I watched a Rachel Adam’s interview with a Cornell mathematics professor— Steven Strogatz—fascinating-right. Well it was certainly not what I expected as the professor described a recent student/faculty conclave. The burgeoning Ai capabilities in solving some of mathematics most famous open problems has students and faculty unnerved. One student at the conclave asked the question, “What is the Point”, if Ai can do math better than a human, what is my job, and what is my purpose? Human’s are searching for meaningful and fulfilling work. Strogatz goes on to become very philosophical and speaks about a Pete Seeger song based on the teachings in Ecclesiasticus, made most famous by the Byrds in their l965 song, “Turn, Turn, Turn”. The teaching can be summarized by the belief that human’s can’t control or fully comprehend the timing of life’s events. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven”. The idea that a higher power has a master plan, knowing that—-we can stop stressing over the future and enjoy the present. Life is beautiful but short. The Professor left us with his humanity and empathy for his students—it brought the interviewer and the Professor to tears. I believe we have more control over the future but we all need to get engaged.
Pete Seeger wrote the original version of Turn, Turn, Turn in l959 and it was recorded by the Lime Lighters in 1962. I invested a bit of time learning about the folk music icon and his prolific career that lasted into his 90’s. Seeger wrote, revised or collaborated on songs we still enjoy today. Much of his work was politically oriented, a strong supporter of labor and against senseless wars. The Seeger version of “We Shall Overcome”, “If I Had a Hammer”, “Where have all the Flowers Gone”, “Wimoweh”, “Guantanamera”, “Kisses Sweeter than Wine”, “This Land is Your Land”, and more. I tell you all this so I can introduce a Vietnam protest song written by Seeger in l966 and first performed on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour the next year. The song is worth a listen as we are seeing history repeat itself today. “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” tells the tale of a Military Captain leading his troops as they ford a river. The water keeps getting deeper and the Captain is certain they will reach the other side and dry land. The Captain is caught in quick sand and the troops only see the Captain’s helmet floating by. The lyrics conclude with this line “every time I read the papers…..we are neck deep in the Big Muddy and the FOOL says just push on.” The song is an allegory as it was felt President Johnson was ignoring his generals and the American sentiment. Sound familiar?
Julius Caesar likely said as he crossed the Rubicon, “the die is cast”. Crossing the river violated Roman law and was an act of treason that eventually triggered a “massive civil war against Pompey and the Roman Senate. Not unlike our current Orange felon, Caesar felt he was above the law. He made an ‘irrevocable decision and course of action and there was no turning back.’ We see the big Orange Fool joining forces to bomb Iran with no clear end in sight. That “die” has thrown the entire Middle East into turmoil and threatens world economic stability. The failure to support Ukraine and pander to Russia will result in more death and destruction. Project 2025 is another ill fated “die” as the country is fed up with the persecution of immigrants and the push to re-write African American and Native American history. Liberation day, another “die” has compounded the inflationary pressures of war and National debt service.
We can only vote our way out of this chaos, the “die” is not yet cast on our democracy.
It is a beautiful fall day in McCall. Margie is on the rock’s in Pilgrim Cove. We owe it to our family and friends to protect their future and the health of our planet. Mike