I have noted a similar trajectory for this week’s “news.” Apologies. And I am sure they will be even stronger in next week’s news.
Here is a smattering…
And, of course, submissions from Emily Oster, writing for the Atlantic:
Given the amount of uncertainty, almost every position was taken on every topic. And on every topic, someone was eventually proved right, and someone else was proved wrong. In some instances, the right people were right for the wrong reasons. In other instances, they had a prescient understanding of the available information.
The people who got it right, for whatever reason, may want to gloat. Those who got it wrong, for whatever reason, may feel defensive and retrench into a position that doesn’t accord with the facts. All of this gloating and defensiveness continues to gobble up a lot of social energy and to drive the culture wars, especially on the internet. These discussions are heated, unpleasant and, ultimately, unproductive. In the face of so much uncertainty, getting something right had a hefty element of luck. And, similarly, getting something wrong wasn’t a moral failing. Treating pandemic choices as a scorecard on which some people racked up more points than others is preventing us from moving forward.
The Alantic column is worthy of a read, but be very careful as it will arouse anger. As we all know, those that got it right spent hours, weeks, months and years doing research, research often done alone. Those that got it right also lost their friends, family members and often their jobs and professional standing. It is easy to feel anger over these “apologies.” But it is also easy to get caught up in anger. In this case, I see nothing for which it will help. It can be an emotional trap - we were moved by a beautiful spirit within ourselves, one which allowed each of us to look inward, trust ourselves and then use this strength when acting without.
I feel it important to let go of the anger as fast as possible. I find it odd that there appears to be a timing behind these apologies. And they all are written as if there was an even playing field between those that “got it right” and those that “got it wrong.” There is no winning, most I know understand this and holding anger is destructive.
This - "I’m afraid our anger will blind us to what needs to happen so this kind of thing never repeats." This is why I felt compelled to write. When we all started this journey, we initially felt anger and fear. But then we trusted in something deep and beautiful. And through that faith in ourselves, we stood our ground, no matter the cost. I feel it super important to hold to this. I know it wasn't "luck."
I’m afraid our anger will blind us to what needs to happen so this kind of thing never repeats. I also think that my forgiveness is gonna be the least of the worries of those that jabbed themselves multiple times. I’d be more concerned with living with the notion that you can drop dead at any point.