LETTER

Symbiosis = Mutualism 

Emotions, or emotionalism, is the most vulnerable and the most abused characteristic of our existence. Under its influence we divide people for millennia; it is a strategy of conquest presenting itself in minor victories which we capitalize, yet senseless victories under which influence we achieved a fictional reality of balance, seemingly working. Yet it is the rationality (ism) which takes us closer to the inner makings and functioning of life, to the success and sustainability of life itself. It is called ‘symbiosis’ or mutualism. 

There would be a lot to write about, but I’ll touch the minuscule of it from my own experience. That was the time when the world was coming together, and we missed its time. As an immigrant, I could be classified as ‘a starving artist’. We bought our first and only new car, a Lada. It was a Russian car of Italian design, assembled in Halifax by Canadians, but of simple mechanics easily fixable anytime, anywhere. OK,  one thing irritating, it was vulnerable to be vandalized (like eggs and tomatoes and the sign “commie!”), one gets used to it. The main thing was that it brought me to places where I participated in expositions. It was a working car any which way you take it. One day, I was crossing the US border and when the border guard commented, “You know that this is a  Russian ***. I hope you do not get in trouble; no mechanic will help you in USA.” I pointed to the tires and said, “Look, Goodyear, made in USA, the Lada does not touch the soil of the US!”  He gave me a smile and said good luck, and we parted in a friendly experience.

The emotions are the culprit easily swayed in many ways and many times, especially at election time. We have a lot to learn, and not much time, so learn fast! We will have new complexities tomorrow, with the old not absorbed yet.  This is just multiplicity.  I had hoped for Symbiosis or Mutualism from Trump, Putin, and Xi – all good material to keep us alive. And how about Fraternity, all of the poor or rich? All.

Rasto Hlavina, 

Pontiac