Rush’s hemispheres provides insightful lesson

Rush’s Hemispheres contains a very important lesson. A few weeks ago, I introduced mythological/archetypal critical perspectives and there was an essay discussing Apollonian vs. Dionysian philosophy, so I couldn’t resist indulging in playing Hemispheres by Rush (1978). Since the two most common problems teachers have been excessive talking and general apathy, it makes sense to address these problems in a creative way since they are diametrically opposed much like Apollo and Dionysus. To sum up, the “people” needed guidance and Apollo and Dionysus arrived and each provided a persuasive “pitch” to the people to follow. When they followed Apollo, they “ran to build their cities and converse among the wise”. Yet later on “they knew not what was wrong/ the urge to build these fine things/seem not to be so strong. When they followed Dionysus, they left their cities and the “forest echoed song. They indulged with food and wine and they “slept beneath the stars.” But their enemy this time was the harsh winter and wild animals. What is the lesson? Sometimes we have the know-how but not the desire and vice versa. In our lives, we need to follow our head and sometimes we need to follow our hearts. Currently, many students, workers and citizens are living without the divine spark. It is lost, but it could be found. The time to come together and listen to different perspectives and strategies is not only crucial but essential. Folks, we need one another. Go out and find your Apollo or your Dionysus and create that amazing relationship and get things done! If you are a school principal and you do not know how to discipline, find someone who can and work together. If you are a teacher and are not comfortable with more “hands on” learning and real-world applications, find another teacher who does and create a collaboration. If you are an “Apollo” and have the knowledge but lack the desire or human compassion, find your Dionysus, and make it work. Let’s start working together for crying out loud and leave our egos at the door!