I have probably mentioned that I do not fear change. I consider change a paradoxical constant. This is empowering living in the time period I do. I have seen a fear of change cripple so many people.
However, there are two sides to everything. Chasing novelty has probably contributed to the destruction of several marriages. Others see stability, order, and constancy as ideals and equate change with chaos. I often find myself basing decisions on whether or not I have already experienced something. Boredom has a very negative effect on me.
I have been lucky. My desire for change has never effected my relationships. Human beings are far too complex to ever bore me or at least the humans I am drawn too are. I feel sorry for any human you would describe as "simple".
I find myself once again seeing repetition, continuing a pattern, and my mind is rebelling. I find myself looking at the variables and deciding which to change. I do not consider any of the variables off-limits. "Dropping everything" and "throwing caution to the wind" are inspiring phrases to me.
It may pass. It often has. The variables have a habit of changing on their own. I hope they do again. The universe is more creative than I am. But, don't be too surprised if I "suddenly" do something "crazy".
Friday, August 21, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Errant empathy
Let me start with what I believe to be generally agreeable to most people. Humans are capable of empathy. Empathy is a useful trait among social animals. This trait is particularly useful in humans as our infants are born so helpless.
Let me further state that altruistic behaviors by such a species is not only possible but in some cases useful.
Now, here's where I go off the deep end. I think that the very thing that some would argue makes us human, or at least distinct from machines, can go awry. Empathy often stays our hand. In this sense, it can lead to errors in judgement, but these instances are uncommon in the day-to-day lives of those living in this society. We have separated ourselves from the act of killing for food, for instance.
Empathy can also stay the tongue. We are social creatures. We interact with each other verbally. We know that words can cause pain. However, silence or words with no substance are not always the best approach, nor is pausing to consider every word.
We often are guarded, considering the opinions of others. There are various reasons for that and how often empathy plays a role depends on consequences. But the walls we put up are not simply to protect ourselves. Something once spoken cannot be unspoken. We do sometimes need to pause; to have a second opinion, even if it is from our own head.
The way others see us is also not a completely shallow concern. Social interaction is the only way we connect. We choose whether or not what they see is a mask or a projection.
In my case, too often, others have been presented with a mask. In many cases, it was not for my own sake. I spent too much time polishing and deburring my words. Sometimes, I stopped myself from speaking all together. Out of respect for privacy, I didn't ask questions and appeared to not care. Out of respect for someone's comfort, I didn't start a conversation. Because I feared that the interaction would make someone unhappy, I didn't interact. It wasn't my own feelings I was concerned with.
And so, I will try to let others know my thoughts. I will probably stick my foot in my mouth more often, but at least people will know I care.
Let me further state that altruistic behaviors by such a species is not only possible but in some cases useful.
Now, here's where I go off the deep end. I think that the very thing that some would argue makes us human, or at least distinct from machines, can go awry. Empathy often stays our hand. In this sense, it can lead to errors in judgement, but these instances are uncommon in the day-to-day lives of those living in this society. We have separated ourselves from the act of killing for food, for instance.
Empathy can also stay the tongue. We are social creatures. We interact with each other verbally. We know that words can cause pain. However, silence or words with no substance are not always the best approach, nor is pausing to consider every word.
We often are guarded, considering the opinions of others. There are various reasons for that and how often empathy plays a role depends on consequences. But the walls we put up are not simply to protect ourselves. Something once spoken cannot be unspoken. We do sometimes need to pause; to have a second opinion, even if it is from our own head.
The way others see us is also not a completely shallow concern. Social interaction is the only way we connect. We choose whether or not what they see is a mask or a projection.
In my case, too often, others have been presented with a mask. In many cases, it was not for my own sake. I spent too much time polishing and deburring my words. Sometimes, I stopped myself from speaking all together. Out of respect for privacy, I didn't ask questions and appeared to not care. Out of respect for someone's comfort, I didn't start a conversation. Because I feared that the interaction would make someone unhappy, I didn't interact. It wasn't my own feelings I was concerned with.
And so, I will try to let others know my thoughts. I will probably stick my foot in my mouth more often, but at least people will know I care.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Errors stacked on errors...
I was roughly 16 when the idea was presented to me. An explanation of nature that had been popular for centuries. Many of the great minds thought it an adequate explanation including Aristotle and continued to have proponents even after its tenants had been disproven.
The presentation resonated poorly with me. I felt that its discussion was not the bailiwick of a Biology class. It, like the ideas of humors and ether, were now the possession of history. Although the idea had been believed, that in no way gave it merit.
The idea was labeled "spontaneous generation". Treatises and even experiments were conducted to validate the belief. In truth, it stood up to some scrutiny. For those of you not aware, the theory was disproven by Louis Pasteur in several experiments and some rather brilliant correspondence between 1859 and 1862. As a result of these experiments, you can, if you wish, view broth than has been sterile since before the U.S. civil war.
The tale taught me much. I learned what my own beliefs were regarding science and its instruction. I learned that everything can be put into question. I learned that the very idea of higher forms of life simply jumping into being was anathema to me.
While writing this, I have again been made aware of how little time we've had. The mystical, unexplainable world was not really questioned until the 19th century. Germ theory and atomic theory are new. All of our knowledge of the subatomic was gained in the last 100 years. Our entire concept of the universe was changed a dozen times during the 19th century and again in the 20th century.
Assuming that our current model of the universe is correct would be foolish. We have learned much, but we already know there are problems with the conventional view of the universe and problems with many of the theories thus far proposed. Experiments need to be devised and when they are, the surviving theories will become the conventional view and the cycle will repeat.
For now, let us stop boring our children with ancient theories that have no validity. Such things are now anecdotes of history. Teach them what we "know" and allow them to take the next step.
The presentation resonated poorly with me. I felt that its discussion was not the bailiwick of a Biology class. It, like the ideas of humors and ether, were now the possession of history. Although the idea had been believed, that in no way gave it merit.
The idea was labeled "spontaneous generation". Treatises and even experiments were conducted to validate the belief. In truth, it stood up to some scrutiny. For those of you not aware, the theory was disproven by Louis Pasteur in several experiments and some rather brilliant correspondence between 1859 and 1862. As a result of these experiments, you can, if you wish, view broth than has been sterile since before the U.S. civil war.
The tale taught me much. I learned what my own beliefs were regarding science and its instruction. I learned that everything can be put into question. I learned that the very idea of higher forms of life simply jumping into being was anathema to me.
While writing this, I have again been made aware of how little time we've had. The mystical, unexplainable world was not really questioned until the 19th century. Germ theory and atomic theory are new. All of our knowledge of the subatomic was gained in the last 100 years. Our entire concept of the universe was changed a dozen times during the 19th century and again in the 20th century.
Assuming that our current model of the universe is correct would be foolish. We have learned much, but we already know there are problems with the conventional view of the universe and problems with many of the theories thus far proposed. Experiments need to be devised and when they are, the surviving theories will become the conventional view and the cycle will repeat.
For now, let us stop boring our children with ancient theories that have no validity. Such things are now anecdotes of history. Teach them what we "know" and allow them to take the next step.
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