Hi everyone,
Let’s resume my recent spring cleaning project of going through the fortunes I’ve hoarded over the years, determining whether each is True, False, or Racist, and making a decision about whether to keep it.
The days you work are the best days.
The first time I saw this fortune, I laughed out loud at the absurdity of the idea. Everyone hates work, right? The boss yelled at me again, what a great day!
I considered it a little differently when I realized that accepting multiple definitions for work changes the meaning of the fortune. Sure, in terms of what people grudgingly do for a living, the concept is ridiculous. However, the work of building and creating fulfilling lives is among the most satisfying activities.
True, False, or Racist?
False. Although I recognize that ‘work’ is not bound to a single interpretation, I think for most people work is a reluctantly accepted means to some other end. I suspect our society’s glorification of work also leads some to exchange what might be a fulfilling career for higher pay in a less meaningful field – exchanging meaning for means, so to speak – and I think stamping out this message will help many stay on a path that best serves their deepest, non-material needs.
Keep it or chuck it?
Chuck it.
Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom.
This is a classic fortune structure – present recognizable yet shallowly understood concepts and frame them in the context of a needless duality. The result is messages like this one that look clever on the first glance and leave satisfied diners nodding in admiration.
Unfortunately for fortune cookie writers everywhere, I have thought a lot about wisdom and I have a working definition – wisdom means knowing when your experience is relevant. This has nothing to do with doubt because doubt means knowing something yet pausing to double check or second guess.
True, False, or Racist?
False.
Keep it or chuck it?
Chuck it.
There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but only one view.
This is another example of the ‘classic fortune structure’ because most folks have never climbed a mountain yet can probably form a basic mental approximation of the task.
I disagree with both ends of this message. There are some mountains that have only one path to the top (unless you make an exception for flying a helicopter, I suppose). I’ll leave this point to you, reader, for further dissection.
More importantly, there are so many more views than just one. I know some climbers are satisfied by their accomplishment while others can only think about the next challenge. I’m sure some climbers consider ways to help others reach the same place while others take pride in the solo accomplishment. Finally, there are those who feel the ascent completes the mission while there are others who suspect the journey down is the real mountain.
True, False, or Racist?
False.
Keep it or chuck it?
Chuck it.
