Jeffco

short of perfection — swing — would get them the gold.

e psychology behind that physical harmony is complex. It requires the rower to completely repress their ego while at the same time remaining true to their individualism in context of their abilities. It’s a form of what in philosophy is called “conjunction of opposites,” when two opposing truths are equally valid. For me, that is what drove the story home.

Yes, the decidedly non-economic rags-to-riches tale is one for the ages. And Joe’s and his fellow rowers’ inspirational life stories tug at the heartstrings. But it was becoming educated about the intricacies not only of eightoar rowing but also of swing, and how extraordinarily rare it is reached, that for me put “ e Boys in the Boat” in the rare ed air of numinous storytelling.

e chances of me rowing a boat at the level of swing are the same as me summiting Mt. Everest. Neither will happen. But the image of an eightperson crew rowing in precise synchronicity — that kundalini moment of peak performance — will serve henceforth as a mental visualization for perfection. e ideal to strive for but rarely achieved.

Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.

Letter To The Editor

Public education

Kudos to the students and adults who strongly advocated for gun safety action recently at the Colorado Capital. is is one major takeaway I have from witnessing their resolve.

Our public schools are teaching responsible citizenship, fostering strong values and principles, shaping moral lives and building quality characters. We should all be proud of the teachers, students and parents of Denver East Highschool, as well as the many other high schools, middle schools and grade schools in Denver who faced o with legislators.

As an educator for many years in the public sector, their activism reinforced the importance of quality public education.

As a teacher and administrator for many years in private schools, the activism of these public-school participants con rms my belief that private schools do not have a corner on producing principled, value-minded and moral individuals.

I agree with omas Je erson, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” He believed that public education is necessary “for the di usion of knowledge … (and that) no other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness.”

Ronald Fischer, Lakewood

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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