No Way As Way

From Lucas Krech

There was a quote going around a while back that had to do with walls. Barriers. I passed it on along with a lot of other people. It was John Clancy who said:

Every generation recognizes the same problem. Every generation comes to the same wall.

Most generations divide into two camps. One camp recognizes the wall, measures it, and begins to climb it. Some may actually get over to the other side, who knows? Most of the first camp, however, settle on finding a position somewhere on the wall and begin to jealously guard it.

The other camp, standing at the wall, not climbing, divides as well. Half spend their lives standing at the foot of the wall, shaking their fists and shouting. The other half grows bored and walks away.

That's what most generations do, upon finding themselves at the wall.

The exceptional generations, the historical generations, tear down the fucking wall.

It is a lovely bit of rhetoric and the imagery is fantastic. It is a stirring and strong direct call to action. But the fundamental premise is false.

There is no wall.

(more here)