What is the use of the concert of the false and disunited? There can be no concert in two, where there is no concert in one. When the individual is not individual, but dual; when his thoughts look one way, and his actions another; when his faith is traversed by his habits; when his will, enlightened by reason, is warped by his sense; when with one hand he rows, and with the other backs water, what concert can be? ... The world is awaking to the idea of union, and these experiments who what it is thinking of. It is and will be magic.
From New England Reformers, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is probably one of the most interesting essays as it relates to the crypto community in my opinion.
There is a lot of confusion, circular reasoning, hedging. The dualism of one among many creates disharmony - despite the skills that person brings to bear on hoped-for goals. It doesn't necessarily take a long time to change direction if people with a sincere interest want a situation to change.
I remember the first time I rowed a boat by myself, trying to coordinate my movements to move in a specific direction and not go in circles. One arm was stronger than the other, and I tried to compensate. For kicks, once I got to my destination and started heading back, I intentionally backed water with one oar and rowed with the other - to the annoyance of others who were in the boat. I got tired of the squabble and gave two of them an oar each and we got back to shore quickly.
Is there a lesson in that tale? If you're not committed to a goal, let those who are take the oars.
