On Community
Who are we? Are we individual entities or are we vital components of a larger community? I suppose the answer depends on whom you ask and what is the reason for the question. Try to ask your self the question and come up with a “tentative” answer. First let’s discuss individualism and community.
Individualism is the essence of identity. If you are familiar with the Star Trek series you know about the Borg. The Borg epitomizes the antithesis of individualism. In all the stories the dichotomy between individual and group is portrayed. The individual thinks for itself. It does not seek to be a part of a group. It knows who it is because it is self-aware. It knows about itself and the world around it and it can contemplate its own existence. We are like this individual entity in many ways. The advantages are many. There is the self. The individual need only consider its own needs and that which will support its existence. The downside is that it does not work to the best advantage of the continuation of the species.
The Borg. The community. In many ways we see communism at its basest elements in the Borg. Is the single unit an individual or simply a cog in the wheel (catchy, isn’t it. Maybe a song is in the mix. . . .). but what is the community? Even in the Borg’s concern, the effort is the continuation of the community; the perpetuation of the species; and at the expense of the individual if necessary. The advantage is that the species will likely continue; and far into the future. The disadvantage is that the individual lacks fulfillment except as a part of the community.
So, where do you lie? Where can we live? Communism at its basest elements is community (hence the essence of the word “communism” – duh!). Individualism at its basest is anarchy. Where do we want to live? In typical American fashion, the answer is usually “I want both.” Well, you can’t have it both ways without effort and considerable compromise. One example is the United States; in which I live. Another is the Church; in which I live (capital “C” for a reason). I will continue the faith based discussion in another blog. “Stay tuned.” However, the point is this – we are individual entities which must fit into a community to bring meaning to the individual. Hence it is not a question of either/or; it is a question of how and why. For a community of people and ants it is a question of survival. Together we are stronger and can fight attacks better than individually. For a community of “Believers” it is because God designed us that way – to be best fitted when we are a part of something greater than we are.
The best people can do nothing to continue their thinking without followers. Ann Rand wrote three incredible books; the most well known is “The Fountainhead” – roughly modeled on Frank Lloyd Wright. The essence of the idea in her philosophy is that of integrity to oneself and the pursuit of self-fulfillment, without the expense of others. Ideally, there is nothing wrong with this thinking. In reality it denies the fact that children need assistance and that there are those members of society that cannot exist without assistance. She would have allowed those entities to survive or die. Well, she’s dead. She left no children and her idealism is dying as well.
Community means that we pick what works for all with the least detriment to all. (For a faith based discussion on this see my other blog.) We cannot exist as individuals and expect a continuity of existence. Within a generation we will begin to see a reduction of the ranks and the beginnings of compromise. Each so called “independent society” has suffered as similar fate. If you think about it, in this context “independent society” is an oxymoron since society cannot be composed of independent entities by definition.
The truth is that we are both – individual AND community. Without both we, as a species, do not exist. We need each other to support and supplement one another. I cannot be all things to all people – and (really) I can’t even be enough for myself. I need someone who can fix my car, generate the power for my lights, and mill the lumber for my home. Oh, individuals can still exist, and do. The best of them, however, inspire the rest of us to perform works of wonder and deeds of compassion. Compassion requires that “others” exist. Hey! That sounds like community! Me! In a community! Now I get it!
Individualism is the essence of identity. If you are familiar with the Star Trek series you know about the Borg. The Borg epitomizes the antithesis of individualism. In all the stories the dichotomy between individual and group is portrayed. The individual thinks for itself. It does not seek to be a part of a group. It knows who it is because it is self-aware. It knows about itself and the world around it and it can contemplate its own existence. We are like this individual entity in many ways. The advantages are many. There is the self. The individual need only consider its own needs and that which will support its existence. The downside is that it does not work to the best advantage of the continuation of the species.
The Borg. The community. In many ways we see communism at its basest elements in the Borg. Is the single unit an individual or simply a cog in the wheel (catchy, isn’t it. Maybe a song is in the mix. . . .). but what is the community? Even in the Borg’s concern, the effort is the continuation of the community; the perpetuation of the species; and at the expense of the individual if necessary. The advantage is that the species will likely continue; and far into the future. The disadvantage is that the individual lacks fulfillment except as a part of the community.
So, where do you lie? Where can we live? Communism at its basest elements is community (hence the essence of the word “communism” – duh!). Individualism at its basest is anarchy. Where do we want to live? In typical American fashion, the answer is usually “I want both.” Well, you can’t have it both ways without effort and considerable compromise. One example is the United States; in which I live. Another is the Church; in which I live (capital “C” for a reason). I will continue the faith based discussion in another blog. “Stay tuned.” However, the point is this – we are individual entities which must fit into a community to bring meaning to the individual. Hence it is not a question of either/or; it is a question of how and why. For a community of people and ants it is a question of survival. Together we are stronger and can fight attacks better than individually. For a community of “Believers” it is because God designed us that way – to be best fitted when we are a part of something greater than we are.
The best people can do nothing to continue their thinking without followers. Ann Rand wrote three incredible books; the most well known is “The Fountainhead” – roughly modeled on Frank Lloyd Wright. The essence of the idea in her philosophy is that of integrity to oneself and the pursuit of self-fulfillment, without the expense of others. Ideally, there is nothing wrong with this thinking. In reality it denies the fact that children need assistance and that there are those members of society that cannot exist without assistance. She would have allowed those entities to survive or die. Well, she’s dead. She left no children and her idealism is dying as well.
Community means that we pick what works for all with the least detriment to all. (For a faith based discussion on this see my other blog.) We cannot exist as individuals and expect a continuity of existence. Within a generation we will begin to see a reduction of the ranks and the beginnings of compromise. Each so called “independent society” has suffered as similar fate. If you think about it, in this context “independent society” is an oxymoron since society cannot be composed of independent entities by definition.
The truth is that we are both – individual AND community. Without both we, as a species, do not exist. We need each other to support and supplement one another. I cannot be all things to all people – and (really) I can’t even be enough for myself. I need someone who can fix my car, generate the power for my lights, and mill the lumber for my home. Oh, individuals can still exist, and do. The best of them, however, inspire the rest of us to perform works of wonder and deeds of compassion. Compassion requires that “others” exist. Hey! That sounds like community! Me! In a community! Now I get it!
posted by genebko at
9:52 PM
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