What To Do With The George Costanzas Of The World

So, as a certifiable Seinfeld nut, I own all of the DVDs, have watched all of the episodes many times, in addition to the commentaries, and DVD extras.

In one of them, Jerry Seinfeld (the actor) was commenting on George Costanza (the character). He observed something like the following: "George believes that life has already robbed him. So, when he cheats and schemes, he's just trying to get back a little of what he believes is rightfully his."

I sat and pondered that, and found that there is a great deal of truth in it; not just in George Constanza, but in many other people out there. There are all sorts of people out there who game/manipulate/cheat, or otherwise take advantage of the system in an effort to get back what they truly believe to be just a portion of what is rightfully theirs.

(Of course, there are real dirtbags out there who know exactly what they are doing, and are abusing the system knowingly not because they have a deep-seated belief that they've been cheated, but because they are indeed dirtbags, and have themselves as the sole priority in their lives.)

But, I'm not talking about those folks. I'm discussing those who feel they have been robbed, and they truly believe the only way to break even (let alone increase their lot) is to employ the tactics of cheating and unethical behavior. There's the employee who threatens a discrimination complaint because s/he didn't get the big bonus that someone else got; there's the person in authority who abuses that authority and seeks to exercise power outside his or her bounds; there's the public servant who seeks to use their position for personal gain (beyond that of a paycheck). There are examples galore, and we all have seen them.

I saw one recently go on and on about how he had gamed the system with absolutely no shame about the matter. Indeed, he was quite proud of what he had done in "getting his." I didn't say anything at the time because the situation wouldn't have permitted it, but should I have?

Does calling "foul" on these people work. Does pointing out the errors of their ways do any good? My world view views that kind of behavior as an absolute abomination, a precursor to anarchy, and the fall of civilization. But his (our George Constanza) world view truly is that he had been cheated, and therefor he is justified in taking such actions. Does sitting down with these Georges and patiently explaining to them the implications of their actions really do much good?

I think the change in world view of this variety is a bit like having a religious conversion. It isn't something that can (or should) be forced, but is rarely stumbled across solely through personal introspection. One can determine that their way of seeing things (philosophically or religiously) isn't working or correct, but rare is it ever that a person abandons a faulty logic or world view in the absence of a replacement.

So let us (those of us who reside within the realm of reason) do what we can to place another world view in front of the George Constanzas of the world, hoping, one day, when they are reconsidering the lack of honor and integrity, and utter shamefulness of their lives, they will have an alternative to consider as a replacement world view.

And for those who cheat and steel because they can, and not because they feel like they themselves have been cheated - let the swift arm of justice be their fate.