Author Archives: timothygoodwin

Heroification

Like many of you, I presume, I’ve been reading about, processing, and talking about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. I’m not going to write about whether the jury got it right or not, or if the prosecutor did a good job, or if the judge was biased (well that last one is a bit hard toContinue reading “Heroification”

Fits and Starts

Why is it so hard to change complex systems, such as political, economic, education, or natural systems such as ecosystems? Every aspect of our lives is governed by and exists as a network of interconnected systems—from atomic structure and behavior to cells to economics to ecosystems to the entire earth system. Systems “prefer” to remainContinue reading “Fits and Starts”

Maybe Life Isn’t a Zero-Sum Game

When did life become a zero-sum game in that for someone to win, another must lose? Maybe there are roots of this thinking in misapplied understanding of natural selection evolutionary theory in the form of social Darwinism. Deeper in the intricacies of natural selection are actually many elements of collaboration and collective action. Life isContinue reading “Maybe Life Isn’t a Zero-Sum Game”

Rights, Obligations, and Responsibility

What is the relationship between individual rights and obligations/responsibilities? Let’s begin with obligations and responsibilities and then come back to individual rights. An obligation might be more applicable for when a person owes a debt and has to repay it. A responsibility is more often describing a scenario when someone is in charge of, orContinue reading “Rights, Obligations, and Responsibility”

Special Childhood Places

My ball cap shields my eyes a bit from the morning sun and frames my view from the kayak. The morning sun lifts the cool air left from the night. The still water reflects the shoreline made of white pine, balsam fir, sugar maple, basswood, and oak. This lake, where I’ve experienced the beginning ofContinue reading “Special Childhood Places”

Trusting the Science

Throughout the pandemic, I’ve followed the science. I understand science changes as we learn more–which is how I know the scientific process is working. When it gets it is wrong it self-corrects. That’s how it works. Science isn’t dogma, though of course at times scientists can be just as dogmatic as others because they stillContinue reading “Trusting the Science”

Combating (unacknowledged) Totalitarianism

Yesterday I had the option on Minnesota Public Radio of listening to a story marking a year since the murder of George Floyd or a celebration of Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday. Then today, reading through some notes for a seemingly unrelated writing project, I saw a connection between the two when I came across thisContinue reading “Combating (unacknowledged) Totalitarianism”

When The Old Escapes Into The New

Each spring I revisit the poem “A Purification” by Wendell Berry. It’s a good reminder to let go of some things and strive for renewal. Boy howdy, does that seem appropriate this year. This year I wrote this short song which is adapted from that poem. Turned it into a secular prayer of sorts. Here’sContinue reading “When The Old Escapes Into The New”