None of us
He said, “None of us is smarter than all of us.” He meant, “No individual is wiser than the people as a whole.” Or maybe, “The absence of an opinion is truer than the collective decision.”
What then? Black is fuller than white. Dark is brighter than light. Wrong is better than right.
The decision of the collective none – an ethical big bang – chaos holding power as the sea holds a bottled message.
Or maybe, “I am stupider than all of you.”
posted by Kara Alison @ 5:09 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
(Yes, I'm commenting on my own post)
I am still experimenting with the prose poem. Any comments/criticisms/observations/etc. are appreciated. I want to know if I'm heading in the right direction and making any sense at all.
Thanks.
OH! So the "HE" you are quoting is really yourself extrapolating on what a "he" would mean should he follow circular trains of thought.
As in a circle, if you start with zero, you come back to zero, but are you zero or a collection of paths along the journey back to zero? So, then, is it truly zero?
Huh. *takes Advil**
Michele - I like your take on this. It's very interesting and will definitely help with the final product. Thanks!
Jason - So true. Your interpretation fits perfectly with my ideas about large corporations. I suppose spouting about corporate America is a bit of a theme with me...
Maybe a little too heavy philosophical thinking for me, but I like what you've written. :)
Thanks Jeff. I'm trying!
I like this - I nearly understand it!
I am not sure about 'wrong is better than right' unless wrong = the abscence of right - which it might well be - I just dont think of it this way.
I like the idea relating the nothingness pre big bang to the 'none' in the opening.
The last line refers back to the opening line and completes the thought.
Macduff - So glad you liked it. Your opinion does matter here.
As for the "Wrong is better than right," line, it's actually meant to be facetious. As if to say, if we follow this line of thinking, then how far do we take it? Does it bleed into the ridiculous? Here's what ridiculous would sound like: (and so on)
I'm also experimenting with word play. I tried to use words with the "er" sound in them when possible. Also tried some "feminine rhyming." I'm a novice, but it's getting better.
Yes I realised the purpose of the assertions but the repeated theme is that the absence of some thing is more valuable than the presence of something else to which it is related.
The absence of opinion vs. the collective decision/opinion
The absence of colour vs. white,
The absence of light vs. light itself.
The ‘right/wrong’ juxtaposition doesn’t seem to me to quite have this structure unless it is taken that ‘wrong’ is the absence of ‘right’ which I admit can be so taken. But since I personally would not define wrong in that way it just makes it a little difficult for me.
I see what you're saying. Do you think it might be better to change the physical structure somehow? Maybe add a line break, or italicize it?
I dont think so - I like the structure and it does make sense as it is.
Its just a personal opinion.
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