Hey You...with the Face!

So I did the nigh unthinkable last night: I made a facebook account. I've never really been a fan of social networking sites (for a lot of different reasons). However, I made an exception because I came across some familiar faces from when I was a pre-teen/teenager. Egads...not that I want to relive those years, but it's nice to be able to get in touch and say "Hi!"

Besides, it's interesting to see how the other half lives their online life. I'm chalking this whole thing up in the "Social Experiment" catagory.

#2 Pencils

Something came up the other day that has given me something to think about. Since long before I was born, it seems that every school supply list includes #2 pencils. That was the only kind of pencil I remember while I was in school and my kids use the same kind. Sure, they may look different (colors and pictures on the outside instead of the odd yellow color - a color I only ever see on #2 pencils by the way), but they are still #2 pencils.

Why? What is it about #2 pencils? Why do schools all across this country request/require #2 pencils? Because they have proven to be the best. They have stood the test of time. They are recognized as the standard.

"So what?" you may be asking yourself. Well, in this mortal life, there are certain moral values that have also stood the test of time. Some people really do believe that religion is "the opiate of the masses" and is nothing more than delusional fantasies or wishful thinking (or at the worst, hate-mongering). However, I don't "cling" to old ideas just because they are old (there are plenty of old, bad ideas), but because over the years, centuries, and millenia they have proven themselves to be the best way to happiness; that is what I want, to be happy and to have my family be happy. Sure, there are sacrifices to be made, but isn't it worth it?

As odd as it sounds, I am comparing my religious values to a #2 pencil. Dependable. Proven. Standard. And it comes with an eraser when you make mistakes...

The Modern Procrustean Bed

One rather obscure Greek legend deals with Theseus (ya know, the guy who used a ball of string to find his way out of the labyrinth after killing the minotaur who lived in it) and a bandit by the name of Procrustes. Procrustes had a bed that fit him perfectly - and he thought everyone should be just as perfect. So whenever anyone would come by, he would capture them and tie them to his bed. If that person was too short, Procrustes would stretch them until they fit; if the "guest" was too long, Procrustes would cut off an appropriate amount from the legs. Thus, "perfection" (i.e. conformity) was achieved...well, until Theseus came along and killed him, that is.

It seems in our world today, there are far too many who would take up the mantle of Procrustes and attempt to make everyone the same. It doesn't seem to matter if the process is painful, tortuous, or downright barbaric, as long as everyone fits the same standards. Fortunately, these Procrustean wannabes don't normally resort to physical mutilation. That would be too blantant and the people would rebel immediately. Unfortunately, we have to deal with the more subtle aspects of the Bed of Procrustes: Multiculturalism, political correctness, moral relativism, etc.

Too many people (and I'm not just talking about politicians here - although they can be among the most visible proponents of this way of thinking) apply their pre-conceived notions about how I should act and think, because that is the way they act and think. They do this through the redefining of words and concepts (such as "family", "modesty", "conservative", to name a few), revising history (the demonizing of the American founding fathers for example), denying the existence of evil, believing faith and reason are mutually exclusive, ignoring some laws while enforcing those that are currently popular, and (and this may seem odd coming from a self-defined champion of individuality) praising extreme individualism over duty to others and commitment to a set of values.

If you don't fit these ideas, you obviously must be blind, stupid, ignorant, out of touch, oppressive, repressive, regressive, unacceptable, unsociable, unhappy, a misogynist, and a kicker of small puppies. 

Yes, the spirit of Procrustes is alive and well.

But I refuse to just make this post about pointless complaining. I refuse to bow before the pressures of modern culture. I refuse to deny what I believe is right and true and good. I refuse to stand on the corner and point the finger of shame on those that don't believe as I do. I refuse to fall into hypocritical self-righteousness.

I will do everything in my power to be an example of what a Man is for my daughters and sons. I will teach my kids my religious and moral values, so they know where I stand (and why) when it come time for them to make their own choices. I will continue to enjoy who I am, where I live, and why I live the way I do. I will understand that everyone is different. I will believe everyone is a child of God. And by so doing, I will trust that one day the Bed of Procrustes will no longer be used as a means for achieving unity.

Concerning Male-Bashing

I work in a nearly all-female team at my job. Not that I mind, but DANG! Sometimes they get chatting about a topic that just annoys me to no end. For example: Today they started discussing all of the perceived problems with men (most either blatantly false or ridiculously ignorant). To top it all off, one of the women, who just returned to work after having a baby a few weeks ago, came in with her husband and new child to show them off to everyone. When it was time to go, the husband asked, "Which way is the exit?" as he was leaving with the baby. (Our set of cubicles is not near the exit and it can be quite confusing to someone who isn't there every day.)

This woman had the gaul to mock her husband in front of everyone and then pointing a finger in the right direction, proceeded to launch into the foolishness of males in general - which several other women happily joined in.

Now, I don't have a problem with women in the workplace, but these women in particular seem to have no etiquette when it comes to their better half visiting them at work. I would place a large sum of money on a man actually getting up and escorting his wife to the exit. ESPECIALLY if she was a new mother.

I've met more and more women lately (generally those in the workforce) that claim that men don't understand women, but honestly believe that they understand all men. Bull crap. We are not just simplistic little animals that think of nothing but food, sex, and video games. Men might ACT that way, but only because the women in their lives treat them like children.

Grown men do not need their wife/girlfriend to be their mother. Nor do we necessarily want a damsel in distress to rescue. We want a woman who we can ride off into the unknown adventures with TOGETHER. We will rescue them if they need it, but we want to be sure they will rescue us when WE need it. A companion. A helpmeet. A friend. A lover. A co-adventurer. Someone who will make us want to live up to the ideals of honor, integrity, chivalry, etc.

All that being said, I am not a misogynist. On the contrary, I am a solid supporter of feminism - meaning the true definition, and not the pseudo-political crap that is thinly disguised misandry/misogamy.

Okay, rant over. Sometimes American culture worries me.