The Necessity and Inherent Risk of Embodying the Gadfly

 Created December 18th, 2016

The Necessity and Inherent Risk of Embodying the Gadfly:

Under Fire; A Political Landslide; Public Schools

Wikipedia: "A gadfly is a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel, potentially upsetting questions usually directed at authorities. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, in his defense when on trial for his life." –December 2016

I associate The Gadfly with the task of exposing the "Elephant in the Room";the obvious ironies, hypocrisies or blindness regarding the actions of a group or individual.  The Gadfly is not to be confused with an obnoxious "asshole" who seeks attention to delight or entertain oneself.  The Gadfly is an archetype essential to the well being of a society and unfortunately often pays a heavy price for freedom of mind and pointing out the obvious.

Note: Institutions should be careful not to encourage or create disorderly chaos through the outright promotion of continually questioning authority as this creates great unruliness from ignorant and naive people; yet, an institution that wishes to produce intelligent and wise counselors must address the necessity and value of The Gadfly and train all within the basics of critical thinking and the necessity to risk one for the betterment of all.

Skillful people will implement the methodologies of the Gadfly to appear critically insightful without actually threatening or interrupting the status quo; they are a type of entertainer or academic who points out the Elephant in the Room without demanding or pressuring for any change or action other than to publish essays and books.  This is by the far the most profitable means to utilize the attributes of this archetype and does indeed promote wisdom to inspire someone to actually act.  However recognize it is the person who actually acts upon the insight to better the conditions of the community who will be punished, so be careful to note who is paying the price for one's insight and liability is an issue –in-sighting riots or causing upheaval.

I have embodied The Gadfly with both beneficial and detrimental results. I have also in my duress been the "asshole" in the room after having lost all hope and faith in the abilities of my community yet this was after my entire experience within the public schools of the Unites States of America.   So, I write to educate and warn others.  Understand; The first inclination of any group is to criticize and defame a Gadfly challenging the status quo. The habit for those wishing to preserve the status quo is feigning interest and delight at the alternative viewpoint while skillfully eroding the reputation of the Gadfly.  Heaven forbid if the Gadfly is an outsider, a slave, a servant , or in an inferior position within a group and seeks to address an obvious hypocrisy, ignorance or injustice.

The nature of those who benefit from the status quo encourages the destruction of the Gadfly rather than the acknowledgment of truth; all the while reaping the profits. In other words these people will take ownership of all the beneficial results from the agitation and disruption of the gadfly while damning, skillfully erode, the reputation and livelihood of the gadfly.  Thus, society benefits from the Gadfly but the Gadfly is essentially "exterminated"; losing livelihood, reputation and sometimes life itself.

Those of us who have utilized the embodiment of the Gadfly understand the self-sacrifice involved as the methodology of the archetype is a last ditch effort to improve the conditions of the whole.  It is a self-sacrifice that will be viewed as a selfish act and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.

So, one should receive wise counsel and caution before implementing this approach.  Unfortunately for myself, I was woefully naive of the dangers of implementing the Gadfly methodology as this was a way that comes naturally to me.  I had little idea how poorly this approach to truth would be viewed by my conservative and unsupportive superiors and colleagues 

And so I was so very hurt, so very damaged by the behavior and actions of colleagues and  friends who had no idea of the orders I had been given,  the actions I had put into place, nor the reasoning behind the actions that would later benefit the whole to my own detriment.  I was persecuted never endlessly for each and every flaw while those benefiting most from my demise neither spoke of, nor admitted the ignorances and injustice of this persecution except to feign concern, dodge bullets, and point fingers.

So let this be a warning to others; be very cautious before embodying this technique of "calling out" the obvious and demanding these absurdities be addressed for the betterment of all.   First, seek to understand all the factors at play by wiser and more experienced councilors separated from the hierarchy at play and seek better means to influence.  Document and record the situation as best as possible and truly seek the common truths to work within before "throwing in the towel" due to the astronomical ignorance of the institutions.  This will insure a more profitable position within life and the preservation of both reputation and livelihood.

And all my thanks and gratitude to those parties who lifted me out of utter despair, utter faithlessness, and extreme exhaustion so that I could live to write this note.  I have recovered and will walk strong with my head straight and know full well the risk of insight within ignorance.

– J.E.D.. December 2016

Additional text in published booklets:

This is a work of fiction.  Fiction is a BIASED, SLANTED, and LIMITED view on a miniscule, infinitesimal, aspect of the past that may or may not be bound by the tangible, mundane reality of everyday life.  If one takes the written word, in any way as reality, trouble is bound to follow.

In reference to the Oregon Public Schools

“Reign of Tyranny”

“The Shit Runs Downhill”

Under Federal and State Mandates

No Child Left Behind; A Price to Every Head

2001-2011

Please don’t shoot the messengers.