Here’s three cheers <br />for Jon Haidt, who’s reminded us <br />in ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’ <br />that our lingering primitive selves <br />respond more quickly to a threat <br />than to an opportunity… <br /> <br />and thus, a more powerful emotional weapon <br />in the hands of politicians and journalists <br />and others with an axe to sharpen.. <br />while astute moneymakers, more than the rest of us, <br />look always for an opportunity… <br /> <br />so President Bush hastens to warn us <br />that ‘Iran remains a threat’… <br />and so do you, George…and <br />so do bananaskins, and wet leaves <br />on a warming sidewalk after frost… <br />and polar bears to garbage cans - <br />themselves under our human threat <br />from global warming… <br /> <br />It’s a world of threats, and threats of threats… <br />wars and rumours of wars, as the good book says… <br />maybe I should stay in today…but then… <br />was this, then, how the West was won? <br />I think not… <br /> <br />Some say, still say, that somewhere out there <br />there’s One who made a world <br />entirely of opportunities… <br /> <br />Meanwhile, pity politicians <br />in a world of spin: <br />if Dubbya-doh came out tomorrow <br />all bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed (by security men…) <br />and announced in upbeat tones, <br />‘Iran remains a golden opportunity…’ <br />we’d all turn to each other and say, <br />‘What’s he up to, then? ? ’ <br />and oil shares would fluctuate... <br /> <br />well, there you are… if boredom threatens at this point, <br />an ice-cold can of beer remains <br />a golden opportunity…<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/threats-and-opportunities/
