Archive for Year: 2025
Irrational Rationality
“Being irrational and out of control is what happens in real life. Not cautiously choreographing your anger or your emotions, losing yourself in them is what happens in real life.” Margot Robbie “Poetry involves the mysteries of the irrational perceived through rational words.” Vladimir Nabokov This week I had the pleasure of listening to a lecture on the historical roots and underlying ideas of Unitarian Universalism with my daughter, who is pursuing a degree Read More
Assumptions
I’m writing this post on a milestone birthday. I’m now in my ninth decade of life on this planet. One friend of over 50 years sent a picture of our younger years and wrote,
“These were the days we thought everything was possible. We assumed we would sing and dance forever and a day. The days have grown short, but the memories live forever. Nobody and nothing can take them away. Friendship is a rare and precious gift.”
Standards and Systems
“We’ve become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy. I think that’s been the worst damage to the basic moral and ethical standards to the American political system that I’ve ever seen in my life.” Jimmy Carter “States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions.” Noam Chomsky “Right action tends to be defined in terms of general individual rights and standards that have been critically examined and agreed Read More
Imposers and Exposers
I’ve been thinking about windows and mirrors lately, an educational concept created by scholar and educator Emily Style.
Windows allow readers to see into different lives and different ideas. Mirrors reflect a person’s own culture, ethnicity, and philosophy. As Sydney Harris, an American journalist and author, said:
“[M]ost people reflect the emotions of the time, while few open windows that bring light to dark places.”
In Defense of DEI
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is more than just a moral imperative; it’s a powerful driver of social and economic progress. While some argue that focusing on DEI is unnecessary or even detrimental, a wealth of research demonstrates the benefits of fostering inclusive environments in organizations and society at large. One of the most significant benefits of real DEI is its positive impact on economic growth. Keep reading to find out why and how this works.
When Loyalty is a Liability
Loyalty can morph from a valued quality to a blinding force that hinders intellectual growth and impedes progress. As Mark Twain suggests, being “loyal” to opinions that are no longer relevant impedes progress and freedom.
So what is the true power of loyalty? Where does its real value lie?
Radiance
I’ve been thinking about what it takes to bring a little light to an increasingly dark world. Fires, floods, fertility flops, and famines have become more frequent and more severe. The world seems to be shifting to the right fueled by populist rage based on false information. These rapidly changing trends are personal. We have friends whose house burned to the ground in California. They had just moved in two weeks ago and lost everything. Read More
Entertainment or Expertise
Today, less than half of U.S. adults read even just one book per year.
Is Chris Hayes right that our attention has become the focus of corporate manipulation?
If all our conscious thoughts are replaced by the buzz of beeps, notifications, and texts, how can we be more than just “bystanders to our minds”?
Hopelessly Flawed
In a blinding glimpse of the obvious, I recently had a revelation during my morning meditation. It finally struck me, on an emotional level, that we are all hopelessly flawed.
The pressure to be perfect is immense. Constantly striving for an idealized self prevents us from connecting with others. Read more to find out how to harness the power of vulnerability to connect authentically and find the courage to be seen.