Life as we know it is a series of near misses, of “almosts”, of split seconds, of fine lines, of near coincidences in time and space. Indeed, much of what occurs that determines the best or the worst on this Earth relates for razor thin margins. The possibility of time and space conjunction exists for our species and for all others. These “close calls” can be found in the chance of meeting someone whom one may marry, may enjoy, may educate, may differ with. These close calls can be found in athletics where a half step separates a runner from victory or defeat, a half step separates a hockey player from the puck, a half step means a fly ball out or a home run. These close calls happen on streets and highways every day, yielding good luck or death and disability, yielding horrendous accidents or moments of massive relief. These close calls mean that sometimes a diving eagle gets its prey, and sometimes the prey will live another day.
Close calls could be deemed to be occurrences that have razor thin qualities. Just so close in time and space as be terrifying or exhilarating, deadly or incidental. After all, when one uses a razor it is with the intention of shaving really close to the root of a hair without damaging the skin around it.
Razor-thinness plays a part in our communications and interactions with people in our personal lives and in our professions. Razor thinness in correspondence of course depends on your timing and spacing, but also about the moments when another person is able and willing to “listen” and respond. Once we have fallen off of an ideological cliff, we may not be able to hear, to listen, to respond, or to act in a reasonable manner. That cliff, that razor thinness in political dialogue is exquisitely delicate. It is so delicate that it requires of leaders to be more “big-eared”, “small-mouthed” and composed than perhaps in any other endeavour. Once people are over an ideological cliff, they may have passed the point of return, beyond where the razor can matter, beyond sensibility. It behooves those who have not fallen off the cliff to listen harder, think further, act sooner and more profoundly in order to salvage the messages and the essential actions that may protect civility and society. We are at this point in a world of so-called populous arousals. Political leaders, average citizens, media outlets, and influencers must draw deep breaths, stand back and stand up for humane considerations. There is too much at stake for the entire world. This is a razor thin moment.