LOOKING DOWN

A couple of weeks ago the Senate, along with the whole nation, was shocked when the three CEOs of the automobile industry came flying into Washington in their corporate jets to beg for money. The three have been among the highest paid executives in corporate America for the period of time that their companies were failing. Who could not fail to think of the hubris (ὕβρις) of ancient Greek heroes who lost dignity and their essential humanity by their failure to see what damage they were doing to themselves. Achilles couldn’t be satisfied with simple defeat of Hector, but he had to violate outrageously Hector’s corpse and the sensibilities of Troy and of the Greek army. The lesson, of course, is that he paid with his very life for his puffed pride. Hubris was a crime in classical Athens. Perhaps it should be a crime in America. All of those CEOs who drew obscene salaries while their companies failed would be criminals by the standards of ancient Athens. Like Achilles, they ride their chariots around and around dragging the companies they have destroyed. Presumably, they had the ability to do better than they did.

George Bush has never been heroic in any sense of the word... at least he has not been heroic as a public person; so hubris can hardly be used to describe his failure as president of the United States. His pride seems too childish and silly to be considered hubris. When he publicly said, “bring it on,” to the terrorists; he was a acting like a schoolyard bully rather than a hero. He wanted to seem heroic, but he made himself seem merely ridiculous.

It’s hard to be arrogant and supercilious while looking down. There are benefits other than humility and grace that come from occasionally looking down with bowed head. In our condominium community I was on my way to the garbage bins this morning when I saw what looked for all the world like a comet on the pavement. I went back later with my camera when there was more light and took a picture. I walked for five minutes with my camera around the parking lot... looking down... and saw all kinds of things strange and wonderful. I took several pictures.