This has been something of a mantra for me for many years.   Its a catchy phrase, but do you really get it?   Do you get that its not an accident, its a conscious decision?

I first began to appreciate it playing ultimate, when the way I pressed on D or made calls came back to me over a game or a season or several seasons later.   The democratization of the calls in Ultimate led to balance.   In no other sport could 2 opponents discuss a contention, have confidence in what they knew to be true, and find a happy medium that was fair and let the game be played on a level playing field.   The happy medium might be reached then, later that game with a no-call, or on the next pass with another ticky-tack call, but it got there eventually.   However you analyzed it…karma, common sense, game theory…it worked.

I have been at work long enough for many many people to have met me.   The interaction is not as adversarial, but the dynamics similar.   I try to respond to requests quickly and without baggage, keep it about the issues, and be easy to negotiate with.   It gets me the responses I need when my assignments depend on them, and earns me a long rope with much forgiveness when things go sour, because people know what I’m all about.   It buys me goodwill with my hours and slack for my parenting.   My work behavior is mostly pre-meditated, i make a point to manage my image, and its really not that hard — especially when you get the payoff.   There is a fine line between self-improvement and artifice and developing a job-related skill.   Does it really matter if it makes life easier?:

On the trail, if you are nice to people they almost always get out of your way.   Its not about speed or right of way, its like the kindness you project comes off you and others see it in your posture or your eye contact or how you grab onto your bars.   They feel you’re happy, they get happiness from you, and they move the fuck over.   And it makes the ride so much better.   Another skill like rolling over jagged rocks.   I’ve gotten comfortable enough with myself and my persona that I volunteered to become a Phoenix Park Steward – I figure if people see a well-behaved rider, they ought to know that rider is sorta official.   The times I give   directions or advice are good karma put back into the world, the off-chance that the map and extra water bottle I carry saves a life restores my faith in optimism, the occasional abuse I get from someone wronged by another biker…I can carry that weight.   I can acknowledge their problem and apologize on someone else’s behalf, I too want to know so the bikers can police themselves.   Mostly I want to be a nice guy so i can keep my flow and people realize a coil fork and pads don’t make you Darth Vader…want to hear why i won’t launch a jump because I can’t afford to break a wrist for needing to care for my infant?

Now take it a step further.   Over time I’ve seen how being nice pays off on MTBR – advice, help, invites.   The message board   makes you and everyone else a public figure, and it is obvious when a person is a good citizen, and earns some karma even if only known by a screen name.   The internet creates transparency, in spite of its costumes.   I had an offer to test ride a bike, to get led on a ride, and a killer hookup for parts.   Online you can completely control the message to be what you want to be, and live honestly by you own ethics.

is this a meta-ethic?   Will all social mores follow this rule, or is it a morality by itself?   I think for me it is both.