I used to really like Steven Pinker. I still agree with a lot of what he’s written. The Enlightenment changed the world for the better. The "blank slate" was a lie.
Yes especially that last paragraph. The work isn’t primarily political but personal. But I would go further - it’s about getting to know and discover oneself. Most politics if not all are just unconscious conflicts projected outwards. Healthy borders are just healthy boundaries, for example. It’s immature ungrounded people that create immature ungrounded societies. My deep wish is that people return to self knowledge and stop wasting time with vitriolic and clearly ineffective activism. I find many “problems” in the outer world that still remain are much easier to face with a deeper inner world. Certainly I waste less time fighting human nature when I’ve befriended it in myself.
John, Best commentary I have read reconciling the disruption that is coming with increasing use of AI with a more optimistic, humane view of the future this may bring forth. I hope you are right.
BTW- I have reached out multiple times and still hold out hope for a conversation with you about the sad state of surgery in America today.
Well said! The Reformation and Enlightenment left us in a spiritual vacuum that was filled by the Woke race communists. Probably requires at minimum, strengthening the bonds of family and faith which will unfortunately be accompanied by increased Right Authoritarianism and possibly Theocracy. Increased Localism and Federalism might be the answer for government, but seems unlikely given trend toward consolidation of American Empire.
Hi John, I’ve enjoyed watching a number of your interviews. I did not grow up going to church but my parents raised us with basic Christian values. Most of my adult life, I did not think much about God … until more recent years. I still have my doubts but I’m hoping (and PRAYIN’) my faith will only grow stronger. I’ve made a habit of reading a bit of the Bible each day and I wish I’d had more Christian education when I was younger. Over the last six years, I’ve had an amazingly wonderful opportunity to help homeschool a couple of my grandchildren. I’d like to think Christian Wisdom is somehow coming through with the books we read and the discussions we have. A number of your interviews have been right up my alley and very helpful. So, Thank you.
Between themselves Plato and Aristotle agreed there were just three values under which all worthwhile fell. Those were Good, Beauty, and Truth.
'Good' meant 'Good' for mankind. It included personal freedom and responsibility to advance human connections. Those connections ranged from personal love [family, friends] to community to goodwill toward all while following the Golden Rule. Beauty - what is more pleasing than plainness and ordinariness.? Truth -- what does the physical universe include and how does it work? Where does Mathematica fit? I don't know.
In their simplistic extremist ways totalitarian schemes, from absolute individual rule to political Fascism and Marxism, violate one or more Transcendent Values.
Yes especially that last paragraph. The work isn’t primarily political but personal. But I would go further - it’s about getting to know and discover oneself. Most politics if not all are just unconscious conflicts projected outwards. Healthy borders are just healthy boundaries, for example. It’s immature ungrounded people that create immature ungrounded societies. My deep wish is that people return to self knowledge and stop wasting time with vitriolic and clearly ineffective activism. I find many “problems” in the outer world that still remain are much easier to face with a deeper inner world. Certainly I waste less time fighting human nature when I’ve befriended it in myself.
John, Best commentary I have read reconciling the disruption that is coming with increasing use of AI with a more optimistic, humane view of the future this may bring forth. I hope you are right.
BTW- I have reached out multiple times and still hold out hope for a conversation with you about the sad state of surgery in America today.
Rick Bosshardt, MD
rtbosshardt@aol.com
Well said! The Reformation and Enlightenment left us in a spiritual vacuum that was filled by the Woke race communists. Probably requires at minimum, strengthening the bonds of family and faith which will unfortunately be accompanied by increased Right Authoritarianism and possibly Theocracy. Increased Localism and Federalism might be the answer for government, but seems unlikely given trend toward consolidation of American Empire.
Hi John, I’ve enjoyed watching a number of your interviews. I did not grow up going to church but my parents raised us with basic Christian values. Most of my adult life, I did not think much about God … until more recent years. I still have my doubts but I’m hoping (and PRAYIN’) my faith will only grow stronger. I’ve made a habit of reading a bit of the Bible each day and I wish I’d had more Christian education when I was younger. Over the last six years, I’ve had an amazingly wonderful opportunity to help homeschool a couple of my grandchildren. I’d like to think Christian Wisdom is somehow coming through with the books we read and the discussions we have. A number of your interviews have been right up my alley and very helpful. So, Thank you.
Between themselves Plato and Aristotle agreed there were just three values under which all worthwhile fell. Those were Good, Beauty, and Truth.
'Good' meant 'Good' for mankind. It included personal freedom and responsibility to advance human connections. Those connections ranged from personal love [family, friends] to community to goodwill toward all while following the Golden Rule. Beauty - what is more pleasing than plainness and ordinariness.? Truth -- what does the physical universe include and how does it work? Where does Mathematica fit? I don't know.
In their simplistic extremist ways totalitarian schemes, from absolute individual rule to political Fascism and Marxism, violate one or more Transcendent Values.
Cheap energy esp fusion will help free us also.