break out of your box

I’ve just finished listening to The Telepathy Tapes, a documentary podcast about extra-sensory strengths of people with autism. It’s fascinating, and I recommend it for many reasons but it reminded me of something we all do all the time and that is assuming that our way is the only way. Or, worse, the right way.

I know that’s a broad statement to make, and I immediately want to qualify it. Some of us do it more than others. Some of us are very good at being – let’s call it – open-minded while others among us need more guidance. But without going down that rabbit hole, let’s just explore the premise.

Typically it starts with dominant groups. For example, colonizers assume their ways are superior to those they conquer. Or, for decades, medical research was performed primarily on male subjects so those results became the benchmark for all people, regardless of gender or many other factors. Think of how authority in a patriarchal society defaulted to fathers or male heads of the household. Again – broad statements. I know. And this is a short essay. But follow the general line of thinking here; and let’s look at the word “dominant.”

I’m using dominant as “prevailing,” or “leading,” rather than the more ominous, cartoonish “I will crush you” image. Back to The Telepathy Tapes, our dominant way of communicating is through words, spoken or written. But what if you can’t speak? What if you can’t write? Many of those with autism cannot because they don’t have control over their physical bodies. Does that mean you are not intelligent? Of course it doesn’t.

How many times have we underestimated each other’s capabilities because of some prevailing belief? Think of the suffrage and civil rights movements that took so long to change paradigms. Do you think your pet understands your emotions? Do you think you can hide your feelings from an eight-year-old? Has our changing climate moved you to see that we are part of nature and by mismanaging our resources that we’re undermining our own well-being – because we are part of nature (see how that echoes?)?

I won’t’ go on because there are thousands of words that have been written on this topic. Millions, in fact. Just know that your way isn’t the only way. It’s not wrong. But it’s not necessarily right, either. The more we can punch our way out of our own boxes, the more we can see.  

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3/17/2025