Reading A Love Letter

Autonomy and Freedom of choice are critical to our well being, and choice is critical to freedom and autonomy. Nonetheless, though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don't seem to be benefiting from it psychologically.

— quoted from Ch.5, The Paradox of Choice, 2004

I found this quote while searching for something about how choice paralysis works. The above is contained in the book The Paradox of Choice which seems to suggest that shoppers would suffer less stress with fewer items on the shelf. Maybe I'll pick it up, if only to explain my own situation.

Writers often have trouble turning it off. By it, I mean the part of their brain compelled to turn words into phrases, phrases into stories and stories into published work. To wit:

This morning I awoke awash in a jumble of prose about a first baseman, a childish gesture and utterance, and how "Social Media" is in such a state of perpetual dudgeon that it's a hard wade through the noise, to decide whether to personally have an opinion. But, how does one make light of the medium without accidentally inferring that this is just "boys will be boys?" It was offensive, and unnecessary.

The demise of AirBerlin, an airline serving primarily European destinations, deserved a look. They ceased operations at a time when many airlines in the US have recorded comfortable profits. The temptation to once again paraphrase Captain Jack Sparrow (Wings, a fuselage and engines - that's what a plane needs) and prattle about how travel, and freedom, go hand in hand was present. My wife and I will soon walk hand-in-hand onto an airplane, slip the surly bonds and arrive in beloved Mexico, to recharge. It wasn't in my heart, so my fingers didn't do any walking (if you are too young to understand the reference, lucky you).

I downloaded an audio book by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia today - a collection of speeches, written works and other items, released in audio form after his untimely death (Appealing to a Higher Court). A forward, written and read by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was part of the sample I...sampled. 

It turns out to be less of a forward and more of a love letter. They were friends, close friends. Often, the phrase "unlikely friends" is used, but listening to the soft, twinkling voice describe their relationship discards that as superficial. They often differed about the law, the constitution and how both have benefited, and hamstrung, America in its quest to fully recognize that everyone is created equal. She speaks about his sense of humor, and how hard it often was to keep from laughing out loud at his in-court pronouncements, or at the notes he often passed to her. She ends with something that should enjoy a much wider audience - that she and her dear friend were people of good will who did not need to be disagreeable merely because they disagreed.

I listen to her words and cannot help the emotions I feel. Sometimes, a writer has to stop and read. It is a joy.