tele for enthusiasm

[Adam Blatner]

In this era of politics, I've become a little aware of an interesting gradient as one of the variables of sociometric choice:  Degrees of enthusiasm. 
          I'm reminded of a saying of the comedian George Carlin: In driving a car, anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot; and anyone driving faster than you is a nut.
      People with less passion than me seem annoyingly complacent, wishy-washy. Those with more passion than me seem fanatical, evoking slight guilt---as if I should be as dedicated as they are.
       This applies in the classroom, in the making of a stage play, in politics, and so forth. What I realized is that I can't help feeling this way. I can do what I can to temper my thinking with other viewpoints, to withhold judgment, and even to call my own style into question. Sometimes I need to ramp up my dedication; and sometimes, cool my fervor, depending on those around me and the nature of the task. Each situation must be decided based on whatever criteria seem relevant at the time---a job for good judgment. But that feeling-tone, while not absolutely determining my decisions, still cannot be denied. 

     I've been thinking about what sociometric sensitivity is---beginning with attending to the nuances of my own preferences. I notice that given free choice, the factors determining that choice are far from rational or cool. This is one reason I've come to think of sociometry as (among other things) a depth psychology. 

       Warmly, Adam









Adam Blatner, M.D.
   website: www.blatner.com/adam/   
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