Let's celebrate Interdependence Day this 4th of July

We have a lot to be thankful for as we enter this Fourth of July long weekend: democracy, freedom of speech, civil society, and the list goes on.  

We are celebrating Interdependence Day this weekend. Here's why. I had a column ready about the new Power New York Act the Governor signed a few days ago. But, instead, I am going to stray from the energy theme this week. 

The Declaration of Independence boldly sought to cast off the yoke of a colonial master. The subsequent Constitution shaped the rule of law for a new experiment in self-government. Now over 225 years later, our language still celebrates the “independence” concept. But what is our real condition?

Where do we go from here in an ever more interconnected world? Why not celebrate the freedom we have to be interdependent?

Interdependence has never been easier. Interdependence has never been more important. Interdependence is also pervasive. 

So let’s embrace interdependence! Why the chairs in the photo? 

Someone in China cut the wood pieces for the very nice Adirondack chairs that we just bought and assembled for our backyard, just so we enjoy this weekend’s barbecue. I might add, someone in China also packed up the kit beautifully! The chairs were affordable and easy to assemble using the enclosed pictogram instructions and just one screwdriver.

Long live interdependence!  Long live our liberty to be as interdependent on each other as our hearts may desire!

A less formal (and slightly longer) version of this column appears here.