Intelligent Design

earlier today, i read an article from sunday's cape cod times about "Intelligent Design." (check this too Intelligent Design). it's a theory that doesn't actual theorize much (original thought anyway), instead it harps on (alleged) holes in Darwin's Theory of Evolution. the idea is that most organisms (read: humans) are way too complex to have evolved from minor genetic mutations over time, so there must have been some... wait, here it comes "intelligent designer" (now, who could they mean? hhmmm...). i was planning on laying into these advocates of intelligent design, and the fact that a startling percentage of adults believe Creationism should be taught in school science classes, and the truth is, i am likely to eventually write on that topic, but right now, i am moved to suggest that sometimes it's hard to deny the instances in life when it seems that a higher power is at work (did i say that?). the chance encounter with a long lost friend in a far off place, the employee who calls in sick and avoids a crash on the way to work, or in my case tonight, the perfect song at the perfect moment.

i admit that i love technology, and an ipod is my latest buy. the technical specs are great, and it serves its purpose perfectly, but there are times when my ipod is on shuffle and it plays the song that is so powerful at that moment, so well-adapted to its environment in terms of evolution, it is shocking. has the technology evolved in such a way that it knows when ben harper will bring tears to my eyes, or thursday will power me through a furious time?

tonight, actually, several times today, i found itunes playing all the right songs, but as i stepped outside tonight, hazy streetlights shining in a mild fog over damp roads, not a soul in sight, and even less to hear, i was so moved by my ipod's selection. the sort of song that you don't want to end, but if it didn't you may never move your place.

it's nine inch nails when everything is wrong; death cab for cutie when you're sure the love is gone; it's kanye west at the start of the party, and "don't stop believing" target="_blank" at the end of a long night; it's tom petty when you're on the road alone heading west.

but end it did, and of course, the next song, even more appropriate than the first, as if i was the subject of a live music video. a chill in the air, slight wind, enough to blow wet leaves and light litter across the parking lot, i had any number of places to go and tasks to complete, but the first order of business was to appreciate those moments when everything is so perfect, be it happy or sad, that it is bittersweet to see it end.