Uneven rates of growth.

In modern communities the majority of the people have traces of dif­ferent growth rates: rapid—moderate—slow. In other words most of us are resistant to growth in some areas—slow to change in others— and quick to grow and adapt in yet other areas.

Most people are at once cautious and daring—conservative and progressive—outdated and updated—past-oriented and future-oriented.

The rate of growth in each of us is uneven.

In modern communities relatively few people are resistant to growth in all areas of life or readily receptive to advances in all areas.

During the years I have worked in the management of growth I have been struck by the remarkable mosaic of disparate growth rates in each person. Most people cannot be pigeonholed as across-the-board con­servative or progressive—sluggish or dynamic. Most people are a mix of orientations.

There are people with distinctly conservative political views who are startlingly progressive in other areas of their lives. They may be fluid in their romances and lifestyles. Flex in their work habits. Quick to incorporate new technology. They may telecornmute or commute via helicopter. Some fly their own airplanes. They may be staunch sup­porters of the Space program and life-prolongation movements. They may be modern fun-loving people who coast a lot and travel all over the world for pleasure.

I have met and worked with such people. Are they conservative or progressive—past-oriented or future-oriented?

Then there are the politically progressive who are startlingly conservative in other areas of their lives. They may be staunchly family oriented. They may be attracted only to old art: opera—theater— ballet—paintings. They may be technological illiterates. They may be disdainful of the Space program and of life-extension efforts. They may have strong industrial-age orientations—they may for example be workaholics and fiercely competitive. They may be drawn to the power plays of politics. They may be cynical about progress.

I have met and worked with many such people. Are they progressive or conservative—past-oriented or future-oriented?

There are people who still support the death penalty and the arms buildup and are hawkish in their foreign policies—yet are remarkably gentle with their children and may even be vegetarian out of compassion for animals.

Many of my friends in the U.S. Space program have daring visions of extraterrestrial exploration and inhabitation yet have conventional Middle American values: god—family—respect for leadership—work ethic—patriotism.

What I am saying is that there are progressives with strong conser­vative tendencies—and conservatives with strong progressive habits.

How does one account for such polarities—such juxtaposed divers­ities in each of us? How accurate are labels in our times?

Most people seem to want progress in some areas but not in others. The fact is that this is not realistic. You can't have it both ways.

If you want advances in one area you have to be prepared for profound changes in other areas as well.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 731