Wisdom of the Fool

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Shakespeare had a certain degree of insight, and often in his plays it was not the nobles, doctors, or learned folk who would understand the way the world truly worked. Often times, the wisest of them all were the working folk, those who didn’t dwell in comfort, in leisure, in pleasure. Those who had the best insight were often those of lower station, who had to fend for themselves and who’s only certainty in life was that which they could provide for themselves.

We’ve been living in an age of plenty. I remember going to the grocery store (and working in them) and seeing all of the shelves full, faced, and nary a missing product to be seen. Any item that was missing was usually replaced and refilled within a day or two at most. We were taught to indulge the customers’ requests, to go above and beyond in our work, and to ensure that the appearance of the store reflected the abundant offerings that we had to give.

This mentality lead to a wide variety of behaviors, and in addition to the plenty we had in our economy, we had the wide open internet as a literal playground. We had been able to find people like us, with similar views, interests, and opinions. But something broke during this time, something that once held everything together. Our dependence on our local communities to instill common values was shattered, replaced by national and international communities of interest. Those who for the longest time felt alone, finally found their kin, and no longer conformed to the whims, wills, and norms of their local community.

Now, we see the logical conclusion to this movement. These communities have found their voices, and are demanding that they get the representation and acceptance that up until now have felt so alone. The exposure that comes with the internet’s ability to connect with others has already had an impact on our culture and society. According to Newsweek, nearly 40 percent of Gen Z identifies as LGBTQ, though the larger message of the article is that many in the “movement” are searching for meaning.

This is where the wisdom of the “fool” often lies. We are seeing a switch in our cultural norms. Instead of being a productive member of society, contributing to the greater whole, and perpetuating the collective shared values of our local communities, we are all now crabs in a pot, struggling to make it to the top, pulling against those of us who make it a little higher than ourselves. We delight in celebrating our victimhood, and how others have oppressed us. We reward our own foolish behavior with celebrity. Our algorithms push the loudest, brashest, most vocal among us. Personality is replaced with bright colors and bold statements. We have become addicted to gathering likes, subscribers, follows, mentions, and viral content because that is how one finds meaning in today’s world.

The fool would say that none of this actually matters. Like trying to hold a river in your hands, the task is impossible. The world moves quickly and ever on and on. Being able to find meaning, true meaning, should be a journey of self-comprehension and learning how one can give to others without hubris and the need for self-satisfaction. The most selfless of acts is the one you are never credited for.