Ignoble influence

Makoto Fujimura posted this week from a speech he gave. The post included a story about a Fred Danback, who sacrificed his seniority at his factory job after constantly bringing up how the plant was destroying the livelihood of local fisherman. He was demoted to janitor, which gained him significant access to all parts of the manufacturing facility. The notes and maps he made while cleaning were used in court. Fujimura closes this story with the following observations:

1) We need to be willing to be demoted
2) We need to remember our first love
3) We need to take notes

a) Become a custodian

To hold the “keys” of culture we may have to endure demotions.

By being demoted, we may gain a humble authority (keys) to unlock doors of cultural “factories”.

In September I mentioned, briefly, a verse in Romans that comes back to my mind with some regularity, reminding us that the Potter (God) has the right to make vessels for both noble and ignoble uses. Humans, in our selfish, narcissistic ways, generally insist on pursuing nobility rather than humility. We want to be famous (which is something I personally don’t understand). We want the paparazzi, the wealth, the name recognition, so we flock to American Idol tryouts and make fools of ourselves hoping for more than fifteen minutes of fame.

A successful and joyful life — and I think much of my own generation is coming to realize this — does not require an ascent of the corporate ladder. It seems as though people my age are rediscovering the importance of family and life’s simple pleasures, if you’ll allow me to use a cliche. I hope we’re further realizing the importance of individual responsibility, and of how you can’t legislate change in people’s hearts or minds.

I think that’s all I can pull together in response to Fujimura’s post. Unfortunately I’ve been ill for more than a week and my head isn’t too clear at this point, so I may amend these thoughts in the future. Regardless they impressed upon me enough to relay them on The Aesthetic Elevator.