Ripple Synergy

[H2O Man]

Synergy : The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.


"Synergy" can be either negative or positive, and I suppose it could, in theory, be neutral. Before examining the negative and positive potentials we have in today's social-political world, let me give another example that might be useful. Frequently, if one is prescribed certain medications, the doctor will advise against using it in combination with other drugs such as alcohol. This is because the synergy of substances can have a multiplying effect.

In today's post-Trump presidency, a blood test would indicate that there is still a high level of his hate and paranoia in our socio-political system. In fact, it remains at a dangerous level. The reasons why this is so is due to the lingering -- even entrenched -- combination of toxins that his administration administered to the public.

It would, in my opinion, be dangerous to view things including the Russian meddling in the 2015 and 2020 elections, the Q-anon-type media, the spying upon journalists and politicians exposing the administration's misdeeds, and January 6's insurrection as distinct things that add up. They have actually multiplied the insanity, and remain a grave danger. This, of course, is the negative potential of synergy.

On the positive side, we won significant election contests in both 2018 and 2020. This was due to a very large effort on the part of numerous, diverse groups and individuals. That combination was far greater than the mere sum of its parts -- although elections are indeed won by the votes counted, except in a couple recent presidential contests. It was the synergy that makes democracy possible.

An average citizen could easily list twenty serious problems that we face. We can identify the republican party as the current, most obvious stumbling block that seeks to prevent the current administration from making progress in dealing with each problem. They aren't the only problem, but certainly the toxins of Trumpism need to be countered. This, I think, is why President Joe Biden said that our democracy is in peril last month.

I'm reminded of Senator Robert F. Kennedy's June 6, 1966 speech in South Africa. He noted that few individuals ever change the arc of history, but that groups of people are more often able to make those changes. He spoke of individual efforts as sending a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples joing together to create a powerful wave. And that is exactly the synergy we need today, is it not? Is it possible to imagine anything short of this that will defeat Trumpism?

Each one of us has a talent. But none of us has the best answer to every problem confronting our society. Or the time to fully confront them. So we to identify what meaningful activity that we, as individuals, are best at. Every one of us has an important contribution that we can make in this effort. The only contribution that is "too small" is the one that isn't made. All of the rest are Good.

There may very well be more than one area that people can engage in. Individuals may already work with or within some of the numerous groups and organizations that are currently doing outstanding work. Even those who are not part of any organization other that the Democratic Party can coordinate their activities with group efforts they are interested in. These are the ripples of hope that Senator Kennedy spoke of. They are also ripples of power.

Peace,
H2O Man

[kentuck]

1. Recommend

I have always believed this to be true.

[H2O Man]

2. Thanks kentuck!

Democracy, as Rubin used to tell me, requires constant struggle. Those of our generation have learned that to be true.

[world wide wally]

3. ...If you fall, you fall alone

[H2O Man]

5. Very good!

Thank you!

[malaise]

4. Today is one of those days when you see and feel those

ripples of hope - Obamacare, Juneteenth, Stacey and more.
By the way I watched Stacey Abrams earlier this after - she's way more than a ripple - she's a huge wave.
Great read - important message. :hi;

[H2O Man]

6. I agree!

I also like the idea of the various grand jury investigations. Heck of a positive thing.

I remember on the November 2020 election day, conversing with you about what was happening. I said that Biden would win by 7 million votes, which of course he did. That is a heck of a lot of ripples joining together to create a powerful wave. Our ability to keep people focused and engaged can flush the residual Trump cult down the drain.

[Saoirse9]

7. As difficult as it is sometimes

we have to remain positive. Look at what we just did in the middle of a raging pandemic. It was amazing!

The harder they make it for us to vote the harder we have to work.

I'm worn out. But I'm hoping for a second wind between now and November 2022.

[H2O Man]

10. I hear you!

We all get tired. None of us can work 24/7. Why, the great Muhammad Ali took one minute breaks between the rounds of his greatest fights. As they are three-minute rounds, that shows that even as intelligent and well-conditioned champion as Ali was at rest for 25% of his legendary bouts.

My younger son has stopped in the past two days to help me with several projects -- most that he did by himself. He also assisted me on six of my rose gardens. (Three more to go!) And he said something I really liked -- he said that these gardens look the best that he can ever remember. Lots of various types of roses.

Now, I had been thinking about back when I did all of the lawn & garden work myself. It goes much quicker with the two boys and me working at the same time, of course. But there was a time when I could do a heck of a lot more than sit on my hind quarters and pull weeds.

We need to do what we can, when we can. That will be different for different people. It would be foolish of me to think I need to try to do as much lawn & garden work as my sons. Make sense?

[Hekate]

8. Recommended

[H2O Man]

11. Thank you!

Much appreciated, my Good Friend!

[PETRUS]

9. This was pleasing to read.

Your essay contains hope, and I appreciate that. It touches on something I've been turning over in my head recently. Namely, that we do have multiple problems, and that some of those problems are an impediment to solving other problems. (For me, the biggest problem is ecological overshoot/climate change - we're in very dangerous territory there already.) In any case, like you (if I'm reading you right), I think every sincere effort is meaningful and worthwhile.

[H2O Man]

12. Exactly!

I've been talking to my west coast brother about the increasing damage and dangers to that large area. He frequently has lunch with the environmental studies professors at the university he works at. They tell him that things are worse than the public or media know. It is a curious thing, I think, that so many good people want things to change for the better, but do not recognize that means we all must change.

"Every sincere effort is meaningful and worthwhile" -- you hit the nail on the head. There are too many issues for any one of us to have a grasp that allows us to take meaningful actions on every front. But we can be united in purpose as groups and individuals. That turn small ripples into large waves of change.

And thank you!