Thursday, June 14, 2007

6/14/2007 Eye Of The Tumor

6/14/2007 Eye Of The Tumor



Okay, a rare day of clarity. I worked late and things seem to be getting better. I was not dizzy at all today. And my mind was clear. You might think I would find all this goodness and positivity to be disturbing, but I know it's the eye of the storm. Tomorrow is the doctor appt. and my mind is shutting down all the trouble in a defensive maneuver. Bravo, mind, but you won't get one past me. Nice try.

Anyway I heard a story today on a audiobook that I thought I'd share. It's about the man who is believed to have authored the “Art Of War”, Mr. Sun Tzu. The story goes that the Emperor wanted to review the army, and called Sun Tzu to demonstrate his strategies. He was asked if his tactics and plans would work with females. He said yes.

So the Emperor's concubines were called out for Sun Tzu's demonstration. Sun Tzu picked two of the emperor's favorites to be the officers in charge. Sun Tzu stood in front of the untrained women and said, “I assume you all know what I mean when I say left, right, up, down, etc. Now line up and when I give the order, turn and face to the left.”

He gave the order and the women started to giggle. Sun Tzu said, “If the order is given unclearly and it is not followed, it is the General's fault. Now when I give the order, turn to the left.” Sun Tzu then gave the order, and again, the women only giggled. Sun Tzu then said, “If the order is given unclearly, it is the General's fault if it is not followed. If the order is given clearly and it is not followed, it is the officer's fault.” Sun Tzu then ordered that the two concubines who were selected officers to be beheaded.

The Emperor, who was watching, then sent to Sun Tzu, “We have followed your demonstration and you have proven your abilities satisfactorily. Please do not behead our two friends, as we would be bereft without them.” Sun Tzu sent the reply, “In light of your earlier orders I cannot accept the previous note” and had the two women beheaded. Sun Tzu then stood in front of the women and gave the order to turn left. The women turned left in complete unison, and proceeded to follow every order to the letter in perfect precision.

Sun Tzu then went to the Emperor and informed him that the women were ready for battle. The Emperor informed Sun Tzu that he should return to his army and that the review of the army had concluded.

The lesson here, of course, is do. Not. Fuck. With. Sun. Scholars warn against taking such stories too literally. But I don't see why not. Nothing is more violent than history. Years ago, many of us spent our entire lives in a 250 square foot area. Many of us did not know anything about the people who lived in the next town, never mind the next country. And when we found things out, we thought they were barbarians. We were all only days or months away from being invaded, our meager riches stripped. Our wives raped, our men killed. People today say video games desensitize kids. But nothing does it like the real thing. Like beheading criminals in the street, your parents cheering on.

Like your neighbor's army invading, then killing and eating your opponents out of respect, as was the custom in some cultures (still is in some places). Or defeating your army then raping the defeated soldiers.

There is no wisdom to be had from history, never mind the Greek's pedantry and the Christian's rewrites. History is not to guide us, it is to show us human nature. Every one of those awful acts is part of us. Part of our genes. Part of our memories. Somewhere in your head, you are watching a women being beheaded for being a witch, and you are cheering.

(This is what you do with your good days?)



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