Tipping Point
Our world is in a swirl of chaos. It is interesting, though, in chaos theory--the science of chaotic change--there is always a "tipping point." This is the place where the chaos "tips over" into a new state. It bifurcates in one of two directions: either toward higher order organization and change or it descends into anarchy beyond repair.
The question is, of course, which way is our world moving? The answer is, of yet, unknown--but it does appear that the tipping point (or maybe multiple tipping points) have been reached. For example, who would have imagined that the self-emolation of one lone fruit seller on the streets of the Tunisian capital, abused by some governmental official, would have been the tipping point to send the whole Middle East in a new chaotic direction? That indignity, and his response of setting himself on fire, has up-ended the old order of things and sent the social and political world of the Middle East in an entirely new direction. The full outcome is, as of yet, unknown. There are signs of higher order organization and change but also of anarchy.
The same is true in Japan. Who would have imagined an earthquake, that sent a tsunami, that breached a nuclear reactor wall, would trigger such monumental change in that country?
In both cases, the story is still being told, but the fact is, we are beyond the tipping point now--the narrative unfolds and we are awaiting outcomes. In our own ways, our responses determine the shape of things to come. May we have eyes to see and hearts to respond.
The question is, of course, which way is our world moving? The answer is, of yet, unknown--but it does appear that the tipping point (or maybe multiple tipping points) have been reached. For example, who would have imagined that the self-emolation of one lone fruit seller on the streets of the Tunisian capital, abused by some governmental official, would have been the tipping point to send the whole Middle East in a new chaotic direction? That indignity, and his response of setting himself on fire, has up-ended the old order of things and sent the social and political world of the Middle East in an entirely new direction. The full outcome is, as of yet, unknown. There are signs of higher order organization and change but also of anarchy.
The same is true in Japan. Who would have imagined an earthquake, that sent a tsunami, that breached a nuclear reactor wall, would trigger such monumental change in that country?
In both cases, the story is still being told, but the fact is, we are beyond the tipping point now--the narrative unfolds and we are awaiting outcomes. In our own ways, our responses determine the shape of things to come. May we have eyes to see and hearts to respond.
posted by Lynn Bauman at 6:46 AM
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