Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

Infinite diversity in infinite combinations, or IDIC as it is known in Star Trek circles, is a core Vulcan philosophy that represents the belief that beauty, growth, and progress arise from the union of differences. Pretty cool, right? And it’s been a part of Star Trek since 1966. Notice that creator Gene Roddenberry did not attach that philosophy to humans, but rather to the arguably more advanced species that pursues logic and has lots of elaborate, alien-sounding rituals to restrain their emotions. They also have groovy IDIC jewelry.

That doesn’t mean we backsliding humans can’t learn from it. Our plants already know it, as the practice of planting one type of crop tends to wipe out the soil nutrients and encourage disease. Diversity companion planting tends to do the opposite.

But the Cheeto flee and Muskrat don’t want us to think or learn, and they foolishly believe they can erase diversity from our language, our records, our stories, our lives. Trying to control language is a classic oppressor wanna-be move — ask any indigenous person or the Irish, or choose your own oppressed culture/language adventure. IDIC is here to stay, you whoreson curs, to quote Shakespeare. As a writer I take messing with language personally, although it also makes me want to respond like a wise 5-year-old: Diversity, inclusion, diversity, inclusion, diversity, inclusion, diversity, inclusion, diversity, inclusion. OK, maybe a wise-ass 5-year-old.

And so my dears, this is your semi-regular reminder that what the government is doing is not normal. Snatching Fulbright scholar and PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk from a Somerville, MA street for exercising her constitutional right to freedom of speech is not normal. Randomly firing great swaths of government employees is not normal. Shutting down essential government offices is not normal.

Creating chaos and fear is not normal — in a democracy. But it is quite normal when one is trying to establish a dictatorship or a fascist state.

So, what is the antidote? Well, you can attend a protest, there will be plenty to choose from — pick your group. I will give the flea and rat one thing, they have been steamrolling pretty much every group equally, so now you can join the librarians, the scientists, women, museum lovers, veterans, federal workers of all stripes, National Park people, people who don’t like to pay 10% to 85% more for stuff. I mean talk about diversity!

There were a few lil’ ole protests this past Saturday, called Hands Off. Boston’s protest was 100,000-person strong, including yours truly, the kid, and a lot of my friends. Don’t you just love spring in New England? The clouds stayed gray, but the rain held off until the very end.

Another antidote is, of course plants. The first plants of spring have arrived, and this week I planted the pansies and Swiss chard. These are kick-ass plants that aren’t afraid of a little cold and snow, and they are helping remind me not to be afraid of the little people who would like to dismantle our democracy.

My final antidote is my glorious garlic. After two years of learning the hard way how to successfully defend my garlic from marauding digging squirrels and nibbling bunnies, the garlic is emerging unscathed and vibrant under its protective scaffolding. I suppose it’s not unlike democracy, and that it’s not enough to just hope that your fellow creatures won’t tear down something you depend on. Sometimes you have to intervene, even if it takes a little while to figure out how.