Japan's earthquake and tsunami 2011
The recently series of disasters in Japan triggered serious fear in some folks in America. This is curious considering how far removed we are from the actual experience. This, I reckon, is key to what sets us apart from other animals. Thinking enables us to make matters worse than they would otherwise be (of course the opposite is also true). The fluctuating stock market is a perfect example of both cases. On the other hand nightly newscasts focus on the negative; bad news sells. Continue reading ‘Fear Rules’
This is a two-in-one post. Does that mean this is going to be twice as confusing? Could be… I bit off more than I can chew probably (I have the flue today). At least it is a rather post short if you don’t count the Science News quotes.
I’ve long touted the benefit of watching for mysterious sameness. Seeing differences, while often stimulating, is just not as satisfying in the long run. Being able to discern differences enhances survival… up to a point. For example, being able to distinguish a snake from a crooked stick. On the other hand, imagining mountains of difference out of actual mole hills of similarity is just plain counter productive and stressful. The recent Science News article on human relationships, Getting to not know you, offers evidence of the wisdom to let mole hills remain mole hills, or as they say, let sleeping dogs lie. Continue reading ‘Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’
I’ve been amused for years by attempts to blame culture for things obviously biological. This comes down to that old nature vs nurture debate. Naturally I never could substantiate my pro-nature views via reason alone, although it was always fun trying. I suspect that those who blame nurture and culture, do so because that path offers a possible way to ‘fix the problem’—simply educate the misguided to ‘fix’ the culture and we can all live happily ever after. On the other hand, if nature is mostly to ‘blame’, then we would seem to be left helpless(1), (except for the path Buddha’s Noble Truths offer). Continue reading ‘Playing With Dolls’
A non-neurotic nitpicking conversation
Noticing differences really aids survival… up the point of diminishing returns. Continuing along this path is counterproductive and eventually leads to anxiety of some sort. Of course, in the wild, such discernment would seldom turn as worrisome.
Civilization, in taming the wilderness, removes natural stresses that would otherwise counterbalance us, and before we know it, we’ve become neurotic nitpickers in one way or other. Continue reading ‘Balancing Difference With Similarity’
I’ve noticed over the years that there’s always something ‘wrong’, no matter how ‘right’ things seem at first. There is a seemingly endless supply of issues to fret over. After we resolve the pressing life and death issues, you’d think we could relax and appreciate that success. Alas, no sooner one problem is solved, we find another to fret over. Continue reading ‘The Worry Gene’
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