On Pendulums

As we all learned in Physics 101, a pendulum is a mechanical device first put to use by Galileo in 1602. It was initially applied to scientific instruments and time pieces and was essential to clocks from 1658 until 1930 when it was replaced by the quartz crystal. The pendulum is simply a body mass that oscillates in an arc from a fixed point, obeying the physical laws of gravity. It seeks a neutral position at rest at the bottom of the arc but the momentum of the mass carries it to the opposite extreme. Only an intentional intervention can halt the oscillation and hold the mass firmly at the point of balance.

Social behavior often resembles the action of the pendulum. In the course of life social imbalances inevitably occur. They can result, on purpose or by happenstance, from negligence, from greed, from racism or from the power of the strong over the weak.  But the restoration of balance and equilibrium, is rarely achieved without an overcorrection. Momentum carries the issue beyond the neutral point and onto the opposite extreme, and it takes numerous swings, turmoil and unrest until balance is finally restored. If only we could learn from the pendulum. Today we are in danger of over correction on so many issues. We are in desperate need of leadership strong enough, astute enough and respected enough to be that stabilizer which will restore social balance without the agonizing and disruptive oscillations. Who can step forward? 

– – – Just the dilemma of a common man