Two Lessons from Boston

Time is healing my upset over the Boston Marathon bombings. The frustration and sorrow felt for innocents remains but is ebbing. Not because I care less for those killed and injured, but because I am gaining insight and meaning far beyond what I expected. Time has given me that.

It helps to have American crime fighters expertly sifting for clues and identifying perpetrators, cornering them, capturing/killing one, and hot on the heels of the terrorist on the loose. And then to capture him alive; damaged but alive.

But there is more to notice, to learn, to absorb from this horrible incident.

First, modern technology provides us immediate contact with one another and other information sources. That is good; but it also threatens our privacy and serenity. Yet this very same technology allows us to share massive amounts of data with one another and authorities to gather vital data. This makes us safer in the long run. Better protected. We give up some privacy and gain more safety.

Second, the Boston Marathon itself is a celebration of community. Boston demonstrates special strength of its identity. It revels in connecting with all parties and building meaningful togetherness. As the Boston mayor and Massachusetts governor stated, Boston is a special place where neighbors remember each other and support one another.

That came together as the national spotlight witnessed the city and suburb lock down  as people cooperated with the authorities, and collaborated with them as well. Shared data, shared photos, puzzlement and wonder that formed questions then shared with police. As a result the community worked together to solve its problem.

The crisis was handled well, responded to quickly, and resolved.

Now we must pull the lessons learned from the massive effort. So we can prepare for the next time, sure; but more, to resolve that we only are as strong as we are willing to share our community with one another. That is where the strength lies. That is where our future is born.

If we can do this – and we already have! – then why not in other areas of communal life?

Imagine the future we could build! A future where new energy sources are invented to replace the old sources, where new forms of transportation are created to move people cheaply, safely and quickly in urban areas, where diverse populations co-exist peacefully and happily. And housing; new forms of housing that make better use of existing land parcels, miser utility demands, encourage cooperation among neighbors. Housing that uplifts rather than demeans.

In mass population centers we will be able to live with independence yet with collaboration. The two can work together in serenity and privacy. Anonymity is as much in the mind as it is in the physical world. Private not alone. Together in safety. And in purpose.

Boston has been a special place. It remains so. A good model for tomorrow, too.

April 22, 2013