Security and strangers.

Mac Baby #7
Tales from the Airport
1-13-07

The world has changed forever since the advent of terrorism on the wholesale level. I don’t care if you live in Goatsnot Iowa, you’re affected. And because we are all less secure as we travel, steps have been taken by whatever authorities are in charge to make sure we can take our daily steps without stepping on a land mine.

It is of particular note to me this morning, as I negotiate my way through the maze of security at Oakland Airport, how wonderful most of us (humans) are. Standing in line with a bunch of strangers is not the worst thing that could happen to us. It may take a little longer to get to our gate but, since we’re in this together, it gives us common ground on which to turn to each other and touch. It might be just a look, or a smile. But often it opens the floor up easily with such a simple thing as “where you going?” or “nice hat” or ” love those shoes.” From there it’s an easy step to engage in dialogue which may or may not be meaningless, but it passes the time. And maybe we learn a little more about each other, and about ourselves, than we knew before we had to stand in this line.

For the most part I find people to be fascinating. Weather you’re spiritual or not you have to admit that we humans have been endowed, either blessed or cursed, with incredible talents and abilities. Where does all this come from? Who knows, and who cares. What concerns me is that we’re capable of doing the most wonderful things. It has been said that man is the most dangerous animal on the planet. But along with the danger comes the curiosity and drive towards knowledge. I don’t know if any of these parts can be completely separated without destroying the whole package.

Maybe the best we can do is learn to recognize in ourselves the things that are destructive, and curb those tendencies to allow our creativity to enhance our experience in life without hurting ourselves or others.

I’m no techno-geek. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. What draws me close to things like computers and cameras is their potential for helping me create something worthwhile. These contraptions, in and of themselves, are benign. They can be used to enhance our lives or destroy that which we fear or don’t understand. Most of us use them for the former. A very small percentage of us use use them for the latter. No matter which way we use them, in some small way, the whole world is effected. Perhaps, as we grow out of our adolescent clumsiness, we will become more responsible to and for each other, and revel in the joy of being able to touch our neighbor, compliment the shoes, and move on.