Christoph Niemann, illustrator and columnist for the New York Times sketched and tweeted while running the New York City Marathon.
credit: @clarajeffery
see more sketches from the marathon @abstractsunday
One of my good friends ran in yesterday's marathon so I tracked his progress mile-by-mile on the
and cheered most of the morning at 86th and 1st avenue. It was the first time, despite living in Boston and New York for the past eight years, that I really paid attention to a marathon and I was overwhelmed with respect and admiration for the energy, determination and endurance that all the runners put forth. It is truly remarkable what people are capable of when they are determined to reach a goal. All afternoon as I listened to people cheering on the runners, I kept thinking about the power of setting goals. The marathoners had a clear goal and a finish line, but I would argue the Occupy Wall Street protestors also have a goal and while it is more abstract, they are enduring discomfort, energy and determination with a goal in mind. Then I think about the Super Committee, which has arguably the most important goal, to improve the budget of our country and therefore do what is best for the majority of American, but there is little hope that they will meet that goal. Of course, there is only one course to finish the marathon and there are dozens (if not hundreds) of possible "courses" to the betterment of America. Everyone in the marathon agrees that the goal is to cross the finish, you can run or walk but everyone sets out with the same image for success in their minds. The problem with the super committee is that the image for success vary and, at times, are diametrically opposed. The video from my previous post makes me proud to be an American, but iI know it infuriates and disappoints many others. How can something be so clearly a point of pride and national identity to one American and not another?
As I transition in to the non-profit sector, people are continually pointing out that through stories it is easy to remind people, who on the surface may look like they have nothing in common, of their similarities. For the most part people are good and they want the same thing. We have to simplify the story, remind Americans of their commonalities and whenever possible set small, clear goals with limited "course" options.