“Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we
extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are
not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the
intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and the tolerance with
them. In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should
always suppress the utterance of intolerance philosophies; as long as
we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by
public opinion, suppression would certainly be most unwise. But we
should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for
it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the
level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they
may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it
is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their
fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance,
the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any
movement preaching intolerance places itself outside the law, and we
should consider incitement to intolerance and persecution as criminal,
in the same way as we should consider incitement to murder, or to
kidnapping, or to the revival of the slave trade, as criminal.” Karl
Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies
There are so many ways to fight poverty. It is a grinding problem, that seems to big, too massive, for small individuals. It has always been with us after all. It isn’t in front of us - we can, after all, avert our eyes from the man on the street with his possessions in a tatty bag or trolley. Turn off the news with that child in a slum. We can even sigh and shake our heads about how sad, so sad it is - but why don’t people just help themselves?
If you can think like that last sentence - why are you here reading this? Go away. Honestly. I have no time or respect for you.
Yes, it is big and vast and has been there since time immemorial. Yes, it seems so big we cannot change a thing.
That, my friends, is a copout. You can do better than that.
Donate. You don’t need money. Donate ideas, time, passion, drive and energy. Donate old medicines, old glasses, old mobiles, old bikes, blankets, clothes. Donate tinned goods. Donate a weekend to help someone. Donate skills. Just donate something. You have so much. Yes, someone else has much more than you. I am talking to them too. There will always be those who you feel have more things. Things are so important, after all, aren’t they? Read the quote that started this post. Still think that?
Ok, someone has more than you. Big deal.
I wanted to write something that would sear the words into your mind, to etch into you all the fact that you have no excuse. You are reading this - you have access to the net. You are already so far ahead of the game. I am tired, so are you. We work, we have lives, responsibilities. I am not going to berate you, implore you, preach at you. I respect you. You KNOW better.
…but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.
He comes at night most often, but sometimes, sometimes, brazenly by day, defying my attempts to conceal him. At night, oh, then he can sneak into my room, forbidden, unasked, uninvited. He wields power casually, knowing just how to move me, reach me, render me his slave.
Yet I resist him. He calls me to sink into him, to surrender, to accept he is my master now. I will not. He may be able to win the wars we wage daily, but I will never give in to him. I will be stronger. He is my enemy, not my master. I cannot defeat him, but I will defy him, not give him what he demands. I will not be lessened, I will be strengthened by this battle.
I never asked him to be my partner. He arrived in my life unbidden, unlooked for. He has defeated better than me, I am well aware. My defences seem pitiful at times against him, my weapons so small, so inadequate. Here I am, another night where I will not sleep, as he tries once more to overwhelm me with his sheer strength, utter persistence, absolute power.
My feeble will, my pathetic arsenal of weapon, tools, techniques to resist, they are all bought into play, until, exhausted by the struggle, I wish I could just give in. Often, sadly, weakly, I do give in, surrender the fight, and ashamed, I face the new day, swearing I will do better, I will be stronger, I will not be so easily beaten tomorrow.
It is not a battle I can share with others, though some have seen the depth of my despair, and try, want to help. They cannot reach him, he is immune to their counsel, their sympathy, their support. Or so he thinks – I know better. They are probably my greatest strength. They cannot fight him directly, but they can give me strength, courage, and shine a small ray of light into the dark nights, when the war rages around, and he is at the height of his power, trying to overwhelm me.
Cruel master, yet oddly, strangely, loyal, reliable. He will not leave me, and that thought is strange in a transient world. He will not win. I know I have to fight him daily, and I am so tired, so very very tired of it. Yet I do not surrender to him, with his strong embrace, his ability to leave me breathless, weak, sobbing against his will.
I had a boy in NICU. It is one of the most intense, overwhelming experiences of your life.
If you can, support this family. Maybe, just maybe, you could donate your coffee money. Or not buy that shiny tech toy this week. Something, if you can. If everyone does, it makes a huge difference to a family.
…knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy.
Oh my, I am a very empathic (way) ubergeek:) What does it mean? I have read it several times, still not sure what it means to me in real terms:)
Generally, the higher the score the greater your natural ability for that trait. However, the EQ test has 40 questions compared to 75 in the SQ test. As a result, although the unprocessed quotients may be used for comparing each trait ability between individuals, the absolute scores do not tell an individual if he or she has a greater tendency to empathize or systemize. A calculation taking into account the quantity of questions in each test is used to determine a person’s brain type along the following continuum:
Extreme Empathizing (Extreme E)
Empathizing (E)
Balanced (B)
Systemizing (S)
Extreme Systemizing (Extreme S)
Brain Types of Experimental Control Groups
Respondent
Extreme E
E
Balanced
S
Extreme S
Males
0%
17%
31%
46%
6%
Females
7%
47%
32%
14%
0%
The important factor to consider is not your absolute score, but the difference between the two. This indicates whether you have more natural ability as an Empathizer or a Systemizer. If your scores are about the same for your EQ and SQ, then you have well balanced empathizing-systemizing capabilities.
World, meet Corey Stewart. He is not only a musician of great quality, but also a songwriter who understands the need for inspiration and creativity.
From his site: “Without great songs being written, recorded and marketed, the global music industry will die a slow and painful death.
If you have just started writing songs or you have been walking the creative path for a while you will find information on this site that will help you to write more songs, get in touch with your muse and stay on your chosen path.”
He also happens to be an amazing web developer, who is quietly achieving great things. He has creative energy and talent in so muc
…from the party line. What we are seeing once again is a self-appointed group of vigilantes imposing their views on others. It is a heritage of communism, but they don’t seem to see this.
Personally, I see political correctness as committee madness - a good idea of tolerance and respect completely out of hand, with no humour or sense of proportion.
So, lets throw some of that back in the mix, shall we? And can I just say how much I pine for MST3K to return??? The world has no chance for peace, no happy puppies and kittens, no sunshiny smiles, until it returns. Or something.
