Working on the stitching
to sew through skin without
flinching
Although it cuts me to the bone
I will not turn to
stone
I'LL stand stoic & weave
memories into blankets of
grief
If I pull through each pain
to survive each small
wave
Maybe I wont be engulfed the dayi won't see you
again
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
3 July 2012
13 June 2012
Motherly advice
My father hadn't been feeling well for many months but chalked it up to stress since he just opened a new restaurant. He started drastically losing weight and finally decided to check into a hospital on May 24 to determine what exactly was going on.
On May 25 the word came back to his family of the diagnosis. We were pre-warned that it was going to be bad. Pancreatic cancer, late or end stage, and not operable. My father is not telling us what his expected life expectancy is but from a quick Internet search it is easy to see that he may not have long. I am not saying that to be pessimistic, but realistic. I hope and pray every day he will surprise us and live for many years.
He opted for a clinical trial and has had the first round of chemotherapy. He is exhausted, very nauseous, and I believe, becoming depressed. The same man who a month ago was flying to and from Thunder Bay, launching a restaurant, preparing for the opening of his fishing lodge and planning his next adventure overseas is now stuck, sitting, helpless, unable to stay awake and frustrated by his body telling him his time is coming.
Since the diagnosis, well-meaning friends and relatives have been offering advice and words intended to comfort me. Some of the words do help, although I find that I feel the most helped when the person simply lets me do the talking. Remembering this I have been talking to my children about the possibility of their beloved grandfather (the only one they really have in their lives) not being able to see them again.
My children are 20, 17 and 13 years old respectively. Last night I blurted out to "prepare for the worst, but hope for the best". And then I listened. And cried. And listened some more.
When I hung up the phone though, I wondered how I could follow my own advice. How do you "prepare" for the death of your father? Should I write, scream, cry, rail at the fates, what? There really isn't anyway to prepare yourself other than to feel it and try not to let it overwhelm you.
Me and my father have always had a rocky relationship. Neither one of us likes to be told what we should do, even from someone with the best intentions. My father wasn't always present in mine or my children's lives and I used to carry resentment that my sisters and brother's families had him to themselves mostly. I used to come to town with my kids for a visit and he would be there for a big family gathering one day and then flying out of town the next for a business trip. We very rarely had any one-on-one time with him; handfuls of those moments over the years would not add up to much. But those times were still precious and my children are better off.
Because that's who he is. I love him and have learned to accept him for that over the past couple of years. I've let go of my resentment. I just remember how I felt when someone told me that I was crazy to quit my cushy government job and go back to school or that I should have stayed married to a seemingly good man instead of divorcing him. No one really knows what happens behind closed doors. No one really knows what one can live with or what one is capable of doing.
Except for you.
I've made mistakes, I've thrown alot of baggage away and I've learned that, like my father, I can't live my life for my children, my parents, my siblings or anyone. I live it for me and I love my father for living his life for himself. He has created a legacy in the businesses he's built and they will live on long after he's gone. I know he always wanted me to be more of a part of them but I learned from the master. I follow my footsteps to where I need to be. I hope my children do too ♥
On May 25 the word came back to his family of the diagnosis. We were pre-warned that it was going to be bad. Pancreatic cancer, late or end stage, and not operable. My father is not telling us what his expected life expectancy is but from a quick Internet search it is easy to see that he may not have long. I am not saying that to be pessimistic, but realistic. I hope and pray every day he will surprise us and live for many years.
 |
| 1970 Tisdale, Saskatchewan |
Since the diagnosis, well-meaning friends and relatives have been offering advice and words intended to comfort me. Some of the words do help, although I find that I feel the most helped when the person simply lets me do the talking. Remembering this I have been talking to my children about the possibility of their beloved grandfather (the only one they really have in their lives) not being able to see them again.
My children are 20, 17 and 13 years old respectively. Last night I blurted out to "prepare for the worst, but hope for the best". And then I listened. And cried. And listened some more.
When I hung up the phone though, I wondered how I could follow my own advice. How do you "prepare" for the death of your father? Should I write, scream, cry, rail at the fates, what? There really isn't anyway to prepare yourself other than to feel it and try not to let it overwhelm you.
Me and my father have always had a rocky relationship. Neither one of us likes to be told what we should do, even from someone with the best intentions. My father wasn't always present in mine or my children's lives and I used to carry resentment that my sisters and brother's families had him to themselves mostly. I used to come to town with my kids for a visit and he would be there for a big family gathering one day and then flying out of town the next for a business trip. We very rarely had any one-on-one time with him; handfuls of those moments over the years would not add up to much. But those times were still precious and my children are better off.
 |
| 2010 Cruise |
Except for you.
I've made mistakes, I've thrown alot of baggage away and I've learned that, like my father, I can't live my life for my children, my parents, my siblings or anyone. I live it for me and I love my father for living his life for himself. He has created a legacy in the businesses he's built and they will live on long after he's gone. I know he always wanted me to be more of a part of them but I learned from the master. I follow my footsteps to where I need to be. I hope my children do too ♥
16 November 2011
Kolochi or Kolochy or Kolochki (from the beloved Easterners)
Ahh, technology. My cousin Kevin saw my posting on Twitter about my plans to bake my way through this year's Christmas list and suggested the following recipe. My waistline is in big trouble soon...
(Kevin's notes: This is from my mother, probably from Annie P., my grandmother.
So its either Polish or Czech)
Kevin has an amazing grandmother, second only to mine. Annie taught me how to make perogies many years ago and her recipe is still the absolute best! To say she has spunk is a huge understatement!
Kolochki
Ingredients
1 Tsp. Sugar
1/4 cup. warm water
1 tbsp (tablespoon) dry active yeast
1 Cup milk
1/4 tsp. butter or vegetable shortening
1 beaten egg
3- 1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp melted butter
raspberry or apricot jam or poppy seeds
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
Topping
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup flour
2 tbsp. melted butter
Preparation
Dissolve 1 tsp. sugar in warm water, sprinkle yeast over water, Let
stand 10 minutes or until frothy.
In a small saucepan, heat together; Milk, 1/4 cup sugar, salt and
butter, until butter is melted. Let cool to lukewarm.
In a large bowl combine dissolved yeast mixture and beaten egg.
Gradually beat in 1-1/2 cups flour/ Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.
Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough,
slightly sticky. Turn dough onto floured board and knead until dough
is smooth and elastic. Place dough in large greased bowl, turning to
grease all over. Cover and let rise until dough is doubled in bulk.
(About 1-1/2 hours)
Meanwhile, prepare topping by mixing together sugar, flour, cinnamon
and melted butter until it resembles coarse meal. Set aside.
Punch dough down and cut into 24 - 30 pieces. Roll each piece into a
ball, place on greased baking sheet. Cover loosely, let rise for 1
hour.
After they have risen, make a small indentation in each ball, brush
with butter. Fill with about 1/2 tsp. jam or poppy seed (Which ever
you like) Sprinkle with topping.
Bake in 375 F oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
(Thanks so much. Easier to read yours than mom's. One change you should make to your typing is the yeast. It is not 1 pkg or 1 tsp but 1 tbsp (tablespoon))
20 September 2011
McDonald's, are you listening?
Garbage in the streets drives me bonkers. Ask my kids how often I've picked up coffee cups, straws and foam containers during my walks or bike rides. There is just so little justification for producing it most of the time. Plastic trash is the main reason why I usually avoid McDonald's. I broke down tonight because I'm a broke student who needed a place to study with internet access for cheaper than a Starbucks coffee (ALOT cheaper). Also, they have lattes now. Yay.
I brought my own cup in (actually I forgot it in the car and had to go back and get it :S) The girl preparing the latte got the order but didn't notice I had my own drink container. I had them pour the drink into my cup and they threw the plastic one out. It got me thinking again of an idea I've had for a while.
Outside Thunder Bay is Cousins restaurant, who will sell you a pie in a 10inch aluminum tin which you pay a small deposit for. Bring it back the next time and get your next pie in a new tin, leaving the dirty one behind and paying for just the pie.
What about applying a similiar concept to McDonalds for coffee or other drinks? The Happy Meal toys were a huge collectors hit with the toys, but the last thing our plastic-ridden world needs is more of the stuff or even the cute little TY animals (although I still have one because I can't part with Chocolate the Moose).
What about applying a similiar concept to McDonalds for coffee or other drinks? The Happy Meal toys were a huge collectors hit with the toys, but the last thing our plastic-ridden world needs is more of the stuff or even the cute little TY animals (although I still have one because I can't part with Chocolate the Moose).
My idea is for McDonald's to produce Happy Drinks which are actually just the container, a stainless steel container for hot drinks or recycled plastic "bike water bottle" style. The customer pays for the container on deposit and voila, less garbage and less new plastic that ends up on the street. If you happen to find one on the street, return it to any McDs and make a couple bucks!
Yes, they would have to have enough clean containers and more storage, but the transportation system is already in place to deliver the disposable cups, right? Why not deliver clean, sanitized cups from a washing depot of sorts? Ok, that part I haven't quite figured out yet but this next element of the idea might make up for it.
In addition to creating "collectible" Happy Drinks you could also offer customers who bring their own cups in the chance to change the music If they are staying in the restaurant. They could have a selection of music stations to choose from up there with the menu choices. Seriously, I'm sitting in a McDs right now and I would dearly LOVE to change the tunes they are playing. McDonald's would have to completely eliminate having disposable cups eventually but they may be gutsy enough to revolutionize the takeout industry they created to begin with.
So. Happy Drinks. Happy for you, the individual. For the company. And, (most importantly in my books) for the earth. That's pretty freakin Happy :)
I actually pitched this to Starbucks on twitter awhile ago but they never called. LOL
leave a deposit to use one of yours. Have similar stock available at each store. You could even have amazing store-to-store designs to vie 4
Dear Starbucks or Tim Horton's: be the first coffeeshop to actually be a coffeeshop and NOT offer "paper" cups. Imagine!
13 March 2011
Toxicity cures
http://counsellingresource.com/ask-the-psychologist/2009/01/19/get-rid-of-toxic-father/
A: Toxic parents /Narcissistic Personality. Normal people — those who think in a healthy manner — have tremendous difficulty with Personality Disorders because they don’t think, behave and feel like the rest of society. They live their lives through selfishness, deception, lies, excuses, manipulations, cons, and blaming others. They never accept responsibility for their bad and abusive behavior and consistently blame others. It will always be your fault that this person treats you poorly.
You make the classic mistake of taking their excuses seriously — when they’re just excuses. Let’s look at this objectively. Your father doesn’t see you the most of your life, treats you very poorly, is disrespectful, manipulates you and other women in his life, and his explanation is (fill in the blanks). The general guideline: You can’t understand the behavior of a Personality Disorder by thinking normally! You have a toxic relationship because your father is toxic — not you. Dealing with your father is actually about dealing with Personality Disorders.
Some recommendations:
Recognize that this person behaves in a totally selfish manner because he’s totally selfish. It has nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with you, being female, being third born, etc. While he has provided a variety of explanations and excuses over the years, bulls produce that same product after a big meal. There is no connection between his excuses, you, and his behavior. You want an explanation — a Personality Disorder will provide one. Don’t torment yourself or become upset by his excuses and comments.
While it may seem like a “normal” solution to discuss your feelings with him, it’s actually of little help. You’ll only get another excuse or verbal abuse. Sadly, he actually doesn’t care how you feel or think, even about him. As time passes, you’ll also find that he doesn’t care about your children as well. He uses the comments about your parenting to emotionally batter you and keep you from confronting him. Don’t discuss your feelings with him — he doesn’t care, and he’ll only attack you. Rather, fix those feelings. Talk to a therapist or counselor.
What do we do with a toxic father? We protect ourselves first, reducing information provided to him to a grocery-store level, the kind of conversation you have with a neighbor in the bread section. We don’t look for answers — he doesn’t have any. We live with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get expectation that you can expect selfish, rude, insulting and mean-spirited behavior from him. You didn’t cause his personality, and you can’t fix it. We keep him at an emotional distance and use a business approach to all contacts and interactions. Just facts and details — no emotions or feelings.
Your father has damaged your ability to relate to men in your life, and this is very common in these situations. Remember that 15% of the population has a Personality Disorder — not all men. Your struggle with your toxic father has created thousands of bad memories that might be triggered by the comments of people, especially men, around you. Those memory triggers cause you to put down men “in a heartbeat” as you impulsively react to the triggered memory.
You can’t get rid of him but you can minimize his influence and involvement in your life. Create a new family with friends and loved ones, and continue your life. You can check on your father at any time in the future…and he’ll still be operating the same way…and it will still be your fault.
We cure the effects of a toxic substance by neutralizing it. You can do the same with your toxic father by neutralizing his influence on your life and self-esteem.
==================================================================================
A: Toxic parents /Narcissistic Personality. Normal people — those who think in a healthy manner — have tremendous difficulty with Personality Disorders because they don’t think, behave and feel like the rest of society. They live their lives through selfishness, deception, lies, excuses, manipulations, cons, and blaming others. They never accept responsibility for their bad and abusive behavior and consistently blame others. It will always be your fault that this person treats you poorly.
You make the classic mistake of taking their excuses seriously — when they’re just excuses. Let’s look at this objectively. Your father doesn’t see you the most of your life, treats you very poorly, is disrespectful, manipulates you and other women in his life, and his explanation is (fill in the blanks). The general guideline: You can’t understand the behavior of a Personality Disorder by thinking normally! You have a toxic relationship because your father is toxic — not you. Dealing with your father is actually about dealing with Personality Disorders.
Some recommendations:
Recognize that this person behaves in a totally selfish manner because he’s totally selfish. It has nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with you, being female, being third born, etc. While he has provided a variety of explanations and excuses over the years, bulls produce that same product after a big meal. There is no connection between his excuses, you, and his behavior. You want an explanation — a Personality Disorder will provide one. Don’t torment yourself or become upset by his excuses and comments.
While it may seem like a “normal” solution to discuss your feelings with him, it’s actually of little help. You’ll only get another excuse or verbal abuse. Sadly, he actually doesn’t care how you feel or think, even about him. As time passes, you’ll also find that he doesn’t care about your children as well. He uses the comments about your parenting to emotionally batter you and keep you from confronting him. Don’t discuss your feelings with him — he doesn’t care, and he’ll only attack you. Rather, fix those feelings. Talk to a therapist or counselor.
What do we do with a toxic father? We protect ourselves first, reducing information provided to him to a grocery-store level, the kind of conversation you have with a neighbor in the bread section. We don’t look for answers — he doesn’t have any. We live with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get expectation that you can expect selfish, rude, insulting and mean-spirited behavior from him. You didn’t cause his personality, and you can’t fix it. We keep him at an emotional distance and use a business approach to all contacts and interactions. Just facts and details — no emotions or feelings.
Your father has damaged your ability to relate to men in your life, and this is very common in these situations. Remember that 15% of the population has a Personality Disorder — not all men. Your struggle with your toxic father has created thousands of bad memories that might be triggered by the comments of people, especially men, around you. Those memory triggers cause you to put down men “in a heartbeat” as you impulsively react to the triggered memory.
You can’t get rid of him but you can minimize his influence and involvement in your life. Create a new family with friends and loved ones, and continue your life. You can check on your father at any time in the future…and he’ll still be operating the same way…and it will still be your fault.
We cure the effects of a toxic substance by neutralizing it. You can do the same with your toxic father by neutralizing his influence on your life and self-esteem.
==================================================================================
22 December 2009
Grandma Aura's Tourtiere ♥
Tourtiere Pie
Makes one pie
11/2 pounds lean pork finely grind
1/2 pound veal
l large onion chopped finely
3/4 tsp salt & 1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp mace (optional)
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup chicken stock OR 1/2 cup stock and 1/4 cup white wine. (Do not use a chicken cube...too salty)
1/2 cup instant potato flakes...or 1 large potato grated or cooked and mashed finely with a fork.
Sauté onions
Add pork and veal and cook on med heat, breaking up the meat until it is in fine pieces.
While cooking and mixing add your spices...really measure
the spices carefully...scrape any spices off the top of the tsp with a knife. It has to be even.
Add stock or stock & wine
Add potato
Simmer for a few min...taste a little mixture and if you feel it need more salt add just a little at a time and keep tasting.
If there is a lot of juice add more potato ...again a small amount at a time until you see the mixture thicken up but not to much.
Cool to room temp...or if the mixture gets to cold...bring it to room temp for easy handling.
Place in prepared pastry shell and freeze...bake at 375 if frozen or 350 if not freezing. for about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours if from the freezer.
9 December 2009
To the new grandmother I met in Toronto airport Dec 7
Enjoy your new granddaughter !
The girl's name Aura \a(u)ra\ is pronounced AWR-ah. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "wind". Greek mythology: Aura was the goddess of breezes. The word is used to describe the atmosphere surrounding an individual.
Aura has 6 variant forms: Aure, Aurea, Auria, Auriana, Ora and Oria.
from: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Aura
Meaning: The Latin name Aura means - golden
Variants: Ora
Star-gazing onlookers will relate this name to the word describing a person's presence, but you can quickly explain that the word also has different meanings. Free-spirited yet serious, it's a great, short choice.
http://www.parents.com/baby-names/aura/
Aura is a English girl name. The meaning of the name is `Soft Air, Breeze` Where is it used? The name Aura is mainly used In English. From Old English. Aura doesn`t appear In 2007`s top-1000 name list.The last time Aura appeared In the top-1000 was 118 years ago, In 1890. It ranked #946 In that year. . 1890 was a `top year` for the name Aura.
5 October 2009
RIP Great Uncle Johnny
John William Tynski, Sydney
Born at Sydney , Nova Scotia , CanadaJohn William Tynski, 93, passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Oct. 2, 2009.
Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Peter and Ludwika (Gorniak) Tynski.
He was a devout member of St. Mary’s Polish parish, and a long-serving member of St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.
A long and varied career saw him first employed at the Steel Plant before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War where he served as an air gunner in Bomber Command (see below why he rarely ever flew in an airplane after the war) Before returning to Sydney at war’s end, he attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto where he developed and refined his abundant artistic talent and then established his own business, John Tynski Signs and Designs on Charlotte Street. He later took a position at the former Adult Vocational Training Centre teaching art and sign writing until his retirement in 1980. As a testament to his distinctive brush stroke and unparalleled calligraphy, he became busier than ever in ‘retirement’. His work was seen throughout Sydney and beyond for many decades
He also volunteered his talent and time for school and hospital projects, especially to St. Mary’s Polish Church. He often conceived and created more personal works for special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries, most notably family trees done in ornate calligraphy. His hand-painted Easter eggs and most famously, his portraits of Santa Claus done entirely in wax crayon (I have mine!), were given as cherished gifts for many years. He was also a tremendous softball pitcher whose fastball and changeup baffled many a batter.
John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nellie; children, John Jr., Julia (Leo) Bennett, Greg (Elana), Stephen (Carol), Joe (Tara), Paul, Elaine (Chris) Shipley; sister, Anne Redmond; grandchildren, Jennifer (Eddie) Campbell, Michelle, John, Krysta, Kate, Eric, Julie, Jacob, Laurenne, Nicole and Ryan; great-grandchildren, Keagan and Kelsey
He was predeceased by sisters, Katherine Peltz, Frances Durkacz, Mary Wojick (my maternal grandmother) and brothers, Stanley, Tony, Peter, Joseph and Frank
---------------------------------------------------------------
(MUG stands for Mid Upper Gunner)
Saturday, 15th/Sunday, 16th April 1944 - N1687 Two Handley Page Halifax bombers crashed while attempting to land at Dishforth Aerodrome.
The following reports were kindly supplied by Mr Leslie Green of Weston-super-Mare and Keith E Whitfield of Thunderbridge, Huddersfield.)
Operational Record Book, RCAF Dishforth ...Flying weather for the past week has been only fair with the result training has been held back considerably. To add to this, six of our aircraft returning from a short cross country arrived here during rain and thunderstorms. Two aircraft managed to land here and two more at Linton, but the other two crashed, killing twelve of the two crews, as well as two civilians.
Halifax EB203 crashed into a haystack near Ripon at approx. 23.25 hours and burned. The crew as listed were all killed..." They were Top/Sgt. Wendell N Watkins USAAF age 21; F/O H. A. Wallace J/23362 RCAF age 32; Sgt. H.L. Muisiner R/160427 RCAF age 23 (American from Pennsylvania); W/O Class 1 J Huddleston R/106580 RCAF age 20 (American from Oregon); Sgt. K.D.Holden 2209731 RAF age 20; Sgt. L.J.Cull R/200097 RCAF age 18; Sgt. C.E. Lovett R/208139 RCAF age 18 The five RCAF crew are buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) and the RAF Flight Engineer at Tyldesley Cemetery in Lancashire.
The American pilot's body was taken back to the USA in 1948
Halifax EB205 Sent out on a routine training flight, April 15th 1944, Halifax EB 205 encountered bad weather. At one point, the crew were ordered to stand down but later ordered to fly above the storm that was due to hit the area later that day. The flight went well and they could see the storm gathering below. On returning to base at approx 2300 hrs they hit the full force of the storm. As they were preparing to land at Dishforth, both port engines had cut. The pilot radioed ahead, and he was given priority to land. Cloud cover was down to 500ft over Dishforth, on breaking cloud cover they realised they had overshot.
The pilot decided to put down at the nearby Topcliffe aerodrome and was approaching there with a 10mph tailwind. As a precaution the crew were ordered to take up crash positions. The MUG John Tynski came down from his position and laid down on the floor with his parachute over his head . The aircraft careered off the end of the runway and into the railway cottages close to the road. Five crew and three civilians were also killed, one of those a James MacNulty was killed, as he was cycling by at the time. The occupants of the house Mr and Mrs Stone were also killed. John Tynski having been knocked unconscious, came to trapped by all the building rubble. On fire, and fearing for his life, his first thoughts were to gather the ammunition that had spilled from the containers and move it away from the fire.
At risk of being burned alive he then made up a makeshift wall from the brick rubble that lay all around to shield him from the heat. At this point he could hear help arriving from local farmers Rooke and Starr, who eventually dragged him to safety.
It was later discovered by an accident investigation team, that the Flight Engineer had inadvertantly turned the fuel off on the port engines thus contributing to the accident. [Four of] the crew are buried at the Stonefall Cemetery Harrogate [and one at Wandsworth (Streatham) Cemetery]. Harry Pearce, navigator, also survived but was later killed over Belgium Dec 18th 1944.
19 June 2009
Message for the Class of 2009
Why on Earth---Are You So Glum, Class of 2009?by Bradley Doucet
June 12, 2009--Let me begin by congratulating you, the Class of 2009, on this, the day of your graduation. There were struggles along the way, but you persevered and overcame them. You made it! Today is your day to celebrate.
Looking ahead, though, you might be forgiven for thinking that the future looks rather grim. The worst global recession in decades drags on month after month. Wars rage in the Middle East with no stable peace in sight. Nuclear weapons seem destined to fall into hands that should by all rights never possess them. And the planet itself, you are told repeatedly, has just about had it with the human race and its hubris. Today may be a day for celebration, but looking ahead, do you, the class of 2009, have any reasons to feel hopeful?
It is true that formidable challenges lie ahead. But I have three messages of hope for you today. First, I want to remind you of some of the things previous generations have accomplished. You have their examples to inspire you, and the fruits of their labors to help you in your coming trials. Second, I want to point out to you that you are living through a truly revolutionary time: the age of the Internet. A veritable wealth of human knowledge is quite literally at your fingertips. May you use it wisely. Finally, I want to encourage you to rise to the ultimate challenge: to think critically—not only about controversial practical issues, but also about the big philosophical questions. If you prove yourselves equal to this ultimate challenge, then the other challenges you will face, be they economic, political, or environmental, will bend to your wills.
Those Who Came Before
It is easy to take for granted all that we have today: planes, trains, and automobiles; films and television; cellular phones, digital music, personal computers; air conditioning and central heating; vaccines, antibiotics, magnetic resonance imaging. None of these boons of modern life fell like manna from heaven. None of these technologies was available to the wealthiest of kings in centuries past. Every one of them had to be invented or discovered by creative human beings committed to improving their lot and that of their fellows.
More fundamentally, the scientific method itself had to be discovered and promulgated, at great personal cost to some of its early pioneers, who were persecuted by religious authorities afraid of change. The freedom to choose your religion, or to choose no religion, also had to be fought for. So did the freedom to speak your mind and the freedom to assemble peacefully. So, too, did the freedom to choose your occupation and to dispose of the fruits of your labor as you see fit. Bruce Cockburn put it best: “Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight.” The fights ahead will not be easy, but they will be easier thanks to the courageous examples of those who came before and the bounty they have left us.
Information Overload?
The Internet may be the most revolutionary technology since the printing press. The printing press democratized knowledge in a way that transformed the world, underwriting the Enlightenment itself and the Industrial Revolution that followed, and therefore all of the wonderful technologies and freedoms mentioned above. The Internet democratizes knowledge even further, drawing on the disparate experiences of billions. While the printing press broke the stranglehold the Church had on learning, the Internet places that learning truly within the reach of all.
Gone are the gatekeepers of information, the media empires. Here are citizen journalists and instant access to media outlets from around the world. Gone are the establishment-dominated points of view. Here are a dozen alternative viewpoints to fight it out in a truly open marketplace of ideas. Gone are the successful government manipulations of information. Here are the unstoppable whistleblowers of the virtual world.
The Internet is chaotic, true. Obviously, not everything you find there is of equal value. Much of it, in fact, is pure rubbish. How can you sift through the garbage to find the diamonds in the dirt? Since there is a demand for this kind of service, there are those who will supply that demand, websites that will earn your trust over time, the way publishers and writers always have. But still, knowing who and what to believe requires some effort on your part. It is, in fact, the most important task you face.
Teaching Yourselves How to Think
In order to decide what and who to believe, you need to know how to think straight. If you are fortunate, your school has helped you lay some of the groundwork here, but the obstacles to rigorous thinking are many and varied. Teach yourself about the kinds of logical fallacies that derail clear thought. Learn to spot these fallacies in your own thinking as well as in the thinking of others.
Confirmation bias—that tendency we have to seek out confirming information and avoid or ignore disconfirming evidence—is particularly problematic. Cultivate a proper respect for its pernicious effect. To claim any kind of certainty in your beliefs, you must try to challenge your deeply-held views as much as possible. Clear, objective thinking does not require that you remain undecided indefinitely, but it does require that you consider alternate viewpoints and give them a fair hearing. Sometimes you will change your mind, sometimes you will not. Either way, you will have reason to feel more secure in your knowledge.
So read widely and deeply from diverse sources. No one has the time to study every issue, but if you’re interested in economics, find out what different economists think are the causes of our current financial woes. Renewed growth and prosperity are well within our reach as long as we navigate this crisis with care. If international relations is your top concern, what do people across the political spectrum have to say about the causes of war and the requirements of peace? Did you know that humanity is in many ways becoming less violent? Why is that, and how can we accelerate that trend? If you’re most worried about the state of the natural world, which environmental problems are most pressing and which are overblown? Are you aware that human health and wellbeing have continued improving throughout the world despite some real problems? What are the causes of those problems and what are some innovative ways to address them?
More deeply, what kind of society best promotes innovation? What is the proper role of government? What is the purpose of art? How should you live your life? How can you be certain of anything? These kinds of big, philosophical questions require your critical attention, too, for they underpin the kinds of decisions people make about more practical matters.
The decline of religion, tradition, and authority in the developed world has left people with a lot more freedom, which is a good thing, but it has also left them with a lot less structure and guidance, which is not such a good thing. The guidance that most people in previous generations took for granted is fading, and has yet to be replaced by much of anything. You may not need supernatural fairy tales, but you do need philosophical signposts if you are to meet the challenges that lie in wait—and if you are to live happy, successful lives.
It’s easy to get discouraged and put on a cynical face, but cynicism won’t get you what you want. It won’t help you make the world a better place, and it won’t make you happy. Instead, keep in mind all that your ancestors accomplished. Keep in mind the tools they left you. They would be amazed to see the modern world with all of its amenities and opportunities. Make the most of their example and their gifts by turning on the light of consciousness and letting it shine as brightly as possible.
Thank you.
Why on Earth...? is a series of cultural commentaries by Bradley Doucet.
This editorial comment has been produced and distributed by The Atlas Society. If you would like to reproduce or publish this piece, you may do so provided you include the biographical information found on this page.
Copyright, The Atlas Society. For more information, please visit www.atlassociety.org.
June 12, 2009--Let me begin by congratulating you, the Class of 2009, on this, the day of your graduation. There were struggles along the way, but you persevered and overcame them. You made it! Today is your day to celebrate.
Looking ahead, though, you might be forgiven for thinking that the future looks rather grim. The worst global recession in decades drags on month after month. Wars rage in the Middle East with no stable peace in sight. Nuclear weapons seem destined to fall into hands that should by all rights never possess them. And the planet itself, you are told repeatedly, has just about had it with the human race and its hubris. Today may be a day for celebration, but looking ahead, do you, the class of 2009, have any reasons to feel hopeful?
It is true that formidable challenges lie ahead. But I have three messages of hope for you today. First, I want to remind you of some of the things previous generations have accomplished. You have their examples to inspire you, and the fruits of their labors to help you in your coming trials. Second, I want to point out to you that you are living through a truly revolutionary time: the age of the Internet. A veritable wealth of human knowledge is quite literally at your fingertips. May you use it wisely. Finally, I want to encourage you to rise to the ultimate challenge: to think critically—not only about controversial practical issues, but also about the big philosophical questions. If you prove yourselves equal to this ultimate challenge, then the other challenges you will face, be they economic, political, or environmental, will bend to your wills.
Those Who Came Before
It is easy to take for granted all that we have today: planes, trains, and automobiles; films and television; cellular phones, digital music, personal computers; air conditioning and central heating; vaccines, antibiotics, magnetic resonance imaging. None of these boons of modern life fell like manna from heaven. None of these technologies was available to the wealthiest of kings in centuries past. Every one of them had to be invented or discovered by creative human beings committed to improving their lot and that of their fellows.
More fundamentally, the scientific method itself had to be discovered and promulgated, at great personal cost to some of its early pioneers, who were persecuted by religious authorities afraid of change. The freedom to choose your religion, or to choose no religion, also had to be fought for. So did the freedom to speak your mind and the freedom to assemble peacefully. So, too, did the freedom to choose your occupation and to dispose of the fruits of your labor as you see fit. Bruce Cockburn put it best: “Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight.” The fights ahead will not be easy, but they will be easier thanks to the courageous examples of those who came before and the bounty they have left us.
Information Overload?
The Internet may be the most revolutionary technology since the printing press. The printing press democratized knowledge in a way that transformed the world, underwriting the Enlightenment itself and the Industrial Revolution that followed, and therefore all of the wonderful technologies and freedoms mentioned above. The Internet democratizes knowledge even further, drawing on the disparate experiences of billions. While the printing press broke the stranglehold the Church had on learning, the Internet places that learning truly within the reach of all.
Gone are the gatekeepers of information, the media empires. Here are citizen journalists and instant access to media outlets from around the world. Gone are the establishment-dominated points of view. Here are a dozen alternative viewpoints to fight it out in a truly open marketplace of ideas. Gone are the successful government manipulations of information. Here are the unstoppable whistleblowers of the virtual world.
The Internet is chaotic, true. Obviously, not everything you find there is of equal value. Much of it, in fact, is pure rubbish. How can you sift through the garbage to find the diamonds in the dirt? Since there is a demand for this kind of service, there are those who will supply that demand, websites that will earn your trust over time, the way publishers and writers always have. But still, knowing who and what to believe requires some effort on your part. It is, in fact, the most important task you face.
Teaching Yourselves How to Think
In order to decide what and who to believe, you need to know how to think straight. If you are fortunate, your school has helped you lay some of the groundwork here, but the obstacles to rigorous thinking are many and varied. Teach yourself about the kinds of logical fallacies that derail clear thought. Learn to spot these fallacies in your own thinking as well as in the thinking of others.
Confirmation bias—that tendency we have to seek out confirming information and avoid or ignore disconfirming evidence—is particularly problematic. Cultivate a proper respect for its pernicious effect. To claim any kind of certainty in your beliefs, you must try to challenge your deeply-held views as much as possible. Clear, objective thinking does not require that you remain undecided indefinitely, but it does require that you consider alternate viewpoints and give them a fair hearing. Sometimes you will change your mind, sometimes you will not. Either way, you will have reason to feel more secure in your knowledge.
So read widely and deeply from diverse sources. No one has the time to study every issue, but if you’re interested in economics, find out what different economists think are the causes of our current financial woes. Renewed growth and prosperity are well within our reach as long as we navigate this crisis with care. If international relations is your top concern, what do people across the political spectrum have to say about the causes of war and the requirements of peace? Did you know that humanity is in many ways becoming less violent? Why is that, and how can we accelerate that trend? If you’re most worried about the state of the natural world, which environmental problems are most pressing and which are overblown? Are you aware that human health and wellbeing have continued improving throughout the world despite some real problems? What are the causes of those problems and what are some innovative ways to address them?
More deeply, what kind of society best promotes innovation? What is the proper role of government? What is the purpose of art? How should you live your life? How can you be certain of anything? These kinds of big, philosophical questions require your critical attention, too, for they underpin the kinds of decisions people make about more practical matters.
The decline of religion, tradition, and authority in the developed world has left people with a lot more freedom, which is a good thing, but it has also left them with a lot less structure and guidance, which is not such a good thing. The guidance that most people in previous generations took for granted is fading, and has yet to be replaced by much of anything. You may not need supernatural fairy tales, but you do need philosophical signposts if you are to meet the challenges that lie in wait—and if you are to live happy, successful lives.
It’s easy to get discouraged and put on a cynical face, but cynicism won’t get you what you want. It won’t help you make the world a better place, and it won’t make you happy. Instead, keep in mind all that your ancestors accomplished. Keep in mind the tools they left you. They would be amazed to see the modern world with all of its amenities and opportunities. Make the most of their example and their gifts by turning on the light of consciousness and letting it shine as brightly as possible.
Thank you.
Why on Earth...? is a series of cultural commentaries by Bradley Doucet.
This editorial comment has been produced and distributed by The Atlas Society. If you would like to reproduce or publish this piece, you may do so provided you include the biographical information found on this page.
Copyright, The Atlas Society. For more information, please visit www.atlassociety.org.
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