The Universal Struggle
MY IMAGINARY FRIEND CAN’T BE THE ONLY ONE GOING THROUGH AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS RIGHT NOW. WE ARE ALL DONOVAN. Continue reading The Universal Struggle
Tag: Empathy
The N.Y. Times Editorial Board Doesn’t Like Trump’s Shutdown. Neither do Most People.
Please take a look at the opinion piece posted online today by the New York Times Editorial Board. I don’t know whether it’s in the print edition. A link appears below. The current federal shutdown is affecting individuals who must rely on the system being open for business. Some people are working while their paychecks are delayed, and others are furloughed. Not every person who is affected is a government employee. Some are contractors, and others are members of the general public who need services on the federal level. Many are merchants and restaurant operators who rely on transactions with government workers. … Continue reading The N.Y. Times Editorial Board Doesn’t Like Trump’s Shutdown. Neither do Most People.
Ira Glass Quotation
THE STORY IS A MACHINE FOR EMPATHY. IN CONTRAST TO LOGIC OR REASON, A STORY IS ABOUT EMOTION THAT GETS STAGED OVER A SEQUENCE OF DRAMATIC EVENTS. SO YOU EMPATHIZE WITH THE CHARACTERS WITHOUT REALLY THINKING ABOUT IT TOO MUCH. IT IS A REALLY POWERFUL TOOL FOR IMAGINING YOURSELF IN OTHER PEOPLE’S SITUATIONS. — IRA GLASS Continue reading Ira Glass Quotation
Franz Schubert Quotation
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ANOTHER’S GRIEF, NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ANOTHER’S JOY. PEOPLE IMAGINE THEY CAN REACH ONE ANOTHER. IN REALITY, THEY ONLY PASS EACH OTHER BY. — FRANZ SCHUBERT Continue reading Franz Schubert Quotation
A Word on Compassion
IF YOU WANT OTHERS TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION. IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION. — DALAI LAMA Continue reading A Word on Compassion
Too Many Americans Have Short Memories
During the time Donald Trump has been President, some people have suggested that George W. Bush’s Presidency wasn’t all that bad. Most recently, the public found it endearing when he handed Michelle Obama a piece of candy. How many people remember the stolen 2000 Election, the oafish, graceless behavior after the September 11 tragedy, the lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in Iraq, the torture of Muslims, etc? If you’re impressed by a piece of candy and W.’s negative statements about Trump, either you were born very recently or you forgot all about some major events that still affect … Continue reading Too Many Americans Have Short Memories
Accounts get Hacked. Don’t be too Quick to React to Offensive Posts
My blogsite was hacked, once. Fortunately, I was signing in often to look at tracking data, so I discovered the problem immediately (my password had stopped working) and recovered the account on the same day. I don’t believe any harm was done. Always use an obscure password which you don’t use on other accounts. Ideally, every online password should be like a single fingerprint. The advice on how often to change a password varies. The mistake I made was using a foreign word (with a correct diacritical mark, which seemed so clever at the time), followed by a predictable series … Continue reading Accounts get Hacked. Don’t be too Quick to React to Offensive Posts
Not Understanding Suicide
(Disclosure: I am not a mental health professional. The claims made in this post are based on personal experience and common observations.) The public reactions to reports of Anthony Bourdain’s death have been, for the most part, respectful. They should be. People who weren’t acquainted with him should note only his professional accomplishments and other things he allowed into the public record. Appreciate what he shared, and respect boundaries so we aren’t debating things Mr. Bourdain didn’t share. I’m guessing that most public figures who end their own lives don’t want their actions interpreted as endorsements of suicide. It’s hard … Continue reading Not Understanding Suicide
Listen to Pat Kiernan, and Then Make up Your Mind
I promise this will be the last thing I post today — unless I think of something else. Whatever. NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan has presented a strong argument in favor of not repeating the derogatory term used this past week by Donald Trump in referring to the African Continent and Haiti — as well as immigrants from those regions. By now, we’ve already heard the term. At first, there was a good reason for news outlets to set aside the prohibition on the word shit, to make it clear how blatant the President (sic) had been in denigrating other countries and cultures. … Continue reading Listen to Pat Kiernan, and Then Make up Your Mind
Leave Your Hubris at the Door
BOUNDARIES APPLY TO EVERYONE. NO ONE IS SPECIAL ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY DAMAGING OTHERS’ LIVES. Continue reading Leave Your Hubris at the Door
