Do you know what I still remember about that experience? Perception IS Reality. That's right. Basically, whatever some one's impression is of you or something, especially the first impression, it usually, remains their Reality.
So, what I want to ask all of you, is this? What image do you want to project about the Citadel? What image do you want to project about your future neighbors, friends, and family? What image do you want to project about yourself? When people ask you questions about it, do you know how to articulate what we are trying to accomplish? It can be tricky. Are you well versed in how it has come about? How about the requirements to live there? How about the WHY of it all? Can you honestly tell them, without sounding like a wacko?
It is going to take all of us, being ambassadors of the Citadel, to make sure we project the correct image. I don't know about you, but, if I were to guess, I'm sure that you're just like me, in that you don't really want people whispering behind your back that you're some militia separatist who wants to set up their own country up in Benewah county.
Okay, I have to back up on that statement and explain a bit. First, I think a great majority of the people that are III and are attracted to this project probably have a modus operandi of being quiet, live and let live, and leave me the hell alone type of people. Most of us, probably don't really care what anyone thinks of us. But...here's the kicker. If we are serious about being III Patriots, if we are serious about making the Citadel a PHYSICAL REALITY and then living our DREAM we sign up to have each other's backs. We have to care about our image and the image that is projected upon the Citadel, because it reflects upon each and every one of us.
That, if you think about it, is very sobering. That is a lot of responsibility, much like owning and using a firearm. Once again, it is distilled down to Responsibility, Loyalty, and Liberty.
So, those of you who are serious about the Citadel, join me in promoting a knowledgeable and transparent image of us and the Citadel. There are so many wonderful aspects of the Citadel, it would be such a waste to not let those attributes shine. Don't let an opportunity to promote the Citadel in a positive light be overcome by the negativity that we know we are going to have to fight every day until we can prove ourselves. That might take some of us our lifetimes, so be prepared to go the distance. Many of you have expressed the relief, the joy you felt when you found out about Citadel project. Let that joy shine through when you describe the Citadel and the Liberty it represents.
One of the problems with the business analogy is that it's so limited in context. In a business context, there is only one fundamental goal---motivate your demographic to buy what you're selling.
ReplyDeleteBut this is about life itself. That's a mighty wide spectrum and includes a lot of differing values. As magnificent as your values are, your goal isn't really to have others share your values (except in fairly derivative ways), but rather to have others understand that they too should be free to instantiate their values.
Social Metaphysics: "I own myself and so do you."
Ethics: "Live. Let live."
Those may not be catchy slogans, but I'm pretty sure that's what you want to say, however you say it.
The point I was trying to make Jim was that people percieve their impressions as reality and that we need to be aware of that when we talk about the Citadel.
ReplyDeleteI only included the business part of it for a reference as where the "perception is reality" came from.
Right; I get that and it makes sense. Here's what I was saying...it's impossible to know what attributes perceived will appeal to any particular person. Some will be drawn by the strong defensive posture; some will be drawn by the Rightful Liberty aspect; some will be drawn simply to be a part of a tight community. And so on. What appeals to you, or to others who hopped on early, may or may not appeal to others. For example, "quaint" might draw some in, even as it pushes others away.
DeleteThis is the constant challenge of a "unified vision" when dealing with people's entire lives. When you're selling widgets, the unified vision is only about the widgets, so it's much easier. You're selling an entire way of life more or less, so the common denominator--the thing which everyone shares--should be as simple and common as possible.
That was my only point. People have a tendency to project and assume that their values are shared by others. You're dealing with hopefully a lot of people, well into the thousands. With that many different value systems, there's likely to be a wide variance among them.
This is as distinguished from a cult, where there's almost always one particular detail that everyone shares, usually offered by one particular person. Unless I'm mistaken, you're trying to build an entire society, albeit a relatively small one, built not of a cultish following but rather of shared fundamentals. The rules of the Citadel will cover minimum requirements, but you're "selling" a way of life built of basic principles. I was just saying that to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, those principles should be as simple as possible.
But then, being a simpleton myself, I always strive for simple; YMMV.
Understood. I guess what I didn't articulate well is that people respond to enthusiasum and passion. If you have it for the Citadel, share it.
ReplyDelete"That was my only point. People have a tendency to project and assume that their values are shared by others. You're dealing with hopefully a lot of people, well into the thousands. With that many different value systems, there's likely to be a wide variance among them."
One thing about Liberty, she lets everybody fly their freak flag. ;)