Find the original essay

“Ultimately the only hopeful future I see for the United States is the end of the union. The East and West coasts should split off from the Midwest and the South and let them slide back into fascism on their own before they drag the rest of the continent down with them. You’ll have take in a lot of refugees, but at least you’ll know they’re people you want. The Civil War was a colossal waste of time. You should have cut those dropkicks loose while you had the chance.”

Duncan Kimball I summarily proposed this idea and seriously reviewed and contemplated the ramifications in an essay about 15 months ago. It is something that more people are talking about now here. I tend to agree with you on the idea in a general sense. It FEELS like a rational solution from the birds eye point of view.

A few things:

1. I don’t believe that either group would be opposed to the idea at this point as much as they might have 10-30 years ago. That gung-ho patriotism that Americans once purported to feel, 35 years ago for instance — exemplified by the tons of “yay America” songs that hit the Top 40, or even 18 years ago circa 9/11 – wrapped up in the once common idea that “we need to stay together to keep America strong” has long faded. People just argue and scream at each other now. From the comfort of their own private little niche groups of other like minded people.

2. The problem will come down to resources. Just as during the civil war these two disparate groups were really fighting over the fact that the North knew damn well it needed the agri resources of the South, the south will now argue that it needs the major industries of the Northeast and West Coast. Which is true. So both sides will be forced to have to negotiate a fair trade agreement and figure out how that’s going to work.

3. Do they separate as sovereign states but unified nationally re things like the military ala the EU?

4. Some opponents to this idea have pointed out that it wouldn’t be fair, because for example liberally leaning people would be forced to move, leave their families and jobs etc. And vice versa.

5. Wouldn’t these two already warring factions eventually wind up going to war over the various industries and resources that they both possess if they no longer have a federal mandate to stay together and get along?

6. Where do Independents like me fit in? I guess we’d be free to choose where we live….

7. Would we allow switching? If one is not happy with their chosen nation, would they be free to move a year or two or five years later?

8. How do we stop people from taking advantage of the system out of greed etc? People who will want to live in liberal America because those are “their people” but then want to live part time in “conservative America” for tax purposes etc? Or vice versa?

It’s a lot to work out. But THIS is definitely something I’d like to explore more.

I wasn’t aware of this necessarily; but after seeing your post and contemplating it, what felt the most real and solid for me is that we (humans, not sure if it extends to all forms of consciousness) are born with a proclivity for heightened ability in some areas of being and doing, a “natural ability”; and limitations or weaknesses in other areas.

Not many people know or would guess this, but I love football. Everything about it. So it’s pretty common for me to casually walk around the house and comment “in my next life i am going to be a Super Bowl winning NFL quarterback!” Which makes my wife laugh. Because I’m a pretty small guy who doesn’t “appear” to be anything close to a football player. But I loved playing as a kid, like a lot of people. As we grew up it became clear that i wasn’t showing the “natural ability” for football thst one needed. Compared to other guys my age. In junior high our coach suggested i “try out for gymnastics or wrestling, because you’re too small to keep playing on this team son”. True story. I’ll never forget that day. I was bummed but not surprised. It was clear that “I” was not born with the same abilities that some of the other guys my age had.

(And perhaps comparing/sorting/categorizing goes along with this idea of “ability”. What we mean by “natural ability”… Versus what? Versus who?) We can see it. In others. In ourselves. Kids who are “just born with a natural ability” for something(s). As if they brought it with them from another lifetime.

Ironically for me it was this football moment at the age of around 10 that compelled me to start taking music more seriously. Not being allowed to stay on the team w my friends. I had always been great at music. Since we could remember. So I didnt take it seriously. It was easy. Not a challenge like playing football. Hah! Wow. Transparent belief!

Are there abilities that you possess so easily and naturally that you dismiss them? Overlook them? Underestimate them?

Reincarnation: being born with a natural ability st something. It’s fascinating to ponder 🤔… abilities perfected over lifetimes. If one is inclined to believe in such things.

Other theories say “it’s genetic”. It’s in the blood. Passed on genetically… Can all abilities be passed on genetically? Or just some?

Genetics we now know play a big role in what we’re good at, bad at, etc. But there are plenty of exceptions. Still plenty of missing pieces in our understanding. Both reincarnation and genetics could be true.

Still other theories posit that having an incredible ability at something comes from “practice practice practice”. Definitely plays a role. Doesn’t help in the “natural ability” department. Did Tom Brady become Tom Brady simply because he practiced a lot? Or Andre Agassi? Or Bob Dylan? (I’m not sure WHAT would or could help in the “natural ability” department — THAT is what I’d like to explore more… As a professional musician/recording artist who’s been around other professionals for the last 30 years I can state undoubtedly that some are just born with IT and some try really damn hard but just never quite get it. Referring to a wide variety of different skills, be it writing songs or playing lead guitar or being an incredible drummer. The key to our biz is KNOWING what you’re good at and perfecting it and not pretending to be good at things that you’re not. Because others notice it immediately. They see you. Because they are you. You’re not going to fool a room full of musicians that you’re an awesome drummer if you’re not. That shiz is born, not crafted, as we say.) But still yes practice is essential. In all my years of studying the greatest football players of all time, the one thing they all have in common is this never yielding dedication to practice. No matter what. Rain or shine. Sick or well. Every day for their entire life until that moment they reach the Super Bowl they practiced. It’s awe inspiring. All athletes seem to have it.

It seems to be a desire to be GREAT. Not just have ability.

So… were they BORN with a “natural ability” to be great at sports? And then perfected it through practice? What if they were never introduced to sports?

Will/does the person with an ability in something always eventually find that thing at some point? Regardless of whether it’s introduced to them or not?

Are there areas where you might have an incredible ability that you just haven’t discovered yet? 🤔

Something else just occurred to me: there are arenas/fields where one can learn and then practice to have a great ability in it. No “natural ability” necessary. There are other fields where it doesn’t matter how much one learns or practices; they’re never going to have as much ability as someone who was “born with a natural ability” in it. Categorizing those different fields would be an interesting experiment, to see if there is any collective alignment or corecept.

Sports, the arts, mathematics, ideation, mechanics, social skills, caring for others, oration? Interesting to contemplate 🤔.

Tired now. Peace and love to you all. Xoxo