I hate that I live in a world where I must write this book. I hate that this book needs to be written. I dearly hope that by reading this book, you’ll see what to hate—and halt it. And also see what to do, and do it, for each other, for our future together.
I wrote this short poem decades ago. It received diverse circulation, copies and reprints in many publications. I affirm it still, for individuals, and for groups who live in silos, who think alike and isolate themselves from others.
Who Think Alone Grow Peculiar
Who think alone grow peculiar,
their minds unchastened
by friend, foe and
the normal humdrum of the outer world.
Ideas sprung half-formed,
standing on ideas sprung
half-formed, the acrobats locked,
veering, threatened by any,
loudly defensive of their monstrosity,
unaware of its error,
repulsed by the world where seen.
Less secure, less complete,
less consistent is the commerce of ideas,
the battle of wits, the slurry of abuse
and success in the world, and more true.
We stand better on the shoulders of others
than on our own.
– George Byron Koch, 1983
In virtually every area of life, social, political, religious, scientific, moral and cultural, I have held ideas one way, then changed sides—sometimes more than once. I’ve discovered there aren’t just two sides, but many—and entire areas where no one really has any idea.
The message of Bullies, Parasites and Slaves: Replacing Exploitation With Mutual Care has to stand or fall on its own. But it’s also true that the conclusions reached here flow from decades of observations, decisions, debates, faiths, friendships, skepticism, history, science, people, logic, books, family, travel, and sitting quietly lost in thought. This mix lobbies against easy labels like conservative, liberal, moderate—or any of the thousand other social, political and religious boxes we assign each other as we each try to understand and organize our human experiences in this universe.
It’s complicated, right?
My alliances and choices over the years have puzzled many partisans of one camp or another: I’ve sided with the one being treated inequitably—even when I didn’t fully agree with them. But I don’t therefore believe in unthinking acceptance of every style and manner of life. Some are unhealthy, some evil-hearted, some meaningless, some neutral, and some loving, caring, fun-filled, joyful and vital. Most are several of those all at once. I might even disagree with choices of lifestyle, faith or culture, while affirming the right to live it—unless it harms or exploits others. Then I will resist and restrain it.
Some may find pleasure in insulting or taking advantage of others. I believe both are damaging to our common future. Hence this book.
You can chase down a fuller biography and access to my other books, talks, music, and artwork at georgekoch.com/biography. In the end, all of it—thought, art, struggle, speech and writing—is for one reason: to help us to care for each other.
Throughout this book, you’ve heard my story and my insights, seen my puzzle pieces of reality assembled before your eyes, and now the picture should be clear: Mutual care is the one solution open to us.
Now it’s your turn to make it real.