Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather flock together, so the saying goes. In other words, birds (and, of course, people; otherwise, the aforementioned saying would only interest ornithologists) tend to congregate and fly with birds of a homogeneous nature. It would follow then that birds of another feather tend to avoid each other, for any number of a variety of reasons.

As already hinted, people are rarely any different. People, again for any number of a variety of reasons, like to hang out with people like themselves. Similar tastes keep social situations safe, so much so that community seems threatened when peppered with differences of opinion. Another saying is that it's best to avoid discussing "religion and politics" when among friends. Are we really that fragile?

This post marks #40 since starting my blogspot a couple months ago. Although yours truly would like to think content is pertinent, for the most part respondents probably think topics and opinions expressed therein are rather benign. That's fair and warranted. I have no ulterior agenda to be controversial. My hope is to cultivate a cadre of readers who would appreciate and benefit from an exchange of ideas. To that extent I have failed, because readers' comments are rarely posted on the website. Instead, they come to me via e-mail, which is most appreciated. Thank you.

However, I have heard through the grapevine that one of my recent posts has created an adverse reaction in another reader. Assuming such information to be true, the first thing to come to mind is "hmmm.... only one post?" After 40 posts I'm hearing for the first time (and indirectly, at that) that someone is a little upset? My mind races to wonder if the topics are so tame that readers simply check in just to see "what's on my mind," as another reader has said.

Don't misunderstand. The purpose of this blogsite is not to intentionally confront and offend. On the other hand, I wonder if what has been cultivated is not a safe, civil forum to exchange ideas of a pertinent nature in which all may engage, but instead only a flock of homogeneous feathered readers who check in periodically for a few words of reflection. It is, of course, no coincidence that the recent post in question, "The Sate of The Onion," flew away from the familiar flock and flapped awkwardly in another flock of a political persuasion.

Personally, I believe there is a time and place for both. There is great value in settling in for some quality time with thoughts that look at topics and explore a new appproach to thinking about them. There is equally great value in subjecting oneself to the thoughts of another person, without fearing that relationships may be put in jeopardy. Certainly, humans can be a notch above birds in their respected tolerance for others of a different feather. New flocks wonderfully challenge our homogeneity. To accept less is, well, for the birds. Let birds, not people, be bird-brained. Better to flip the ... ooops, better be careful , I don't want to get in any more trouble ... for now.