An Open Letter To Jenn

“Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” – William Shakespeare

Jennifer (not her real name) is a successful venture capitalist; a passionate leftist with a deep desire to fight injustice and inequality of the society. As New York's ultra-rich face 52% combined top income tax hike, the highest in the country, many are fleeing the city in their yacht or private jet. Jenn does the opposite: she has been very active in social advocacy and doesn't show any slowdown during pandemic. Her latest venture is a non-profit organization with the mission of "supporting programs of NYC and the people who are in dire needs for help." Jennifer insists that any program supported by her organization must show "ROI," not just good heart intentions. Jenn is a shrewd business woman who understands well that, "the path to hell is paved with good intentions."

I asked her why she didn't get involved in politics and she said she declined many invitations in the past. I guess Jenn has no illusion about being a politician. As a dreamer and an ideologist, Jenn's belief in her capability to change New York city and the world by donating her money and time is impressive, to say the least. After all, there are only two kinds of rich women in New York city: the one who frequents bars and Michelin-star restaurants on Billionaire row and compares who has the best plastic surgeon; another kind is tirelessly advocating for less fortunate and voiceless people. And Jenn belongs to the latter.

Yesterday, I received Jenn's newsletter which was surprisingly disheartening. Jenn is distressed. Unlike her usual calm and cheerful demeanor, Jenn is ranting: from Oxicotin in "Dopesick" on Hulu, Trump, sociopath of Elizabeth Holmes, Facebook dystopia to surprisingly, the incompetency of Democratic party, Jenn's own and beloved party. At the end of the letter, Jenn said,

"I don’t want to bury my head in the sand, but I think maybe some days, I should."

Through the tone of the irritation and the gloominess, a frustrating and full-blooded American entrepreneur screams on top of her lung and wants to jump out of the computer screen. At this noise-is-bigger-than-truth age, I don't know how many people can hear her, can relate to her anger and exasperation. I feel Jenn's pain, her disappointment and her despair. Jenn represents the spirit and heart of American business men and women who stare at the imminent Fourth Turning * and face the dawn of "the 39th day" in "Govopoly,"** the feeling of helplessness and anger is palpable. In due course, confusion, shock and chaos ensue on a massive level.

Writing here, my heart starts to pounding in my chest and my blood seems starting to boil. I have to pull out my pen and write this letter to Jenn for the sake of my conscience so I can sleep at night.

Dear Jenn,

Sorry to hear your rant and I can acutely feel your pain and frustration.?I know how much you care. (red heart emoji)

I've made peace with the current state of the states not because I am oblivious or cold-blooded.? As a truth seeker, I've been searching fervently. Watching the change unfolding right in front of our eyes, I refrain form any judgement. I am neither a philosopher nor a historian, just a season observer. Imagine sitting on the beach and watching tides rise and fall.?Ask yourself this questions:

Can I stop the tides?

The answer is obvious.? As an avid art collector, you must be familiar with Thomas Cole's five-part paintings (I've included part four of the painting in the cover story). In Cole's series, each society must be going through these five stages: Savage, Pastoral, Consumation, Destruction and Desolation. From Roman empire to Chinese dynasties, no nation is immune to this cycle. What makes America different this time? Zip, Zilch, Nada!

Along with five paintings, Cole quoted from Canto IV (Dante's divine comedy-Inferno):

"There is the moral of all human tales'Tis but the same rehearsal of the past First freedom and the Glory - when that fails, wealth, vice, corruption - barbarism at last And history, with all her volumes vast hath but one page"

We are entering into the fourth stage depicted in Cole's painting. The cycle will start anew no matter if we like it or not and no matter how painful it is.

Dickson Watts once said, "Destruction must often proceed construction, but most men stop at the former." Jenn, you represent a generation of American entrepreneurs of rare breed who will never stop at destruction. Construction is in your DNA. Regardless the magnitude of the destruction, I am confident that your creative streak will never be shaken. That...is the silver lining.

*www.fourthturning.com **www.Govopoly.com