This is the old paradox: people say they don't "need" the help of anyone, when in fact their lives are based on interpreting the social and political input they receive from others. As a writer of non-fiction history, I am well aware of the fact that even figures who made singular contributions to the world were influenced strongly by the words and activities of the people around them.
We would not have Shakespeare’s canon if he’d stayed in Stratford and tutored, or made gloves for a living. Instead he went to London and immersed himself in theatre and its social scene. It’s not that he would have written the plays but they’d be overlooked-he wouldn’t have written them as we know them. People may like the idea of their worth as individuals, but the fact is that we’re better when we’re linked to others. That’s how we achieve our potential, as well as survive. A monkey alone in a forest is a dead monkey, no matter how alpha he is.
I do think that "net neutrality" is a meaningless term for most people to hear it, and un-shortening it to network neutrality is a good idea. I am comfortable doing my own research in that area.
Reminds me of the loneliest child I ever encountered in my Counseling work. She was raised by a parent who would only scold, “Just believe in yourself!“
Children learn to believe in themselves by parents believing in them first.
We are born so dependent on our caretakers beliefs about us.
The late president of the American Association for the advancement of science, Kenneth Boulding, once gave a presidential address which was published in science magazine.
Boulding pointed out that our subcultures of science and democracy, both evolved around the same time with great difficulty, struggling out from under the heels of church and State.
Thus he wrote that we share a Common Heritage, supported by the same five ethical values underlying both science and democracy.
That bit of analysis, like many of your insights, is something I turn to when trying to explain current events.
This is the old paradox: people say they don't "need" the help of anyone, when in fact their lives are based on interpreting the social and political input they receive from others. As a writer of non-fiction history, I am well aware of the fact that even figures who made singular contributions to the world were influenced strongly by the words and activities of the people around them.
We would not have Shakespeare’s canon if he’d stayed in Stratford and tutored, or made gloves for a living. Instead he went to London and immersed himself in theatre and its social scene. It’s not that he would have written the plays but they’d be overlooked-he wouldn’t have written them as we know them. People may like the idea of their worth as individuals, but the fact is that we’re better when we’re linked to others. That’s how we achieve our potential, as well as survive. A monkey alone in a forest is a dead monkey, no matter how alpha he is.
Your apes in bee colonies just slayed me.
I love this human nature and behavior and communication stuff, and totally can’t get enough when you write about it!
Love this particularly:
Sometimes the mob is evil, and shouldn’t be listened to—but those standards are set by some other, better mob.
I love this piece. Thank you for writing with such clarity and humor.
I do think that "net neutrality" is a meaningless term for most people to hear it, and un-shortening it to network neutrality is a good idea. I am comfortable doing my own research in that area.
An interesting point.
Reminds me of the loneliest child I ever encountered in my Counseling work. She was raised by a parent who would only scold, “Just believe in yourself!“
Children learn to believe in themselves by parents believing in them first.
We are born so dependent on our caretakers beliefs about us.
The late president of the American Association for the advancement of science, Kenneth Boulding, once gave a presidential address which was published in science magazine.
Boulding pointed out that our subcultures of science and democracy, both evolved around the same time with great difficulty, struggling out from under the heels of church and State.
Thus he wrote that we share a Common Heritage, supported by the same five ethical values underlying both science and democracy.
That bit of analysis, like many of your insights, is something I turn to when trying to explain current events.
Thanks again for this stimulating piece.
Simply brilliant (if a little singular).