Disclaimer:
There will be plenty of disclaimers throughout this series. Not only because we live, we communicate, we write, in a sensitive time, but also because some people receive information better after multiple deliveries. So there will be a disclaimer for this Pre(r)amble, there may actually be two disclaimers for Part 1 - The Purpose, (which includes The Players), there will be a disclaimer for Part 2 - The Bracket, and there will most definitely be a disclaimer for Part 3 - The Example, where this whole hypothetical is actualized. (That is, actualized only in that it becomes a completed hypothetical with examples, not actualized, in any way, as a real practice). What I embark upon here is simple: it is an exercise in creative thought. That is it. This is not a creed, nor declaration, nor claim. This is not meant as an “educated political stance”, nor a “commentary on past, present, and future”, nor an “exhibit of perceived intelligence or status”. I enjoy creative outlets, and this is one that I have frequented.
With that said, Reader, you must keep in mind my limited scope in the greater realm of society. I am who I am at each progressive moment, but who I am now is a result of previous experience. I do not claim to be an expert on anything, I do not claim to be able to represent the thoughts and interests of any individuals outside of myself. ESPECIALLY in Part 3, where I place examples of real human beings into this theoretical structure, I admit here and fully that my knowledge of certain subjects, and individuals, and my lack of knowledge of certain subjects, and individuals, is going to fully play into the sample I lay before you. None of this is meant as offensive, none of this is meant as inclusive or exclusive - I simply do not have the knowledge or education to fully represent accurately.
As a coach, a fan, and a participant in athletic and competitive endeavors, it is what my mind turns to for answers. Where can I make a connection, where is the metaphor or anecdote I can use to make sense of the world around me? This will be completely apparent in all parts. I do not apologize for this, and I admit its limitations.
Hopefully you are able to table any pre- and post-sensitivities to see this as simply me thinking out loud. More so, I hope that it sparks some reflection, thought, and insight into your own ideas about what could or could not work in the arena of politics. The more of us that spend time in reflection, first on a personal level, then a familial, and even designate some moments to think about how we currently live and some of the “What ifs?”, the better educated and considerate of all we will become.
A Tournament to Leaders
A competitive format application toward (s)electing leadership of our country
The Pre(r)amble- Winners write history rights winners
I am a fan of History as a subject and a casual “fan” of politics. My enjoyment is often tied back to my interest in Leadership, in Sociology, and ultimately the application of all the ins-and-outs to my careers as both a teacher and a coach. There are rarely “right answers”, and any answer at all is subjective. There are endless opinions, both in-the-moment and retrospectively, biases of the history writers and interpreters, and viewpoints to every scenario, every event, every moment.
As a writer, I would be remiss if I did not first comment on the power of Communication. Without it I would not be able to share my thoughts. However, the resource of Audience has proven, historically, to determine the “success” of Communication. Without this I would not be able to reach beyond my immediate social circle.
When Language was first developed, it was done so out of a mutual understanding of context. Early humans could assign sounds and movements to items in their environment that their audience was already familiar with. Fast forward, the spoken language followed very much the same concept: familiarity of environment, consistency of audience, and shared goals all promoted the development of linguistics. Here, mankind began to establish itself. Expression, personality, individuality is not possible without the early steps of language toward communication. Now we have stories that teach, warn, and remember; we have songs that celebrate, entertain, and enrich. This all before anything is ever written down.
Written language was the game changer, for better or worse. While some groups began to leave their marks, literally, others did not, whether by choice, lack of necessity, or a different developmental path as a culture. Though none of those developing tribes and communities knew it at the time, a considerable gap was created that would be taken advantage of centuries...millennia later.
As it developed, the exclusivity of learning and using the written language was almost immediate. This was a class separator. A select few knew the symbols and their use, leaving a majority in the dark, and leaving them to the mercy of the interpretation of those with that “gift”. It often represented and created a cultural divide, within societies and across them. At some point in time, somewhere in the world, one of those individuals with the power and resource of understanding a written text, or perhaps even the writers of the text themselves, used this in a way that the benefit to his individual person, or his immediate circle, outpaced the benefit to the whole of the group. Once written words outlived the authors, and interpretation was left, again, to those with the resource and power of being the few who could read the text, there was even less of a defense against the misinterpretation, and often the misuse, of the original words and intentions.
Winners write history rights winners. Those elite few with the control of the written history told the story they wished to tell. Narrowed even more considerably by conflict identifying a victor, only the transcendent of historical figures could be trusted to keep the records of their conquered foe or tell an honest, true to life account of anything that came to pass. Having a written history didn’t MAKE one culture more powerful than another, but it gave them the power to SEEM more powerful to those who would eventually read the stories. The ability to craft and create truth was too tempting a call. Why not leave out that detail? Why not fudge the statistics? Why not write myself as a hero and savior?
Of course, this wasn’t the only written practice, but it is the one that carries a lot of weight for students of history. We can find primary sources to try and balance out our understanding of a specific history, but this ultimately creates a debate that we must investigate and reflect upon. There were also figures throughout history committed to the truth and the honest description of mankind. There were also figures that wrote not with the intention of controlling their perception in the present and future, but providing a gift to others in the present and future.
Language was used as a pedestal. Language was used as a reason to differentiate and claim superiority. As education and access to a common language began to increase, language was used to influence and persuade. The gap in education created an even greater reliance upon an unspoken truth of the writers, and unspoken trust in the writers. At this point in the development of man, as a species, there were some that had spent generations abusing the power and writing their own narrative.
Fast way forward to present day. Again, my bias and commentary will be nationally-focused as that is what I have access to. We live in a society where a common language exists to many extents and the resource of an audience is entirely unlimited. We live in a society that has recaptured the hieroglyphs in smiley faces. We live in a society where anyone with internet access can reach millions. We live in a society where education is not a necessary precursor to use of language that everyone else will understand. To bridge historical gaps callously, the “village idiot” can now record his manifesto and everyone will understand what he is saying to some extent.
This has caused a problem. Unforeseen, unpredictable, but still undeniable. Now, in essence, done correctly, this is the greatest thing a Democratic society could hope for. A place where everyone is capable of communicating with one another allows for the sharing of ideas, the conjunction of culture, the effort to grow together. Unfortunately, what seems to have happened is that the access to a common language driven by “likes” and a quick kick of dopamine has compromised the value of that language. Reference the transformation of a woman’s name into an insult of how one conducts his/herself publicly. Reference the transformation of a generational marker into an insult of anyone older than a certain age.
But, enough of the dwelling on the negative. Access to communication IS a powerful tool and valuable to our growth as society if used appropriately. Where some could not tell their story, or write their story, or have an audience that would believe their story, or would have to watch devastated as those with control of the language changed their story, we now have a linear account of historical events in real time. Not only the account, but the reactions to those events have become almost immediate. History is much less written now as it is lived. Historical Figures are much less remembered now as they are celebrated. History is experienced.
The intention of my use of the power of written communication here is to respectfully present an alternative, a modification, a change to the system of electing national leaders. Were the Founding Fathers transcendent? Yes. Was the Declaration of Independence historical? Yes. Could those men writing that document have foreseen the social changes that would happen over the next 250 years? Absolutely and resoundingly no. This is not a condemnation of them or their efforts. This is not a claim that a structural change needs to happen. Again, this is just me brainstorming with present day in mind.
What will follow is a series of thoughts of establishing a different protocol for officials elected to the highest positions in society. I will lay out the positions, the roles, and my reasons for them. Will I have the resource of an audience? My guess is one or two of you will make it through all three parts. But I am that type of writer: if I can reach one or two and inspire them to even think “What if?”, I have used my talents appropriately. In the end, History will right the “winners”. When we have had a chance to think, to reflect, to reevaluate and revalue, we have the power to acknowledge the differences of the past while preparing the way for a brighter future.
What will follow is a blueprint, a map, a...playbook...for the election of the highest seat of power in our country, in the form of one of the greatest competitive inventions of all time….
