In a world where things are in a constant state of flux and shades of gray now cloud that which was formerly accepted as black-and-white, my mind often wanders into places where answers are hard to come by.
Here are a few random examples of subjects where questions of why seem to dominate, and answers seem – at best – obscure.
•Why is it that some people you speak to have always done things bigger, faster and better than you have?
It’s amazing, really; compared to everyone they know, they’ve always driven to the Gulf Coast faster, eaten better barbecue, caught a bigger fish and gotten a better deal on a pickup truck. Must be nice.
•Why is it that photographs and video clips of strange, supposedly real creatures are almost always out of focus, grainy, distant or in some way just plain blurry? Just once I’d like to see a clearly discernable image of Sasquatch, Yeti, or lake monster (like good ol’ Nessie).
For Pete’s sake, even the folks who “hunt” creatures on satellite network TV shows seem to always be equipped with sub-par gear, and they never seem to be in the right place at the right time. They’re always where the beast set foot about an hour ago or where it must have slept a week ago.
But then, these creatures are simply very elusive, right?
•Why is it that some people insist on interrupting when talking to others?
It’s as if they feel a need to establish an authoritative superiority in their minds and they’re not comfortable (and don’t seem to even like) sharing a conversation.
I find that odd and sort of sad. I actually like hearing about peoples’ thoughts, opinions and experiences. It’s taught me a lot.
•Why is the price of gas 12 cents a gallon lower in Springfield than in Houston?
Are we that much farther away from ports where giant ships unload their liquid cargo? Is it because it’s so hard for tanker trucks to stray so far from the four-lane?
•Why do people listen to politicians when they stare into a camera and blurt out obviously incorrect information or bald-face lies, or when they attempt to portray themselves as not being something everyone knows they are?
I don’t care much about politics, so not much being said by anyone involved in the presidential race has piqued my interest. But something came up the other day that did grab my attention.
Apparently Bill Clinton was claiming his wife, Hilary, wasn’t part of “the establishment.”
All I could think was, “Wow, if not her, who?”
I guess the comment was made in conjunction with what has become a bit of a debate over the definition of establishment, but so far I don’t think that has been established (and my guess is it might never be).
I have whole lot of other similar questions, but believe me, I don’t lose any sleep pondering them because I realize where that would lead. Many years ago, there was a TV commercial that asked the question, “why ask why?” Now there’s a way to simplify a few things.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.