THE EcONOMICS OF RECESS, HUBRIS &THE RISE AND FALL 🚌
Theodore (TJ) Detweiler is the beloved protagonist of Recess. A Disney classic, following the escapades of a group of six middle schoolers. Their adventures lead to pyramid building, rescuing of abandon animals, detention breakouts and the set up of a new economic system. The economics of Recess episode, introduces a new economic system where mon-stickers become the trading currency. After returning from a period of being off sick, TJ is surprised at the changes that took place in his absence. When TJ attempts to drink water from a water fountain, he stopped and asked to present monstickers at the school entrance. Luckily his friends support him with monstickers, until he is able to get some of his own.
At a certain point, having enough 'monstickers' to play with his friends, drink some water, or lie on the grass wasn't sufficient for TJ. The entrepreneurial spirit took over, and he began engaging in business trade with the diggers. Eventually, his hard work led him to the court of King Bob. What started as a quest for more stickers to meet basic needs and desires transformed into a quest for power
TJ dethrones King Bob and rules over the playground as a figure who straddles the line between a king and a prime minister. Noticeably, as TJ ascends the social and economic ladder, his attitude undergoes a gradual transformation. He rebukes his friends who merely want to enjoy their free time playing, rather than working for him and making more stickers. The patience he once embodied is replaced by anger and intolerance towards those without the same level of ambition.
When his final employee, Randal, makes it clear that his business model is no longer fit for purpose, his pride gets in the way. TJ couldn't accept that his greed to acquire more, without a system for everyone else to have a little to enjoy too, wouldn't last. A moment that encapsulates the insanity of TJ's pride occurs in the penultimate scene. In that scene, TJ enters a type of manic delusion and declares that he doesn't need Randal, and he doesn't need anyone
Pride is an interesting thing. A healthy level of self-esteem and confidence is essential. No one is better than you, and you aren't better than anyone. We all bring something unique to the world, our families, and work environments. To some extent, our ability to thrive aligns with our capacity for humility. There are many paths to success, but the phrase 'it gets lonely at the top' suggests that our methods matter. A leader who provides opportunities for others to lead empowers those around them. Being preoccupied with acquiring wealth without a focus on people can be unwise, as we see in the case of TJ at Third Street Elementary School. This approach places people last. When we prioritize people, we can build and lead in ways that transform communities, organizations, and individuals.
Accountability allows us to maintain humility. Recognizing who we answer to and carefully selecting those individuals will enable us to grow. In the best cases, these relationships become mutual and reciprocal. We live in a world that is constantly changing. Whether we are mentors or mentees, we all need each other. Realizing when it's time to move on is also helpful. Sometimes, our mentors and supporters need to attend to their own lives, and they may be unable to maintain the discernment needed for a healthy relationship. TJ didn't have systems of accountability. He ruled absolutely, and corruptible behavior isn't a good long-term strategy. Empires fall.
In the end, TJ went back to his friends. He had no choice. We have no choice. Humans are social beings, and we cannot exist in a healthy state without one another. I don't recommend engaging in toxic and unhealthy relationships. However, community building is essential. Find your people and nurture those relationships. We are all on different paths and in various life phases, so it's helpful to mix it up and include people from all backgrounds, careers, and lifestyles.
In the words of Craig David:
Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over
And it seems as though the writings on the wall
Superstar, you finally made it
But once your picture becomes tainted
It's what they call
The rise and fall
Don’t allow pride to result in you sitting on a park bench wondering where it all went wrong. Learn how to ask for help. Discover how you can bring out the best in others, and be gracious to yourself as you go on the journey.
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