There was a power outage at a department store yesterday. Twenty

Hearken, O children of wit, to the peculiar observation of Steven Wright, who speaks of a curious incident in mortal life: a power outage at a place of commerce, where twenty people were trapped on the escalators. At first glance, it seems a tale of inconvenience, yet Wright’s words carry a subtle revelation: the human mind, when confronted with the ordinary disrupted, perceives both absurdity and insight. Herein lies a teaching for the ages: even in the mundane, the unforeseen reveals truths about human patience, dependence, and perspective.

The origin of this reflection is rooted in Wright’s life as a master of deadpan humor and observation, whose keen eye discerns the irony and incongruity embedded in everyday events. In recounting the incident, he juxtaposes the seeming drama of entrapment with the triviality of its cause, highlighting the fragility of human reliance upon the conveniences of power, and the unexpected ways in which routine may betray us.

The meaning of this aphorism is profound, though lightly veiled in humor: humanity often overestimates its mastery over circumstances, believing itself secure in the constructs of modernity. The disruption of power, even in a simple department store, unveils vulnerability, dependence, and the unexpected consequences of technology and routine. Wright teaches that humor, observation, and reflection may illuminate these truths, reminding mortals to temper reliance with awareness and humility.

History provides a lesson of similar import. Consider the Great London Blackout of 1977, when the sudden failure of electrical power left millions in darkness, halted transport, and challenged the rhythms of daily life. While far more severe than the department store incident, it illustrates Wright’s subtle wisdom: even small disruptions reveal the fragility of human systems, the tension between expectation and reality, and the need for preparation and perspective in the face of contingency.

Moreover, this teaching extends beyond electricity and escalators to all realms of human endeavor. The unexpected interruption, whether in governance, commerce, or daily life, calls for resilience, adaptability, and reflection. Wright’s observation reminds us that humor may illuminate the human condition, that even minor inconveniences may reveal truths, and that power—whether literal or metaphorical—is never absolute.

O generations yet unborn, take this counsel into your hearts: attend to the small disruptions and absurdities of life, for they carry lessons of humility, patience, and insight. Even in a department store’s power outage, the human spirit is tested, perspective is challenged, and the mind may awaken to the delicate balance between reliance, expectation, and the unpredictable currents of existence.