I will take the advice popularized by Simon Sinek: start with why. If I can’t give a good “why,” then all of the particulars that follow are pointless. And if I can't put the “why” down on paper for anyone to read, then I have no business taking this public. So here goes:
I believe that the United States is at a critical point in history. The forces of changing technology, global competition, and climate have never posed challenges this great, and the country has rarely been this dysfunctional in its politics. But instead of rallying to these challenges, our political landscape is marked by increased polarization and tribalism.
Without a dramatic change, I fear the country that I love, that I spent 25 years serving in the Army, will pass a point of no recovery.
And yet this is happening largely against the wishes of the majority of Americans. On average, our citizens celebrate the singular greatness of the United States while recognizing its flaws. They are almost universally frustrated with a political system that rewards extreme positions, political gamesmanship, and division. I think the time has come for ordinary citizens to step up and try to effect change. I worry that if we continue to wait for someone else to take the first step, it will be too late.
So, why? Because our country is struggling, faltering, and if the people who love her don’t step up, this noble experiment in self-government will fail. The answer to “why?” is because it is now or never to, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth.”
Why? Because it is now or never.
So, that explains “why?” in broad terms, but it doesn’t address the “what?” It doesn’t explain “why, if the stakes are as you describe, are you starting a Substack with an obscure name as your point of entry?”
This is an excellent question, and I have some tactical and strategic reasons why this makes more sense than it seems at first, but the most honest answer is that it feels like this is the right target. I initially thought about public office, but I decided that was not something I was ready to try. Maybe someday, but not today. That path felt like I was trying to rush to an end result, when what I really need to do is develop a message and see if that message has an audience.
And so, I give you Quijotesco. It is where I will be writing, both fiction and non. I hope it will progress to conversations with thought leaders. I want it to make a difference in our conversation.
I am realistic enough to know that most people who enter into something like this start with similar grand ambitions, and that I am almost certainly underestimating the work and overestimating the reward. I am actually fine with the idea that my ideas and this message will not find an audience. I’m okay with the possibility that by conventional standards, this might be considered a failure.
What I am not fine with is not trying.
Finally, that brings me to the name Quijotesco. It is the Spanish version of the word “quixotic,” which derives from the 17th century novel and character Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote was a man who fancied himself a noble knight. He famously charged, or “tilted” at windmills, thinking they were giants, all the while driven by the dream of defending his beloved Dulcinea. He may be more famous to English speakers from the 1966 musical “Man of La Mancha,” based on the book.
I had always thought the word quixotic was pronounced “kee-HOT-ic,” like the character name. I never was as happy with it once I learned that the English version was pronounced with a hard “x” - “qwiks-OT-ic.” I fell in love with the word, though, when I learned about the Spanish version, “quijotesco” (kee-ho-TES-co). It has a few meanings, including “one who fights imaginary opponents.” It is, frankly, not entirely complimentary.
But I prefer to be reminded of the version of Don Quixote from “The Man of La Mancha.” He is a flawed knight, an imperfect champion. But he has noble dreams and aspires to something better. He dreams the impossible dream. He fights the unbeatable foe.
I probably can’t be that.
But I can try.
So, that’s my way of introducing the “Why?” and the “What?” of Quijotesco.
Our moment in history is dire.
We have what many would call unbeatable foes.
The idea that one man can make a difference would seem to be an impossible dream.
And I am so there for it.
Cheers, y’all.
I share similar thoughts yet have found no formalized effort to explicitly give energy to. I cheer in this exploration for audience and the courage to leap!
With you!