While reading the diary, Tribes, They Kind of Matter, I came across the sentiment, commonly voiced in response to marketing techniques and human behavior, that humans are "herd animals"; sheep led by the more self-aware shepherds who take advantage of our weakness. I've always felt this conception to be both cynical and myopic. I agree with the general underlying sentiment, as humans are most definitely driven by our fundamental need to belong to a group. Still, the term "herd animals", while technically true for the most part, sounds pejorative and harsh. Since when is a desire for companionship, affirmation, and perhaps most importantly the need to share oneself with the world a negative thing?
This brings me to the title. I am, as I'm sure most everyone who follows what happens in the world is as well, by turns shocked, appalled, excited, hopeful, and terrified of the events currently unfolding in Iran today. In most ways our "herd instinct" is exactly what's on display in the cities of Persia as I type. Rather than a selfish drive to personal glory or power, it is the communal aspirations for freedom and the desire for the extension of dignity to everyone in society driving people to fight for their future and repudiate their past.
As webranding says in his diary, it is the 3rd person who starts a trend. As the tired and dispirited youth of Iran began to see those brave few begin to march and resist, their so-called "herd instinct" lent them the strength and support necessary to heed the call to action.
We cannot know what the end result of the last two days will be. However, it's fair to say humanity's sense of community and it's drive toward communal experience often serve to ennoble mankind in it's darkest hours. The truth is, my "herd instinct" is tingling like crazy. I want to be marching with those protesters more than anything in the world. Instead, I think I'll try to keep my own hope alive for our brothers and sisters in Iran, and I hope you will too. Rather than cynicism and doubt, the world needs more of us to remember and embrace that which makes us feel a part of something greater than ourselves. Though cliche, and though we must always temper ideals with pragmatism, we truly are one people.
UPDATE
Rumors abound: This site and Twitter are alive with reports that several of the more moderate Ayatollahs, along with Mousavi, are fighting back hard against attempts by Ahmani-nejad and his cronies. Word is that Khameini is in a fight for his job as well, since the stance by the hard-liners has destroyed any chance of a peaceful resolution between themselves and the moderates.
This thing inches closer to a revolution all the time. My hopes lie with the people of Iran, and hopefully we can avoid too much bloodshed. . .