Starbucks Subtext
A subtext is a unifying thematic melody that extends underneath, present, intermittently sensible in a larger work. Seated at Starbucks reading silently Anthony O’Hear’s Science Art and the Human World, a challenging work of philosophy of science, a familiar tune playing on the PA came to my awareness. Along with the seasonal Christmas carols came the Be Thou My Vision melody. This was a tune from my childhood. I’ve sung those words many times from a church hymnbook.
The tune is an ancient Irish hymn dating back to the 10th or 11th century, a prayer for protection in a time of clan warfare. God is appealed to as the clan protector.
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all”
Strangely, appropriately the tune playing in the background served as subconscious reminder. In and through the external demands of profit and loss reports, balance sheets, accountability for product delivery, etc. what we care about, and love most is beyond our power to secure with absolute certainty. Thus our appeal, our prayer to the transcendent, openness to the ground-of-all-being — is the proper, human response to our vulnerability. What alternative response might we make; a response that preserves our humanity? Rage against the darkness?
Hardly.
