Byron's Babbles

In the epilogue of Miracles, C. S. Lewis introduced us to G. K. Chesterton. Chesterton was greatly applauded in his day, and lived as a celebrity. Now he is somewhat veiled in obscurity, but I am coming to greatly appreciate him as I read Orthodoxy. C. S. Lewis was certainly influenced by Chesterton.

Here is a quote from Orthodoxy that Lewis referenced in the epilogue of Miracles:

“But all conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change. If you leave a white post alone it will soon be a black post. If you particularly want it to be white you must be always painting it again; that is, you must be always having a revolution. Briefly, if you want the old white post you must have a new white post.”

G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, p. 122.

G.K. Chesterton was suggesting that conservatism is grounded the belief that if we refrain from making changes, things will remain unchanged. However, this is not accurate because even by leaving something untouched, it will inevitably undergo change over time. The analogy of a white post turning black indicates that if you desire something to stay the same, constant effort and adaptation are required. In other words, to preserve the original state of something, one must continually work towards maintaining it. This can be compared to having a revolution, as it signifies a complete renewal or transformation in order to preserve what is cherished.

On the white post, the paint will fade away. We must change by continuing to paint. Think about it, there may be better paint with new chemistry to last longer. Even though the post is still white, a revolutionary change has been made. And, if we don’t regularly paint, the post will rot away. The truth that the post is white has not changed, but the fresh coat of paint allows the post the attention it deserves.

Similarly, when applied to other scenarios like technology, organizations, or even personal development, a revolution can involve identifying the root causes of decay and implementing radical changes to revitalize and reinvent the object or system. This might involve adopting new technologies, reorganizing processes, or embracing a new mindset. We really need to keep this in mind when considering education. I hear so many people say that things can’t keep changing, but I am not sure how no change would be possible. We must have continual restoration, renewal, and improvement – revolution.

In essence, a revolution seeks to break free from the constraints of the past and embrace a new paradigm that not only restores the original purpose but also enhances it. It requires active participation, continuous effort, and adaptation to ensure that the transformation is successful and sustainable in the long run.