Random Thoughts

Recently, I’ve often heard that hierarchies are bad, supposedly representing nothing but inequality and oppression. This topic unexpectedly surfaces in seemingly unrelated contexts. I encountered it in a book about startup culture, my children brought it up from school, and there was tension in chats on unrelated topics whenever structures resembling hierarchies were mentioned. On one hand, I agree that some hierarchies can be built on force and suppression. On the other hand, I see them more as symbiotic structures rather than tools for power struggles. ...

There are people who feel like a flaming sword — the kind Peterson writes about in “We Who Wrestle with God,” burning away everything unworthy just by standing near them. We avert our eyes, or we try to dim their light. Analyzing my own reactions to such people I found envy, a reminder of failures, or weaknesses or a sense of a vast gap in the strength of the spirit. All of this is accompanied by a feeling of internal constriction and resentment, although it could be associated with the aspiration to achieve more and become better. This however requires accepting one’s own imperfections, which is valuable in itself, but also makes being near the ideal less scorching. Perhaps if you have never felt this way, you are already pure enough inside. ...