We already know Paul Gosar learned nothing, but what new knowledge will you take into the weekend?
Mine is this: When I’m paying attention, I mostly try to apply the scripturally-based Golden Rule, but that’s been with mixed results. As I’ve aged, I realize that rule really works best if a society is homogenous, if we’re all more similar than not. Comes now the Platinum Rule, a creation of author Dave Kerpen, which says:
Do unto others as they would want done to them.
Of course, this involves actually discovering how people want to be treated, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.
I'm fortunate in learning stuff all the time, but I didn't learn anything as big as you did, this week.
I did get something discerned to explicability, though. I have always disliked the phrase "To gt dumped" for "to be part of a relationship breakup," and I can explain that dislike in a brief dialogue:
I got an inkling of how Western Europe descended into the so-called Dark Ages. The level of ignorance in this country is appalling. And people are PROUD of their ignorance. Not just the usual whipping boys of math and science, but history, geography, psychology, biology (especially women's biology), astronomy, ... you name it. But the worst of all is the ignorance about how self-government is ... was ... supposed to work. If we get a 60% turnout in an election, we think that's great, but it's not. Poll after poll shows this is not what the majority of Americans want, but then they don't turn out on election day. As is often said, democracy is not a spectator sport, but we've become a nation of spectators and consumers, not citizens. Although I guess the January 6th insurrectionists believed they were the most patriotic citizens of us all, because they certainly weren't being spectators.
Back when I was teaching undergraduate American economic history I remarked to my class how odd I found it that from the earliest days, USians were thinking of tax rebellion as The Highest Form of Patriotism. And saw many White male faces turned to me in shock, as if unexpectedly betrayed.
Not that this list needs expanding, but I have walked around in continual state of...outrage?...over Christians' lack of understanding of their own faith. They don't read their Book. They don't apply critical thinking (a gift from God, from my space on the pew). Their Book would tell them to pay attention to all the things you listed above. Their Book would tell them to respect others. I. Can't. Even.
Also the US Constitution. As for the Bible, it seems their favorite book is Revelation. They don't seem to ever get around to the Beatitudes, or the story of the Final Judgment (whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me), or the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, or the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and so many more.
I haven't learned anything new this week, but my previous lessons have been reinforced: People have become increasingly selfish in this social-media age and we likely won't be going back at any point in my lifetime.
I learned it's not a good idea to assume your doctor's office has sent the bloodwork order to the lab before you arrive for your lab appointment. These days, I'm learning to follow up on everyone's work no matter how dependable I think they are. And not be too judgmental about it, which is hard for me. Sigh. I've decided to lower my expectations about most everything to avoid being disappointed/aggravated/uptight. Easier said than done. Sigh.
I would not have thought to call ahead, either. I'm still operating on the model that we're all. doing our jobs. (Guess I'm not done with being judgmental...)
Oh, hey, I thought of one. Two days ago as I drove my 16yo son home from school and apropos of nothing, I asked him whether young men were conscious of tension between the expectations of stereotypical masculinity, and the delights of being interested in things and being goofy.
He said, "Not if you're with the right people. But when you don't know people, or you're unsure of the situation--"
Me: "You go stiff?"
He: "Yeah. [pause] I think every man is conscious of it...."
So I enjoyed his answer, but also enjoyed that I can ask him that sort of thing and get a good answer.
In the 20 minutes it took to take my grandson to school, I learned that he LOVES math and science. And hates things like English and writing. So much like his mother! He struggles with how to put his love to work in the world, though. I see many more conversations in our future. I kinda like that future.
I learned that the rest of the world puts their pants on one leg at a time. Now that I've stopped putting them on over my head, I'm not late for everything.
I'm fortunate in learning stuff all the time, but I didn't learn anything as big as you did, this week.
I did get something discerned to explicability, though. I have always disliked the phrase "To gt dumped" for "to be part of a relationship breakup," and I can explain that dislike in a brief dialogue:
1: She dumped me.
2: You mean you were making her *carry* you?
I like it! Something to chew on.
I got an inkling of how Western Europe descended into the so-called Dark Ages. The level of ignorance in this country is appalling. And people are PROUD of their ignorance. Not just the usual whipping boys of math and science, but history, geography, psychology, biology (especially women's biology), astronomy, ... you name it. But the worst of all is the ignorance about how self-government is ... was ... supposed to work. If we get a 60% turnout in an election, we think that's great, but it's not. Poll after poll shows this is not what the majority of Americans want, but then they don't turn out on election day. As is often said, democracy is not a spectator sport, but we've become a nation of spectators and consumers, not citizens. Although I guess the January 6th insurrectionists believed they were the most patriotic citizens of us all, because they certainly weren't being spectators.
Back when I was teaching undergraduate American economic history I remarked to my class how odd I found it that from the earliest days, USians were thinking of tax rebellion as The Highest Form of Patriotism. And saw many White male faces turned to me in shock, as if unexpectedly betrayed.
What a great point. I’d never thought of it that way but you’re right. This country was founded on not wanting to pay taxes….
Add economics and world history to that list.
Not that this list needs expanding, but I have walked around in continual state of...outrage?...over Christians' lack of understanding of their own faith. They don't read their Book. They don't apply critical thinking (a gift from God, from my space on the pew). Their Book would tell them to pay attention to all the things you listed above. Their Book would tell them to respect others. I. Can't. Even.
Also the US Constitution. As for the Bible, it seems their favorite book is Revelation. They don't seem to ever get around to the Beatitudes, or the story of the Final Judgment (whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me), or the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, or the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and so many more.
I bet my eternal life that the majority of these chinless turds haven’t read Revelation.
It's the Coffee Mug Version of the Bible in action.
I haven't learned anything new this week, but my previous lessons have been reinforced: People have become increasingly selfish in this social-media age and we likely won't be going back at any point in my lifetime.
I really hope you’re wrong. Respectfully.
So do I.
I learned it's not a good idea to assume your doctor's office has sent the bloodwork order to the lab before you arrive for your lab appointment. These days, I'm learning to follow up on everyone's work no matter how dependable I think they are. And not be too judgmental about it, which is hard for me. Sigh. I've decided to lower my expectations about most everything to avoid being disappointed/aggravated/uptight. Easier said than done. Sigh.
I would not have thought to call ahead, either. I'm still operating on the model that we're all. doing our jobs. (Guess I'm not done with being judgmental...)
I learned what "anadromous" means.
And now? I have, as well: a·nad·ro·mous
/əˈnadrəməs,aˈnadrəməs/
Learn to pronounce
adjectiveZOOLOGY
(of a fish such as the salmon) migrating up rivers from the sea to spawn.
Now I've learned you can carry a rifle into a riot, provoke people, kill them and get away with it.
But mostly if you're white. Be sure to be white, and then you get a pass.
This lowering of expectations got set off by even more stuff lately, i.e. driving amidst many folks who reject using turn signals...
Oh, hey, I thought of one. Two days ago as I drove my 16yo son home from school and apropos of nothing, I asked him whether young men were conscious of tension between the expectations of stereotypical masculinity, and the delights of being interested in things and being goofy.
He said, "Not if you're with the right people. But when you don't know people, or you're unsure of the situation--"
Me: "You go stiff?"
He: "Yeah. [pause] I think every man is conscious of it...."
So I enjoyed his answer, but also enjoyed that I can ask him that sort of thing and get a good answer.
That’s like a little peephole into the world of men. And that really kind of sucks.
Yeah. It's not unexpectable-- but it's sad.
In the 20 minutes it took to take my grandson to school, I learned that he LOVES math and science. And hates things like English and writing. So much like his mother! He struggles with how to put his love to work in the world, though. I see many more conversations in our future. I kinda like that future.
How cool! I love car talks with grandkids.
I learned that the rest of the world puts their pants on one leg at a time. Now that I've stopped putting them on over my head, I'm not late for everything.