Comments Kristin has made
Good idea goes commercial
How f*ing ridiculous! The idea behind freecycling (oo, I'm such the rebel, not capitalizing or TM'ing) is great, redistribution of gently used items, to decrease clutter, overbuying in our communities, and assisting those in need, has apparently been left behind in the race for touting one's own importance. Media relations indeed!
When I first read about the idea in a local newspaper, I thought it was great that local chapters were popping up across the country. It makes no sense, however, to micromanage these chapters, nor to irritate those trying to do good, so that they leave, and perhaps worse, stop their charitable acts.
Kristin from sw Indiana
On ... oh, and R.I.P. posted 4 years, 3 months ago 13 ResponsesRe: cooperation
There are instances of cooperative behavior in animals. In particular herd animals, who protect all the young in the group. (Bison, muskoxen, and such will huddle up, with the young in the center, when predators come near). So there's more of a group mentality than protecting only one's own offspring.
Kristin from sw Indiana
On Does respect for the former help the latter? posted 4 years, 3 months ago 21 ResponsesRe: Darwin's theory
Wouldn't cooperation fit into John Nash's Pulitzer prize-winning theory? Granted, I haven't done extensive research or anything, but the scene in the movie (I know, I know, referencing a movie is not the most credible option, please bear with me) where he explains to his peers that if they all go for the blonde, none of them will succeed, or perhaps only one. However, if they each go for a different girl, they'll all have someone to talk with that night. Just a thought, feel free to discuss & find holes in this.
Kristin from sw Indiana
On Does respect for the former help the latter? posted 4 years, 3 months ago 21 ResponsesRe: indigenous cultures
A degree does not make one a scientist, just as the lack of one (or many) does not prevent one from being a scientist. Scientists observe, primarily, and attempt to determine reasons for why things behave the way that they do.
Indigenous cultures certainly have scientists among them. Those who know when to expect a frost, or can tell you if the upcoming storm is likely to be damaging. Not because they went to university, but because they have observed the natural forces around them, and have learned from them.
FWIW, I'm a pagan wildlife scientist, raised Catholic. With a bachelor's degree from Purdue. Does this mean that I flaunt my degree in the face of farmers and others who have decades more experience with the crops, livestock, and game species than I do? Of course not, that would be shooting myself in the foot, and alienating the very people who could help me to gain more knowledge.
In the same breath, do I go out of my way to insult those who subscribe to a religion I decided was not a good fit for me? Of course I don't. Am I comfortable when people try to convert me to their church? No, and that discomfort does not always show itself in constructive ways, but I do try to remain calm as I extricate myself from the situation.
Labelling, while it can sometimes be helpful, often limits our scope of reality. If I write a person off as a "farmer" or "Protestant" or what-have-you, I will likely not look any deeper than that label, and thus will not seek out that person when I have a question not directly related to farming or non-Catholic Christianity. Perhaps that farmer is also a member of Ducks Unlimited, and restores wetlands in his free time. Perhaps that Protestant volunteers as a docent at her local nature center, and has vast knowledge of flora and fauna in her county.
Kristin from sw Indiana
On Does respect for the former help the latter? posted 4 years, 3 months ago 21 ResponsesAnother look
Interesting that you completely missed the point Jdhlax made. Especially since you quoted it.
One more time:
"I couldn't care less what a religion supposedly teaches, the only thing that matters is what its follwers actually do"
This is, actually, the crux of many problems. In essence, the words spouted by any sort of leader, be it religious or secular, do not matter if the people exposed to it do not follow those teachings/directives/what have you.
If the Germans had ignored what Hitler had said, and followed their own hearts, would the Nazi party taken power? No.
If the Indian people had not listened to Mahatma Gandhi, would they have been able to become independent from Great Britain? Likely not without more bloodshed.
ACTION speaks louder than words.
It is easy to fall back on "But <insert leader here> said <blah>," and thus ignore what the rest of the group has done.
Kristin from sw Indiana
On Is there tension between them? posted 4 years, 3 months ago 41 ResponsesRecycled pulp non-fiction?
Sounds like a must-read. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in a bookstore.
One thing that did come to mind: is the book printed on recycled paper?On In Garbage Land, Elizabeth Royte talks dirty posted 4 years, 4 months ago 2 Responses