Page 66 - Green Builder July-August 2020 Issue

FROM THE TAILGATE By Ron Jones

New Offerings for the Sustainable Minded

Noise

ODERN LIFE IS RAUCOUS in the
best of times but the ones we’re
experiencing now would hardly
qualify for high ratings. Day and
M night, we’re bombarded with
images and descriptions of con­ict and su€ering.
In fact, it’s hard to remember when the world has
felt so unstable, so chaotic, so noisy. The future, it
seems, has seldom been more uncertain.
In my experience, nature has ways of letting us
know when something is not right, that something
is out of balance. We’re seeing it in the form of a
viral pandemic that’s ravaging our species, in blood
and broken glass on our streets, teargas in our parks,
smoke from burning buildings in our cities, in the
despair that comes from decade upon decade of
economic hardship and social inequity, and in the
collapse of micro-environments and ecosystems
around the globe.
I’m not afraid to state aloud that some of this
imbalance rests squarely on the shoulders of our
elected leadership, on many levels and in many places.
But that actually concerns me less than the part of
this situation that I attribute to everyday people, like
you and me. We witness its manifestation in the
faces and voices of our fellow citizens who loudly
demand their personal freedoms while expressing
little or no regard for those around them.
Some people are quick to let us know that they don’t want to be chosen system of governance but they are harvested at a cost. The
told what to do. However, I usually don’t hear them speaking up precious gift of living in a free society didn’t magically appear from
about what they’re doing for the common good, how they may be elsewhere in the universe wrapped in a bow by a benevolent sender.
helping to ease the pain for anyone else. Take a walk through any National Cemetery on a quiet morning and
In a recent meeting of the local elected leaders of our tiny hamlet, read the names of strangers who did their parts, however large or
a vote was taken to determine whether or not everyone over a certain small, to square the common account.
age should be required to wear a face mask in public places. The The cornerstone of this fragile arrangement, this thing we call
measure was adopted by more than a two to one margin but there democracy, is in keeping faith with a simple principle, namely that
was dissention. One of those who voted against the measure claimed we will honor majority rule. That doesn’t mean we have to like
to not believe in masks. the fact that we are legally required to fasten our seatbelts when
Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions. But all the noisy preparing for takeo€, or that we have to enjoy stopping at all red
con­icts around these details distract us from much larger ideals. lights. It doesn’t mean that we need to believe in masks in order to
Those personal freedoms that folks are so eager to declare inviolate be willing to wear one if that is what the majority of decision makers
exist in a harmonic balance with something else, personal responsi- deem the best for everyone.
bility. One does not occur without the other. They are interdependent. Yes, we’re free to make noise. But only if we’re also willing to be
Individual rights and personal freedoms are the sweet fruits of our quiet and listen. GB

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