The Power of Ideas

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "idea" in this way:

"a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations". Full Definition Here.

I love this definition. It packs excellent value into a minimalist structure. It is both enlightening and demands more questions. It also portrays a view of the universe that is more nuanced than meets the eye.

First, we are directed to the description of a "transcendent entity". While neuro-science would likely classify an idea as a series of electrical pulses travelling through synapses, the more complete representation of the linguists is to assign an identity to the idea. It isn't entirely anthropomorphic - defining it as an entity leaves room for the imagination - but it allows us to sculpt something tangible in our minds. The notion that an idea is transcendent is even more important.

Like many things fashioned by the human brain, the idea does transcend anything physical around us. Our best ideas are often only represented in the completion of processes and actions and have few tangible representations at all. Love is an idea that is often transmitted from one person to the next with actions that leave no permanent evidence of the emotion. A hug from a friend or an acquaintance can be forgotten. A hug from someone we love can be remembered for as long as memory serves us.

And if we stopped at transcendent entity, we'd have an ethereal concept before us. But we continue with the definition to "real pattern" which plants ideas in the more accessible realm of our existence. A real pattern doesn't allow for much deviation in interpretation. Whether patterns of numbers, or structures, or sounds, a pattern is as concrete as we can conceive. We thrive in patterns and understand the universe around us through assembling patterns - even when the patterns sometimes are our own constructs, not a true representation of what we observe.

Which brings us to the final concept we must embrace to understand an idea, that is "existing things are imperfect representations". It could be argued that by including the words "real patterns," imperfect representations became de facto extensions of the definition. We are imperfect, as is the world around us. Our understanding of things is by nature, imperfect. Many have attempted to achieve perfection in almost every form of human endeavors. We remain imperfect, even after eons of efforts to eradicate the blemishes of that state of being.

All of this makes the idea even more important. It is our one way to transcend the limits of our own imperfections. Ideas allow nearly hairless bipedal post primates to live comfortably in the arctic. Ideas convert silence into symphonies on the backs of strings and blasted by carbon dioxide through varying shaped tubes. Ideas put post primates into outer space and onto other celestial bodies.

Only a fool would discount, or undervalue, the power of an idea.

But the most compelling aspect of the idea to me, is that it is the human conduit to someone, or something that is perfect. If we can imagine perfection while surrounded by the hell of wars, plagues, natural catasrophes, mortal misfortunes and general human indecency, then we might - no matter how remote the possibility - be shepherded to it. And no matter how imperfect our imagination of perfection may be, the fact that we attempt to quantify that which we cannot comprehend argues that the notion does not derive naturally from our experience, but was placed within us as a guiding light - or even as a last hope to combat despair.

So ideas, then, represent to me a divine spark. They are the calling cards of hope and comfort, the tools of enterprise and assistance, and the requisite evidence of our veiled destiny. But they are not good of themselves.

In the hands of evil, ideas can construct machines of destruction. Concentration camps were imperfect - thank God - representations of Nazi aspirations with regard to the Jews. For all the hugs and kisses love can stir, hate can provide frightful numbers of punches and kicks. And then there are the ideas that we don't even know are evil.

I am convinced that Karl Marx was two parts buffoon to one part envious slacker. Had he fully contemplated the concentration of power - which his writings demonstrate he did not do - into a single state entity, he would have understood that the risks associated with communism outweighed any rewards it may have provided. I could list thousands of ideas that were drenched with the best intentions and produced awful results. One humorous representation of this was on the television show WKRP in Cincinnati, when the idea of a Thanksgiving Day Turkey drop led to disastrous consequences. Many of my own "best" ideas have had less than successful conclusions.

All of this leads me to a final thought. While we are imperfect, our ideas can allow us to connect at a higher level. When we work to communicate notions of perfection with one another, we connect on a level we cannot achieve by any other means. In fact, one mistake that is frequently made is to compare current circumstances with perfection and to be dissatisfied. That isn't what I want. What I do want is to communicate with you about those things we can achieve and strive to be better. We can't be perfect, but we can use our ideas to move us a few notches in that direction. That's what I want this blog to do and what I hope we can do together.

Thanks for reading.