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”
Category Archives: Concerned Human
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”
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”
Stop Trying to “Help the Environment”
I often hear other people say they are “helping the environment.” Whenever I hear this phrase I’m a little disheartened. I concede the intentions are good. Everyone wants to “help the environment,” even those that are at the same time actively causing damage, which is almost all of us. My struggle with this phrase isContinue reading “Stop Trying to “Help the Environment””
On This Good Friday
Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a time of renewal and rebirth for Christians—a time for spring (at least in the Northern hemisphere). Seeing as Christianity arose in cultures in the Northern hemisphere that makes sense. I struggle with the idea of intercessory prayer, virgin birth and a literal resurrection—though I’m active in the MethodistContinue reading “On This Good Friday”
Bearing False Witness
I’d like to write about the Ten Commandments. Specifically, I’d like to write about number nine: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Those that know me, you can have a moment to recover yourself. I mean really, what’s my expertise here? Well not much. However, according to Rachel McIver-Morey from the NorthfieldContinue reading “Bearing False Witness”
June 24, 1964
Why write and share a song about such a dark day? Well, there are some stories that deserve remembrance and telling. And, just knowing about an event and connecting and understanding it on an emotional level are two very different things. This song was sort of dropped in my lap, so I had to seeContinue reading “June 24, 1964”
Tim Goodwin Ed.D 