For some time now, I have been noticing something. And, I am wondering if anyone else is seeing it.

It’s not so much visible to the eyes as it is discerned by the heart. I sense there is a movement underway. There is a question which is surfacing, arising, emerging, I guess out of all the “stuff” we call “culture.”

People are asking, “What does it mean to be human?”

This is not a new question. The Greeks help us to understand that there are 4 questions which drive and shape society.

1. What is reality?
2. What is a good life?
3. What is a good person?
4. How do you become a good person?

I see this question or theme, “What does it mean to be human?” starting to appear in a variety of venues.

Reebok, the sneaker company, proudly displays this on their website. I first noticed this during last year’s super bowl. Did you know you can purchase sneakers which pump up and conform to the contours of your feet? Should they be called, “Arnold,” after our beloved actor-governor Arnold S? Apparently, he’s not the only one interested in, “pumping is up?”

But here’s the kicker. They are advertised and promoted under the banner of “Be more human.” Yes, it’s true. Being more human is the suggested benefit of wearing the right kind of sneakers. And I thought it was about so much more. Silly me.

Reebok even has a test, an exam you can take to see how human you are. Did you know there is a human-ometer out there? It’s free, administered through their web site, and available to all. Check it out at www.reebok.com. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and your very own exam results are finger tips away. You will find your human score there.

Apparently this is something everyone is or should be concerned with. I agree. But I am not convinced wearing the right kind of sneakers has anything to do with it.

But why is Reebok advertising this way? Hmm…

Then, there is the new Windows 10. The other day a banner came across my screen which advertised the using or adopting of Windows 10 with being more human. There it is again. What’s going on here?

Just when I was beginning to believe it was about having the right kind of sneakers, am I now supposed to believe it is about having the right, newest, latest and greatest…Microsoft operating system?

Perhaps it’s a combination of both. What would happen if I wore my right sneakers and at the same time used my right computer operating system? Is that even fair? Would I then be super human?

Recently, my family has been watching episodes of “The Flash” on Netflix. It’s great for sons and those who still believe in the magic and mystery of superheroes. What is it about these types of shows which seem to call us? They reach out and speak to something inside us. There is something… inviting about them. Children will naturally “go there” without any encouragement. Apparently they long for…more.

Good thing we know the answer now lies in sneakers and operating systems, right? Finally, we can guide our children with great confidence and wisdom. Not!

These episode feature what are called, “Meta Humans.” Once normal humans have now been given above normal abilities. They are Meta Humans. And like all of us, some use their powers for good and some use it for bad. Barry Allen, the central character in the show, is using his new found Meta Humanness for good. He’s fast. Really fast.

I have not checked whether Barry wears Reeboks or not. Actually I believe he is sporting an older pair of Converse – the kind I used to wear as a kid. Cool. Perhaps there’s budding hope for me after all?

Humanness. What does it mean to be human? I am seeing this question and versions of it starting to emerge quite frequently and in a variety of venues. Sneakers. Operating systems. Television shows.
Is anyone else seeing this?

Could it be that this is the coming cry of the human heart? Could it be that this is the question which is driving the engine and motivations of our society today?

A different question, “What are the implications when it comes to education?”

Hmm…. Do we educate people unto the purpose of full humanness? Could we say about our educational offerings that we are intentional about seeing humans flourish here? Is that a banner, even if invisibly so, which waves above our campus? Is that something on our radar screen? Is that something on our stakeholder’s radar screen? Could it be and should it be?

If our society begins to cry out with questions and quests for humanness, where will we likely turn for answers? Is it found in sneakers? How about using the right kind of operating system? How about being zapped by an out of control Particle Accelerator? This is what “did it” in The Flash.

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I dream of a world in which all people live in freedom and the fullness of their potential and the hope filled power of education to actually pull this off.

For me, this is humanness. I guess it’s my own version, V.SHR (my initials) if you will. It expresses and captures the power and potential of education. It’s what education can be. I believe it’s what people are longing for education to be. I know my students are.

I am analytical. So here’s an equation for my like-minded friends:

H = (P * F * Fp) e

See if it makes sense to you. Can you add to it? What would you subtract from it? What questions does it stir up and cause you to ask?

These are thoughts way beyond the boundaries of a blog. At the same time, they are not bereft a blog.

If a small seed, when planted, can grow to become a great tree providing food and shelter for many, what might happen if such a small seed, a seed of humanness, were planted in the soil of education?