I was thinking the other day (and I do a lot of that) and I found myself stopping on the word sidetrack. I then consulted with Mr. Webster, who continues to be an authority on the definition of words (why I do not know) to find out what is the accepted perception of this word. He informed me that sidetrack can be both a noun AND a transitive verb; news to me. So, according to Mr. Webster, sidetrack means:
(NOUN)
1. siding
2. a position or a condition of secondary importance to which one may be diverted
(TRANSITIVE VERB)
1. to shunt aside
2a. to turn aside from a purpose; deflect
2b. to prevent action on by diversionary tactics; i.e. Sidetrack an issue
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidetrack
So, sidetrack is both the place you end up, once diverted, AND, the action engaged to divert you to that place. Either way, you were on the road to a purpose and now you are on another road toward a different purpose.
O. K…With that being said, I was then reminded, by a TV commercial, that the communications-powers-that-be, are retelling the V series for the 2009-2010 audience. Being a V fan from back in the day, I remember how the Visitors sidetracked humanity by bringing their gifts of technology to the masses, while they appealed to the pride of a select few, recruiting cohorts, who gleefully locked-step to their agenda.
On a more personal and intimate level, think of the times you have been sidetracked by a so-called friend, an associate, a bully, who was able to convince you to go against what you believe to be right and to do something you believe to be wrong.
Once upon a time there was a popular slogan floating about: JUST SAY NO! You don’t hear much of that anymore as the majority lean more towards: if it feels good – DO IT! But the majority CAN be wrong, with a mere few representing the mind of wisdom/the right track.
The application of diversionary tactics, like any premeditated action, requires fore-thought and an agenda. For the purpose of deflection against a purpose, not only does the deflector need a plan but they must be persuasive enough to convince. Unlike the train motorman who chooses to switch tracks and send the train in another direction, those who choose to divert and sidetrack others, places events in one’s path to send them in another direction. That takes a bit more finesse than throwing a few switches.
I am sure that we each can recall events in our lives that would be defined as sidetracks; things that sent us in another direction than what we had purposed. Sidetracked, to stop one purpose for the sake of another purpose, of secondary importance.
Now multiply those experiences a gazillion-fold and envision the helter-skelter-mindset of a world off track. Sounds like one big mess to me!
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