Progressive Programmer

Progressive Politics or idle geek banter. What's on my mind when I'm irked, intrigued, bored or up too late.

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Location: Michigan, United States

2006-07-28

The Theory of Relativity

Everything is relative. How two people or entities, businesses or peoples receive and process the exact same event, news, or experience is always dependent on, or relative to, their perspective.

Additionally, the passage of time warps the perceptions of each party. As time goes on, one looks back and remembers the same event through the filter of faded memories and new experiences, reality, new events and perspective. The other party does the same, albeit with their own version of that filter. Different perceptions of the event, originally similar or wildly different, can change drastically. Perhaps bringing the two perceptions back together or shoving them further apart than ever.

These perceptions of past events can never be the same, as perception is reality more than the reverse, and perceptions naturally can not be identical for two parties. But the two parties can reach a point where the perceptions of the opposing party begin to affect their own perception. And it is when this point is reached that understanding is born, compromise is birthed, and the harsh bitch of reality reunites us all.

Now, that generalization (and wholly inaccurate use of the term 'Theory of Relativity') having been dispensed free of charge, I present a little story out of Chicago, IL
After months of fevered lobbying and bitter debate, the Chicago City Council passed a groundbreaking ordinance yesterday requiring “big box” stores, like Wal-Mart and Home Depot, to pay a minimum wage of $10 an hour by 2010, along with at least $3 an hour worth of benefits.


Imagine you live nearby and could use a job to help support your family. Or, imagine you are a local politician. Your perception is positive:
"This is a great day for the working men and women of Chicago," said Alderman Joseph A. Moore, the measure’s chief sponsor. Mr. Moore said he had had inquiries about the ordinance from officials in several other cities.


Now, imagine you are WalMart:
"It’s sad — this puts politics ahead of working men and women," John Simley, a Wal-Mart spokesman, said in a telephone interview. "It means that Chicago is closed to business."


Yes, Mr. Simley. That's what it means. To you. For now. Wait a few years.


progprog
I'm not liberal, I'm just paying attention

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