“Surface People”
cji
11/23/11
Unable to think alone
depending on others
decisions unmade too
indifference to reason
in apathetical comfort
going to the malls oft
tv and video games
drinking and playing
for these are only
surface people
somewhere
between birth
and sure death!
Copyright © 2011 – cji
“Surface People”
cji
11/12/11
Many years ago there were some very deep thinkers which abounded in small clusters throughout the world. Almost always these persons would know of each other or meet within their geographical areas. In Europe this could extend over the breathe and length of the land: Italy to the Franks; Brittany to Prussia; and throughout the Middle East in all directions. There were some women involved but for the most part these were the men of letters who communicated with others of their peers. The idea of calling them men of letters is this is the way they communicated – and these are what their recorded records became. Now we’ve left the Far East out of the initial thought as they too had similar scholars – but the communication links were not the same as throughout Europe at this early time.
To establish the time of these events one must consider from about 3000BC to the early part of 1700AD. The means of travel were in either large convoys or caravans or with armies of conquest. One used for trade and the other for dominion and destruction. The year 3000BC is about the time of the use of papyrus from Northern Africa (Egypt) and thus a new means of relating or communicating – in a more accessible manner was available
[1]. One must not forget writing has been around as long as man has been on this earth (we cannot speak of other than our earth). Thus some of the earliest forms of written communication (called systems of ideographic
[2] and/or early mnemonic symbols
[3]. (writers note: Some would think we’re going back to this form of writing due to the current increase in illiteracy – but hopefully not.)
Over the last 6 millennium writing and communications have changed greatly as well as the intent of the writers. The religious writers of the first 4 thousand years (ending about 100 years into the 1st Century AD) tended to write from experience and or revelations. Histories were kept and kept accurately by certain members of the various different developing thoughts on theology. These records and books go back again as far as 6 thousand years ago
[4].
We can then look at fictional writing – which the early myths of the Greek’s are considered the oldest – being about the 8th Century BC. Some have attributed Epic of Gilgamesh as being the earliest but it was about the 7th Century. One would venture ‘tall tales’ and ‘stories’ were told since the beginning of time – but being written these seem to be the earliest. Interestingly much research since the 1970’s has revealed that the works of Homer may indeed be true – as well as the Epic of Gilgamesh – as this type of writing cannot be accomplished without sound information to support them. I.e. the various myths and illusions add grandeur to the subject – but the overall story is based on some factual information. Today we’d call it Historical Fiction. This however, we do know about the Greeks is that they whole-heartedly accepted rhetoric as a way of life and writing, speaking and in oration of the theater. Thus, they accepted lying as a means of teaching and explaining what they did not understand. This was carried forward and still alive and well in most of the world in one form or another.
After the second century AD – we find much changed in the world of written thought in the European environment – (to include the Middle East, Brittany, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, etc.). With the Primitive Church (which it is called in history) established by Jesus the Christ – and it’s spread across many lands – Scriptures came to life in the fulfillment of Prophecies and also in the teachings from the primary source. There were no longer the need for interpreters or someone to tell you what was meant by this Prophet or that one. This continued until, the schools decided religion was the way to attain wealth and power. These schools mixed neo-Platonism with rhetoric and complicated even the simplest literal words taken from the Teachings of the Savior and the Prophets. Interestingly the Jewish community bought into this new theology of discarding the literal meanings found in the Scriptures. The Gnostics won the day – only through others accepting they’re doctrines instead of the true doctrines.
Thus wherein we’ve two various dimensions – the early writers before fiction and those who came after the accepted usage of fiction (making it up as you go along to impress and please others into acceptance). We now have two schools – those who seek to find and know truth based on common sense
[5] and those who seek to attract the attention of others no matter how they do it – with or without truth.
Thus we’ve two schools from which to choose – fiction or non-fiction! Fiction being defined as men/women who decide to interpret for others what someone else has said or meant without regard to research or worrying about what is true or not. The research is an interesting topic all of its own but will be addressed as we continue in context with what we’ve already written.
Research which is done by millions of students every single day has only two goals: 1) to meet the needs of a class assignment; and 2) to satisfy the curiosity of the student. Research is also done by thousands of scholars on a daily basis as well – and it too has certain goals: 1) not to upset the apple cart of their belief system; 2) to upset the apple cart of their belief system; 3) to publish; 4) to validate someone else’s conclusions and 5) to actually reveal as much as possible what can be known about a subject.
Research today is more circular than seeking of a Primary or Secondary sources (which in many cases requires much time and effort). The circular only requires one to quote what others have already said quoting another, etc. without wondering where the quotes came from to begin with. Many times if one source checks an article in the newspaper or in a term paper one will find they quoting redundant sources. Darwin’s theory is much like this – most who accept it as fact – are doing so based on someone else calling it a fact – when in reality Darwin himself said he could never prove his theory and no one else has either.
Thus where are we going with the idea of all of this above and ‘Surface People?’ We started with the scholars of the past – men of letters – who dug deep into the soil of their respective topics – exchanged their information with others – and were always willing to add new knowledge and information where they could find it – accepting that which made common sense and rejected that which did not. They understood that no one knows what is under the surface until they look – and that in all cases they must look before drawing any conclusions. They understand two people can look under the same rock and see many different things – thus they would start by agreeing on what they both see – and then dig deeper to see what the other saw that they did not. Somehow this type of scholarship has faded from the relevant world of today.
Therefore we’ve what I call ‘Surface People’ – those who neither look nor care what’s under the surface or under the rock. They only go on what others tell them and when they pretend at reporting or scholarship they use watercolors or chalk on cement pavements. These are the quote ‘Brenda Starr’s’ of today – pretending to be what they’re not – without any liability for what they report. Interestingly most never follow up on their stories and find out what really happened and seek to make corrections where others can see.
These ‘surface people’ are found in all walks of life (actually more dead than alive) unwilling to learn or change based on new information – when they say, “I’ve all I need!” These are the ones who really don’t know or understand their professions or their responsibilities other than to know to appear altruistic while guessing and fumbling others lives. These are the ones who the public see – day-in-day-out and somehow they become acceptable – like the napkin next to the fork on a set table. They get away because like them most others don’t care about ‘old news’ and if any errors were made in the processing of events of the day.
These are the people who ruin the lives of others! But since the current system is full of these people – (they say the average reader in the US today is about at a 5th grade level) – and most haven’t read a non-fiction book in years – and outside of TV – video games – going to the Mall and hanging out with peers – nothing else matters. This transcends into all ages just different hangouts, etc.
Moral and ethical accountability is basically dead in this nation, i.e. Penn State of today – college kids rioting for all the wrong reasons! Yes something has been done – but too little too late for those who’ve been injured for the rest of their lives
[6]. Decision-making in the ruining of another’s life based on incomplete information – splashing it all over the media – without accountability is rampant and the effects are equally damaging with the advent of the Internet – and that while a person can be completely innocent – the Internet never seems to tell that or have that updated information – thus something will and can haunt someone as long as another is willing to search the net to find old news – never corrected – again they (the person searching and the postings) act in spite to hurt this person over and over.
Surface People write the manuals for school – determine the laws for the land – change the existing codes for ethics – and for the most part have never done any homework to validate whether what they’re doing is beneficial to the greater number – as long as those who are around them or vote for them like what they’ve done. Surface people ignore those who either work for them (usage of terms here – one can work for someone or with someone – those working with each other seem to accomplish more than those working for another) or with them. They don’t want to hear that something doesn’t make sense as long as it feels good to them (rhetoric is used to make the people feel good).
What can one do about ‘Surface People?’ Most can do nothing – these people are tenured or considered either not worth the effort (to sue or otherwise hold accountable) or just not affecting enough people to do anything – and anyway it was yesterday’s news or report. Those who care about doing something find the system of laws and answering systems so flawed that nothing can be accomplished without great frustration and time investment. Most lawyers don’t want to do anything within their community to upset the apple cart unless it’ll gain them more fame and fortune. Of course if one of the surface people hit on the wrong person at the right time with the wrong information – then watch out. If someone has the time and monetary resources then something will and can be done.
Why even write this essay? Sometimes the frustration of where our nation and culture are headed seems endlessly doomed to failure. Maybe by turning on one light at a time – there might be a difference made to protect someone – somewhere in the future. Maybe there’s a caravan which will carry ‘letters’ to others who care and share a similar interest as in the days when ‘letters’ were the only means of transmission of information – and the information valuable enough to influence culture and lives in a positive way. Deep thinking is needful in each and every person – to know what’s right and what’s wrong for them! Going under the surface – digging deep – not accepting generalities in place of true information of value is needed for each individual. Turning off the TV, Video Game, going to the Mall – or whatever – to take a serious look at who one is – and what positive effect they can and should have on others.
My conclusions are only right for me – not for another – I can express how I achieved my knowledge and why and how I did my homework and continue to do so, but the other still has to do their own. I’ve friends (many of them) who don’t believe as I do but respect my understandings. I respect theirs – and their ability to come to the conclusions they’ve arrived at. We find what we see the same – and then look at what the other sees – sometimes finding a melding and sometimes the differences continue. Each has to be able to do this with confidence in their life – and not the lack of confidence of a surface person – who’s lacking even the basic clues of ethics and values.
Copyright © 2011 – cji
[1] H. Idris Bell and T.C. Skeat, 1935.
"Papyrus and its uses" (
British Museum pamphlet).
[2] from
Greek ἰδέα idea "idea" + γράφω grafo "to write"
[3] Catherine Soanes; Angus Stevenson; Sara Hawker, ed (29 March 2006). Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Computer Software) (11th ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. Entry mnemonic
[4] Many have a problem with this finding or conclusion in that without a belief in eternal things or that of a Heavenly Father or his Son Jesus Christ – much of the early Theological writings accorded to the Prophets is usually dismissed. Personally I know writings which go back to at least 3000BC and information on others which were already a thousand years old at the time of the Shabako Stone’s discovery. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of early writings and records which were kept from the time of Adam.
[5] Common sense has always been the most important aspect of understand truth. If it doesn’t make common sense most likely it isn’t true. Common sense is simply and not complicated and everything which is true can be broken down to its simplest parts.
[6] Sexual abuse goes with a person as long as they live – each time a news event uncovers another such event – the events of their life flash back in reality.
