Re: Price or policy?

[Edward R Weick]

REH: You're thinking in dualities.   I'm thinking in a time cycle.  One side is finishing while the other is learning the same lessons in a new cycle and context.    Both have the responsibility to balance the circle by being either 1. the enlightenment of the child's learning, or 2. the warlike drive to deconstruct their rote knowledge and reconstruct it in a masterful skill or 3. being an absolute artist virtuoso at their job and finallly 4. An old hand filled with reflection and awareness of the meaning of it all.    I'm a teacher in one of my jobs and that is the learning cycle that fills all professions including the government. You are right.  I was thinking in dualities: two contending sides - e.g. young idealists versus corporate capitalism or Native Americans versus land-grabbers.  I will try to think time cycle: 1) child-like idealism; 2) deconstruction and learning of a masterful skill (e.g. former young idealist stops shooting from the hip and becomes a masterful writer; 3) becomes a widely published author or columnist; 4) becomes recognized and revered as something of a senior guru. Do I have any of this right?  If I do, it seems to me that it is a process of absorption into an establishment.  Initially, the individual is on the outside, kicking and screaming.  Then through a series of steps, he moves to the inside, then the center, and in fact becomes the establishment.  Except perhaps in fashion and appearances, the establishment itself does not change much.  It remains the definer of legitimacy, appropriateness and reward. As you know, Canada is mourning a former Prime Minister who, it would seem to me, went through the above stages.  He was certainly a young idealist and then a leading intellectual.  He was then brought into the political center and became the establishment, so much so that his attitude toward idealists or anyone else who challenged his vision was little short of contempt. He died a revered establishment guru.   Ed Weick (613) 728-4630   Visit my website: http://members.eisa.com/~ec086636