We respect a formidable foe -- and we learn that we are that formidable foe.
Natural imperfection
That’s Just How I Am! | Clarissa's Blog
I was never particularly self-conscious, although I went through a stage where I was relatively so, because somehow I had internalized an idea that I had to convince others of my propensities in order to succeed. My attempt to enter that way of thinking that I identified as “the new, modern culture”, didn’t work out. To be perfect naturally was never something I could conceptualize. It required two steps. The first was to try to conjure up the difference between perfection and imperfection according to an alien culture’s ideology. The second was to try to wedge myself in to the definition of one side of these aspects, whilst not stepping into the other side.
It proved to be too much hard work. I couldn’t unmake myself and remake myself into the mold of somebody who thought this way, to start with.
My thinking is conditioned by African experiences and maybe this makes me imperfect, but people seem to like me in many spheres. In others they have a strong adverse reaction. Such is life.
Yesterday I did wrestling practice with three young men, and seemed to tire them out, although I couldn’t get any of them to tap out (admit defeat). They got me numerous times, including around the throat, which was unpleasant.
Chief of Army message regarding unacceptable behaviour
This video makes me feel very relaxed and sane. If only more people in authority could deliver sane messages about human relations, the world would suddenly improve.
Purists
Monday Link Encyclopedia and Self-Promotion | Clarissa's Blog
Upbringing it huge. The best thing my parents did for me was to give me adequate resources (food, room to explore, schooling) and leave me alone. To the degree they didn't leave me alone, the outcomes were poor.
I did manage to achieve a lot of changes on my own, though. As I said to a recent ape, "You can see by the outcome that my efforts toward personal transformation were excellent." Some people, though, embrace an ideology whereby they see any change as a betrayal of one's ontological structure. Even if you explain to them that the opposite is the case -- that survival necessitated change -- they will keep on insisting that personal transformation is immoral indeed, and driven by criminal motives.
So there are a lot of people, I have figured out, who would have preferred to see me not survive. They're ontological purists who want everything in life to stay that same. If not, they will simply kill the changed object.
The reasoning seems to go: "You must be very angry if we've treated you that way, so we need to terminate you."
This is something I get from Christians and conservatives.
He is absolutely right, though. His children’s success or lack thereof in every area of life is in no way dependent on their parents’ money or education. It is dependent on how psychologically healthy their upbringing was.
Upbringing it huge. The best thing my parents did for me was to give me adequate resources (food, room to explore, schooling) and leave me alone. To the degree they didn't leave me alone, the outcomes were poor.
I did manage to achieve a lot of changes on my own, though. As I said to a recent ape, "You can see by the outcome that my efforts toward personal transformation were excellent." Some people, though, embrace an ideology whereby they see any change as a betrayal of one's ontological structure. Even if you explain to them that the opposite is the case -- that survival necessitated change -- they will keep on insisting that personal transformation is immoral indeed, and driven by criminal motives.
So there are a lot of people, I have figured out, who would have preferred to see me not survive. They're ontological purists who want everything in life to stay that same. If not, they will simply kill the changed object.
The reasoning seems to go: "You must be very angry if we've treated you that way, so we need to terminate you."
This is something I get from Christians and conservatives.
The Full Text of David Guterson's Controversial Commencement Speech | Slog
The Full Text of David Guterson's Controversial Commencement Speech | Slog
and if you are a woman or gay or a person of color, your society will make it even harder for you by tilting the playing field so you have to walk uphill, and by confounding your inner life in ways white men don’t have to face.
But perhaps I enjoy walking uphill in a way that white men do not face? The additional pressure on me produces a different texture in life and gives me quite unique estimations about reality.
Love the life you have to live.
and if you are a woman or gay or a person of color, your society will make it even harder for you by tilting the playing field so you have to walk uphill, and by confounding your inner life in ways white men don’t have to face.
But perhaps I enjoy walking uphill in a way that white men do not face? The additional pressure on me produces a different texture in life and gives me quite unique estimations about reality.
Love the life you have to live.
Moral authority
If you want to have moral authority, you need to criticize the things that matter. Many lament that they feel they have lost the moral authority they used to have in ancient times, but it is obvious they only care about their group and will not address difficult issues that extend beyond group identity.
These people have the sort of respect they have earned.
These people have the sort of respect they have earned.
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