Building on a foundation of nothing

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face in marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

(As an aside, I encourage all to read Roosevelt's entire Man in the Arena speech for a powerful lesson in citizenship).

Criticism is easy, action is hard. Criticism brings little responsibility, action brings significant responsibility. It is no wonder, then, that all of us are quicker to criticize how others do something wrong than to actually try to do it ourselves. That is human nature.

Positive consequences lead to repeated behavior. Negative consequences lead to an ending of a behavior (typically). Again, it's a matter of human nature.

Problems arise when criticism, the path of least resistance, is coupled with positive consequence, the path of continued behavior. Consider lawsuits. We live in a society that is quick to sue. It is estimated that we, as Americans, pay $700 - $800 a year in taxes covering the costs of suits (link). The reason?

A plaintiff is rewarded for being victimized in some way. So what does it take to become a victim? Well folks, the quickest way to become achieve this "lofty goal" is to start criticizing the Man in the Arena. Second guess he who has to make decisions. When he errs, sue him. And often you will win. You see, if the judicial system consistently allows critics to become successful victims it is only logical the progression will lead to a litigious society.

The example two posts down is a clear illustration of just such an occurrence. As stated below, there were no perfect answers in the aftermath of 9/11. Whatever decision was made was going to be bad for someone. Cue the critic and the victim. Since there is no perfect answer the critic is in a no-lose situation. Sue away, it's time to get paid.

Of course the reciprocal effect is that the Man in the Arena suffers the negative consequence (remember Newton's third law). Because negative consequences lead to an ending of a behavior, naturally there will be fewer and fewer men stepping into the arena.

Who, then, fills the posts of authority? Who builds the foundations on which the country will move forward economically, politically, and socially? The posts will be filled but unfortunately, they will be filled with the critic who, as Teddy says, does not count. What are you left with? A foundation of nothing.