project 8/

TRUST OF OTHERS

F. Melentieva, Accountant, Syktyvkar

Often, characteristic of many of us is a mistrust of other peo- ple. In their actions and calculations we think "I wonder what they're up to," and often unconsciously we anticipate something unpleasant, we try to avoid and foresee undesirable consequences.

But it is also common to think that this reasonable prudence and anticipation of "a dirty trick" cuts our impression about "someone else'' at its roots, someone who is exactly like "I" am and who, seeing in us such caution, responds to us in the same way. Mistrust of ''another'' person, suspicion, is so highly devel- oped in our society that it has already become the norm, and we perceive this norm as a. misfortune only because it, like the air, is everywhere and we all breathe this atmosphere. But it should not be like this, it is worth fighting with this widespread and deep-rooted misfortune. The project proposed below is aimed precisely at these goals. From the window of the building where you live, you should lower a basket with a note and money in the bottom. The following text will be in the note: "Stop, please!" We have an urgent request of you: for reasons beyond our control I cannot go out- side (serious illness). There is a grocery store across the street. I implore you to take the basket and the money and buy bread, milk and 10 eggs. Tie the basket back on the rope and tug on it three times ... this is the signal to raise the basket. Keep the change for yourself. Thank you in advance." There are no doubts whatsoever that this request will be ful- filled. There will be people - and the majority are such - who will correctly understand and appreciate the trust which has been extended to them. No matter how badly they are hurrying in their own matters - it is precisely this experience - this forgotten and selfless trust of another person, this ordinary human kind- ness - that will draw them to fulfill your request. And this step of theirs will summon in you yourselves the same feeling in response. Repeated action will only reinforce it.

TRUST OF OTHERS

1. Buy a woven basket, preferably not a very light color (60 x 36 x 36 cm).

2. Tie it to a rope and hang it: the 1rst variant is along the wall of the hall: next to the wall (from the ceiling with a rope) so that the bottom of the basket hangs at least 28 cm above the level of the table. The 2nd variant is to hang it from the ceiling in the center of the room. Then the dis- tance from the table should also be 28 cm and 40 cm from the side of the table.

3. Place a piece of paper inside with a handwritten text on it: "Stop, please! We have an urgent request of you: for rea- sons beyond our control I cannot go outside (serious ill- ness) There is a grocery store across the street. I implore you to take the basket and the money and buy bread milk and 10 eggs. Tie the basket back on the rope and tug on it three times - this is the signal to raise the basket.

Keep the change for yourself. Thank you in advance."

4. Put some money next to it (paper money, a color copy is sufficient).

5. The thickness of the rope is 6 mm.