There's a Problem With the Maps

I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'M THE MAP!

Hubris and science are incompatible.

Douglas Preston

Maps and Ledges

Special thanks to

Coleman

for his Note leading to this thought process that I’m hoping will make some sense. Keep in mind, this is all coming together as I’m typing. I haven’t thought it through fully yet. But it feels right. Sorry, it feels correct.

See said Note below:

Gosh, ain’t that right?

It’s at LEAST the thought which leads us to our own manufactured problems.

And we also assume we know everything at times, which is an issue.

Now, to the problematic, cyclical problem that’s an issue.

We have a problem, as we’ve established. A cyclical problem. A problematic cyclical problem that’s cyclical. Circular, even.

We go through this every once in a while as humans. The problem itself is both with the individual and with society. Though we cannot do much societally, considering we’re an individual.

So we’ll limit our attempt at influencing this problem to the individual. It is the proper locus of control, after all.

Let’s run through this. As always, this will feel circular in nature, but bear with me. We’ll get through it together. One line at a time.

People got convinced they could understand life and reality itself, fully and completely.

This has led people to believe they don’t need anything but intellect and rationality.

After all, if you know all, if you can reason through all, why would you need anything else?

You only need yourself and your monstrous, perfect brain.

The problem is, that is wrong.

Let’s use “they” for the rest of this example so nobody reads this and takes it personally. It’s an example, so let’s depersonalize a bit. Though feel free to read this as “you” instead of “they”. We’ve all done this at some point, so it wouldn’t be completely inaccurate.

They’re operating off incomplete data as though it’s complete.

So their map says there’s a bridge ahead, yet the bridge is out.

But in the delusion, they are staring down at a false map, fully trusting its accuracy.

And continuing to walk forward.

They feel the bump and the scrape as they walk through the plastic cones and the warning signs.

They feel their progress forward slow and the increased resistance as the ropes, chains, and caution tape wrap around their waist as they drag them along in their determined push forward.

The even go “Oof!” as they slam into the waist high barricades.

Yet they continue to scale those hurdles to their certain, though unwitting death.

Until, suddenly, and “without warning” they feel the empty air under their feet.

As their feet continue moving in their precious few ACME provided seconds of levitation, they flail and panic and grasp all around them.

While still looking at the map, which has miraculously remained in front of their face.

And they will take hold of whatever they can get their hands on, including the people that were near the ledge, attempting to warn them.

And they will drag them down into that abyss with them.

Because instead of stopping and looking up, verifying what they assume to be correct is actually correct, they are too busy boasting about how great their map is and how dumb everyone else that decides to look up from theirs must be.

And in the end, isn't it fascinating how the simplest truths get lost in the maze of our overcomplications? We often wander through life, clutching at the map of our beliefs, stumbling over the very warnings that are meant to guide us. It's essential, therefore, to sometimes stop, look up, and reassess our direction.

We must remember to ground ourselves in humility and awareness, recognizing that we don’t have all the answers. By embracing the gaps in our knowledge, we allow ourselves the grace to learn and grow. We can strive to balance our reliance on intellect with a healthy dose of introspection and humility.

So, as we navigate our individual paths, let's ensure we're not so focused on the destination that we forget to appreciate the journey and the fact we cannot know all. Let's use our maps wisely but never forget to look up from them, to truly see the world and the people around us. In doing so, we can avoid dragging others into our pitfalls.

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