One of the big problems in American society is nominalism, i.e. the inability to distinguish mere form from true substance. Just slapping a label on something like the "Inflation Reduction Act" doesn't mean that spending nearly a trillion more dollars is going to reduce inflation!!
But that's the sort of thing that goes on constantly now, including all too often in the Church. So many folks, never trained to properly discern substance, look for cues that hopefully substitute as markers for substance, but are typically superficial, or perhaps trailing indicators that say more about where someone is from (e.g. "born on third base") rather than where they're going.
Most people who are actually succeeding and worth following, at the period in their life where they're making the most progress, don't seem particularly impressive. But the indicators are there, if you know what to look for.
One of the big problems in American society is nominalism, i.e. the inability to distinguish mere form from true substance. Just slapping a label on something like the "Inflation Reduction Act" doesn't mean that spending nearly a trillion more dollars is going to reduce inflation!!
But that's the sort of thing that goes on constantly now, including all too often in the Church. So many folks, never trained to properly discern substance, look for cues that hopefully substitute as markers for substance, but are typically superficial, or perhaps trailing indicators that say more about where someone is from (e.g. "born on third base") rather than where they're going.
Most people who are actually succeeding and worth following, at the period in their life where they're making the most progress, don't seem particularly impressive. But the indicators are there, if you know what to look for.
I feel this is how Trump won over the Youth male population. This is so well said.
Wow, this is so insightful!