This is The Nooner, a (very short) daily newsletter slash podcast that has its very own section within Dispatches from Inner Space.
To see the first post, which doubles as an explainer, click here.
Also a quick reminder that you can listen to the podcast version of each post wherever you listen to podcasts.
Silver linings are the truth
The silver lining metaphor is so familiar it barely seems like a metaphor at all. To the point that we talk about silver linings as actual things. Something bad happens and we say, well where’s the silver lining? Or someone else suggests we try to find the silver lining, and we suggest they might want to get punched in the face.
Anyway, everyone knows what a silver lining is. It’s the little bit of good that happens as a consequence of all the bad. A pile of shit lands on you and you say great, now I don’t need to buy fertilizer. Silver lining.
Or something.
Of course, a real silver lining is a meteorological phenomenon that happens when a big grey cloud hovers in front of the sun. And that shimmering silvery outline never seems to get less beautiful, no matter how many times you see it.
On the other hand, I think we tend to think of metaphorical silver linings almost as consolation prizes. OK, so this big dumb thing happened and it sucks and I hate it, but at least there’s this little nice thing that came along with it. I guess I’m supposed to focus on the little nice thing instead of the big dumb thing and be less mad?
Yeah sure I’ll do my best.
In the case of the real thing, the clouds pass, and the sun keeps shining. The cloud only briefly obscures the light, while the silver lining reminds us of what’s behind.
Yes, big dumb things happen, and we suffer. But the big dumb thing isn’t the cloud, it’s the suffering, and suffering passes away. And then, when it’s gone, all that’s left is light.
Click at least one of these or else…
…I can’t guarantee that you won’t be carried into the sea by an army of angry interpretive dance instructors.
Silver linings are the truth