Well, yes, maybe, probably.
I came across an article the other day comparing Chinese and Western business cultures. It said that, where Western culture thrives on the black and the white of things (the facts!), the Chinese way is to live and work in a world of uncertainty.
The title of this blog entry is the verbatim answer from my boss to the question "Will I teach the same classes next term?" He wasn't being deliberately difficult or evasive; that's just the way he views something in the future. I guess he's right: who really knows what will happen in two months' time for goodness sake?
Even the government does it. National holidays aren't officially announced until a couple of days before. And a friend of mine invited me out for a meal but couldn't tell me which day it'd be on; finally she texted on a Saturday asking if I was up for it but - even then - that she would call later with the time.
I've wrestled with uncertainty all term, never quite sure what I'm meant to be doing or whether what I am doing is, actually, that which I am meant to be doing. Or not. But, looking through the uncertainty goggles, perhaps it simply doesn't matter. Perhaps you should just do what you do and see what happens; it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't work out. And, after all, it can't 'go wrong' because no one said what would be 'right' in the first place!
Probably.
The title of this blog entry is the verbatim answer from my boss to the question "Will I teach the same classes next term?" He wasn't being deliberately difficult or evasive; that's just the way he views something in the future. I guess he's right: who really knows what will happen in two months' time for goodness sake?
Even the government does it. National holidays aren't officially announced until a couple of days before. And a friend of mine invited me out for a meal but couldn't tell me which day it'd be on; finally she texted on a Saturday asking if I was up for it but - even then - that she would call later with the time.
I've wrestled with uncertainty all term, never quite sure what I'm meant to be doing or whether what I am doing is, actually, that which I am meant to be doing. Or not. But, looking through the uncertainty goggles, perhaps it simply doesn't matter. Perhaps you should just do what you do and see what happens; it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't work out. And, after all, it can't 'go wrong' because no one said what would be 'right' in the first place!
Probably.
posted by PatRawle at
6:33 pm
4 Comments:
If it's a case of comparing certainty with course-correction, I'd favour the latter over the former: surely a prescribed existence is a dull one best left to automotons and the interned, neither of whom have a choice, which is part of the point of joy I think. Without risking a 'be-happy-with-free-will's illusion' mumble, I'd say that as long as the greatest impact others' uncertainty has on you is a case of the viral uncertainties, the best you can do is enjoy those things around and about you that you *are* sure of. Like your skills, easygoingness, love of denim and certainty of sneezing after a single pint.
Happy new year Mister Rawle. May it bring the best out of and for you.
Um, another take on certainty: http://www.wetherobots.com/2007/10/03/intro-ch-002/
Gerry
To be sure, to be sure, i think.
Happy New Year Mr Patrick.
cheers.
Paul.
Not surprising really when you think of China's recent history.
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