Amidst all of the challenges of these days, I offer you a lighthearted look at how to better understand ourselves and others: the Grand Unified Muppet Theory. Thanks to Broad Streeter Will Heywood for introducing me to what author Dahlia Lithwick describes as…
a little-known, poorly understood philosophy that holds that every living human can be classified according to one simple metric: Every one of us is either a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet…
This is a very intriguing theory! Every one of us is either a Chaos Muppet (Cookie Monster, Ernie, Grover, Gonzo, Animal) or an Order Muppet (Bert, Scooter, Sam the Eagle, Kermit the Frog). Chaos Muppets are out-of-control, emotional, volatile, and like to shake things up and always keep things interesting. Order Muppets tend to be neurotic, highly regimented, averse to surprises. They sometimes resent the responsibility of the world weighing on their shoulders, but they secretly revel in the knowledge that they keep the show running. Neither is better than the other. In fact, the world needs both. A healthy family needs both. Organizations need both.
So, which are you? If you aren’t sure, ask someone who knows you well. Or just take a look at your spice drawer.
The world needs both. Think how much Bert needs Ernie and how much Ernie needs Bert. The Chaos Muppets help the Order Muppets focus on the present and appreciate what is actually happening in their lives. Chaos Muppets challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas into our lives and into the world. Order Muppets help families and institutions live out deeply held values in real, tangible ways. Jesus is a Chaos Muppet. Paul is an Order Muppet.
As we enter more deeply into this challenging winter, reach out to your opposites. We need them to keep us healthy and whole.
Are you a Chaos Muppet or an Order Muppet? What do you appreciate most about the other?
-Written by Amy Miracle
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Interstingly, Kermit’s love interest was always Ms. Piggy, who is definitely a chaos muppet. It seems like chaos muppet types always end up surrounded by order muppets and vs. versa. Animal always had some kind of band going on, but the members were order muppets who kept him in line when he tried to run away with the solo. I have a theory about muppets that extends a bit beyond the chaos/order theory: there were muppets who definitely fell onto an autism spectrum. Big Bird, for instance. That guy was utterly clueless about so many things, but basically he was a nice, decent guy who made his way because of all the nice, kind, informative people and muppets who guided him along the way. Oscar the Grouch was a bit odd, too, but underneath all his obsessive compulsive desire to hoard was a personality with great sensitivity. The best thing about all the muppets is that they’re reigned in by people who seem to understand that we all need kindness, and one another, to figure out how to get by in this world, no matter what’s going on.
I think I’m I’m a “chorder” person or maybe an “ordoas” I can be very orderly because I hate to waste time searching for things. On the other hand I sometimes fling things about which is liberating. But the orderly is usually where I settle. Creative ideas usually come to fruition when given structure. In a group we need both.
Considering what is occurring in Washington , D.C. at this moment, the only reasonable response today is “ORDER”. I pray for calm and safety and order.
Whew. I suspect I’m a cross between Scooter and Animal. But to be honest, I’m fairly certain that all of the Muppets are living inside me simultaneously jostling to be the one to step out front in that exact moment before retiring to the dressing room.
I wasn’t totally sure which I was until the comment about the spice drawer. Mine is in alphabetical order. But I do like shaking things up every once in awhile.
I’m Chaos kept in line by my husband Curtis, who is definitely Order. It can be annoying, but it works.
I live with someone who can’t throw anything away. He is also someone who never puts things in the same place and really doesn’t have a regular place (except my kitchen counter where everything ends up for “someone” to put away. I would like tone a chias muppet at times, but as you can see I am forced tone an order muppet. Otherwise neither of us would know where anything is
I think I’m a bit of both which makes for an interesting life. My spice rack is not alphabetized and is a good example of chaos. There are other examples as well. But I appreciate order and control, and in some areas of my life they are evident. Go figure!