The Figurative Backbone

The backbone is a wonderful thing. After all, most if not all of about 58,000 identified species of vertebrates physically have one.

But one species, humans, felt the need to add another deeper meaning to the word. Humans do that. It's one of the benefits of having language and boring others with seemingly intelligent perspectives (like this one).

For instance, we term women as the backbone of society, refer to soldiers as the backbone of independence, information architecture as the backbone of SEO and usability, a talented quarterback as the backbone of his team and, just recently, DNA as the possible backbone of next-generation logic chips. According to Carl Sagan, the Kung Bushmen of the Kalahari desert in Botswana call the Milky Way (which is directly overhead there) the "Backbone of Night", thinking it holds the sky up.

It is when we turn our attention to the personal application of the term that things get messy. Some would say not having a figurative backbone is a crime. Others are fine with the concept.

After all, it is easier to agree with others in order to get along. To play nicely with the other kids in the sandbox. To avoid confrontation because those awkward, messy, emotionally-filled disagreements. To appear mindless and inconsequential in order to avoid having to make tough decisions with possibly dire consequences. It just makes life simpler. And I won't judge others for being easy to get along with. They have their own reasons.

It is possible though that the concept of a figurative backbone allows one to calmly stand up for oneself. To speak out when an injustice is witnessed. To listen not only to what people are saying but how they're saying it. To reach out and help others, selflessly, without judgement.

Plus, adopting one is a great way of keeping one's head out of one's butt. That can't be an entirely bad thing...