Have you ever reminisced about a toy from your past and then immediately begin to search for it on the computer within the confines of that store named after a river in South America?
That place always seem to have what you are searching for.
My most recent search was for Newton’s Cradle, a nostalgic desk toy from my youth. My reasoning was that the grandchildren would love it. Actually, I wanted it-but the grandchild answer justified the $25 expense.
For those who are not familiar- you can search for it easily. The contraption consists of 5 steel balls suspended by a pair of parallel bars with 2 strings attached to each ball and to the parallel bars. This allows the balls to swing back and forth only, and not side to side. It’s an exercise in physics. Pull a single ball back on the string as far as it will go, release it, and watch what happens. The energy is transferred through all of the balls and the ball on the exact opposite end swings out with the same force and momentum. The 3 balls in the middle remain mostly stationary. The number of balls lifted and dropped on one side dictates how many will rise on the other side. It’s kinetic energy, and the name is derived from Newton’s 3rd law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
While enjoying the moment and the repetitive clicking of the balls, I also took time to compare. This cradle is not dissimilar to cultural shifts in our country and the reaction they bring about by the public. That’s pretty deep stuff for a toy that makes a noise like a metronome.
Many of us observe cultural changes with awe and wonder–or sometimes with bewilderment and disbelief. Some changes are subtle shifts and others seem more extreme. As a population, we generally make allowances for changes or don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them. It’s part of a growing and evolving civilization.
But just like Newton’s Cradle, we swing just so far one way before the string becomes taught and gravity takes over. Sometimes the shift comes from a new generation, and sometimes from our elected officials. Legislating behavior always seems to stir resistance in the American Citizen. We love our freedom. We vote to accept the rules, laws, and moral constructs set by our elected officials, and don’t mind them as long as those elected officials stays out of our homes–Our castles are the line in the sand. Here is where the line is often drawn, and here is where the push back does occur.
One example of this was Prohibition. Prohibition was made into law just over 100 years ago (1920-1933). Started by a Temperance movement to curb the rise of alcohol consumption in the United States, it completely backfired. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution caused a rise in illegal consumption, bootlegging, organized crime, and the black market. Many Americans didn’t like having their choice of enjoyment or entertainment taken from them.
The steel ball swung as far as it could before swinging back in the other direction, crashing into the awaiting steel orbs that sent another of its kind out swinging and back again. Eventually the law was repealed by the 21st Amendment, which led to an economic up tick through legal sales, new business, more agricultural options, and increased tax revenue. Americans sent a message to Washington to stay out of their private lives and to let them choose for themselves.
Recent history, i.e. the Covid years -was somewhat similar to the Prohibition era of the last century. Government again decided to try to change the behavior of its citizens and dictate what could and could not be done in their homes and in public gathering places. The push back was justifiably strong and again the metal orbs swung out and back and crashed into the awaiting mass. Eventually Americans learned what was true about the pandemic, and what was not, and the restrictions that were placed on them were eventually removed. Americans again sent the message that they have the right to choose for themselves.
America’s greatness is by design. Our Constitution provides the format for us to push back. We can disagree and temper the tide of interference into our lives through peaceful protest or legal changes. We don’t always win every battle or agree with every change, but we do have the ability to say whether or not we concur with our vote.
One more thing about Newton’s cradle. After the steel orbs swing out and back and keep crashing into the 3 balls that are in the middle, the swinging eventually slows and then stops. Soon the group is all one again. All united, all strong, and all of the same structure.
As Americans, we have a similar vested interest in the sanctity of our families and homes. Like Newton’s cradle, we each can be pulled, swung, or pushed, but in the end, if you push or pull too hard, we swing right back. It’s our protected right and our duty to do so legally and this year as we celebrate 250 years of swinging into each other, it’s good to know that we are still all part of the same cradle.
I hope the grandkids enjoy these things as much as I do– Learning about physics from Newton and living in a great country.
