Paradoxes

There is a set of modern social paradoxes that apparently have been around since the 1960’s.  I’ve never seen them.

The best summary of these paradoxes is: when you do good for the society, for individuals and for your own family you will not be appreciated, nor remembered and you may generate hostility.

I feel compelled to comment on this.  I have always done what I thought was good for society, for others in my circle and for my family.  What have been the consequences over 60 years and hundreds of generous actions?

The word paradox is wrong.

First, and most importantly, doing what I believe is good and in the interests of others can be harmful.  I should suffer the opprobrium for these actions and I should learn from these mistakes.  

I worked hard to use busing and other tools to integrate and improve the San Francisco public schools. The busing sent vast droves of parents to the suburbs and left the city schools to violence and increased white prejudice against blacks.   

I deserve to have to apologize publicly and I do.

Secondly, the many projects I worked on to improve the teaching and classrooms disappeared in a few years like sand castles on the beach.  Although my own kids got the benefits of those superb educational programs. Education doesn't change....for long.

Many good projects are a complete waste and I have helped many people to understand and avoid these doomed efforts.

Third, I saw the bad consequences of my good efforts, such as helping create programs to save whales, which resulted in  promoting anti-Japanese hatred in the U.S. and U.K.  I felt compelled to organize a counter campaign.  I personally created a counter campaign that was massively effective.  My role in starting and stopping this evil eco-nonsense about whales (and dolphins) was unknown in the U.S. and U.K. but I recently learned that I am much loved in Japan and well known for my efforts.

Fourth, all genuine and original efforts to do good work for society, peers and family are inherently mixed.  The outcomes are unknown, the trajectories are unexpected and the consequences for me, the originator, are completely unpredictable.  In 1978 I organize the first massive burning of Xmas trees on the San Francisco beach with hundreds of participants.  This led directly to the first burning man at China Beach. then to Burning Man on the Black Rock desert and now a global movement.

I have been loved for what I’ve done, I have generated jealousy, animosity and open hostility.  But in general the love and affection have been worth it and my life has been overwhelmingly interesting, exciting and rewarding.

I’ve lived and lived well.  No paradox there.