Two Modes of Operating
I find I have two modes of operating. One is where I'm present, and another where I'm observing.
When I'm present, I'm really vulnerable to the system I'm a part of, but I'm able to make split second logical decisions. This is where I'm a 'friend worth hanging out with'.
When I'm observing, it makes me notice the larger system. But I cannot respond in a normal human way, much less in a split second. In this mode, I appear dysfunctional.
I think this might be the deeper idea behind the popular terms 'introvert' and 'extrovert' coinciding with my 'observation' and 'presence' respectively. I hear they being described as "people who gain energy from being alone" vs "people who gain energy with social interactions". My dichotomy makes it clear that both are key.
I think children naturally are present first and are therefore very prone to systemic flaws (or virtues). This can be either used to enslave them into a pattern of yesteryears, or to guide them into being their best selves for the rest of their lives - without them ever realizing the methodology behind it.
The implications are interesting. People who are unaware of the larger patterns are just innocent and cannot be blamed. People who are aware of the larger patterns but don't act on it can also not be blamed as they realize they'll lose the observation if they act. I assume that most of the systems which continue to need us to be present without observations, are in fact, only existing because we miss out on the observation part. It's like running on a solar-battery powered treadmill while waiting for it to stop. It likely won't anytime soon.
I have a strategy in mind. I'll observe and decide what's worth doing. Then I'll do it even if It contradicts all locally derived conclusions. I find that blogging helps with coherence, and kind of bringing the two modes together. It forces me to pick something worth talking about (observe) and I need to articulate in a way which might be worth reading (presence).
Science and art.