My brother has coined an aphorism that embodies a creative worldview:
If you don’t go, you won’t know.
Since adopting this open embrace of the opportunities that surround him, his life has been enriched in new and unexpected ways.
The world immerses us in diversity. But we often impose artificial limitations. Put up barriers. Make assumptions that stifle. Succumb to our unconscious biases.
Once my wife and I attended a Miles Davis concert at the Chautauqua Institution. We headed to the band shell with songs like Round Midnight, Freddie the Freeloader and My Funny Valentine playing in our heads. But the evening’s playlist included none of Miles’ beautiful ballads. At the time, he was performing an experimental fusion of jazz, rock and new wave music. He had his back to the audience the entire concert.
Chautauqua, among other things “promotes excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts.” Many of its visitors are retirees; some, quite elderly. We will never forget the number of octo- and nanagenarians who entered the performance space aided by canes. Despite the band’s aggressively loud, discordant and cold performance, they sat quietly and listened attentively. No one left — until intermission, when the elderly attendees shuffled up and out of the band shell.
We were impressed but a bit puzzled. After a few inquiries the next day, we discovered that Chautauqua’s culture of continuous discovery and learning encourages attendance at all events — at least until intermission.
Yes, we can immerse ourselves in the rich, diverse and emergent world that surrounds us. We can avoid artificial limitations. Lower barriers. Make assumptions that enrich. Reject limiting biases.
More simply:
If you don’t go, you won’t know.
Remember, you can always leave at intermission.