Firmware - A Flattering Foundation?

I couldn’t help myself with this one.  I had ample time as iOS 8 was downloading to my iPhone, and I noticed a message that read “updating firmware.”    As you may know, I am not a techie; I simply play with tech terminology as a metaphor for more…..humanistic endeavors.  I didn’t recognize the tech term, firmware, and I chuckled at my immediate associations - supporting underwear, under garment shapers, compression chambers.  They are incredibly popular today with women, and with men, as I’ve recently discovered from my research.  You can’t go into a department store lingerie section without a looping video showcasing the shape solutions and levels of control from “Medium, Super, to Super Duper.”  I found this tagline online, “Our family of foundations was created with your Bust interest in mind.” Interesting.

Back to the technical firmware – here’s a definition from Techtarget.com, “Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device.  It provides the necessary instruction for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware.  It is a foundational software, and it can be thought of as semi-permanent since it remains the same unless it is updated by a firmware updater."

Where does this lead?  I know I have mental firmware that has been in place regarding mathematics since about the tenth grade.  My inability to stretch beyond the controlling constraints is probably permanent in my case.  But often, I feel as if I have emotional firmware controlling, shaping, pulling in, and sculpting genuine expression, honest emotion. Being respectful is one thing, and I understand the foundation and cultural values of being well-mannered.  However, controlling and reshaping true expression gives way to uncomfortable and bulging emotions. Emotions that simply want to escape, and usually do in the face of another unexpected and inappropriate person or venue.  You can feel the internal communications conflict and rub against each other - raw, irritated, stressed. The awareness of a sense of semi-permanence does not help the matter.   Think nine to five.   

But think again in terms of cultural constraints and global tensions.  Foundations are fraying.  It’s time for a firmware update.  Hopefully the new firmware will not take forever to download.  Hopefully, there will not be any major crashes.  And hopefully, it will provide better communication, connectivity, creativity, and compassion. That’s a good foundation. Semi-permanent – that’s a good start.

The SEARCH is on, join me.