Don Barker, in “Heavenly Tech”, regains consciousness and realizes that he has more to do. “Red Fred” in “Its Own Reward” learns that violent revolution does not cure society’s ills. The Teacher in “The Tipping Point” discovers that he may be the good that will emerge from a tragedy. Phil in “The Red and Green Blues” finds a new direction for himself and his city. In all these stories one thing becomes clear: while society can change an individual, it is the individual who changes society.
Life is not a reflection of TV “rom-coms”, as much as we would like it to be. Jay Josephson first appears in “The Transparent Angel” but he influences several other stories advocating selfless social action. In Hollywood productions, he should generate one transformative victory after another. People should follow his lead. Instead, he is almost killed by a misguided bigot. “It is what it is” he says with resignation and refuses to back off from his life’s mission. Like Phil, Jay sees that mission as selfless community action.
Don Barker emerges from his post-accident visions understanding that minimal service is not enough. As the “Boss” says at the initial Board Meeting, people must live the rules, not just follow them.
“Business” and “ethics” need not be oxymorons. In the long run, the better way is the way that benefits all of society and does more than merely enrich the few.
Knowing your faith requires that you live your faith. Without selfless, visionary leaders like Phil, Fred, Jay, and the others, society stagnates; and the promise of a better world goes unfulfilled.
Faith lights the way. It is up to individuals to recognize the path, follow it, and – as Gabe says in “Friend, are you saved?” – light the way for others.