PEOPLE BELIEVE WHAT they think in their own mind is true. Let them find someone who agrees with them and you have a movement. That original thought grows like a crystal and shines through the eager eyes of its adherents. It becomes social custom. People codify these customs and beliefs into law and impose them upon themselves and others, shaping the dynamics of human behavior. A culture is created. What if that original thought that someone thought was true turned out to be a lie? What happens then? Instead of people getting free; they become enslaved. The social fabric starts to fray and individual dreams fly away. Without their dreams, the people perish. The people look around for someone to blame for the condition of their world. They blame government. They blame some cabal operating behind a curtain. They blame each other. They nurture the lie they've become comfortable with but the truth is they've gotten what they deserve. Delusional thinking. People need to be careful what they think is true. There is truth out there but it's not always what we think in our own minds. We desperately need to find it.
(Hint: The truth is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.)CITIZEN 1 has had his moments of doubt and pain. Not long after his creation he had to admit he needed help. I recommended a shrink who works primarily with cartoon characters; Dr. Shazam. His techniques are somewhat unorthodox but he gets results.
"HE'S A REBEL AND HE NEVER EVER DOES WHAT HE SHOULD... JUST BECAUSE HE DOESN'T DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. THAT'S NO REASON WHY I CAN'T GIVE HIM ALL MY LOVE!"
IN MY CARTOONS he gets to meet fascinating people from every walk of life. Where else could he rub shoulders with the rich and powerful? Still, he has this crazy notion that he can find a way to self determination. In his quest he only reveals the futility of trying to be a free spirit in the GREAT SOCIETY.
HE EVEN GETS TO PONTIFICATE
Like any good creator, I make the life I give him better than the one he can live on his own. When he's not under control he tends to drift off to places that can only mean trouble. Keeping him in line can be a chore.
It amazes me that with all he has to cope with - sometimes he's still got something to say.
