I moved into my new digs today, and I must admit, it’s nice to be back in “the bubble.” I have no doubt, however, that I will find plenty of things to comment on. This is the bubble after all. Probably the best part about being here is that I no longer have to commute. There’s just something about sitting in a traffic jam with the realization that you are absolutely powerless to change the situation that really grates on me. I have had time to observe an interesting phenomenon, however, during my long sojourns home after work. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the ubiquitous Jesus fish that graces the back of many a jalopy. I’m also fairly confident that you have seen the Darwin fish that has arisen to join in combat with the Jesus fish. I don’t want to get into the complex tale of these two car-bumper belief billboards and the evolution thereof. (for those of you who are dying to learn more about this epic battle of belief symbols, here is an excellent article that was published in the New York Times a couple of years ago.) Rather, my interest is in furthering the tale of the evolution of the Jesus fish.
I believe that the day of the Jesus fish is at an end. What’s more, I think that the Darwin fish has fallen prey to the very theory it represents. Not to put to fine a point on it, a more advanced species of car-decoration has evolved. With the current war in Iraq, there has been an outpouring of support for our soldiers serving in harm’s way. As part of that support, concerned citizens have been placing ribbon-shaped magnets on the backs of their cars. These ribbons come in various hues including the standard yellow, the patriotic red, white and blue, or even green and white (MIA-POW). Their presence on freeways across America is undeniable. This brings me to my point: these magnets happen to be in the same shape as the Jesus fish. I think that we have seen an evolutionary leap from the generic, pointed-nose chrome Jesus or Darwin fish of days past to this colorful, easily removable (there’s evolution for you!) symbol of patriotism.
My only question now is what does this mean? Is this a harbinger of things to come? Are we going to see a radical shift in belief systems leading to a new “religion of patriotism?” Only time will tell. However, should a revolution occur, remember that you heard it here first.