HUBRIS: HUMAN NATURE HASN'T CHANGED

Wikipedia image of
Pentheus being torn apart by two of  The Bacchae

Euripides' Pentheus characterizes hubris in the classic Greek tragedy, The Bacchae. I've never considered the play to be sad only tragic, here's why.

Human beings, men and women, educated or not, continue to ignore their hubris--in simplified terms "pride." Whether they achieve greatness or not, humans instinctively believe that in the course of overwhelming obstacles they know what's best, even when told their tactics will eventually result in their demise.

No one is immune to hubris. This optimistic cynic has to tussle with her instinct to embrace cynicism and deny optimism on a daily basis. I'm sure I'm speaking in behalf of many people who face the same temptation. Politics, religion, medicine, environment and daily strife push us to the edge where we wish to raise our voices in anger and knock down the walls that keep us from living contented lives. And that's the problem: our pride, and modern media, lead us to believe we deserve to live an easier life especially as we age, an idyllic existence.

Pentheus, Euripides protagonist, sees the world as his manufactured oyster. Self-delusion also haunts Pentheus. He wants to taste the bitterness (war) and ignore the sweetness (love). Yet, anyone who lives near fresh oyster beds and gets to slurp the delectable bi-valve knows that oysters come in a wide variety to tempt the palate, degrees of sweetness to bitterness. Here on Cape Cod, the prized Wellfleet oysters taste differently depending on where they've been cultivated. If you attend Oysterfest, a yearly October tradition in Wellfleet, and sample oysters offered by different shellfishermen (and women) you will indeed taste the differences. No one can guarantee that their oyster will satisfy you. And that's the rub.

The Cape, and much of New England, sometimes reminds me of the Old West. Long time Yankees (not the team, this is Red Sox nation) "pride" themselves on being rugged individuals who can stand on their own and live their lives without depending on others. A sense of community does exist, sprinkled here and there, men and women willing to give back and help those in need. Yet, like the lone protagonists we find shouting out their defiance, especially on the national political stage, we have individuals here who strut their self-reliance and how they don't need anyone. These humans' overconfidence have undermined not only their own existence but also their family's, friend's and so on. How can this be?

Yes, free spirits have floated around since the rise of homo sapiens. From the ones that we know of in history made significant contributions, Alexander Humboldt or Emily Dickinson, to those who destroyed the people around them, Attila the Hun or Benito Mussolini. Whether they be past presidents or subsequent global leaders, if these men or women are unable to listen to others, to hear the voices of their people or in a micro example, heed advice from loved ones, especially when their world is falling apart, then their self-destruction will affect everyone around them.

Euripides, warns us in the The Bacchae I. 480:  “Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish." Or it's variant translation (which I prefer):  "To the fool, he who speaks wisdom will sound foolish."

Life for any human being will never satisfy regularly. The misconception that wealth, power, fame will solve our own fallacies continues to assert itself in our precarious world. And if, like Pentheus, we believe that we can prevail on our own without help from others or we can be citizens of the world without contributing to its future, its community, we too will be ripped apart by our own hubris.

MY FRIEND THE "KEEPER"

On Cape Cod, we have beekeepers, pond keepers (e.g. Orleans Pond Coalition), gardeners, nature volunteers and climate activists. And then there's my friend who does all those activities and more. Older than I, though most wouldn't believe it, with endless energy; determination, she commands your attention with quiet gravity but smiles with grace. Also, in today's jargon, she'd be called an ambivert.

B.'s also a wife, mother and grandmother. I get to see B.'s family on special occasions. Needless to say, she's garnered enormous respect from her children and their spouses; squeals of joy from the grandchildren.

Illinois Indian roots along with northern European: long, razor-straight dark hair, now sprinkled with salt; sharp eyes that open wide with defiance when challenged, there's no question that my friend has strong opinions. She occasionally adopts strays like her blind, arthritic mutt that sounds the alarm when visitors enter the house, yet calms quickly when he detects a friendly presence, and humans like me who don't fit society's mold but bring curiosity to the table.

More so, my friend has artistic precision. Her woven rugs (see above) and tapestries demonstrate fine attention to detail without clutter and great sense of color. This woman dresses in clothes that understate her personality and do away with fanciful accessories. Although she does accessorize, minimally, she saves her energy for her commanding personality and creativity.

Of all her interests, I'll call her B. to maintain her anonymity, something she'd want I'm sure, B.'s love of beekeeping mesmerizes me. How does one decide to take on such a challenge? After attending a workshop, B. became interested in preserving nature's pollinator's, particularly after learning about honeybees dying off in droves. Ever the nature-preserver, B. became a beekeeper. Clearly, to me at least, a hobby she has undertaken with inner calm and careful authority. Like a queen bee, no setback will deter B. from maintaining her colony.

Yes, B. can be a taskmaster: questioning, sometimes simple responses--a reporter fact-checking her source's story. Exacting standards sometimes bow even the normally unflappable, though her wanting perfection doesn't mean others will achieve it.

With that said, having a friend one can rely on to listen, do and act, if available, demonstrates an ability few people will embrace these days. As friends go, B. is a "keeper."

For a description of more of B.'s tapestries, read my book DARK SEA (Shadowwater II). www.shadowwater.net

PURPLE FLAG WARNING

When potentially dangerous ocean animals have been spotted, you'll see a dark blue or purple flag. These flags fly either on their own or with other colored flags. If you see a blue or purple flag, but the water is not closed to swimming, use extreme caution and keep a close watch for dangerous animals. (USA TODAY)

(Google Image)

A hidden, life-long goal had been to relocate to Cape Cod. I didn't come close until Summer 2002. Moved here permanently in 2007 and have felt lucky. Living near the sea has brought magic into my life that I never thought possible. Yet, there's always a "but," isn't there?

Walking Nauset Beach and watching seals popping their heads up to catch a breath and get their bearings delighted me, though my head told me the playful pinnipeds were eating all the fish, affecting recreational and commercial fishing. My heart savored every moment. Then, an ever-increasing threat, once a concern in other parts of the world has since been acknowledged here: climate change. I heard your groans and moans as you read those words. Today's blog will be more anecdotal than evangelical.

This time, I will focus on how climate change has affected my lifestyle and that of others who love to frolic in the waters off of Nauset Beach. Planet Earth is a living organism which, like shifting sands, changes at a moment's notice. Human beings have precipitated changes and we have to live with that. Still, beauty abounds even among danger and chaos, at least that's what I tell myself. My point? Sharks have invaded the Atlantic coast, off Cape Cod. At first, I joined the ranks of the curious. For example, Mary Lee and Katherine, regular visitors, have been tagged and studied by Atlantic White Shark Conservatory and Greg Skomal, PhD. Occasional visits by threatened Great Whites seemed fanciful and necessary to cull the overpopulated seals which, like me, had decided to move to Cape Cod. 

I'd forgotten why seals came here, however. The Atlantic Ocean temps have warmed, bringing sea-life not seen off Cape Cod and not in such record numbers. Well, nature has a way of restoring balance, so more and more Great White sharks have discovered their cornucopia. Damn. Purple flags, as described above, have been posted regularly at Nauset and other coastal beaches. One of the efficient predators was spotted in Nauset Inlet recently. That's right an inlet!

Left-side brain in charge: I'll approach the Great White shark phenom with a rational observation. The more sharks, the fewer seals, and more fish for our struggling commercial fishing industry. We who live on the Cape, especially those whose ancestors came here and our indigenous peoples, settled here because of the ocean's bounty. A way of life has been saved, right? Well, temporarily, but organisms must adapt to survive and based on predictions from the global scientific community, more drastic change will come. Besides, shark attacks are rare.

Right-side brain banging: no one would dare swim when purple flags have been posted. News and social media show people standing by the water's edge, waves brushing their toes, eyes looking out to sea wondering when they will be able to return. Overreaction? Not when last reported twenty-three Great White sharks have been seen trolling the coastline for seals, fish and a nibble of a bitter-tasting human. No longer being able to swim in the waters that my family and friends swam in cuts to the bone. Uh, unfortunate idiom, makes a point though. Thus, nostalgia has been wiped away by pre-historic predators. I feel for children, families that can't swim regularly off our coastal beaches. They at least have the Bay beaches (Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Bay). 

Ironic. In my case, health issues--potentially caused by climate change (see earlier blog, dated 2/9/15)--keep me from stepping foot in the ocean. Feeling sorry for myself won't fix the problem for others. Therefore, I'll finish with these comments. I will take the changing marine environment as an opportunity to observe, to retain and then use the material for my writing. After all, human beings are animals, and like other species we must adapt.

Fascinated by the sea? Cape Cod life? Read my Shadowwater books. Details: www.shadowwater.net