On the Island of the Cyclopses

Kid Talk



“If you were stranded on a deserted island..?”
“Pizza.”
“One TV show?”
“Glee.”
“One book?”
“Robinson Crusoe.”
“One best friend?”













A Cyclops is a mythical one-eyed giant. In Homer’s epic, the cyclops Polyphemus traps Odysseus and his men in a cave after they land on the Island of Cyclopses. Polyphemus begins to smash and eat Odysseus’ men. Odysseus tells Polyphemus that “my name is Nobody” before getting him drunk and poking out his eye with a flaming stake. When Odysseus and his remaining men escape from the cave by attaching themselves to the underside of Polyphemus’ sheep, Polyphemus shouts to his fellow cyclopses that nobody hurt him. The other cyclopses ignore his outburst and Odysseus and his men escape.

What captured my attention in this story was not so much the blood and gore and trickery. Rather, I was intrigued by the idea of what it means to be a one-eyed person. I recall the expression, “In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king.” While that may be true, one eye literally results in a more restricted view. That island along with his fellow cyclopses represents Polyphemus’ full range, whether one-eyed or blind. The cyclopses harm outsiders who are not part of their “tribe.” That is, they live in a closed world populated solely by those who are similar in nature to them. They are xenophobic to the point of devouring all traces of any foreigners.

As social animals, we form alliances both for survival and to combat the sense of isolation that burdens each of us with fear of being alone in the world, in the universe, and within our own minds. And by striking out Polyphemus’ one eye, the early Greeks were offering a cautionary tale about the importance of social connections between family, friends, and – most importantly – strangers.

I am Legend

Teen Talk

“Thank you notes are important.”
“Why, Mom?”
“They tell someone you appreciate their thoughtfulness.”
“Can I appreciate them with a tweet?”

In I Am Legend, Will Smith plays a scientist who elects to remain in Manhattan amongst hordes of rabid New Yorkers (much like in real life). The sick creatures were affected by a virus mistakenly created to cure cancer. Although Smith’s family has died and he believes that he may be the last person in New York not infected, he continues working toward a cure.

On one level, the movie is a monster adventure that pits Smith against his night-stalking neighbors. On another level, the movie is a science fiction story that asks whether man’s arrogance will destroy our world. On yet another level, the move suggests historic periods of mass hysteria when entire populations were swept up in fear expressed through irrational, ugly behavior. Think Salem witch trials, McCarthyism, or Islamophobia. At its core, the movie asks why someone would act selflessly.

At first, we are led to believe that Smith’s altruism originated from a stubborn desire to complete his work. Ultimately, he describes being motivated to find a cure by a fierce drive to preserve the human species. In Ethical Culture, we believe that good deeds emanate from relationships. That is, we are willing to assist others because it meets our basic needs for trust, mutuality, safety, and companionship. Meeting these needs gives our lives meaning.

Marv

Member, Northern Virginia Ethical Society

The Human Condition

Senior Talk

“How’s the needle work coming?”
“I’m almost done.”
“What will it say?”
“’Growing old ain’t for sissies!’”

Jone Johnson Lewis delivered a recent Platform talk at the Northern Virginia Ethical Society in which she discussed the three pains that Felix Adler, founder of Ethical Culture, described as fundamental to the human condition. I would have described them as my spouse, my kids, and my parents. On the other hand, they have also been my greatest joy. Adler posited that the human condition suffers three fundamental pains because we (1) want personal significance while knowing we are merely motes in time; (2) long to improve a world we see beset by unending calamities; and (3) try to live up to our ideals despite our imperfections. Don’t panic. Recall for a moment the sweet pleasure of an infatuation that grew into love. Now recall the stomach-wrenching feelings when you thought you were rejected by your sweetheart. Could you experience the one without risk of experiencing the other? Perhaps our aspirations and despairs are inextricably intertwined. For example, love, childbirth, and learning offer joyful possibilities along with the likelihood of great pain.

Self-worth and relationships are the balms that help steer me through the human condition.

Marv Friedlander
Member, Northern Virginia Ethical Society