There is no test of a philosophy beyond the effect that occurs in reality upon that philosophy’s implementation. It’s very worthwhile to engage in discussion, debate, and patient, methodical consideration regarding a system of beliefs. However, the only and true test of an ideology is what happens when it crosses over the threshold to become an action, or a series of actions. Does the updated network make reality better than it was before? The new system need not be perfect - many of those in use are still quite flawed. However, in order for it to be of any actual value, it does need to induce some kind of real, physical progress.
It is a powerful thing to see a philosophy, good or bad, become incarnate through a person’s work and life - when an individual actually changes his or her mind, even a little, and then starts to actively put this change into practice. And it’s a particularly powerful thing to see a philosophy change something or someone for the better. I also believe that in this way people can change their environments and that the process can unfold out macroscopically: a consistent set of actions guided by a positive, functional philosophy can directly influence the environment of the individual in sometimes extraordinary and quite remarkable ways.
This last weekend, Redhead and I celebrated our wedding with many of our dearest friends. We wanted people to be allowed to be who they were, and in the end everything worked more perfectly that we could have imagined. Set in the Bay Area, amazing people of all stripes traveled from Boston, New York, LA, and Ohio. It was utterly ideal in so many ways, with one of the lesser important yet nonetheless notable lessons being simply how well it all worked. We believed that if you collect creative, good-willed people in a free, comfortable space then the results would be extraordinary, beautiful, and utterly effective. It turns out that we were right.
Thank you so much to our amazing friends - you are our family! 100910
