As season 18 of NCIS ends I reminisce the joy and humor I have experienced with every articulation of Gibbs’ Rules. If you want to see Gibbs’ list here is an authoritative link:
https://www.cbs.com/shows/ncis/photos/1003066/gibbs-rules-the-complete-list-from-ncis/2/
Meanwhile, I have developed my own little set of rules to
help me negotiate the current complexities of life. I have unashamedly borrowed from other brains. So here we go:
. 1. Every highly complex problem has a simple solution, and it is wrong.
2. Truth
is truth, belief is belief and they are not the same.
3. Just
because you believe it does not make it true.
4. The
more extraordinary the claim the more extraordinary the facts must be to
support such a claim
.
5. Math
and science do not care about your belief system.
6. One
may not use a belief statement in an attempt to prove a belief statement.
7. Prejudice,
racism, misogynism, bullying, assault, and discrimination are validated by the experience
of the victim and are not dismissed by the denial of the perpetrator.
8. Judging
others by inherited characteristics is blatant fear and selfishness.
9. Judging
others by an inherited and unexamined belief system is appropriate, but usually
fruitless.
10. Your
attempt to improve what is currently successful will result in antagonism.
11. The
7.9 billion people on the planet will continue to exist only as long as we cooperate,
compromise, and allow those impacted to influence the rules.
12. Denial
of a reasonable request for information will always imply wrongdoing.
13. Never
claim unearned credit, always give more credit than you receive.
14. Teach
others, develop others, and model for others.
15. The
problem with competition is someone wins and someone loses.
16. What’s
good for business is not good for the people of the USA.
17. Your
belief system is not better or worse than another belief system.
18. Your
belief system becomes worse than other belief systems if you attempt to force
it on others.
19. Get
the hell out of the left lane if you are not passing.
20. Your
mission may be my minutia. And vice
versa.
21. Love
is a gift that hurts to give. It cannot
be earned or found if lost.
22. Trust
is a gift that leads to betrayal. It cannot
be earned through control.
23. Those
who base their belief system on lies and falsehoods will react with violence
when the truth emerges.
24. Put
it back where you found it.
25. If
it is not yours do not throw it away.
26. All
humans are our brothers and sisters.
27. Do
unto others as you would have them do for you.
28. The
universe is too vast not to have other life forms. But, we are and will be alone.
29. The
pursuit of wealth and power is the most ignoble of human endeavors.
30. The
pursuit of truth and equity is the noblest of human endeavors.
Each rule could merit a separate blog post. I shall forego for now. And, no doubt, other rules will evolve.
