What do you think when you pass under political, sign-holding people on freeway overpasses? Of either variety, bright red or dark blue?
My internal dialogue. “Apart from posting on Facebook, I don’t think anyone could choose a less effective form of political persuasion. Has anyone ever, in world history, said, ‘You know, I was driving south on the I-5 when I looked up and saw an outstretched sign that said ‘X’. Until that moment, I really believed ‘Y’. But now, I realize how misguided I have been and I’ve completely come around to ‘X’.”
At 65 mph, the outstretched sign advert might last 1-2 seconds. That’s not even subliminal.
The sign holders are careful to keep a safe distance from their opponents they’re hoping to somehow convert. Their method is a metaphor for our modern age. We’re all steadily improving at keeping a safe distance from one another. Getting better and better at reducing the inconvenience and unpredictability of direct, interpersonal contact.
Abrupt shift. You may be wondering how I’m doing. Lots of people appreciated the “rawness” with which I described Lynn’s final chapter. Now though, I feel like the humble blog is completely inadequate for telling my story. Of how I’m doing.
I suppose, like the sign holders, I’m afraid too. Afraid to “keep it real” in way too impersonal a format.
So what to do? I don’t know.
Pressing Pause 
You wrote
keeping a safe distance from one another. Getting better and better at reducing the inconvenience and unpredictability of direct, interpersonal contact
This struck a chord with me. It’s happening in Japan as well. Well, it’s always been so in Japan, but more so in the past 2 years with one traditional form of greetings. New Year’s cards, in Japan, called nengajo .
My wife and I sent out maybe 80 or so cards to our friends and family, but have received maybe 20-30% in return. It seems the trend of not exchanging New Year’s cards (here in Japan, it’s called “graduation”) began last year. Precisely the year when we did not send out cards which are allowed to those who have experienced bereavement (my wife’s mother). Now we’re left wondering if we missed out on the train/trend.
That’s interesting Ken. I think Xmas letters/cards are on a downward trend here too.
Maybe it’s not to get the X to change to Y or vice versa, but to get Z to move in a desired direction or at a minimum to raise awareness. Realize non-voters outnumbered those who voted one way or the other in the last presidential election. If a sign(s) gets 1 or 2 percent out of their apathy things change bigly.
Thank you for your reply DDRTM. However, I think moving anyone from apathy to active participation in the political system is even more unlikely (meaning completely) than nudging a change in thinking on whatever policy.
Then we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
Kinda thought you’d give an alternate view a little more consideration.
Please keep up your humble blog. It is not ephemeral. And it is very real and raw.