Handsome Humanity

It surprised me a great deal when a professor of mine lectured that saying “I never lie” is a paradox. It’s true though, because you’re lying just by saying that.  Everyone is dishonest at times in life, whether to spare Aunt Helen’s feelings when she asks how well her new yellow dress covers her derrière, or, worse, to intentionally deceive for some mal-rationalized end, which is certain to benefit the tall-tale teller most of all. Human feelings are probably always hurt when one discovers he or she has been boldfaced deceived, while the culprit tends to feel more embarrassment than actual hurt, compounded as the hasty explanations reveal less and less credibility as they pour out. Strangely, it seems that being especially honest tends not only to be strangely perceived by typical folks, lately it appears to make the honest man vulnerable as well, even while he is demonstrating exceptionally strong character. Picture him in your mind, eyes leveled to yours, brow slightly furrowed as he draws up courage in his breath to speak the truth though it may cause a broad range of emotional upheaval, particularly in his most loving relationships. I tend to envision Albert Einstein here, who realized his equation for energy was the foundation for an age of nuclear warfare, and it troubled him greatly for the rest of his life. This was not something he could deny if he had tried, but when the world became witnesses of the destruction and despair of such powerfully hateful bombs, inevitably people searched for a source on whom to pin blame, sadly with some pointing to Eisenstein who was already experiencing serious depression, even as one of our greatest physicists of all time with his theories of Relativity and relationship between Time and Space in Time Travel.  Einstein’s morale compass was awry and he suffered physical repercussions for the rest of his life for the havoc his discovery could wreak.  His ideas were meant to advance us as a species, and the goodness in him could not adequately reconcile such awfulness awakening.  I find that oddly attractive.  I believe he had a few wives, and don’t get me started on that mop-hair, but even in it’s vulnerable aspect, that sort of straightforward courage is downright hot.

Yesterday would have been my Mama’s seventieth birthday, and so many times lately I’ve fought the imagery I increasingly create that is just like her: assertive, yet somewhat cynical. Instantly I envision my Dad’s demeanor in the same situation and I see honest, caring scenarios from the past where he appeared vulnerable to me, and I am in awe of that. In fact, it’s a beautiful thing and I get goosechills. Big, strong, handsome & tan Civil Engineer experiences obvious stress of clashing ideals when he tries to do something wrong, such as tell a lie. This surely didn’t jide well with the reputation he wanted around the workplace, and maybe it’s my hero-thing, but it really looked to me like envy, dishonesty, and anger were especially difficult for him to pull-off, and when the spotlight was on him, he would look his fellow man or woman in the eyes, forehead slightly furrowed, preparing his speech and at the same time revealing a mesmerizing ideal I fondly recall as astounding.  

Some Droid or other Computer program can be completely honest, especially with regard to numbers, but then they will never experience the raw coursing character typical in the courageous aura of an honest man. Moreover, a droid may entertain only as long as it’s battery holds sufficient charge. The memories that honest men of good character leave behind, however, trump that stack of bolts anyday. It’s a charisma I miss a lot of times, and wish to see more often. Understanding human character and motivations is something we will always endeavor to do, at least once we beat that new video game...