Brain Change
Destroy dogma, superstition, and lies.
Spare thoughts, anyone?
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Consumed
This shows two things:
1. The power of belief over evidence
1. The power of belief over evidence
Walker concludes that amid the confusion of competing claims "maybe you go with the recommendation that seems most hopeful." How clearly this is born out in the way humans cling to every kind of optomistic promise, no matter how suspect the claim.
2. The falacy of the Invisible Hand
Adam Smith coinded the term Invisible Hand to describe an inherent focrce which would guide and free enterprise and capitalism with "enlightened self interest." Cleary free enterprise regulates itself in terms of self interest, but not in the interests of the people. Conservative politicians use the Invisible Hand to argue against the need for regulation of industry. Don't you believe it!
Getting Through the Filter
New York Times Magazine: Consumed, January 22, 2006
Getting Through the Filter
New York Times Magazine: Consumed, January 22, 2006
Labels: air cleaners, Consumer Reports, Rob Walker, Sharper Image
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Pledge
The United States in 1892 adopted a Pledge of Allegiance. In 1952 the words "under God" were added to the original pledge.
Do we all mean to say, "under God"? Not all of us. And what about "indivisible"? Today the word suggests support for those who claim that speaking anything but English will divide us into separate nations. In the present-day pledge we promise allegiance to a nation. Meanwhile, we're becoming more and more allied with a world of nations. We also pledge allegiance to a flag. Another burning issue we don't need to fan in a ritual that really ought to bring us closer together.
I bet if we put our right brains together, we can find words that declare what we all believe based on what we all have in common. And from there, stand up and make promises we all intend to keep.
Here's my attempt:
I'd like to see your personal pledge. Please comment.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.Some years ago my son asked me, "Why do we say, 'four witches stand invisible?'" That's when it hit me--we shouldn't make promises we don't understand. Especially in public. If we're going to go through the motions of standing together and pledging, we should say what we mean and mean what we say.
Do we all mean to say, "under God"? Not all of us. And what about "indivisible"? Today the word suggests support for those who claim that speaking anything but English will divide us into separate nations. In the present-day pledge we promise allegiance to a nation. Meanwhile, we're becoming more and more allied with a world of nations. We also pledge allegiance to a flag. Another burning issue we don't need to fan in a ritual that really ought to bring us closer together.
I bet if we put our right brains together, we can find words that declare what we all believe based on what we all have in common. And from there, stand up and make promises we all intend to keep.
Here's my attempt:
I proudly stand for the right of all people to govern themselves, pursue their dreams, and live in harmony with all life on Earth. And I pledge to help make our world a better place to live and love, today and for the rest of time.
I'd like to see your personal pledge. Please comment.
