Meteorology’s just the study of the atmosphere. Along the way toward of a better explanation of the atmosphere, however, comes the hope that an understanding will improve prediction: that we’ll not simply know, but know beforehand.
Writing about a place like Whitewater – if one really tries – should be a mixture of both principled declaration (what one believes) but also of forecasting, as of the weather (where the city is heading, regardless of one’s beliefs).
When one looks at Whitewater’s stodgiest insiders, it’s quickly evident that those declining few will advocate for what they want, but that they have little or no understanding of where the city’s heading.
Some of this ilk would prefer Whitewater didn’t change, and so they avoid the topic. Others tout supposed improvements of no practical value, pretending they’ve brought about changes to their credit, even though no one outside their circle thinks they’ve done so.
Big changes have come to Whitewater, and almost without exception the biggest of them have been the cultural, economic, social, and technological changes sweeping all America.
Our local, insular clique, however, has no feel for meteorology, so to speak, and often doesn’t see this dynamic. It’s as though they believe Whitewater’s weather is separate from places beyond the city limits.
For the most part, they’ve ignored a broader perspective, think and react only to events of the moment, and are surprised when their short-sighted efforts come out badly.
There’s one more thing, too: as they confront change that demands a broader perspective, they’ll actually turn ever more inward, to like-minded people who are as myopic as they are.
Counter-productive, to be sure, but that’s the only direction in which they’ll feel comfortable, nonetheless.