The Bard reference:
An optimistic young singer named Sara Niemietz responded to a fan question by saying something like “she never met a flower she didn’t like” (or maybe it was she “never saw an ugly flower” – it was on her Instagram feed – the exact quote isn’t important)
Which brought to mind Mr Shakespeare’s line about roses from that Romeo and Juliet thing – which I will resist the temptation to explain.
Aren’t familiar with the play? I recommend watching one of the MANY versions out there. If you want “stage authenticity” then the BBC version from 1976 is a good choice. If you want the “cinema experience” – the 1968 theatrical version won Oscars for cinematography and costume design.
Both versions (and a few more) are available for free (streaming) online if you have access to kanopy.com through your local library (the first step in creating an account on their site is checking if your public/college library gives you access).
Weeds …
In all fairness Ms Niemietz has been performing a long time – as I write this, Google tells me she is in her late 20’s. BUT anyone born after I graduated high school I tend to call “young.”
Young doesn’t mean “immature” or even “inexperienced” – just a relative descriptive term for trips around the sun.
Again, what is in a name?
My other response to the “never met a flower I didn’t like” concept is that we tend to call “undesirable flowers” by another term – weeds.
Maybe I’m going for a concept like “If dandelions were hard to grow, people would call them flowers” … the concept has been in my head long enough that I don’t remember where it came from …
Google tells me Andrew Mason (founder of groupon) gets credit for saying: “If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn” – but I had to Google “Andrew Mason” so the idea pre-dates his quote …
Will Rogers …
Then anyone born before me, I tend to call “good ol’ whatever” – SO good ol’ Will Rogers once noted that “He never met a man he didn’t like.”
Now, ol’ Will was what we call a “humorist” – that died in a plane crash in 1935. He had a kind of easy-going, “affable “, nature – but also “poked fun” at a lot of folks, while talking about the politics of the day.
To put the quote in context: “I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.”
I guess Will Rogers never met you …
Now, “liking” someone doesn’t mean that you agree with them or that you approve of their opinions. My personal interpretation is that Will Rogers was able to disagree with folks, while not being disagreeable.
The same concept is found in the “love your neighbor as yourself” concept – i.e. you don’t have to “approve of them” so much as accept their right to their worldview.
Ben Franklin …
I’m doing some “light editing” on a “Story of Ben Franklin” book – that was written for “children” 100 years ago (but the demographic/target audience would be called “young adults” in 2021).
Good ol’ Mr Franklin loved to argue but the author of the book highlights Franklin’s “Socratic” approach to argument. An approach that reminds me of Will Rogers 😉
Franklin could also add “inventor/scientist/statesman” to his list of titles. Yes, obviously Ben Franklin has a much deserved place in American history – maybe both men could be considered “entertainer diplomats” – with Franklin also being a “philosopher scientist.”
The Junto
I remember reading books about Ben Franklin as a youth – back in the day when if you asked for books on “super heroes” you were led to the “American History” section (seriously, that is one of my early “childhood” memories – I wanted “Spider-Man” comics, they gave me “Ben Franklin”).
I slogged though a massive modern biography of Franklin a few years back (there have been a couple very good ones – not “bad” just “massive”). What jumped out at me THEN was that Ben Franklin was kind of a “hell-raiser” in his youth – which obviously gets glossed over in the “young adult” books.
Proof reading the “children’s book” from 100+ years ago – the author is emphasizing Franklin’s “gift for organization” and how he was able to influence public opinion BECAUSE he was trusted by the public.
Just like Walter Cronkite was once the “most trusted man on television” – Ben Franklin was the “most trusted man in print” back in his day.
From a “leadership” perspective – Franklin understood his limitations (which is rare) and then also managed to stay within his limits most of the time (even more rare). SO we find Franklin refusing military leadership, because he didn’t have those skills – while also serving as a “regular soldier” in the militia …
TL;DR
If you have read this far – hey, how you doin’. One of Franklin’s first “organizations” was named the Junto – in 2021 it would probably be called a “think tank.” Individuals got together and shared discoveries/inventions – with the price of admission basically being “willingness to contribute.”
Interested? I’ve got a handful of “project ideas” that require “other people” much more than “additional cash” – though if you need a tech/geek/expert for a project, I’m available for that as well like/comment/share/message me and we might get something good going …