The Congenial Iconoclast
A dictionary will tell you that “congenial” means friendly, pleasant, and easy to get along with. The better sort of dictionary (i.e., the Oxford English Dictionary) will go further and say, “Partaking of the same genius, disposition, or temperament; kindred; sympathetic.” So, to be congenial is to share something important with others: the same ideas, the same values, the same principles, the same goals. Perhaps, too, the same heritage, experience, and legacy.
An “iconoclast” is a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions — particularly false or harmful ones. An iconoclast believes that symbols are less important than results. American patriots pulled down statues of England’s King George III during the American Revolution, so iconoclasm has an honored place in our history. To be an iconoclast today is to poke at the established order, and at the popular assumptions others hold. The word is a combination of words meaning “image” and “to break.” An iconoclast doesn’t want to harm anything real or important — but only to discredit false images and ideas.
The “Congenial Iconoclast” is a character I made up. It represents my best effort to talk about serious issues in a cheerful way.
Why this website?
A major premise of this website is that American society is due for a tune-up. Important institutions (e.g., government, religion, media) aren’t working. The Trump Presidency was controversial, but Trump was a symptom and not the cause. The end of Trump’s term in the White House didn’t solve anything. The need for change goes down to the roots. And that means three things.
American social and governmental processes, based on a noble but worn-out Constitution, needs to be revived. They are inefficient and unfair. They are out of touch, which is something that must not happen in a republic.
Americans don’t understand the rights and duties of citizenship, so they aren’t good citizens. And that means communities don’t function as they should.
Many people don’t do a good job of filtering the information that is thrown at them. They believe what they shouldn’t, and doubt what they should believe. The ability to skillfully discern what is true (called ‘Epistemology’) needs to be promoted and developed.
Radical actions are needed, but those changes are in aid of the enduring American principles of justice, domestic tranquility, the common defense, the general welfare and the blessings of liberty.
