More About Our Binary World

More About Our Binary World

A dear friend just commented on my post about my new play featuring a woman who never makes the right decision. (Just scroll down.)

In it, I opine that the world is binary. That it’s yes/no, in/out, off/on. My friend accuses me of spending too long in Texas, ignoring the many shades of grey/gray. Well, I don’t know, pardner. Maybe it is a Texas thang.

But I look at binary like a decision tree flow chart. You pose a question or challenge, and then follow the decisions you make to the obvious solution.

To wit: I need some money. I could (a) get a job, or (b) rob a bank. Some members of our communities will go with (b).

I am going to rob a bank. (Just for a moment, I must tell you about the time I covered the attempted robbery at a Federal Land Bank, where the robber got away with about $30 from the secretary’s purse. He didn’t know what a Land Bank was. So, I guess we should start with identifying a bank that has money in it.)

So, I am going to rob a bank (a) by myself, or (b) with some friends. But I don’t know any bank robbers. If I did, I wouldn’t trust them, I’d have to split the money, and I’d have to shoot them to keep them quiet so it’s probably just as well I go this alone. After all, if you want something done right…

I am going to rob a bank by myself…with/without a disguise, with/without my own car, with/without a gun…if you keep at this long enough, you will arrive at a plan to rob a bank.

But roll it back there, Scooter. You made your mistake when you decided to rob a bank. Really? That’s the best answer you could come up with? Apparently, for a fair number of people every day, it is.

That handsome guy just asked me out. Yes or no? Well, I know two of his ex-wives, one of whom he married twice. I just noticed he’s using his father’s credit card to pay his bar tab. I’m not sure where he’s working now, but he’s not at my company any longer. Well, yes or no? Yes! It’s not like I’m looking for a relationship, and what could go wrong?

I’m really sad today, and I’m mad at everybody. This would be a good day to get my hair cut. Yes or no? Why, yes! Shave one side of my head and put in blue streaks? Sure!

Yes, the world is binary. Very few shades of grey/gray – especially when you’re in a bad mood and reach for the bleach.