Life, Death, and BS

I never liked Steve Jobs as a person. I liked Woz. As a geek, I could relate to Woz. But Jobs, he just seemed like a power-hungry business asshole.

Don't get me wrong, the world needs people like that (I think) to do the jobs that people like Jobs do. Say what you will, the man was driven. And he drove people to build amazing things. I just don't personally care to hang out in that crowd. And people like me wouldn't be invited to those sorts of parties, anyway. I can't talk that talk.

But Steve Jobs did say something nearly twenty years ago that really caught my attention.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Twenty years ago I wasn't that old; I was in my early 30s. Death as a concept hadn't really come home to roost. (You older people know what I mean.) And I tried to take his words to heart, but they were having trouble landing.

Later, though, I did decide to leave my rat race, and I made a scary jump with a pay cut. And later after that, I made another scary jump with another pay cut. And I'm happier than ever, having made the big choices to follow my dreams.

But Death is starting to come home to roost, and that's proper-scary. It's not in evidence for me yet, but I'm definitely acutely aware of its presence now that I can see it clearly in the distance. With each passing day, it becomes easier and easier to view that day as a profound gift.

Which leads me to bullshit.

As a liberal Constitution-loving United States citizen, there's a lot of bullshit happening right now from my perspective. I mean, holy crap.

Let me tell you how messed up it is, just from all sides, I can't believe it, I could go on and on for days, completely blah blah blah, blah blah blah…

Never mind that shit. Here comes Mongo!

"You are going to die." In the face of that, worrying about what's happening seems pointless. Right? What is the practical, useful effect of me worrying?

What, me worry?

At the same time, that doesn't mean I should stick my head in the sand. I believe a functional democracy today requires an educated and informed populace. So I need to keep up with what's happening, and, most importantly of all, I need to take action.

Without action, there is no reason to remain informed. And, it turns out, in no case is worry ever a useful activity. As astronaut Jim Lovell said of his trip on Apollo 13:

Well, when you’re in a situation like this, I could have bounced off the walls for 10 minutes trying to figure out what to do, and then nothing would have changed.

Action is what matters.

• Peacefully protest. Read MLK.
• Give money to and volunteer with organizations that legally fight for your civil rights.
• Write (or better still, call) your representatives.
• Be effective in helping others understand your pro-Constitution point of view. They don't have to agree, but understanding goes a long way.
• Do positive work in your community. Demonstrate your commitment.

Being informed is important. Taking action is mandatory. But worrying about bullshit that's happening in politics? That's completely optional. If you ever need something to worry about, just remember that you're going to die.

Steve Jobs died at age 56.

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