Don't Play the Fool...

There was a "magic bar" in Chicago once. Doubt that is still there.  I have no clue where it was, it's just a dim memory in a hazy part of my life. A hard Chicago street. A classic tavern. The bartenders did magic tricks with cards. This was a time when my friends and I actually thought sitting in a dark bar, sipping a strong drink, and being "fooled" by a bartender slinging drinks and performing card tricks was fun. The line that was displayed on a plaque behind the bar read: "It's fun to be fooled."

Ha. Maybe so. Although, you know, the dirty little secret you learn along the way: "Fun isn't what it's cracked up to be."

These many years later, I am now in a more clear-headed phase of my existence, the whole fun to be fooled idea seems pointless and maybe a sign of something sinister. Looking around the scene now, it's hard to argue with idea that Human Beings actually want to be fooled, and really, like being lied to. They prefer playing the fool, as opposed to being clear-headed, in touch with reality, with a capacity to accept truth, even cold-hard truths. 

Just take a look at our Politics, Wall Street, Pop Culture, etc. Fools fooling each other for $ & amusement. It's a game, but then, of course, some people really suffer, get scammed, & beaten down. It can be an ugly thing.

Better to be clear-eyed, clear-headed, able to spot the lies, in touch with reality, gravity and truth. It's maybe a bit more difficult. You have to accept limits, you have to be disciplined, you have to acknowledge that you are often wrong, and if you want to be a person of quality, always learning. 

Sure. Embrace curiosity, wonder, astonishment. But don't willingly play the fucking fool...