The Englishman Thomas Hobbes, writing in 1651, during one of the most unstable periods of European history, wrote that mankind is in a constant state of struggle and that nobody is reliable except yourself. He posited that, “men live without other security, than what their own strength, and their own invention shall furnish them withall.”
If that is not grim enough, only a few lines later in his treatise Leviathan, Hobbes slaps down a condemnation of humanity overall, announcing that, “the life of man, [is] solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short.”
The solution to all this, Hobbes writes later, is the leviathan his book is named for. Hobbes tells us that mankind needs a strongman – an absolute monarch back then – to maintain order so we don’t go around bashing each other’s heads in pursuit of personal security. In Hobbes’ time, this made a great deal of sense, since in 1649 Parliament had chopped off the head of absolute monarch Charles I and rebellious Oliver Cromwell was on his way to appointing himself dictator. England was in the midst of a religious civil war between Catholics and Protestants that wouldn’t be settled for another sixty years, and even then it stopped largely because everyone was exhausted by all the killing.
Through the mists of time, Hobbes’ Leviathan has been interpreted by modern scholars as less of a call for strongmen but instead an argument for centralised states with monopolies of force to ensure order. For instance, imagine living in a city with no police. Who do you call when someone is stabbed in the street? Better yet, what threat should exist so the temptation of street stabbings has a consequence? In Hobbes’ time, there was nobody to fill this role. Today, we take policing enforced by central governments for granted, as well as a whole series of laws and enforcement that comes down to: If you don’t do it, police will come get you.
But still, that line, “nasty, brutish, and short” has incredible power reaching deep into our psyches. Today we are relatively safe from 17th century-style street stabbings, yet we can envision all kinds of ways others force their will upon us. And you don’t have to be a paranoiac to find ways we are under attack. It is easy today to move into a state of informed dread, buttressed by any number of factual documentations, whether they be news sites, podcasts, or YouTube videos. Even sane people are besieged by misinformation and conspiracies, putting every person into a constant state of informational vigilance: Is this story of an attack on me and my mores true? Or is it someone who wants to trick me into something?
Certainly, modern life can feel nasty and brutish, and potentially short for those who lack vigilance. Who can we count on that’s reliable in these times? Hobbes’ condemnations seem incredibly relevant and perhaps good advice: Be on guard, because everyone else is trying to get you.
When it comes to personal safety, the line between prudence and paranoia is blurry with paranoia becoming self-reinforcing. Like with Justice Potter Stewart’s measure of obscenity, “I know it when I see it,” paranoia is only identifiable with time and introspection, hard things to find when you’re so busy protecting yourself.
In this vein, I’ve lately worried about being fearful. The day’s news suggests we should be fearful, so my natural inclination has been to think, “What’s next? What new, terrible thing is coming for me?”
To deal with this fear, at least once a year, I watch “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Morgan Neville’s documentary about the life of Fred Rogers. I admit: I cry throughout the entire viewing.
My tears are multi-layered. They are for innocent, young Michael, who felt “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” as intensely real. And they are for the shining, relentless goodness of Fred Rogers, which would be unbelievable unless it were so well documented by his friends, colleagues, and work on television. And they are for the millions of people whose hearts were opened and soothed by Roger’s simple message of acknowledgement, ratification, and love.
The documentary does not treat Rogers as beatific. In fact, we hear from his sons and widow about how strident he could be, and that it was hard to be the child of, “the second coming of Christ.” We also hear about his own self-doubt and fears that his work will be deemed irrelevant or ineffective.
Yet, applying a clearly masculine, relentless energy, Rogers presented us with an open, inviting gesture. He unfailingly started every interaction with appreciation and the gift of listening, hearing. Disagreement, conflict, and frustration were all possible in Rogers’ worldview, but most disagreements were resolvable if approached with that appreciation and active listening.
These things are not easy. In fact, doing them on a daily basis is incredibly hard. Last night, immediately after watching the documentary I thought about every snide, mean thing I’d said over the last week. All of them were in private, among people I trust, but in that moment I saw my meanness for the defensive, Hobbsean crouching it was. Could I be braver – stronger? – by opening my heart and appreciating people for who they are and for what they strive to be?
The notion of moving from a defensive posture to a welcome, relaxed posture is easy to imagine, but terrifying to put in practice. What do I do if someone unexpectedly attacks me? What if you’re in a workplace or type of business with underhanded attacks? What if family members are cruel? In these circumstances, Hobbes’ warnings seem to ring true: Only brute strength will save us.
But defensive postures are self-reinforcing and self-defeating: You can’t build new relationships and knowledge if you’re always prepared to strike. To grow, to love, we have to open ourselves and begin with listening.
Perhaps, if I can put compassion and understanding to work, I will gain something unexpected and the defensiveness will melt away. Hobbes’ fears need not rule my life.
Other things I thought about…
Get Solar Panels Installed Now – Here is my monthly reminder: Congress has voted to eliminate the 30% income tax credit at the end of the year. Solar is a great financial deal that will only get better, because (and I’m wearing my professional hat here) electricity costs will only increase over the next few years.
The Tragedy of Disco Demolition Night – In white Chicago, Steve Dahl’s absurdist 1979 stunt where he blew up a pile of disco records at Comiskey Park is considered hilarious. But also, the expression of straight machismo kicked off years of anti-Black and anti-queer discrimination in music and culture that draws a direct line to misogynist hair metal and loads of 80’s macho excess.
Lincoln – Spielberg’s 2012 film about President Abraham Lincoln’s effort to pass the 13th Amendment to end slavery feels a bit like a clip job after multiple viewings, but it conveys a sense of the period’s darkness and demand for greatness. (Also there’s a surplus of great actors in the movie!)
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny wrote and produced this short film about what gets lost in gentrification and released it as part of his most recent album of the same name. Gorgeous filming and terrific acting.
The Bear, Season 4 – After a misfire in Season 3, the show is back to form. Star Jeremy Allen White is fine, but the real people to watch are Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, and Jamie Lee Curtis. In fact, we need to invent a new award for JLC, because she deserves every acting award and then some more.
Where are vacation homes located in the US? – You know the answer, but the maps are still stunning.
The Ice Age Trail – Winding through Wisconsin as it follows the perimeter of the last North American glacier, the trail moves through public lands and private farms. Teresa and I hiked it on a warm day amidst a light drizzle, snatching sweet blackberries in the forest as we climbed small hills. Glorious.
National Portrait Gallery – Besides all the famous founder and presidential paintings, this free Washington, DC spot shares space with the American Art Museum has a decent collection of Pollack, Dawoud Bey, Hopper, and so much more.
Hillwood Estate and Garden – My work group from the British Embassy in Washington was scheduled for a sustainable garden tour, but everyone but me was called away at the last minute. So, I ended up getting a solo tour from Hillwood’s current head gardener, Jessica Bonilla, and her predecessor, John Sonnier, who is now the Embassy’s gardener. It was an embarrassment of riches which made me wish I knew more horticulture so I could ask better questions. It is a privilege to be among greatness of any form.
Apple Fritters – I’ve made these twice in the last month. Cook apples, mix, rise, knead, rise, fry. A lot of work but so, so good.
See you next month!