Reason #315: The Rhodium Rule

Posted at May 13, 2010

We have all heard of the “golden rule.” You know, the one that says “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” But there is a metal far more precious that gold and maybe there should be a rule to go along with it as well. I will call it the “rhodium rule.” This rule states that the way you treat others, especially others in a less enviable social or economic position, reflects who you are and what lies in your heart. Why do we believe it is morally justifiable to create these social chasms between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” both in terms of rhetoric and reality? On a personal level we tend to associate only with those “like us” and avoid those we deem “inferior.” On a community level we segregate our cities and towns into “poor areas” and “rich areas.” We want as much distance between the two as possible so as not to devalue our properties. In terms of political rhetoric the “haves” claim that all efforts at “leveling the playing field” and giving the have-nots a leg up or a hand out are ”socialistic.” We give the beggar on the street a wide berth as we walk past him. Here in Costa Rica at almost every busy intersection there will be the usual beggar asking for a few coins so he can have lunch, or something worse. While there is a “safety-net” here in Costa Rica, it has more holes than those in the U.S. and people like those intersection beggars have obviously fallen through. It never ceases to amaze me that most will turn a blind eye to this person, refusing to even look at him and say, “sorry sir, I can’t help you.” Rather they refuse to even acknowledge his existence, even though he (or she) is flesh, bones and spirit, just like them. In the real world, there are no “level playing fields.” There will always be some more blessed socially and economically than others. It may be due to hard work, or luck, or theft, but the fact that there is this chasm is a reality that will never go away, despite the best laid plans of the most compassionate “socialist.” It seems that many times efforts geared toward “playing field leveling” only tend to deepen or widen those chasms. However, the rhodium rule speaks to the chasm in one’s heart and soul. The chasm that makes one feel better than his fellow man because he drives a bigger car or has a bigger bank account. The truth is when you strip the wealthy man of his “stuff” he stands there bare naked and no different than the beggar on the street, except in terms of knowledge and experience. The rhodium rule states that what we should hold in our hearts is the yearning to use our gifts (our stuff, our knowledge, our experience) to regale others in such a way that lifts their spirits to the level of our own.