To the extent that the High Modernist or Reformer or Rationalist sees the outside as a thing to be optimized, as opposed to part of a system that needs to support further optimization, it seems like there’s some deep short-sightedness and disconnection from the Tao. To the extent that some profession sees the outside world as something to be profited from, as opposed to a body in which they are an organ, we should expect the society to be sick in some way.
I totally see this in the trope of the aloof, unsympathetic doctor (e.g. the psychiatrist in Mad Men) who turns a couple wrenches to fix the patient-object, and declares “good as new!” Contrast to the sympathetic, wise, counselor (e.g. the doctor in Lars and the Real Girl, or Sean in Good Will Hunting) who identifies with the mentee, and heals them / draws out their potential by connecting with them.
The subject/object relationship is so natural for us optimizers. And connection is so underrated. We are limited when we fail to identify with and connect with “the outside” (with others and with our environment/setting).
I totally see this in the trope of the aloof, unsympathetic doctor (e.g. the psychiatrist in Mad Men) who turns a couple wrenches to fix the patient-object, and declares “good as new!” Contrast to the sympathetic, wise, counselor (e.g. the doctor in Lars and the Real Girl, or Sean in Good Will Hunting) who identifies with the mentee, and heals them / draws out their potential by connecting with them.
The subject/object relationship is so natural for us optimizers. And connection is so underrated. We are limited when we fail to identify with and connect with “the outside” (with others and with our environment/setting).