Inspiration from Fiction

I often fantasize about having a conversation with God. Alternatively, I would gladly converse with Morgan Freeman or Ed Harris. Who would you choose as your stand-in? James Cameron? Oprah? Sure, why not! Olivia Newton-John? Well, considering my past interactions that left me speechless, she would likely dominate the dialogue.

I would have loved to spend time with Koko the Gorilla. Some might find it odd, transitioning from Olivia to Koko, but I believe that conversing with her would be the closest experience to interacting with extraterrestrial life. Yet, I would remain limited, needing a translator for our communication, while trusting the accuracy of those translations. If Koko embraced me like she did Mr. Rogers, words wouldn’t be necessary.

I recognize that I am not Moses, and there’s no reason for a divine intervention when I am already where I need to be. Despite this, I don’t feel isolated; there are others around me. I ponder whether, like in "The Truman Show," the people in my life are merely acting roles, keeping me within a script, or if we have all agreed to this performance to the point of forgetting it’s simply a play.

The Nature of Our Era

We exist in an extraordinary time in history. I refrain from declaring it the best; perhaps it’s not the worst either. It’s not unlike the opening of "A Tale of Two Cities." Every historical moment might be the pinnacle of progress if we view history as an evolutionary journey. Can I remove any particular phase of my life and still be who I am? Even without memories, each second flows into the next.

One notable aspect of our current era is the emphasis on measuring every facet of our existence. You can hardly engage in a genuine conversation with a therapist without some external entity seeking to quantify the effectiveness of that dialogue.

This notion isn’t new. At 18, while home with my second bout of Chicken Pox, I had an epiphany inspired by a Cary Grant film. Yes, I endured Chicken Pox twice, and experiencing it at 18 is quite dreadful. Movies can spark insights, just as being bedridden can. Cary Grant starred alongside Jeanne Crain in "People Will Talk." Dr. Noah Praetorius was akin to Patch Adams long before Robin Williams portrayed him.

I sometimes wish I could chat with Robin Williams. Expressing my desire to speak with celebrities doesn’t imply I feel entitled to such interactions. I’m not inflating my self-worth nor belittling myself; rather, I recognize inherent value in those I admire, which I wish to explore. If they are teachers, I wish to learn from them; if they inspire, I aim to rise to their level; if they embody love, I desire to share that love.

I question whether, upon recognizing the celebrity in everyone around me, I might become the inspiration I seek. Is this a failure on my part? Is my mathematical understanding lacking?

Comparing Voices

I have been a fan of Deepak Chopra for some time. Unlike "People Will Talk," I can’t pinpoint when I first encountered one of his works. Perhaps that’s the role of Chicken Pox: to create space for reflection. The depth of "People Will Talk" made me aspire to be Dr. Praetorius. While I don’t wish to become Chopra, I seek to expand my knowledge.

Between the ages of 18 and 53, I lost sight of becoming Dr. Praetorius. Perhaps I wasn’t driven enough, but I still reached milestones of insight along the way. Chopra’s presence on Medium creates an illusion of proximity—it's as if he’s in the same room with me. Yet, I find myself puzzled by certain elements. His name carries a trademark. Has he transformed into a brand? Is he merely a product now?

I’m not criticizing Chopra; I’m engaged in self-exploration and connecting with others. I can’t deny that I desire recognition as a writer, validated through financial means. Ultimately, it boils down to the classic "show me the money" sentiment.

There’s a mathematical aspect at play here, and I struggle with it. Whether it’s actual arithmetic or social metrics, both are present in this equation. Chopra boasts 72,000 followers. But how many of them genuinely appreciate his work, as opposed to those who simply want to say they follow him?

I’ve read some of Chopra’s articles—they’re decent. His earlier books inspired me more. Then I look at the applause. The applause metric may not accurately reflect value; some individuals inflate their approval, while others fail to reciprocate perceived worth. None of Chopra’s accolades come close to half of 72K. My math may be flawed, but it suggests he averages around 200 likes, which carries significance.

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The True Measure of Humanity

Or perhaps I should simply say “human.” Semantics aside, are we not all seeking better measures? What if, instead of saying “Hello, Wonderful Person,” we greeted one another with “Hello, Wonderful Soul”? Would that diminish credibility among scientists? What’s inherently wrong with that measure?

When Captain Sully landed his plane in the Hudson, he referred to the 155 people aboard as "souls." Is that a valid measure?

We apply various measures, many of which are flawed. Any division among humans by gender, race, culture, or age represents poor math. We are souls, equal in essence. Yet I wonder, if Earth serves as a school for learning, perhaps we needed these divisions to ultimately realize we are all one soul. Perhaps we should foster a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of all beings, including trees. Without trees, humanity cannot exist.

If we assume evolution occurs on countless planets in our Milky Way alone, perhaps our earthly conflicts are opportunities to refine our understanding of “math,” so that we don’t need to relearn it elsewhere.

At present, we all struggle with math, but perhaps we are gradually improving. It’s evident that the souls on this planet care deeply. Ultimately, don’t we all seek the same answers on our math tests?

42. Do you understand?

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