OWL-DRAGON

Edward Teller, Johnny Cash, and John Ritter all died this week. Each a generation apart. Although two were entertainers, all three lives were very different. I wonder how to measure the impact of a life. Ritter seemed a nice person who made likeable entertainment but nothing that was an enduring contribution. Teller although a scientist made his mark in politics. Some hated him for his cold warrior mentality. But would the world be better if the Soviets had the Hydrogen Bomb and the US didn’t. Teller was important but anonymous – one of many. Cash was also one of many and perhaps his entertainment will be as ephemeral as Ritter’s. Musical tastes change and the famous of one generation are forgotten by the next. But in the short haul of the long I think it likely that 20 years from now Cash will still be known, his music played and copied. What’s sad is that in 20 years Ritter would have been only a little older than Cash when he died and Cash would just be catching up to Teller’s long life. Historians would probably argue that Napolean made a bigger impact than Beethoven but oh to have written the Ninth.

This morning was cloudy and rainy and I was uncertain about running. I played with the idea of just going to the gym, but finally took a chance and headed out. Turned out to be one of those great runs. A light misty rain fell most of the time with winds and clouds adding texture. The miles sped by and seemed easy. Perhaps because I was considering the lives of others short and long that my own embrace of the world around me seemed so satisfying. Tomorrow is a long run – I hope it goes as well.