.
How can such a claim be made? It’s very simple. Listen to the radio.
Listening to the radio makes the world a better place because it’s a bastion of community in an individual society. Maybe it’s realizing that we’re not alone in cursing civic engineers at rush hour. Perhaps it’s the frantic race to be “caller number 10.” Or could it be the collective laughter when “caller number 10” actually admits to an N’Sync tattoo on his backside? Whatever it is, the radio unites. Where iPods force us apart, the radio brings us together. In doing so, it allows us to laugh at corrupt governors with bad haircuts, critique Britney’s latest comeback, and dispense free coaching advice on our way to the day job. This catharsis keeps one sane, and the glass half full.
The radio makes the world a better place because it keeps the focus on everyone and everything, except oneself. Go ahead, switch the alarm from the siren setting to your local country station, see what happens to your morning routine. Chances are, the first thought in your mind tomorrow morning will be how in the world someone can sing about wanting to “check [their girlfriend] for ticks.” Though admittedly this may not be the most appealing thought to dwell on, it sure does beat the self-pity of typical Monday morning ruminations. That’s what radio does, it distracts us from ourselves. Rather than dwelling on to-do lists, the radio exposes us to new songs, new trends, and new people. This process reminds us that we’re just not that important. Such humility goes a long way in keeping society kind.
In short, there’s very few resources with the power of radio. It frees one to laugh at a neighbor’s first date horror story. To commiserate with fellow sports fans after a tough loss. Sing along to songs that you’d never admit to. And remind oneself of the world beyond.
So make the world a better place. Bring Back The Radio.
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