✍️ Recognized that I have not been believing the best in others recently. Wrote this post as a reminder for why I should be more open-hearted // bradley-andrews.com
And while its true that our culture undervalues simplicity, we have more than a few examples in fiction that embody, and even exaggerate, this virtue. Inspector Clouseau, Mr. Magoo, and Mr. Bean, are great examples of what is essentially the same character. They are simpletons in every sense of the word, always out of step with the rhythms and conventions of modernity, yet still one step ahead of the deceivers, thieves, and robbers who try to take advantage of them. The satisfaction we receive from watching these individuals expose hypocrites is the same triumph we feel when the Road Runner escapes Wile E. Coyote. It is the victory of austerity over cleverness, simplicity over scheming, and humility over genius. A person who chooses to be simple, surrendered, and accepting is choosing a path that is both incomprehensible and intractable to the hypocrite, because the hypocrite has optimized for complexity, power, and force rather than simple, unassuming honesty.
Would love if you took the time to read and let me know your thoughts! I am quite fond of the closing paragraphs (not included above), if I am allowed to say so. ❤️