BlogU

  • Nobel-ity

    By G. Rendell October 9, 2009 4:05 pm

    I thought I awoke this morning to the announcement that President Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Then, I thought that I was still asleep. Now I hope I wasn't, on the theory that no one's dreams -- certainly not mine -- should have that kind of an effect on reality.

    And if that first paragraph sounds confused, that's probably appropriate. I'm confused. I thought that before a person won what's arguably the most prestigious honor in secular society, (s)he was supposed to actually accomplish something. I mean, potential is wonderful, but there's nothing more common than unrealized potential. Personally, I can understand the reflex to celebrate any POTUS whose middle initial isn't W. Still, I had thought that the collective heads of the Nobel Committee were calmer than mine. At least, I'd hoped that they were. Now, I'm not so sure.

    As the morning progressed, however, it occurred to me that Obama's Nobel might be just what the ecological sustainability movement needs. It might inoculate us against the dreaded mythical Al Gore.

    Not the real Al Gore. I have no problem with the real Al Gore. What I have a problem with is people who have a problem with my ostensible relationship with some semi-divine "Al Gore" character that, in truth, I don't recognize. (That first paragraph starting to look almost cogent yet?) You know, the object of sardonic remarks like "What Would Al Gore Do?" and "when you [meaning me] realize that Al Gore doesn't walk on water ..." and (more recently), "Too bad nobody warned Al Gore before he bought that condo in San Francisco."

    Now, sustainability is a large portion of my life, but I have never worshipped Al Gore. In fact, most months I don't think about Al Gore even once (provocations aside). But I don't know how to challenge or disown my assumed Al-Gore-acolyte status without seeming to back down in a battle of wits not yet fully joined. I'm hoping Obama's Nobel will help me find a way.

    After all, the Gore semi-divinity projection seemed to get a lot worse after he and the IPCC were honored in 2007. Winning half a Nobel seems to have conferred (confirmed?) semi divinity. And if 0.5 Nobel Peace Prizes equals 0.5 times divinity (at least in the minds of my verbal antagonists), what does 1.0 Nobel Peace Prizes equal?

    I haven't thought this through fully yet -- what creative powers I hold won't be at their peak until just before wake-up time tomorrow morning -- but I'm hoping the answer includes at least one snappy comeback for the next time someone tries to Gore me.

    Still, I fully admit that my creativity may not be up to this deity-level task. (After all, I more often play at the Warlord level.) Please feel free to make suggestions.

Go to comments (4) »
Advertisement
Open Job?

Comments on Nobel-ity

  • Posted by Stephen Downes on October 9, 2009 at 6:00pm EDT

  • People inside the United States may think Obama has done nothing. After all, a president is elected and launches on a new course of foreign policy every four years.

    Viewed from outside the country, however, Obama's accomplishment is remarkable. Bucking against a tide of bellicose intention and indifferent to world opinion, Obama campaign on a platform of openness and engagement, and convinced a troubled and world-weary American electorate to follow along.

    The sigh of relief from the rest of the world after Obama's election was palpable. Bush had two wars going and was drifting toward a third. Americans had adopted an attitude of hostility toward other nations, even its allies. It was widely regarded as the greatest threat to peace, a greater threat than Iran or North Korea. Obama reined in that tendency, and steered a reluctant nation toward a saner and safer course.

    Americans may not think he deserves any great award for that. It is telling, though, that the rest of the world does.

  • This comment is so true!
  • Posted by iris , Director,CEFL at DSI, Bangalore on October 13, 2009 at 9:15am EDT

  • I saw on US TV, so many bodies of young men being brought home to families . They died for wmd that were never found, in 2003.
    When mothers wept, the cameras moved away tactfully and others in the family spoke of the young men as heroes.
    I am a mother and know the pain of losing loved ones and young ones whose lives were cut off for no reason that they knew personally.6 years cannot heal such deep wounds.
    Yes, we ALL would like to be at peace with the world and talk things over like civilsed beings.
    Peace is a positive attitude, not just the absence of war, but thinking of ways to avoid wasteful future disaster and to live harmoniously as world citizens.
    Iris

  • Peace is patriotic
  • Posted by Suz , Operations Manager, Sanford Center FOR Aging at University of Nevada, Reno on October 13, 2009 at 2:00pm EDT

  • I passionately agree with both comments. America has become so insular and fear-focused that being patriotic became defined as mindlessly supporting violence. The patriotism of our ancestors, of our grandparents and great-grandparents is much different; those who have lived through war, who have smelled death and cried as they watched the moon traverse the sky and yearned for the warmth of their beloved....they know that peace is the answer and true patriotism is based on the strength of love....love of country, love of life, love of peace.

  • Ancestors and Peace?
  • Posted by LAJerry , NSCS on October 15, 2009 at 9:15am EDT

  • Suz,

    Are the "ancestors, grandparents and great-grandparents" you speak of the ones who fought the Barbary Wars, War of 1812, Creek (Indian) War, Mexican/American War, Civil War, Spanish/American War, Korea, Vietnam, etc., etc.? Those same grandparents and great-grandparents who stole and slaughtered native americans, and enslaved and later oppressed an entire race of people?

    Come on. Peace? Patriotism?

    You really think America is now WORSE?

Print
© Copyright 2010 Inside Higher Ed