Lesson: The Greater Good. Hate in Height Revised
After a day on the streets yesterday, I was walking home with my girl.
We were going over the events of the day as this was the first day she actually came with me “to work” and watched.
She made some amazing observations and brought a new perspective to the whole project.
While I’m playing, I don’t watch every person who walks by. Where I was set up, I couldn’t see people behind me and the line of cars slowing down to take video out their windows.
Sarah pointed out that over 90% of the people walking by me were smiling.
She told me “I was waiting for someone to mess with you. I was going to tell them I was listening to you” She pointed out, off hand, that so many people were smiling that I shouldn’t stop for one person.
I was blown away.
A simple truth is that sane conduct is conduct that takes into account all the factors and does the most good for all involved.
This is why people get upset with big business who pollute the environment, or who take advantage of financial markets to the advantage of a few. It violates the greatest good for the greatest number, and to that degree their conduct is insane.
It made me reflect on my response to the pissed off guy in the Height.
Not to be overly self important, I should have said “look dude, I’m sorry you’re pissed. But all these people walking by are enjoying what I’m bringing to the world right now and I think it wouldn’t be fair to them to stop just because you don’t like it.”
It’s funny that the upsets and angry interactions we have tend to stick out in our minds. I think more about the old lady grumbling at me for being loud and covering her ears than I do the people who smile and put $ in the case.
Its interesting that our concept of “minorities” never encompasses the grumpy people who spread upset.
Come to think of it, the majority of people are good.
Lesson of the day: Ignore the grumpy minorities in your life.
July 21, 2012
You have my undying allegiance wise one! It’s completely inspiring what you’re doing. What advice would you give to a person who wants to motivate himself to act against the grain for the greater good like you are? Some other examples of this might be doing stand-up comedy to raise charity money, starting a socially conscious business, painting a wall, even livening up a boring night with some dynamite karaoke? MAYBE once I get good enough I’ll set up my own drums in the street. But yeah what’s the first thing I should try doing that would not offend the majority of people?
July 21, 2012
Hey, thanks for the kind words.
Drums are an interesting analogy for life. When I teach students or groups drums, the first lesson is that you have to HIT them.
Learning how to properly hold sticks, playing your favorite song, learning to play really fast, etc. None of these things happen unless you’re willing to HIT them first.
Sounds simple, but it’s not.
Something interesting happens when you hit a drum….It makes a lot of noise. Most people actually jump the first few times the actually hit a drum. They flinch.
So that’s a big lesson. Don’t flinch just because you made some noise.
These lessons ebb and flow as you expand your skill and confidence.
Whatever you do, HIT IT!!!! And don’t flinch just because you made some noise.