Robert Wright says there’s hope for the world.  In The Evolution of God, he documents progress through time: how we conceive of divinity, and how our views of God influence our actions.

'If we want to secure the salvation of the global social system, of the planet... we do have to move ourselves closer to what I would call the moral axis of the universe, which means drawing more of humanity into our frame of reference. Getting better at putting ourselves in their shoes. Expanding the realm of tolerance.'
Robert Wright, Bill Moyers Journal

I’m often struck by the parallels between human development as a species and personal development as a human.  Our family tends to be our frame of reference at birth.  If all goes well, we expand out from there, include more ‘outsiders’ in our realm of tolerance as we make friends and find our work in the world.

History doesn’t always paint a pretty picture of tolerance and acceptance.  Which is why I’m impressed when a woman says ‘You know, health care is a right!’ at a town hall meeting, and unimpressed when the hecklers shout her down.

Another light shone by Robert Wright’s latest book is appreciation for incremental progress.  This works in a personal as well as a global sphere.  As an artist, I’m on the lookout for some kind of transcendent experience in what I make.  I may have to wait forever to participate in something so expansive.  Like seeking divinity and expanded realms of tolerance in our personal transactions, creativity is a piecemeal operation.  Every song does not the opus make.

Thus the Flare song fragment I just posted to YouTube.  I’m too close to the song to judge, but I can attest to the sense of feet lifting off the mortal plane at times when we play it live.  Why not celebrate a wisp of transcendence online?

Steady on.  We’re only human.  Aim high and celebrate the baby steps.