While avoiding myside bias
Shortened Shadows and the Water Colors that Separate Sea Legs
Sophia: Gentlemen, Ms. Welty, I’ve been reflecting on recognition and influence. Kant, you advise weighing the judgment of the few rather than pandering to the multitude. How might this guide one in the pursuit of meaningful work?
Kant: Sophia, moral and intellectual integrity are not measured by applause but by truth and reason. The multitude is fickle, often swayed by appearances or sentiment. Seek instead the careful judgment of those who understand, for it is their testimony that carries weight.
Seek not the favor of the multitude; it is seldom got by honest and lawful means. But seek the testimony of few; and number, not voices, but weigh them.
— Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Welty: And yet, even when truth is clear, life does not distribute favor impartially. The night, metaphorically or literally, favors some over others. One may labor with insight, yet recognition—or fortune—may favor another entirely.
Jobs: That is why innovation is crucial. A leader cannot rely solely on approval or fairness; one must distinguish oneself by action, by creating something others have not imagined. Leadership, in essence, is an act of brave creativity, even if the night is partial.
Sophia: So, the few who recognize truth, the impartiality—or lack thereof—of circumstance, and the courage to innovate all intersect. To act rightly is not guaranteed applause, but it can yield lasting impact.
Kant: Precisely. We are bound by duty and reason, not by the pursuit of popularity. Even when shadows shorten and the water separates what is familiar, the ethical measure remains.
Welty: And yet, those shadows, the nuances of life’s partiality, are what give texture to our experience. They remind us that recognition and reward are never absolute.
Jobs: Which is why leadership is about vision, not consent. You create the path others have not yet seen, rather than waiting for favor or impartiality. Innovation turns partiality into possibility.
For the night was not impartial. No, the night loved some more than others, served some more than others.
— Eudora Welty (1909-2001)
Sophia: Then perhaps the lesson is threefold: act with integrity, observe life’s partiality without despair, and lead through bold creation. Shortened shadows and distant waters do not deter those who see beyond the obvious.
Kant: Indeed. Let reason, duty, and discernment guide your judgment.
Welty: And let the night, in all its partiality, inspire your storytelling and perception.
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
— Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
Jobs: And let innovation carry you forward when recognition lags behind.
Sophia: Then, together, reason, insight, and daring form a compass for navigating a world that is neither fair nor unanimous—but full of opportunity.
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