It struck me just this morning (as I was scooping water from the rain-tubs and strategically deploying it to various trees and other key absorption/evaporation hubs of my little cube of paradise) that for awhile now, I have been formulating and operating under a new definition of “person with nothing to lose.”
(One of the benefits of having a lot of rhythmic, non-brain-requiring manual tasks built into one’s day is, besides the physical exercise value, the wealth of creative thoughts that bubble up into the unfettered mind.)
The “person with nothing to lose” under the conventional definition has power and incentive to be extremely mean and dangerous. (Not that they will necessarily exert their power in that way.)
The “person with nothing to lose” under this alternative definition my mind has been percolating … has power and leeway to be extremely kind, expansive, and generous. And do a lot of good in the world. (Not that they — we — will necessarily exert their (our) power in that way … but it’d be good if we do!)
More later; to be continued! Am micro-office-ing on the fly today, between getting my tax papers squared away for my beloved CPA, and scooping out rainwater tubs in prep for this weekend’s expected rains, and planning a little noontime dip in the ocean etc etc!
Added next day:
• Person with nothing to lose (conventional definition) — for example: penniless and excluded from economic opportunity, ostracized by family, no ties with friends or other community, etc.
• Person with nothing to lose (alternative definition) — for example: Loves life but feels they have lived a long full life, and is prepared for death if it is their time to go. Has their basic needs met and is not financially vulnerable (low overhead, not dependent on a job or employer, etc.). Has leeway to speak unpopular viewpoints and adopt fringe “eccentric” ways of life with relatively little negative consequence on themselves (they might be laughed at but they’re not going to be thrown out on the streets etc.).