100th monkey unifies principle metaphors
part 1 the mercedes and the hare
a turtle begins crossing a long, straight, crowned stretch of shoulderless two lane
blacktop as a mercedes s 600 approaches. the lost driver's attention is diverted
from driving, looking at the map, and talking on the cell phone by the presence
of the turtle. the driver plans to harmlessly pass over the turtle, but unexpectedly
drops the phone. the driver reaches for the phone and the car drifts off the road.
the driver over corrects and veers across the road. one of the z rated michelins
nicks the turtle's shell, spinning it a neat 360 degrees. a second later another z
rated michelin augers into the soft roadside dirt. the car flips and skids on its roof
down the middle of the road. a few minutes later the turtle pokes its head and
legs out and continues across the road towards the safety of the sumac as the
mercedes teeters, its wheels spinning freely.
part 2 282 miles in 81 seconds
somewhere near the carolinas
approaching the craft, i marvel at its sleek appearence. a glass display case
housing a crisp one dollar bill is evident to anyone entering the craft. is george
smiling? a blinking light signifies takeoff will begin shortly. the interior is quite
spacious and comfortable. during the flight, entertainment is provided. a cargo
door is purposefully unlatched. i am quite amused as i watch the cargo door
and baggage twirl in the craft's turbulent wake. they recede from view in a second.
the light blinks again and the craft lands at jekyll island off the coast of georgia.
i peer across the channel at the festering mainland. i turn around and look at the
display case. is george crying?
part 3 construction zone fines doubled
or
the anti-gravity bridge
standing at the foot of the bridge, i admire it. it is beautiful and an outstanding
architectural creation. i begin to cross it. the slope is gentle. effortlessly, i move
ahead. the grade slowly increases and the crossing is requiring a little more effort
now. looking down surprises me. the altitude is higher than i thought. moving on,
i begin to struggle. my pace is faltering and the bridge is narrower now. the grade
increases more. forward movement requires concentrated effort. the crest is not
visible. the grade increases to near vertical. there are no gaurd rails. the bridge is
so narrow. i fear a lack of traction is eminent. i am afraid to move. i mean i'm
scared like never before. paralyzed with fear, i ponder the options. if i back down,
i will have failed to cross the bridge. if i remain motionless i will fail to cross the
bridge and be in a state of panic. understanding that i must move on, i prepare.
summoning willpower, i ignore the illusion. the bridge is vertical, then past vertical.
looking over my head, i see the patchwork of farmers' fields far away. the bridge
returns to vertical and then slowly the grade lessens. before i see it, i've passed
the crest and realize i am going down the other side of the bridge. i am still quite
uncomfortable. now i can see how high this bridge rises from its foundation. the
grade levels out, and the going gets easier. nearing the other side, i am
relaxed again. stepping off the bridge, i realize the toll is paid.
one second later, the cable begins to rewind.