Thursday, February 21, 2013

All together, not an island


John Donne (1572-1631) once wrote the poignant line: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.”  It means that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others.  We are more than a social species.  Indeed, though we may forget, we are deeply dependent upon one another.

Sometimes we hear about the latest wondrous invention.  The inventor may earn millions and tell us that he didn't have any help.  .It was solely due to his brawny cranium.  At least that’s what we are told.  But is that true?  The light bulb wasn't invented before someone figured out how to harness electricity.  Freezer bags weren't invented before plastic or refrigeration.  Computer technology depended upon many prior inventions.  All inventions rely upon previous discoveries.

Sometimes we hear the boasts of rich claiming they were self-made billionaires.  Even if do somehow look beyond their wealthy family and myriad of connections, they nonetheless have people working for their behalf.  They aren't alone.
Some people claim we not dependent upon another, insisting social programs are a waste of resources.  Perhaps these people should be excluded from driving on public roads, having public education, going to libraries, having fire fighters battling flames or rescuing others from danger, having security from police, and a myriad of other factors that result from pooling collective resources.  I've never seen one of them deny getting their Social Security check.

Like it or not but we’re all in this together.

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
---John Donne, Meditation XVII, 1624

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