As a child, I remember watching WWF with my dad on the USA network. It was during the era of Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Andre the Giant, and Jake the Snake among others. There was also controversy about professional wrestling being fake. Regardless, it provided entertainment and involved significant physical exertion, even if it was primarily for show. The inconvenient truth of staged matches and crazy storylines did not alter the experiences and bonding time that my dad and I shared while watching; in fact, I would say it enhanced it.
Recently, I saw a discussion about the accuracy of the forget-me-not as a symbol of Masonry during World War 2. It was a good conversation, and one that is not new among Masonic scholars. For my part, I acknowledged the value of the story and the hope it represents. Jokingly, I mentioned the multiverse theory of quantum physics suggests that in some universe, probabilistically, the story would hold true. I have a tattoo of a forget-me-not because the story reminds me to do the right thing – even when it is hard. The forget-me-not inspires me, even if the history of its origin story is flawed.
In my conundrum article, I outlined the polarization present during the era of spiritualism – with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a believer and Harry Houdini as a skeptic. As noble as each of their causes may have been, this divergence in perspectives ultimately led to the dissolution of their friendship. Even if they were not Brothers, I would still find that tragic.
As I have observed online community engagement, I have seen free thought met with online trolling especially when anonymous posts were allowed. Social media has lifted the veil of how opinionated we each are, and the efforts which we make to show that we are right. I have also come to realize that with sufficient effort and focus, it is possible to present information in ways that support any case. As the saying goes, “There are lies, darned lies, and then there are statistics.” … Perhaps we can now also add, “… and then there is AI”.
As I have gotten older, and collected more “facts”, I have found humility in what I truly know. My implicit cognitive bias, and an existence of seeing the world as I am surfaces. Looking back on scientific reports, I remember reading that coffee was good for me, then bad, then good again. The same apparently holds true for eggs and perhaps there is a story here about moderation. There was also a time when there was consensus that stars revolved around the Earth or that the Earth was flat. All that said, the change in thought reflects growth. In a healthy world, growth might serve as a catalyst for inspiration and hope.
Humans often feel the need to express their understanding of the world to demonstrate their knowledge or persuade others of certain ‘truths’ without understanding that common beliefs have been proven incorrect and challenged. As we uncover more information, we realize how much we still do not know, and that is uncomfortable. We lose sight that our understanding of history is based on accounts written by individuals with their own perspectives and biases – influenced by the context in which they lived.
All that said, you might be thinking, “so what”? Am I suggesting that nothing is true? Can we not make any claims about our existence and experiences? Many would argue that this would result in chaos and madness, and to be honest, I agree. As our differing viewpoints become more apparent in our increasingly connected world, we are indeed experiencing chaos and madness, and unfortunately, we seem unable to reconcile our differences.
Practicing Masonry is the answer: Reflecting on stories of patience, continual improvement, and respecting the diversity of thought and perspectives. Practicing humility and giving our Brothers and Sisters the benefit of doubt – believing that everyone is doing their best in a complex world. Expanding on that thought, imagine a world where we ask, “What If…?” rather than making assertions. Imagine celebrating our ability to think freely. Celebrating our diversity of thought is valuable. Our stories are valuable. As my friend Chad said, “It is the good stuff.” If you’d like to hear our conversation, please check out the Ohio Lodge of Research.
In closing, remember, ours is a craft built on symbols and allegories. Be honest about that. I’m not telling you to be so open minded that your brain falls out. Instead, I am asking you to engage your ears before your tongue, and when you speak: engage your heart. Professional wrestling outcomes are staged. The forget-me-not story is legend. These statements might be true, but they might also be missing a greater point. Be kind, and open to observe while leading through patience, practice, and learning until that day when your temple is complete.
Until then, travel well my Brothers.
Fraternally,
Brad