Education – Blog From A Hermit Dot Com

“Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon.” – E. M. Forster

August 19, 2010

I like to believe we can all make that important connection – to nature, to each other, to the value and beauty of all life – the connection that lifts us beyond competition and savagery. Making the connection is the path to peace, individually and collectively. Sooner or later we’ll see it, by any variety of means – hopefully, before our mortal end.

The connection is there for all of us – in any language, on our own or with help, no matter what color our holy book or science journal. Some find the connection through meditation or prayer; some while contemplating a spectacular starlit sky or holding a child; some only after experiencing a dramatic injury or other traumatic event. The connection exists whether you intentionally seek it or not. Sometimes the connection serendipitously finds you. The connection exists no matter how you define God, and even if you consider God a fiction. If we spend our lives squabbling over the semantics and details, we can miss the value of the connection altogether.

In this beautiful TED talk, neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor talks about her discoveries as the result of her 1996 stroke:

More information about Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and her book, Stroke of Insight, is available at DrJillTaylor.com

Special thanks to Larry Glover at Wild Resiliency who reminded me of this TED talk in a beautiful, candid memorial post he wrote after the death of his father: A Father’s Lessons on Living and Dying.

By Trish | Posted in Education, Philosophy, Psychology, Science | Tagged connectedness, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Larry Glover, left brain right brain, neuroscience, Philosophy, stroke, Stroke of Insight, TEDtalks, Wild Resiliency | Comment (1)

“Empathy is the invisible hand” – Jeremy Rifkin

May 19, 2010

“Can we connect our empathy to a single race writ large in a single biosphere?” – Jeremy Rifkin

www.thersa.org
via @gregorylent

By Trish | Posted in Art, Education, Philosophy, Science | Tagged Empathic Civilisation, Empathic Civilization by Jeremy Rifkin, evolutionary biology, global consciousness, global empathy, Jeremy Rifkin, mirror neurons, theRSAorg | Comments (0)

Global Warming Humming

March 4, 2010

Global warming (anthropogenic or otherwise) is a hard sell to anyone who’s freezing his butt off fighting the hardest winter he can remember. And though repackaging global warming as climate change is probably a wise move, it’s just human nature to let broader perspectives and scientific conjectures rest completely while coping with the immediacy of “what’s happening to me right now.” (If you haven’t seen Stephen Colbert’s recent comedy sketch about this, I highly recommend it. I particularly liked Colbert’s professor of peekaboo-ology.)

Climate change is almost a non-term here in Western Washington where the weather is so variable year to year, climate change seems almost normal. Unlike the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, we’ve just had our warmest winter on record. Last winter we had our taste of the ice age.

But in spite of recent controversies which expose some extremely-careless or just-plain-bad science, there’s some good science behind global warming, too. Weather extremes are integral to the theory, so discounting the whole idea because your butt’s cold today is definitely throwing the baby out with the bath water.

On the other hand, there’s some very smart people countering the theory and some very good science behind their counter claims. Ironically, the very reason we find global warming so hard to believe when our butts are cold mirrors the reason why global warming has rational skeptics. It really is difficult for us humans (including scientists) to stand far enough back from our tiny little lives to get accurate, objective perceptions. From a geological perspective, the global warming theory itself is just a report on what’s happening right now. Several decades of climate statistics do not necessarily make an arguable trend. Well, obviously it is arguable, but that’s not the same as provable.

But it’s the furor of this discourse that deserves applause. It means awareness of environmental degradation (whatever the cause) has whole-heartedly entered our public consciousness. A recent New York Times article pointed out that therapists are even seeing a trend in environmental issues as a significant cause for family discord. And as much I hate to see families in stress, the environmental dialog matters; and the things that matter most to us should be discussed (and sometimes argued about) in our homes. An integral environmental consciousness – public and private – represents true progress.

I have warmist leanings. There’s much more to the theory than whether you should be driving a Prius or a Hummer. But selling global warming as yet another variety of armageddonism is counterproductive and unnecessary. Extremes always create backlash. Most of the noise between warmists and their skeptics is not about whether humans are negatively impacting the environment, it’s about how, what’s the timeline and what’s the fix.

Anyone completely devoid of environmental awareness at this point is either under-educated, living in impoverished desperation, or choosing to remain intentionally blind. Lack of education and impoverished desperation are both forgivable, and illiteracy and poverty must be addressed as part a holistic environmental dialog. But intentional blindness, whether motivated by greed or just laziness, is no excuse at all.

But that’s another human foible, isn’t it – it often takes the noise of controversy to force our eyes open. It’s called awakening.

“When people generally are aware of a problem, it can be said to have entered the public consciousness. When people get on their hind legs and holler, the problem has not only entered the public consciousness — it has also become a part of the public conscience. At that point, things in our democracy begin to hum.”

- Hubert Humphrey

By Trish | Posted in Education, Family, Hermit's Rants, Nature, Psychology, Science, Weather | Tagged AGW, climate change, global warming controversy, Hubert Humphrey quotations, Pacific Northwest weather and climate, Psychology, Stephen Colbert | Comments off

“In war, good guys always become bad guys.” – Howard Zinn

January 27, 2010

May he rest in the peace he so highly valued.

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010)

More wisdom from Howard Zinn:

“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.”

“Nations are not communities and never have been. The history of any country, presented as the history of a family, conceals the fierce conflicts of interest (sometimes exploding, often repressed) between conquerors and conquered, masters and slaves, capitalists and workers, dominators and dominated in race and sex. And in such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, as Albert Camus suggested, not to be on the side of the executioners.”

“How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism?”

“If history is to be creative, to anticipate a possible future without denying the past, it should, I believe, emphasize new possibilities by disclosing those hidden episodes of the past when, even if in brief flashes, people showed their ability to resist, to join together, occasionally to win. I am supposing, or perhaps only hoping, that our future may be found in the past’s fugitive movements of compassion rather than in its solid centuries of warfare.”

By Trish | Posted in Education, Philosophy, Reading | Tagged Howard Zinn, peace activism | Comments off

Fine Art by Kathy Kimball & Company

October 3, 2009

"Discovery Park" by Kathy Kimball

When including a link to my friend, Kathy Kimball, in that last post, I made a conscious choice to link to her page at The Carrot Revolution Art Company site, rather than to one of her faculty profile pages at the University of Washington. I’m sure there are people who work with Kathy every day who don’t even know she is an artist. She teaches in the Department of Education – not Art.

I think the above oil on canvas is a great reflection of Kathy’s potential as an artist. I’m no expert, I just like what I like – but I think anyone who has been to Seattle’s Discovery Park in autumn will recognize Kathy’s gift.

One of the reasons I like to pressure Kathy to reevaluate her schedule is I’d love to see what happens when she starts giving the artist a bit more time. To quote Robert Heinlein:

“Creativity demands leisure.”

By Trish | Posted in Art, Education, Friends, Nature | Tagged Discovery Park, fine art, Kathy Kimball UW faculty, oil painting, The Carrot Revolution Art Company | Comments off

Upgrades and The Tao of Geekdom

August 30, 2009

Computers and associated realms are a relevant part of my life, but not the most significant part. I am not a computer engineer, designer, programmer, gamer, seller, or even frequent buyer. I’m even a bit stand-offish as a blogger and social networker.

But I’m not really a newbie. ComputerTao1 Computers have always been a part of my work life. We’ve had personal computers in our household (and household budget) for almost 30 years. Griz’ professional life as an electronics and software engineer was the original motivation; but with the tools available, I was a user from the beginning. (Remember DOS?)

But admittedly, Griz is the computer geek at our house. I am a geek lover, geek observer, geek appreciator and sometimes geek user (don’t go there). Griz and I now run a small online business together (Tools-n-Gizmos.com) which combines our compatible computer skills with Griz’ passion for all things tool.

But to me, computers are essentially just that: tools – nothing more. I don’t really have a passion for tools. If the hardware and software are serving my current needs, I’m content. I never lust after the latest, greatest, fastest. The latest, greatest and fastest are, afterall, available next year – perfected and less expensive. I have never been cutting-edge oriented – about computers or anything else really.

I upgrade when I want, in response to whim or need, but I’ve never considered learning new software or adjusting to new hardware a variety of “fun.” It’s just an acceptable part of the process – like trimming your toenails.

But even with a resident geek in the household, I don’t remember ANY computer change – EVER – going as planned. There’s ALWAYS a little OUCH factor somewhere in even the simple adjustments. This last week, with an untimely combination of personal and business computer glitches, I seriously considered the possibility that most computer professions are actually masochistic – based on an eternal cycle of voluntarily-inflicted and subsequently-resolved pain.

I retreated from that extreme as this week’s -isms began to wane. Now I’m back to this: Computer life is an accurate, unceasing metaphor for life in general. It’s the Tao all over again.

Consider the slippery slope of a change or upgrade:

YOU START WITH:
What you think you have,
What you think you know,

And for the unwise, what you think you are relative to those.

Add a little wisdom and you realize all of the above are merely your subjective opinions, but, I digress…

SO (wise or unwise):
You decide to make a change, however minor or grandiose.

NOW YOU HAVE:
What you think you have,
What you think you know,
What you want to happen,

SO:
You do some research.

THROW INTO THE MIX
What you’ve been told will happen (expert advice or marketing “truths“)
What you think you’ve been told will happen (the advice and marketing filtered by your subjective receptivity and interpretation of the information).

AND YOU WIND UP WITH:
What you EXPECT to happen.

So you make a CHOICE to invest your time or money or both in pursuit of those hazard-prone EXPECTATIONS.

Drumroll…………………………

And then you have – ta-da:
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS…

…which invariably does not go as smoothly as you’d hoped or expected; takes at least twice as much time to complete or resolve; develops a life of its own which changes other things you never thought would be impacted; and ultimately alters much of what you thought you knew about what you know, what you have, and what you want.

So, if you’re wise, – you learn to enjoy the process – The Tao, the way, the moment – the joy of the journey. Don’t hold out for the ultimate objective – you may never quite get there. The journey may not always be fun, but it rarely needs to be a struggle either.

Which, of course, must be why many of the computer geeks I know are so mellow, philosophical and spiritually enlightened. (Possibly a facetious remark.)

By Trish | Posted in Blogging, Education, Hermit's Rants, Home, Humor, Mis-Tech, Philosophy, Spirituality | Tagged computer geeks, computer upgrades, software upgrade, The Tao | Comments off

Movement Warning

August 27, 2009

Well, it’s almost September. Although I’m not officially back from my blog break, this post seems necessary as a courtesy to my interim readers and subscribers.

As part of my ongoing blogging education, I’ve moved Blog from a Hermit Dot Com from WordPress.com (hosted by WordPress) to WordPress.org (independently hosted). It’s one of those “simple” computer maneuvers which has turned out a bit more complicated and time-consuming than I expected.

My apologies if you happen upon any of the broken links or other glitches before I get them repaired. I appreciate your tolerance. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

My mantra for today:

I always remember, I have everything I need to enjoy my here and now – unless I am letting my consciousness be dominated by demands and expectations based on the dead past or the imagined future. - Ken Keyes, Handbook to Higher Consciousness

By Trish | Posted in Blogging, Education, Mis-Tech, Reading | Tagged blog move, Handbook to Higher Consciousness, Ken Keyes, WP.com to WP.org | Comments off

IONS’ Worldview Literacy: Understanding Each Other’s Beliefs

April 12, 2009

I am not a religious person, though I often find myself in appreciative awe of the positive emotional energy behind some of my friends’ assorted “holy days.” It doesn’t surprise me that holidays from different religions often overlap or coincide.

I think the greatest spiritual teachers all emphasize finding our commonalities rather than judging our differences. We find our commonalities by educating ourselves and our children, and by communicating with each other. We do not find commonalities by pointing fingers, arguing over who’s privy to historical truth, and warring over who’s right and who’s wrong.

I’m particularly impressed with The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) educational program, Worldview Literacy:

Worldview literacy helps people to recognize that beliefs are embedded within personal and cultural frames of reference, that other people hold different worldviews, and there are skills and capacities that can be cultivated to deal with the complexities of divergent worldviews. Such skills, including critical thinking, self-reflection, emotional and social intelligence, cultural appreciation, and non-violent communication, offer young people powerful new tools that are good for them and good for the world.

Our worldviews or models of reality are often unconscious. They can be brought to awareness through reading or discussion, but it is more effective to personally encounter situations that highlight those assumptions. Just as travel in exotic lands can open our eyes to new points of view, this project provides worldview scenarios that teach through experience and focused encounters with other kids and their life experiences.

More than ever, we live in a global community - providing children with the power of a global perspective is a huge step toward a community without the horrors of war.

By Trish | Posted in Education, Hermit's Rants, Philosophy, Psychology, Spirituality | Tagged Education, global perspective, Institute of Noetic Sciences, teaching religious tolerance, worldview, worldview literacy | Comments off

Ironic Flap In Flying, Flightless Fowl (or Foul)

November 11, 2008

This award-winning tv spot from the Washington State Lottery Commission just started reappearing (it first aired last Spring and then vanished) I have to admit it’s a great ad – puts a smile on my face everytime – especially that little penguin instinctively flapping his stubby wings (flippers when he’s swimming in his natural environment).

The Lottery Commission put a few bucks into the ad. It’s not like some middle-aged hang-glider just wandered in with the video and wondered if anyone wanted to use it. The ad is a joint effort of Publicis West, Sticks+Stones Studios and FisherEdit/Fisher FX. The birds were never more than a few feet off the ground, filmed in front of a green screen. (No birds were hurt or scared shitless filming this ad.)

The ad is supposed to make you realize all the crazy/wonderful things you can do (for less fortunates) if you win a bundle of money playing the lottery. If there was surge in lottery sales this year, it probably has less to do with the ad and more to do with tough economic times - which tend to increase gambling dollars spent close to home.

Subtext should include the fact that you have about as much chance of winning the lottery as the poor emu has of flying (with or without a hang-glider).

Washington State lottery dollars are distributed at approximately this split: 61% to winners; 20% to school construction (the best thing); 15% administrative & sales costs; 2.5% to sports stadiums; .06 % to economic development; .05% to address problem gambling.

Washington State is a big gambling state. The Washington State government profits from many gambling venues: partnering on some, regulating some, totally directing others and accepting large sums of lobbying dollars. The venues include the lottery, private card rooms, pull tabs, a large number of Indian casinos; and para-mutual (horse race) wagering.

Ironically (and ostensibly to save us all from ourselves), the Washington legislature has made playing online poker in the privacy of your own home a felony (on a par with sexual assault and distribution of pornography). The law was passed rapidly, fueled by incidents of teenagers running up huge credit card debt at online poker sites and with the help of large sums of lobbying dollars from Indian casinos.

Teenagers running up huge online gambling debts is a parenting problem, not an online gambling problem. When online poker was legal, one could play for as little as 5 or 10 cents per wager – a fun option for people who want to play poker without investing a lot of money. Minimums at brick-and-mortar casinos run between $3 and $5 per wager with $100 minimum buy-ins for poker games. Poker involves skill – it’s not a blind game of chance – like lotteries. Minimum purchase price for any of the multitude of available Washington lottery games is $1.00 per ticket. What’s wrong with this picture?

Like the UIEGA, the Washington State legislation falls back on the idea that online poker players risk being cheated by unregulated off-shore sites. There have been incidents of cheating and intentional fraud, but overall, the online poker community has self-regulated. Like other online networks, online poker players spread the word fast – sites that allow cheating or intentionally defraud fade fast.

Cute flying fowl commercials don’t erase the hypocrisy of this “protectionist” legislation. The reality is this: Washington’s government encourages you to gamble – but not unless they get their rake from the pot.