I was on my way to the Pacific Coast, for a hike with some health freedom warriors, and for reasons I will not go into here, I took an Uber.
Well, I got to talking with him about a few things and just as the conversation was wrapping up he asked what I do.
I said I am a writer.
And before you know it, we are talking about face masks being harmful to kids.
The next thing we know he’s talking about some shenanigans that the World Health Organization is trying to pull.
He comes from one of these countries between Germany and China that Americans tend to know little about and in which alternative perspectives reign. You can never get into a serious conversation with such a person and not walk away with a new perspective on a common concern.
Well, before you know it, I invite him to join in on the hike, because I was sure that he would like the folks who find their way to these maskless hikes that have been going on since late 2020.
He said “yes,” and ended up fitting in well. Everyone who talked to him enjoyed it.
Me included.
One of my takeaways from the conversation with him is that Americans, especially Americans under 40 only care about getting drunk and having sex, though he said it much more vulgarly than that.
He hears a lot from that driver’s seat.
He doesn’t hear students talk about their love for math in his back seat. He doesn’t hear adults talk about pressing concerns at work that are getting addressed and impacting the world. He doesn’t hear about their hopes for their family or their plans for the distant future.
He hears 1.) upcoming plans to drink oneself into oblivion, people in the process of drinking oneself into oblivion, and drinking stories from a time one drank oneself into oblivion.
And he hears 2.) this girl and I are going to do so and so, and this guy is so hot, or this girl and I just did so and so, or last night this guy and I were doing so and so, and related stories.
It was the height of frivolity, this way he described my country. And I hoped he was wrong. Because if that’s what comes out of our mouths when no one important is listening, what do you think is in our heads?
He has a biased selection you can argue: those who use Uber and those in the Bay Area. You may call both demographics vapid.
However, I imagine there is some truth to this experience he had. And Americans have effectively allowed the people of this region — especially the under 40 crowd of this region, to exercise massive control over the rest of the country.
This man, like many drivers I speak to, eavesdrops on America’s elites while they let their guard down in front of this man who is “just a driver.”
He’s hired help.
What he overhears doesn’t matter.
I know exactly the type of people in my life who would sit in his back seat with that perspective.
Yet most drivers I speak to have advanced degrees and are supremely impressive in a number of areas — and at this moment in life, happen to be driving a car. That’s my experience at least.
That version of America he sees is dooomed to fail. There is no other choice.
And another set of elite will take their place.
Who they are remains to be seen.
But I want you positioned to be among the wise.
For it is the wise who will be best positioned to lead — to lead themselves, their families, and their communities.
Over the next month, starting June 8, I’ll be reading the book of Proverbs, which some would call the wisest book of the Bible.
I’ll be hosting discussions on that as well.
Tap here to join in — https://realstevo.com/wisdom
Allan Stevo
My experience with drivers mirrors yours - some amazing ppl out there driving folks around! And with ears wide open :)