People Are Horses. Well, Kind Of...

We in the US of A love to think of ourselves as rugged individuals. Given our late entrance on the world stage, we were writing our history as most of the rest of the world's was already ancient.

In our collective conscious are many endearing images of ourselves. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere, riding to tell the colonists that the British were coming, to the Texans who died rather than give up the Alamo to the Mexicans, to the solitary American cowboy.

The image of cowboys is probably most endearing. We think of them as people whose need to be themselves was so intense that they'd sleep out on the ground in the rain, snow and sleet to get the job done. Their earnest mental makeup and intense dedication to getting the job done appealed to our shared Calvinist roots: hard work and clean moral character was our job here on earth.

We hold in reverence that shared concept and, in a sense, view ourselves through that charming prizm.

Reality though, is far different. We Americans are less like the cowboy and a little more like the horse. "How's that?" you're wondering? Think of it this way: The horses we see now are the direct descendents of horses who were the fastest, most skittish, most attentive horses. They are the ones who first saw wolves sneaking up, turned and ran like their lives depended on it. Those who spent an additional second or two eating grass ended up being eaten themselves, their bloodline stopping with them.

Horses are herd animals. They stick together because there is power in numbers. Horses don't like being left alone because as dumb as they are, they know that avoiding predators is far more successful in a herd situation.

We humans are exactly like that. You may recall that when Jennifer Aniston became all the rage, women around the country flocked to hair stylists to get her distinctive cut. Fashionistas and businessmen know that Americans are herd animals and have gotten us to buy parachute pants, leggings, and pet rocks despite every good reason not to.

Which brings me to my theme: forget the image of individualism. Be an individual. Think for yourself. In these times we need creative thinkers. Thomas Jefferson and FDR were extremely creative thinkers who fought against waves of opposition to create bold answers. They rocked the boat, but did so with substance, with creativity, with intelligence.

And so I urge you to come together--in herds, if you prefer--with your creativity, intelligence and indiduality and use it to make a difference. Offer up what the other party isn't. Compromise on the details, but not your principles. The obstacles are many, not the least of which is herd mentality. But damnit, do it anyway! That which is worth having is hard to get.

Finally, I urge you to think outside the box, or as I prefer to say: box outside the think. It's time to get over the style-over-substance herd mentality, and really become rugged individuals.