Better To Be A Foolish Brooklyn Public Intellectual Than A Coward

Are you a selfless person? Would you refuse a promotion you desire to a more capable team member for the greater good? While striving for change, should we let our ego become a controlling factor in the way we act and make decisions? In the real world, we are not all equal. It’s also very common for people to change economic philosophies based upon experiences, education and self interest during their lifetime. Most (cowards) people have an intuitive model of cooperative behavior that stems from two linked fears, one of being taken advantage of and another of under producing for lack of opportunities. Instead of seeking social media "likes", "follows" and avoiding friction by writing about trending topics that confirm popular beliefs, my (foolish) approach at first, is unappealing to readers who don't like being made to feel small. Paying subscribers seek pleasant distractions, we don't want to be reminded of our insignificance, we get affronted and resentful. This may explain why politicians play to their base, feverishly seek out under informed voters and unintentionally hinder democracy. Unfortunately, most citizens lack economic curiosity, are mostly illiterate to policy and their economic consequences and prefer to rationalize their false beliefs by supporting politicians who advocate scapegoating instead of encouraging members to address areas of self improvement.

We’re use to thinking very highly of democracy. But is voting in an election a skill, or a random intuition? If it is a skill, how can we systematically teach it to more people? Letting the citizenry vote without an education is as irresponsible as letting them jump out of an airplane without a parachute. In the United States, we have given the vote to all without connecting it to that of wisdom. How can this continue to be sustainable while simultaneously discouraging political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument? Despite this, I try to articulate a path that enables citizen and government to work in a format that eliminates these ingrained fears by understanding supply, demand and other economic paradoxes. Or, is the political sea of mud many think we have today the only option? Should Democrats apply coercive power to enforce an allocation policy on behalf of the village (noble socialist cowards)? Or, should citizens break up as village members, fence-off bits they can defend and manage sustainably (selfish free market cowards)?

The most unfortunate thing regarding nihilism is not the loss of the ability to believe, but the inability to see the beauty, opportunities and possibilities of things and events occurring around us daily. I believe our success starts with the stories we choose to tell ourselves since time heals griefs and quarrels, for we change and are no longer the same persons. Neither the offender nor the offended are any more themselves. Most systems are not going to work badly all of the time, despite knowing all can work badly at times. When I'm scared or feel pain, I try to view it as energy. This is something we all can learn. Just start seeing these inner experiences as energy passing through your heart and before the eye of your consciousness. Then relax. Do the opposite of contracting and closing. Relax and release. Relax your heart until you are actually face-to-face with the exact place where it hurts. Stay open and receptive so you can be present right where the tension is. You must be willing to be present right at the place of the tightness and pain, and then relax and go even deeper.

This is very deep growth and transformation. The coward in you will not want to do this. You will feel tremendous resistance to doing this, and that’s what makes it so powerful. As you relax and feel the resistance, the heart will want to pull away, in order to close, to protect, and to defend itself. Instead, keep relaxing. Relax your shoulders and relax your heart. Let go and give room for the pain to pass through you. It’s just energy. Just see it as energy and let it go. This energy will give you needed strength in times you're being ignored, not listened too or validated. You'll foolishly continue to be conscious, grateful, forgiving, envisioning a perfect future, in the moment and blessed. Eventually, you'll have unconditional love for all while managing your time wisely. You'll be able to lead by example and model desired behavior as you continue to educate yourself through social experiences versus hiding in a false construct created in your head that fears social interaction and confrontation.

The term muckraker characterized reform-minded American journalists who attacked established institutions and leaders as corrupt. Surprisingly, It was Theodore Roosevelt who coined the term "muckraker" during a speech in 1906. He compared investigative reporters to the narrow minded figure in John Bunyan's 17th-century religious fable, "The Pilgrim's Progress": "the man that could look no way but downwards, with a muckrake in his hand.” Despite my best intentions, I’m not immune from bias. Through confirmation bias most of us favor information that confirms our beliefs. This bias manifests in many ways. When sifting through evidence, individuals tend to value anything that agrees with them -- no matter how inconsequential -- and instantly discount that which doesn't. They also interpret ambiguous information as supporting their beliefs.

Economists believe the line is between free-enterprise and planning, and that the logical extremes are not possible. Most politicians inability to be forthcoming and transparent isn’t a coincidence. One has to be selfless and egoless to give perfect guidance as to where to draw the line since it exposes your preferences and biases. On occasions lines are drawn, voters would probably draw lines in different places. But as soon as you admit that the extreme is not possible, and that a line has to be drawn, you are, on your own argument, done for since you are trying to persuade us that as soon as one moves an inch in the planned direction you are necessarily launched on the slippery path which will lead you in due course over the economic cliff.

The avoidance of drawing the line explains politics as usual and the economic cliché “on the other-hand” . In other words, no one wants to talk first since the first rule of negotiation states that if you are the first one to state a number then you have set the anchor and the negotiation will revolve around that number. The truth is uncomfortable and simple - nobody in or outside the media yet, has been truthful enough to describe what the truth is. Through self reflection we become aware of our counterproductive patterns - many of us tell ourselves stories of despair regarding the human condition as it relates to our situation, This is easier than putting in the work of self reflection. So we sheepishly choose to continue to behave cowardly - I’m hoping this article helps people cope and give hope - despite it being the rantings of a "fool".

Jose Franco is a self anointed "Public Intellectual"