Spirit of the times

Wouldn’t it be grand if the spirit of the times was optimism? The optimism that Martin Luther King expressed when he said “I have a dream…” The optimism of Elon Musk - you may not like him but his personal vehicle is driven by optimism. The optimism of Good Pope Francis, weary with pain and politics but faithful to the belief that humanity can be brilliant. The optimism of my 13-year-old great granddaughter, Ruby, launching into an uncertain world with all the joy and certainty the first steps of teenage provide.

It would indeed be grand.

But the predominant spirit of the times is fear. Its expression might suggest otherwise but look carefully and discover the meaning of most communications today. The overconfidence of a Trump is insecurity. A strident declaration of any belief is an attempt to dispel doubt. Excessive reaction to invasion denotes lack of certainty in one's ability to defend. Unnecessary and ambiguous litigation is a clear admission of moral doubt. War is itself a conclusion of failure to comprehend what life is for.?

A rebel without a cause is someone in search of purpose.

Curiosity and seeking are good. Humanity has an enviable record of exploring, learning and creativity. No other known creature has achieved it, or even got near it. Other forms of life do have some elemental wisdom. It is always second to survival and so is often obscured by fight for possession. Beyond survival priorities ‘live and let live’ has supported many species after what might otherwise have been their natural span on earth.

Humanity’s progressiveness has led us to three stages of life - learn, earn and churn. You may wince at the last of these but churning is fundamental to all economies. Perhaps you call it selling, at least until you buy something you don't need or, having bought it, discover you don’t want it. The spirit of the 19th and 20th Centuries was acquisition. It hasn’t left us yet. Country acquisition has morphed into personal possession. This is already changing to become the dominance of personal opinion.

Ideological supremacy must be one of humanity’s most stupid concepts.

There is generosity about but too much “I am owed” and too little “I offer”. The spirit of the times is epitomized by the line from the Wall Street film - “Greed is good”. Greed is not good in any dimension. Do not blame the greedy. They were often taught that security is possession. One of the earliest lessons I remember learning as a child is ‘Possession is nine tenths of the law’. Today possession is nine tenths of clout and image.

Today is also my 92nd birthday. I have made a resolution for it. For the next 92 years I will be as optimistic as my five children, my five children-in-law, my eleven grandchildren, my six grandchildren-in-law and my eight great grandchildren. The ninth great grandchild is due to arrive in November. I wish him 92 years and more of joy and work and an optimism good enough to change the spirit of the times.

And I will always give thanks for all that my late wife, B, and my present wife, Eliza have taught me.

Especially the bit about being optimistic.

Good morning

John Bittleston

Should you wish to send me good wishes, for which I would be forever grateful, may I ask you instead to do something different - make someone near you optimistic again. Spreading a little more optimism would be a wonderful birthday present.