Writingbolt's Creation

*****

We humans all float around in what might be called a SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM, a swirling display of interaction driven by some somewhat invisible gravitational force or influences we never fully grasp or understand. You may think you have it all figured out, but none of us truly do (I think). Even as I write this, I am not entirely sure I can properly convey the concept to be understood by a sufficient number of minds.

Some of us…well, not US…not anyone who actually writes their thoughts into the internet and wanders among the disenchanted lost souls, dissatisfied couplings, single parents, black sheep and other similar beings. But, some humans hold prominent positions, like the famous planets of our generally understood, scientifically explained solar system, like Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the rest. We see the richest, the most athletically gifted (or manufactured in some cases) and other variations of “wealth” because media sources (which we seem unable to go without) shine them in our faces; our faces, we the rest of the objects occupying the same SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM.

Others, not often if ever seen by the naked eye, exhibit similar powerful influences; they are not famous but apparently god-like in their sway over the rest of the universe. We who read and write in this space are most likely not among them. Such tedious labor is below anyone in possession of significant influence.

[My experience in “the workforce” has shed some light on this dynamic. As a “lowly worker,” I responded to a supervisor, who, in turn, complied with orders given by a manager, who, in turn, took orders from the boss of the building, who, in turn, received demands from “corporate”…who, I’m sure, had orders given to him/her by some other powerful being who likely controlled more than one company under some “umbrella.” And, if I dared to question the dynamic, dared to question my “orders,” I’d get a brief and hasty response which essentially suggested someone “higher up” was shaking a finger and casting ripples of influence down the pyramid of control. What I was receiving as my “assignment” was not from my supervisor; it that was merely the end of the “telephone” message, potentially distorted along the way by any number of complications, from a “higher power.” Similarly, in a SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM, the “star” at the center compels those individuals in their orbit to follow some sort of order(s); the “star” is the stimulus of the system’s behavior.]

Those of “us” who don’t hold prominent positions other than in our own little “circles,” or orbits, go about our lives merely making the best of being “less than” someone else. Thanks to the internet and outlets like YouTube, many of “us” compete as if we’re in the Hunger Games to attain some sense of fame, to shine like the sun or reflect that greatness like the noted planets in orbit; we try to get picked up by some telescope and added to the logs of infamy. Sometimes that fame isn’t even registered by our consciousness. We seek it instinctively, reflexively, compelled by influences we unintentionally absorb.

So, there’s your first basic model of the SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM. You have the famous faces, the shadowy giants of influence and all the rest of the “unknowns” who orbit around them and feel some kind of compulsion to become active, like gravity. Who is the sun? I guess that’s up to you. For some, it might be a god. Others might think George Clooney, Bill Gates or Tyra Banks is the sun. You figure it out.

Now, think a little smaller. Think about your time in school. Can you see them? The smaller SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEMS? If you watch enough TV and/or movies, you see them. You have your “popular” kids and the “outcasts.” The most “popular” kids are stars with a seemingly amassing number of other bodies drawn into their orbit. Often enough, these “stars” maintain between two and five “planets” in their “circle.” The “stars” are clearly the prettiest (or most handsome), richest and generally most gifted (or well-fed) among us. And, those in orbit are “less than” in some way, tragically, silently wishing to be as “powerful” as the stars. Anyone not in the “system” can see the differences.

But, don’t dismiss everyone outside the spotlight as just “outcasts.” Even some of the less-gifted or less-endowed have SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEMS. You might notice some quiet mice talking in a corner, salivating like slime monsters, failing to hide their dental nightmares and handicaps. Who? Them? They are not significant, not popular. No. But, there are still “gods” among the “nerds.” Surely, Bill Gates (nor Thomas Alva Edison) wasn’t the Malfoy of his class, toting minions at his sides. No. He was the Harry Potter who didn’t garner fame and attention until he swallowed the golden something-or-other and rose to power, to influence in his own modest way, with “brilliant” inventions. Harry–er, Bill–doesn’t seek to rule the world, but others put him up on their shoulders and applaud him as they take his creations and run with them to, supposedly, make money (as he supposedly makes lots and lots of money).

After many years, wandering this planet we call Earth, searching for stable companionship and purpose, I’m fairly certain I lack a SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM. Or, rather, I don’t occupy a favorable one; nor do I hold a favorable position. I think I am an ASTEROID, floating in “space,” occasionally feeling some sort of magnetic pull toward another object or being of whatever kind, occasionally falling into some kind of orbit but never quite belonging to any prominent position in the system, never achieving any status other than being…me.

It makes sense; me being an asteroid. I think back to those old Atari video games; there was one even called Asteroids in which a tiny triangular ship was sent on a mission to mindlessly destroy countless wandering rocks with the smallest of lasers and some strange flashing explosives. That game was compelling countless players to be the bullies who would strive to eliminate people like me, just one of the many floating rocks with no clear sense of direction or purpose. In school, if I ever attracted anyone, it was either a brief encounter or the wrong sort of attraction, resulting in me being hounded by some bully or the lowest of the low life forms who saw me as some sort of food source. Even though teachers and others would praise me for some sort of talents, my creativity, my wit and my “intelligence,” I was (am) leech food.

I’ve heard it too often, already. People who have, supposedly, already found a happy, sustainable existence say, “Surround yourself with good people.” I’ve read a few “self-help” books written by people I imagine acting like gods in convention centers, waving their arms over crowds of worshippers who are seeking deliverance from boredom while drowning in a sea of swaying spotlights and droning sedative music. [“YES! WE CAN! SAY IT WITH ME, PEOPLE!”] And, a number of these “wealthy” individuals who have found happiness confess they weren’t always so smart and had (or have) some rather bad habits.

[How is that possible? How can people who do things I was “trained” to avoid rise to such “power” and boast not just happiness but wealth and sway? If you ask me, I’d say people with money stick their hands in certain pockets and make certain individuals “famous;” the “stars” don’t always if ever rais themselves to such status. Someone tips the scales to provide a favorable illusion.]

People also too often tell me, “Forget about what other people think. You should only be concerned about what YOU think.” [And, that touches on something I wrote in a previous post about the LOGIC CIRCLE (or CIRCLE OF LOGIC); as if everything you ever experience should only make sense to you, alone.]

If I believe such talk, then nothing in this world or life would matter. It’s not my creation. I didn’t get here, first. I came after someone else. What I encounter are not my thoughts or other output. I merely bump into the creations of others and attempt to find space to create my own. [Some enjoy destroying creations; I am not one of them.] If only cared about what I thought, I’d probably consume myself in misery. I’d become extremely isolated and probably so full of myself that I’d alienate every living thing in the universe (as if I’m not already tragically lonely). Where would concepts like empathy and compassion be if everyone only cared about what they individually thought? Feeling isn’t even quite the same classification as thought (depending upon what philosophy or science you follow). People have already, too often pointed fingers at me and pointed out my “flaws,” including “worrying about what others think of me”…including the people who are telling me to stop worrying about what others think of me…and thinking I am better than them (as if I consciously do that).

Often enough, in recent years, I’ve begun feeling that way, simply because I’ve grown tired of dealing with people who fail to work well with me. I know I am better at holding my breath, restraining my temper (and, before the age of forty, my bladder), making an effort to reach out to people outside my comfort zone when and where I find suitable methods of making contact and crafting metaphors and thinking outside the box…among other skills…than the average person I meet. But, brushing all family issues of inherited “judgy” attitude aside, I don’t often think I am better at anything than anyone until I have had sufficient experience to confirm such a notion; I’m just…different. Even a trophy or medal would no longer confirm I am the best at anything. I just don’t believe in such things, anymore. Sure, I might win a race; but that doesn’t make me the best at the sport. I was just the best in moment.

So, if I was to only care about what I thought, either I’d be somewhat content to not bother with competitions for medals and trophies and luxurious retirement packages…or I’d be so convinced that I was superior and in my right to act out and not give a damn what I did or said to anyone around me, like any human who squashes a bug simply because it crossed the giant’s path.

I’ve discussed him in previous posts. How did Adolph Hitler amass so much influence to become what many classify as a monster? Talk about a SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM. The little lap dog of an artist, who never found sufficient support/approval from those closest to him, turned ever so dark and bitter and starting barking loud enough to make countless others whimper and bow to him. Forget the “Catcher” and whatever rye patch from which he came; his rebellious candle cannot compete with the Nazi flame. Adolph Hitler turned police dogs into savage killing machines. And, some of those machines built other machines to assist with the killing. And, all of that was to get the message across that little Adolph Hitler was furious and wanted people to respect his outlook on everything.

Now, if you really think about how such an “outcast” could still achieve a powerful SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM, either even I don’t fully understand the potential or some other “power” had a hand in the matter. Adolph Hitler wasn’t the typical “star.” Nor was he surrounded by “good people.” He was surrounded by “lesser” people who caved and bent themselves to his flaming will, his fury.

[I have been known to exhibit plenty of fury, after all these years of discontent as an artist, explorer and philosopher, and even I don’t seem able to gather an army like that guy. But, I also would (hopefully) not “sign an evil contract” to get such power and kill ANYONE, either. I may not like most people I encounter, but brutally slaughtering them isn’t going to “surround me with good people,” either. I’d just find myself among those who think they understand me until I realize they don’t and start pecking at them until I’m back to being all alone. It all seems like one of those history lessons no one seems to learn, even though its recorded in books and taught in schools. Is education worth anything, these days? I wonder.]

Regardless of how the stars are created, they occupy the centers of SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEMS. And, regardless of how self-centered someone may call you, if you don’t see people moving around you, seeking to be like you, trying to feed off of your “influence” (or gifts), you do not have a SOCIAL SOLAR SYSTEM. You are an asteroid or some other solitary object, like me.

And, if you have any sense of humor, at all, you should join me in a game of bouncing around an otherwise empty room, dressed as colorful (foam rubber?) rocks, waiting for someone to blast us to bits so we can end this game of life (and ignore the flashing “high scores”).

[Oh, wait. The player has more quarters. I guess he’s going to want another game after this one. So…maybe we just keep regenerating and getting blasted to bits for no sensible purpose?…unless the dark entertainment, the sinister pleasure of the “blaster” is, somehow, sensible?]

*****

[I wrote this about a week ago when the notion came to me.  It’s lost some “steam” over time and may not be as complete as intended.]