So, tonight I went to see the movie "Lions for Lambs" with a friend of mine. My friend complained about horrible this movie was from the moment it ended until about an hour later. Note to my thinking friends out there: Go see this movie. I think my friend disliked the movie because she is unaware of things going on in the world around her and she didn't really understand what the movie was about. During one part of the movie, a college student points out that 50 percent of college juniors don't know the names of their state senators. About an hour after the movie, my friend asks who her senator is.
There are about two dozen quotes from this movie that I could type right now. The basic premise of the movie is as follows, although I don't plan to give everything away:
A college professor of political science pulls a student into his office that he feels is not reaching his full potential. He tells a story to this student about two of his previous students. The professor says that you have to find something to stand for or you're nothing. His previous two studetnts were from bad neighborhoods, but got an elite education on athletic scholarships. These two bright students decide to enlist in the military so they feel like they are doing something to change the world. The professor tells this student of a privilieged background, that its always those that our country cares the least about that are first to volunteer to defend it and those who are privileged that take the biggest step back from responsibility. That its not what grade you get from a class that matters, but the lessons you learn from it. Meanwhile, a journalist is struggling with the fact that during her 40 years in the profession, her network has gone from gathering the facts to reporting entertainment news. A state senator with a new plan for Afghanistan calls her a "windsock." He says she "goes with the prevailing winds" and has let the majority opinion become the moral opinion.
I can't do justice to this movie. It's relatively short and the ending leaves you pondering the state of things in our society. I love the college professor character in the movie. Reminds of a mentor I was had. And the senator makes an extraordinary point when he says the government has screwed up in the war on terror and mistakes were made by those in power. But the mistakes were honest mistakes because they were made in a moment of fear to protect families, children, our values, our entire existence.
See the movie. Tell me what you think. Just when I feel apathetic and don't wanna think about the war on terror or our horrible foreign relations, this movie pushes me to think--a good thing. I don't want to be a windsock...
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Faithless
Alright, so yeah, I'm pitiful at blogging. I can admit it. I'm trying, seriously. And I think it will be better after the degree is finished in December. So, I'm posting the blog I posted this week on my other site. And my goal is to post a blog of some substance about some significant something by the end of the weekend. Really. But, here's an update in the meantime:
So I'm procrastinating and thought I'd post a blog to aid in that attempt at laziness. Things are busy...really busy. The good thing about this is that my weeks go by pretty quickly because I don't have enough time to get everything finished that needs to be finished. The bad thing about this is that some things must get finished, and this may result in me being overwhelmed...frequently. Insomnia has returned after a three month hiatus. I have to say that those around me are being pretty understanding about my various committments at the time and these same people are assisting me in keeping my sanity and getting things done as efficiently as possible.
Despite the demands to get things done related to work and my own school, I've become a little apathetic towards the world in the last few weeks. I could come up with a dozen reasons why. Maybe I'm just due a meltdown. Maybe I'm just being dramatic. Maybe it doesn't even matter.
It is amazing to me how little things can add up to cause you to lose faith in all the things you believe in. I know its temporary, and I'll get my marbles back. But in the meantime, it feels hollow. Things you think you know are questioned and you're not sure you were right in the first place. So if you weren't right about one thing, could you have been wrong about more things? How can someone or something you thought was so good possibly turn out to be so bad? Do you consider yourself an idiot or blame that other person or thing? Yeah, this rant is pretty abstract. But some of you will know what I'm talking about and how much it really sucks.
And I'm missing a feeling that I once knew. Transcendence of the trivial and recognition of the higher. A sense of knowing and comfort that I worked so hard to find. And I kept it awhile. But gradually it disappeared in the daily monotony of the world. And no matter how hard I try I can't get it back. So you think maybe, if we're lucky, we get a glimpse of this for just a moment. And then we're supposed to spend the rest of our lives seeking it out again because we know its there. But if we had it all the time we would take it for granted and never be able to appreciate it? That's my hypothesis on life right now. I glimpsed it, and now I'm chasing it.
Alright, so enough being esoteric. School is hectic, basketball is hectic. I can't get my last two classes at Morehead finished quick enough. I absolutely hate Canada at this point and I wander daily why this was the only class offered this semester. I'm not sure my freshmen basketball team speaks english. I need to learn some relaxation techniques so I don't stroke out this year. Yeah, its that bad. I'm blaming all this on the fact they are all middle-school kids.
Things are hectic and rough, but I'm still thankful for all those great friends around me. Seriously. If you're reading this blog and you haven't heard from me in a few weeks, sorry about that. I'm trying to get things done and rejoin the world of the living. I'm pushing for the week of Thanksgiving when we get the entire week off at good ol' GC. Time with family and friends is just the remedy that I'm needing right now to get my sense back.
So you all know I have a Starbucks addiciton. And I pretty much love the quotes on the side of the cups there. I usually get the same one over and over. But I got a new one today and I really liked it because you all know that I wouldn't survive a day without music. So, I'm gonna share it with you all. It's a quote from a neurologist describing the importance of music to his patients. But I'm gonna paraphrase and make it apply to us all:
Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears--it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. Music is not a luxury, but a necessity.
So I'm procrastinating and thought I'd post a blog to aid in that attempt at laziness. Things are busy...really busy. The good thing about this is that my weeks go by pretty quickly because I don't have enough time to get everything finished that needs to be finished. The bad thing about this is that some things must get finished, and this may result in me being overwhelmed...frequently. Insomnia has returned after a three month hiatus. I have to say that those around me are being pretty understanding about my various committments at the time and these same people are assisting me in keeping my sanity and getting things done as efficiently as possible.
Despite the demands to get things done related to work and my own school, I've become a little apathetic towards the world in the last few weeks. I could come up with a dozen reasons why. Maybe I'm just due a meltdown. Maybe I'm just being dramatic. Maybe it doesn't even matter.
It is amazing to me how little things can add up to cause you to lose faith in all the things you believe in. I know its temporary, and I'll get my marbles back. But in the meantime, it feels hollow. Things you think you know are questioned and you're not sure you were right in the first place. So if you weren't right about one thing, could you have been wrong about more things? How can someone or something you thought was so good possibly turn out to be so bad? Do you consider yourself an idiot or blame that other person or thing? Yeah, this rant is pretty abstract. But some of you will know what I'm talking about and how much it really sucks.
And I'm missing a feeling that I once knew. Transcendence of the trivial and recognition of the higher. A sense of knowing and comfort that I worked so hard to find. And I kept it awhile. But gradually it disappeared in the daily monotony of the world. And no matter how hard I try I can't get it back. So you think maybe, if we're lucky, we get a glimpse of this for just a moment. And then we're supposed to spend the rest of our lives seeking it out again because we know its there. But if we had it all the time we would take it for granted and never be able to appreciate it? That's my hypothesis on life right now. I glimpsed it, and now I'm chasing it.
Alright, so enough being esoteric. School is hectic, basketball is hectic. I can't get my last two classes at Morehead finished quick enough. I absolutely hate Canada at this point and I wander daily why this was the only class offered this semester. I'm not sure my freshmen basketball team speaks english. I need to learn some relaxation techniques so I don't stroke out this year. Yeah, its that bad. I'm blaming all this on the fact they are all middle-school kids.
Things are hectic and rough, but I'm still thankful for all those great friends around me. Seriously. If you're reading this blog and you haven't heard from me in a few weeks, sorry about that. I'm trying to get things done and rejoin the world of the living. I'm pushing for the week of Thanksgiving when we get the entire week off at good ol' GC. Time with family and friends is just the remedy that I'm needing right now to get my sense back.
So you all know I have a Starbucks addiciton. And I pretty much love the quotes on the side of the cups there. I usually get the same one over and over. But I got a new one today and I really liked it because you all know that I wouldn't survive a day without music. So, I'm gonna share it with you all. It's a quote from a neurologist describing the importance of music to his patients. But I'm gonna paraphrase and make it apply to us all:
Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears--it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. Music is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Random Stuff
Alright, so things are a little busy and the blog continues to suffer. But here are some random things I've been pondering:
A weird thing happened at school a couple weeks ago. Our school is undergoing renovations and there are about 12 classrooms in the cafeteria that are basically office-style cubicles. The noise level is insane and this makes effective teaching a gigantic challenge. So it's a stretch to ask my classes to read a couple pages in the textbook because their concentration and focus are minimal in this environment. So, I decided that instead of asking them to read, I would read the section to them while they followed along in the book. Keep in mind here, I teach all juniors all day. These are 17 and 18 year old creatures. The most amazing thing happened. There was absolute silence in my cubicle and everyone in the class followed along while I read. No talking. I repeat, no talking. I was shocked and more than pleasantly surprised. So I'm trying to figure out if maybe these kids can't read or even those we don't expect still like to be read to. I don't know. But it was a cool experience for me so I've repeated it this week with the same results.
So on to things in the news that have made me think:
I saw a story about a Mexican immigrant who has lived in this country for a couple of decades. Last year, his son, who was born in the United States and consequently a U.S. citizen, was killed in the Iraq War. Well, this man, the father of the soldier, is about to be deported back to Mexico. I am the first to say that our immigration laws should not only be stricter, but actually be enforced. But I took exception with this story. The custom is usually that the immediate family of a fallen soldier is granted amnesty and the soldier's wife was. But come on, this guy has made the ultimate sacrifice for a country that isn't even his. I know, I've gone soft. But war pretty much sucks and it changes the rules of life.
So my humanities class has been discussing Imperial Rome this week. To entertain myself, I posed the question to my classes as to whether or not the United States is an imperial nation, the Roman Empire of the modern age, if you will. Wow. This started a serious debate in which some students thought the U.S. should mind its own business and stop trying to help people who don't even ask for help. An exchange student from Switzerland informed me that the U.S. tries to make itself "the police of the world" and we should "mind our own business." Another kid said "we should just blow them all up. why do we even need Iraqis. they're the ones causing the trouble." Just when I think teenagers are apathetic and they've frayed my last nerve, there's a glimmer of hope that they might actually care about something that matters.
A teacher in Oregon is suing the school board so that she may carry a gun to school. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. For the record, I am a gun owner, but have never even remotely thought that carrying it to school would be a good idea. I can see both sides of the issue here and neither one really captures me. Sure it could be dangerous to have a gun in the classroom considering a number of variables that could occur, including a student getting their hands on the gun. But could a teacher carrying a gun prevent a major crisis? Possibly. And if someone possesses a concealed weapon permit, they must be a law abiding citizen who has met certain criteria. Rather than putting guns in teachers hands, I think it would be a better route to create more efficient security in schools. When our renovations are complete, security cameras will be in every classroom and this feed will also be available to law enforcement agencies. We also have a school resource officer on site at most all times. I'm glad this decision is not one I have to make.
Alright, I'll try to be more faithful it posting things that make me think. I'm still pondering that forced abortion issue in China that was posed to me. Maybe next time. But I'm open to suggestions. Basketball season begins Monday and time becomes even more precious. But I'm gonna make the effort.
A weird thing happened at school a couple weeks ago. Our school is undergoing renovations and there are about 12 classrooms in the cafeteria that are basically office-style cubicles. The noise level is insane and this makes effective teaching a gigantic challenge. So it's a stretch to ask my classes to read a couple pages in the textbook because their concentration and focus are minimal in this environment. So, I decided that instead of asking them to read, I would read the section to them while they followed along in the book. Keep in mind here, I teach all juniors all day. These are 17 and 18 year old creatures. The most amazing thing happened. There was absolute silence in my cubicle and everyone in the class followed along while I read. No talking. I repeat, no talking. I was shocked and more than pleasantly surprised. So I'm trying to figure out if maybe these kids can't read or even those we don't expect still like to be read to. I don't know. But it was a cool experience for me so I've repeated it this week with the same results.
So on to things in the news that have made me think:
I saw a story about a Mexican immigrant who has lived in this country for a couple of decades. Last year, his son, who was born in the United States and consequently a U.S. citizen, was killed in the Iraq War. Well, this man, the father of the soldier, is about to be deported back to Mexico. I am the first to say that our immigration laws should not only be stricter, but actually be enforced. But I took exception with this story. The custom is usually that the immediate family of a fallen soldier is granted amnesty and the soldier's wife was. But come on, this guy has made the ultimate sacrifice for a country that isn't even his. I know, I've gone soft. But war pretty much sucks and it changes the rules of life.
So my humanities class has been discussing Imperial Rome this week. To entertain myself, I posed the question to my classes as to whether or not the United States is an imperial nation, the Roman Empire of the modern age, if you will. Wow. This started a serious debate in which some students thought the U.S. should mind its own business and stop trying to help people who don't even ask for help. An exchange student from Switzerland informed me that the U.S. tries to make itself "the police of the world" and we should "mind our own business." Another kid said "we should just blow them all up. why do we even need Iraqis. they're the ones causing the trouble." Just when I think teenagers are apathetic and they've frayed my last nerve, there's a glimmer of hope that they might actually care about something that matters.
A teacher in Oregon is suing the school board so that she may carry a gun to school. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. For the record, I am a gun owner, but have never even remotely thought that carrying it to school would be a good idea. I can see both sides of the issue here and neither one really captures me. Sure it could be dangerous to have a gun in the classroom considering a number of variables that could occur, including a student getting their hands on the gun. But could a teacher carrying a gun prevent a major crisis? Possibly. And if someone possesses a concealed weapon permit, they must be a law abiding citizen who has met certain criteria. Rather than putting guns in teachers hands, I think it would be a better route to create more efficient security in schools. When our renovations are complete, security cameras will be in every classroom and this feed will also be available to law enforcement agencies. We also have a school resource officer on site at most all times. I'm glad this decision is not one I have to make.
Alright, I'll try to be more faithful it posting things that make me think. I'm still pondering that forced abortion issue in China that was posed to me. Maybe next time. But I'm open to suggestions. Basketball season begins Monday and time becomes even more precious. But I'm gonna make the effort.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Surprisingly, a blog...and a hoodie
Somehow, I have lesson plans and homework done on the same evening. So...
I've been pondering a theory in my head. It could quite possibly be preposterous, but we'll see what you guys think. I've been mulling around the idea that there are two types of jobs in this world--those you do because they mean something to you and those you do to earn money to buy nice things that mean something to you. I guess you could have a job that fulfills both needs. But I think maybe people, whether consciously or unconsciously, pursue one route or the other. Maybe it is still the novelty of my career that has presented this possiblity. Any comments?
Alright, so I've been investigating a sociological mystery to me at school for the past couple of weeks. One of my students from last year who likes to hang around and harass me has also been participating in these observations. I've convinced her I'm returning to grad school and writing a dissertation about these musings. I have cafeteria duty during my fourth period this year, so this means I stand in the cafeteria and attempt to keep order for an hour and a half each day. This gives me more than ample time to observe these strange creatures we call "teenagers."
I've noticed that a great deal of teenagers are fond of the "hoodie." When I was in high school, way back ten years ago, we simply called these things "sweatshirts," regardless of whether or not they had a hood attached. The hoodie has become the clothing staple of all teenagers, regardless of peer group or socioeconomic status. I've come up with a ton of observations about this staple, but I'll paraphrase here, as my observations continue.
So, today as my student partner (who we will call T) and I were standing in the gravelteria (this is what we call the area where students are currently enjoying lunch during the renovations at our school) I bet her that 5 out of the next 10 students to walk through the doorway would be wearing hoodies. I was exactly right! Although I think the number of students who wear hoodies each day may be a little higher in reality. Teenagers wear hoodies regardless of the weather. If it is 110 degrees outside with high humidity, you can still go to the mall and find a plethora of hoodies. If it is snowing outside, chances are you will find teenagers wearing only a hoodie as their primary means of warmth. So, I'm thinking weather has nothing to do with the hoodie.
Initially, my hypothesis was that the emo kids were the primary users of hoodies. And I proposed to T that these students wear hoodies to stay warm because of their cold, cold hearts deep inside. But turns out there are two types of hoodies. We will call these "band" hoodies and "preppy" hoodies. Band hoodies usually have some pop culture reference. Preppy hoodies are things you would buy at American Eagle or Aeropostale, or maybe even a sports team. The other variable is whether or not you wear a hoodie randomly, and have several hoodies to alternate or you have one or two primary hoodies that you were everyday.
T and I have decided the hoodie is now an integral part of the teenage identity. One wearer of the band hoodie informed that her hoodie was "like a security blanket." Now, I'm pretty sure most teenagers would not acknowledge the importance or social status implied by the hoodie. It's just "cool" or "comfortable" or "I get cold at school." But I am becoming more convinced with each day that I observe these creatures that the hoodie is identity. T demonstrated for me that if its a bad day and you want to hide from the world or indicate to others to leave you alone, you simply utilize the hood of the hoodie.
I know that some readers are thinking this post is shear cynism. It absolutely is not. I'm seriously fascinated by the hoodie and how attached teenagers are to it these days. I own hoodies and I'm trying to figure out if I'm cool enough to have a hoodie identity or if my old age has caused my circulation to slow down and led to me being colder. I have a different student, CC, who is currently composing a list of uses for the hoodie. She was just today informing me how much contraband can be stored in a hoodie.
I will continue my research into the hoodie and its various functions in our society. I love my student informants--I think we share a mutual awe of one another. They think I am crazy to be interested in this and I am intrigued by their unique perspectives.
Keep on rockin' out the hoodie...or looking good, depending on which group you fall into.
I've been pondering a theory in my head. It could quite possibly be preposterous, but we'll see what you guys think. I've been mulling around the idea that there are two types of jobs in this world--those you do because they mean something to you and those you do to earn money to buy nice things that mean something to you. I guess you could have a job that fulfills both needs. But I think maybe people, whether consciously or unconsciously, pursue one route or the other. Maybe it is still the novelty of my career that has presented this possiblity. Any comments?
Alright, so I've been investigating a sociological mystery to me at school for the past couple of weeks. One of my students from last year who likes to hang around and harass me has also been participating in these observations. I've convinced her I'm returning to grad school and writing a dissertation about these musings. I have cafeteria duty during my fourth period this year, so this means I stand in the cafeteria and attempt to keep order for an hour and a half each day. This gives me more than ample time to observe these strange creatures we call "teenagers."
I've noticed that a great deal of teenagers are fond of the "hoodie." When I was in high school, way back ten years ago, we simply called these things "sweatshirts," regardless of whether or not they had a hood attached. The hoodie has become the clothing staple of all teenagers, regardless of peer group or socioeconomic status. I've come up with a ton of observations about this staple, but I'll paraphrase here, as my observations continue.
So, today as my student partner (who we will call T) and I were standing in the gravelteria (this is what we call the area where students are currently enjoying lunch during the renovations at our school) I bet her that 5 out of the next 10 students to walk through the doorway would be wearing hoodies. I was exactly right! Although I think the number of students who wear hoodies each day may be a little higher in reality. Teenagers wear hoodies regardless of the weather. If it is 110 degrees outside with high humidity, you can still go to the mall and find a plethora of hoodies. If it is snowing outside, chances are you will find teenagers wearing only a hoodie as their primary means of warmth. So, I'm thinking weather has nothing to do with the hoodie.
Initially, my hypothesis was that the emo kids were the primary users of hoodies. And I proposed to T that these students wear hoodies to stay warm because of their cold, cold hearts deep inside. But turns out there are two types of hoodies. We will call these "band" hoodies and "preppy" hoodies. Band hoodies usually have some pop culture reference. Preppy hoodies are things you would buy at American Eagle or Aeropostale, or maybe even a sports team. The other variable is whether or not you wear a hoodie randomly, and have several hoodies to alternate or you have one or two primary hoodies that you were everyday.
T and I have decided the hoodie is now an integral part of the teenage identity. One wearer of the band hoodie informed that her hoodie was "like a security blanket." Now, I'm pretty sure most teenagers would not acknowledge the importance or social status implied by the hoodie. It's just "cool" or "comfortable" or "I get cold at school." But I am becoming more convinced with each day that I observe these creatures that the hoodie is identity. T demonstrated for me that if its a bad day and you want to hide from the world or indicate to others to leave you alone, you simply utilize the hood of the hoodie.
I know that some readers are thinking this post is shear cynism. It absolutely is not. I'm seriously fascinated by the hoodie and how attached teenagers are to it these days. I own hoodies and I'm trying to figure out if I'm cool enough to have a hoodie identity or if my old age has caused my circulation to slow down and led to me being colder. I have a different student, CC, who is currently composing a list of uses for the hoodie. She was just today informing me how much contraband can be stored in a hoodie.
I will continue my research into the hoodie and its various functions in our society. I love my student informants--I think we share a mutual awe of one another. They think I am crazy to be interested in this and I am intrigued by their unique perspectives.
Keep on rockin' out the hoodie...or looking good, depending on which group you fall into.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Alright, so school has started and I'm a complete blog slacker. I'm a little busy, but its no excuse. Here's the update of random facts about life in the present:
-I have to take an entire course on
-I saw a really cool line on a church marquee today. I usually hate those things, but this was good: Forgive your enememies; it messes with their head.
-We were talking about ancient
-Added a tattoo this weekend because I think they are addictive and I can't resist.
-Loud music in my car is awesome.
-I think school should be from
-My friends are the best. All of them. Even when we fight like siblings.
-I can't believe Tuesday is the six year anniversary of 9/11. Why is this not a national holiday yet? Doesn't seem like that long ago that my college roommate and I sat in front of the tv for the entire week watching the news.
-I am leaving the country next summer. I am. Anyone up for the travel is invited...
-Sheryl Crow was right: Everyday is a winding a road.
-Starbucks in
-I really want a new Ipod.
-I like to make lists on my hand of things I need to do. I do not like when this ink ends up all over me.
-Patty Griffin rocks
-I have an exchange student in one of my classes and everyday is an adventure. I told her she looked sneaky one day because she is always smiling. She looked this word up in her German dictionary and the definition was 'crawling around on the floor on hands and knees.' Go figure.
Yes, random facts are pointless. But if you are reading this, you must be slightly entertained by my slant on random things. Alright, I'm writing this to avoid writing a paper about
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
War
The following is a video I came across on YouTube. Some images are indescribable and music often conveys it best. War has always just been a story in a book for my generation--until now. Casualties were just a number and heroes were people in movies, or exaggerated stories told by our grandparents. War is real to me now because it is my generation that is dying for a cause. People I know and grew up with are in Iraq and Afghanistan at this very moment. Some days I hate the media. We run the risk of becoming numb to images meant to shock us. But in this case, I am thankful for most of the coverage because it is a constant reminder of things we should not turn a blind eye to. I'm not going to rant against or in support of the war. Sometimes it doesn't matter. Acknowledging it's existence is essential to a good we don't yet know.
Here's the link for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziA588CAnGQ
Here's the link for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziA588CAnGQ
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Britney Madness
Alright, so never in my most insane dreams did I ever think I'd post a blog about Britney Spears. But after watching CNN for a good while this evening, I just cannot help myself. An entire news program was devoted to the question of whether or not Britney Spears' children should be removed from her custody for the following reasons:
-soda is sometimes put into their baby bottles meaning, according to the tv, that their teeth can rot out, they may have a speech impediment or eventually need to have their teeth bleached due to discoloration
-she feeds her children ranch doritos on a regular basis
-she shaved her head and this is obviously grounds for a social worker to become involved with a family
-apparently the kids get crumbs all over the house when they eat
Okay, so maybe she's not the best mother in the world. And maybe she is a little crazy. But these are the actual reasons the media are giving that custody should be taken away from a mother. Don't we have more legitimate things to worry about?
How about the 13 year-old girl in
Or the lady in
Or the guy in Philadephia this winter who locked his 3 year-old daughter out of the house in the snow because she was crying and wouldn't go to sleep? She was eventually found dead of hypothermia about a mile from her home.
Even closer to home, how about the young girl in Kentucky who died this spring a day after being scalded in hot bathwater and badly bruised? Social services had been alerted numerous times by neighbors and even visited the home!
This is my soapbox and I'm unapologetic. If we want to be concerned about the welfare of children, why not pick a situation that actually needs some action rather than a celebrity who is a less than ideal parent, yet can likely hire a very capable nanny?
Britney Spears may have gone over the edge. With this, I agree. But seriously, don't we have enough children out there to focus on without the paparazzi alerting us to neglect?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Flip-Flops
I was talking with someone the other day about faith and young people. This person happened to be about my parents' age and I doubted that our perspectives had much in common. She mentioned that her twenty-something son had been frowned upon at his church because he wore flip-flops to a service. She said that he wasn't being disrespectful, but that this was the type of shoes he always wears during the summer. I took notice at this conversation because as anyone who knows me will attest, flip-flops are my preferred footwear as well.
This person said that she admired my generation (Generation Y) because our faith in God is solid and that she thought that our inclination towards flip-flops was an outward sign of this. She said that Gen Y is more interested in what is on the inside rather than on the outside. We don't care what you're wearing, we care what you're thinking and what you stand for. I absolutely agree with this. We are afterall the generation of the blog. There's no fear in putting our ideas out there and debating our beliefs with contemporaries. A good number of us have experienced the world and constructed our own worldviews instead having them passed down to us from our parents. In my humble opinion, we care about things that have lasting value by focusing on relationships and issues instead of career and image.
There's a USAToday article that described Gen Y in the workforce. I found it pretty entertaining so if you want to check it out, I'm providing the link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm
I once heard someone from my parents generation say that she wasn't so much concerned with the idea of my generation running the world, but she did have concerns that we would be the ones caring for her in old age. I think she's in good hands. I'm proud to be a part of my generation. I've read experts say our compassion has something to do with the fact we are the first generation born after the legalization of abortion and we were therefore wanted and loved more than previous generations. Despite the experts opinions that there is some external influence to explain our attitudes, I'd like to think we're just good people.
We know what we stand for and we're willing to take action for social change.
This person said that she admired my generation (Generation Y) because our faith in God is solid and that she thought that our inclination towards flip-flops was an outward sign of this. She said that Gen Y is more interested in what is on the inside rather than on the outside. We don't care what you're wearing, we care what you're thinking and what you stand for. I absolutely agree with this. We are afterall the generation of the blog. There's no fear in putting our ideas out there and debating our beliefs with contemporaries. A good number of us have experienced the world and constructed our own worldviews instead having them passed down to us from our parents. In my humble opinion, we care about things that have lasting value by focusing on relationships and issues instead of career and image.
There's a USAToday article that described Gen Y in the workforce. I found it pretty entertaining so if you want to check it out, I'm providing the link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm
I once heard someone from my parents generation say that she wasn't so much concerned with the idea of my generation running the world, but she did have concerns that we would be the ones caring for her in old age. I think she's in good hands. I'm proud to be a part of my generation. I've read experts say our compassion has something to do with the fact we are the first generation born after the legalization of abortion and we were therefore wanted and loved more than previous generations. Despite the experts opinions that there is some external influence to explain our attitudes, I'd like to think we're just good people.
We know what we stand for and we're willing to take action for social change.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Altruism
I'm just wandering if anyone believes there are altruistic individuals out there. I'm talking about people who have no ulterior motive behind their actions that are seemingly aimed towards the good of all rather than simply themselves.
I've recently gotten to know someone that everyone around me swears is a brilliant example of altruism. I'm not so sure. Not because I know details about this person that convince me otherwise. I'm just not so sure this attitude is possible considering the human condition of selfishness. Even if we do a good deed for someone, don't we get that "warm and fuzzy" feeling inside because we've done a good thing? So this means we get some benefit out of said deed.
Alright, Mother Teresa was probably altruistic. But don't you think she got some joy out of what she did? And wouldn't this negate the altruism? Any opinions? Seriously, I'd like to hear what you guys think...
I've recently gotten to know someone that everyone around me swears is a brilliant example of altruism. I'm not so sure. Not because I know details about this person that convince me otherwise. I'm just not so sure this attitude is possible considering the human condition of selfishness. Even if we do a good deed for someone, don't we get that "warm and fuzzy" feeling inside because we've done a good thing? So this means we get some benefit out of said deed.
Alright, Mother Teresa was probably altruistic. But don't you think she got some joy out of what she did? And wouldn't this negate the altruism? Any opinions? Seriously, I'd like to hear what you guys think...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Novelty of the Blog
For what seems to have been a brief moment in time, I considered myself an intellectual. Two outstanding private institutions of higher learning equipped me with the skills to be a critical thinker, always analyzing conversations and observations. I have realized that I miss this self-formed identity. Since moving back to rural Kentucky and taking on the challenges of a high school teacher of humanities to a population of students who could care less that gothic means more than wearing black clothes and makeup, my thinking has become complacent and my vocabulary has sunk to an abject state.
It is at this self-realization that I begin this blog. To insure that I actually pay attention to the happenings of importance, I will attempt to blog at least weekly (hopefully more frequently, but lower expectations mean the possibility of being pleasantly surprised) about some meaningful story that I either come across via my own experience or observation.
This blog is also the result of encouragement from my lone intellectual uncle--quite possibly the only family member who is the proud owner of a library card that has seen the light of day. We often have these conversations about random stories on the news and the personalities who comment on said stories. During these conversations, I enjoy saying shocking things to my ultra-conservative aunt who probably says an extra prayer for my soul each night. After one of these especially rousing conversations (I think I had just suggested government enforced population control to cut down on slackers in society--including references to my senior research paper in high school on eugenics), my uncle suggested I start blogging. According to him, there isn't an idea or opinion so crazy that you can't find at least a hundred people to agree with you. And I think he suggested it for his own amusement as well. So we'll give it a shot.
My personal favorite pundit is Ann Coulter. Now, before people start throwing rampant comments my way, let me explain my respect and admiration for Ms. Coulter. I do not always agree with the ideas that she puts forth. Nevertheless, the manner in which she presents this information is mesmerizing to me. It is all about the shock value. Ann can say things in such a way that I guarantee, you will remember it. And then you will be driving in your car one day, thinking of the insane notion that she has spouted off and think, "Hey, there's a little sense in that if you stop to think about it." And most importantly, Ann does not care who she ticks off. Get over it.
So it is in the spirit of reclaiming critical thinking, amusing the minute sliver of familial intelligence that I have (and likely myself) and just saying what I think, that I begin this blog.
And remember what Ann says, "When things get tough, liberals go to therapy. Conservatives go to church."
It is at this self-realization that I begin this blog. To insure that I actually pay attention to the happenings of importance, I will attempt to blog at least weekly (hopefully more frequently, but lower expectations mean the possibility of being pleasantly surprised) about some meaningful story that I either come across via my own experience or observation.
This blog is also the result of encouragement from my lone intellectual uncle--quite possibly the only family member who is the proud owner of a library card that has seen the light of day. We often have these conversations about random stories on the news and the personalities who comment on said stories. During these conversations, I enjoy saying shocking things to my ultra-conservative aunt who probably says an extra prayer for my soul each night. After one of these especially rousing conversations (I think I had just suggested government enforced population control to cut down on slackers in society--including references to my senior research paper in high school on eugenics), my uncle suggested I start blogging. According to him, there isn't an idea or opinion so crazy that you can't find at least a hundred people to agree with you. And I think he suggested it for his own amusement as well. So we'll give it a shot.
My personal favorite pundit is Ann Coulter. Now, before people start throwing rampant comments my way, let me explain my respect and admiration for Ms. Coulter. I do not always agree with the ideas that she puts forth. Nevertheless, the manner in which she presents this information is mesmerizing to me. It is all about the shock value. Ann can say things in such a way that I guarantee, you will remember it. And then you will be driving in your car one day, thinking of the insane notion that she has spouted off and think, "Hey, there's a little sense in that if you stop to think about it." And most importantly, Ann does not care who she ticks off. Get over it.
So it is in the spirit of reclaiming critical thinking, amusing the minute sliver of familial intelligence that I have (and likely myself) and just saying what I think, that I begin this blog.
And remember what Ann says, "When things get tough, liberals go to therapy. Conservatives go to church."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
