A space for observation, discovery, and growth
We May Overlook the Gifts of Our Senses. Today, We Recognize Them
A Change of Pace for Agents of Reason
More times than not, this blog talks about our lack of sense – as in Common Sense. National and international news has been so intense of late (and will get more so over the next 6 months), I thought we could use a little change in focus for today. About those other senses, not about common sense.
I have mentioned from time to time how important our senses are, but only in passing.
For Governance and Economics, This is The Key Ingredient
Human Frailties Will Arise, Every Time
Every human endeavor has the potential to be a thing of beauty and long-term benefit for all concerned. Unfortunately, they also hold potential for great distortion and damage. Eventually, those failures of excess and lack of perspective almost always rear their ugly heads and do damage to people, the planet and everything in between.
One thing seems to be the best preventive measure/corrective process – good old-fashioned competition. Most of us basically understand this in economics, although as we will note in a moment,
Deciding Issues of Rights, Responsibilities, and Governance
Two Topics Dominate the News – More is at Stake Than the Obvious
While Ukraine and other important issues continue to be important and visible, two new topics have seized the headlines and our consciousness: the sale of Twitter and the risks to reproductive freedom, especially for those without economic or political power, in today’s America.
Both issues have some components that often are overlooked but are key to why there is so much energy around both issues. Let’s take a look.
The still to be finalized but likely to go through purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk,
Join the discussion at: Core Issues – Balance and Perspective
A Demonstration This Past Weekend of Important Qualities
A Long-Delayed Event
The White House Correspondents Dinner happened last weekend, the first time in several years, and the first time in 6 years one has been held with a sitting president in attendance. It is very much an insider’s gathering, but this one had some useful observations for us all.
A confession: I have a soft spot for this event. I was a guest for it one year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the Washington version of the Oscars and the Met, rolled into one,
Join the discussion at: Humor, Humility, and Hubris in High Places
No Matter Your Politics or Economics, Now is the Time
Energy Remains a Defining Element of Human Life
The ability to harness energy has been a defining qualify of human existence for a very long time. So much of what we know, do, and assume is based on harnessing energy. That is not going to change any time soon. More likely is that it will never change.
While I admire, and to at least some degree support, calls to minimize energy usage, it is most unlikely that we will economize our way out of the problems this posting highlights.
Join the discussion at: Four Great Reasons to Quit Carbon Energy
Part II of the Discussion – The Workplace and, Meeting Space Deficits
Trust Writ Large
We talked earlier this week about the serious erosion of social trust, including the all -important but often unrecognized weak link trust that makes for a functioning society. We discussed that while a bit of this is a part of human nature, the downside of such distrust got a long term and deep boost from the Reagan era, which fed right into what the conspiracy theorists and far righters have brought to maturity over the last 4-6 years.
It Seems a Rare Commodity These Days. That Hurts Us All
First of a Two-Part Commentary
Let’s take a bit of time to talk about trust. Today, the general nature and specific outcomes from whether we have trust or not. Later in the week, we will talk a bit about how this is being reflected in the workplace and in other gatherings. Some important rumblings are happening that we should take account of, and address.
Trust as An Essential Social Element
A lot has been written of late about the element of social trust perhaps being another long-term casualty of the pandemic.
It’s Never Over. We Should Do Better at Teaching It
Do We Learn from History?
Apparently, not much. Or not many of us. We all know that famous old line “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” Less well known but equally true is the one that says: “Those who learn history are doomed to watch those who do not, repeat it.” Yes, indeed.
The whole point of recording and passing on history, one assumes, is to pass along the lessons contained therein. Yet, we continue to make the same mistakes,
Join the discussion at: See, Here is the Funny Thing About History….
Memorial Services Remind Us of Important Truths and Priorities
A First Such Gathering in a Long Time
Last week I attended a memorial service for a friend. It was one of the first such gatherings I have participated in since the pandemic began. After such a long absence, I remembered of why such assemblies are important to us all.
By “us all,” I refer not only to the memory of those lost to us, but also to their families, friends, acquaintances, and the larger community.
Different Communities Do This in Very Different Ways
I am a Unitarian Universalist,
The Economy, Crime, Immigration, and National Divisions Loom Large
Is That All?
Well, no. The list of what people worry about runs long, but these four seem to top most polls. There is, as is always the case, a mix of reality and perception going on here. We will look at each one momentarily, but first something unique should be noted.
As I look around the country, talk to people, read a lot of inputs, it seems to me that a couple of things not historically common are shaping public opinions in powerful ways.
Join the discussion at: People are Worried About Four Big Issues. Should They Be?
