The Status Quo; a sombre assessment.

           Now firmly established in the new millennium, it might be appropriate to conduct some form of global audit to reflect on where we are and how the past one hundred years or so has shaped our present predicament. This has been a period during which more has happened in all areas of activity than in all of recorded history. In the Western world in particular, progressive thinking and advances in political and social structure of many countries, has bestowed undreamed of improvement in personal freedom and quality of life. The efforts of many visionaries and revolutionaries in many countries have resulted in a much more equitable distribution of wealth and benefits. In the more democratic countries, income levels have increased enormously. Indeed, until quite recently the concept of disposable income was something known only to the privileged few, the vast majority having to be content with maintaining themselves solely at hand to mouth subsistence levels.

            With the widespread collapse of the Communist system, there was even reason to hope that the benefits currently enjoyed by the western countries would progressively be extended to a larger number of countries around the globe. The technological revolution has been even more explosive, and is completely transforming the way we live as well as our relationship with each other and the environments in which we live. Initiated by the harnessing of electricity and with it the enhancement of creature comforts, the vast increase in mobility brought about by developments in mass transportation and more recently the colossal impact of computer driven communication and information for all are astounding.

            With this array of material benefits available to so many, it might be supposed that mankind has finally come of age and that over time with these multifaceted improvements available on a global basis. we will have finally arrived in the fabled land of milk and honey.  Within this earthly nirvana, it might well be supposed that there is no longer any need to concern ourselves with other than material matters.  Already, many of the ancient religious beliefs have come under critical scrutiny. Many previously held “truths” have been shown to be misconceptions. Science has explained away much of what had been believed to be directly controlled by divine intervention. In particular, medical sciences have transformed and in many cases saved the lives many for whom a terminal prognosis had been the case. Allowing the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the lame to walk as well as many distressing physical and mental infirmities, are a few of their cornucopia  of successes. In some cases, some of the worst of afflictions such as polio and smallpox have been virtually eradicated.

            From a history of hardships at subsistence level, mankind now has the time to reflect on life in a new way and hopefully to adopt a more altruistic attitude to those still condemned to lives of penury and suffering. Were this to be true, the world would certainly be at least a more compassionate place where selflessness and concern for mankind at least for those for whom financial security -if not affluence, has become an accepted part of their lifestyle. However, whilst these worthy objectives are practiced amongst naturally caring individuals, sadly for the most part, closer examination reveals that a great number of us live their lives in contrast to the benevolence of the minority.

            Overall, what impact has this brave new world impacted on how we feel about ourselves, our interaction with each other and our relationship with the earth; the very core of our existence. Over humanity in general, a listing of the outcome reads less like an enhancement of the human experience and more like a litany of symptoms and sicknesses including  words which 100 years ago were unknown.

1. Personal:

Stress

Anxiety

Depression

Suicide

Addictions

Eating disorders

Cancer

Heart disease

 2. Societal:

Failed relationships

Divorce

Spousal abuse

Abuses against children

Cyber bullying

Violence

Cynicism

Apathy

Indifference

Pornography

 Greed

 Corruption

Corporate avarice

3. Environmental:

Global warming

Air pollution

Ozone depletion

Toxic waste

Acid rain

Clear cutting

Depletion of flora and fauna

Depletion of non-renewable resources

            What a devastating indictment of the modern world! Is this the cumulative result of thousands of years of “civilization”? More remarkable is the likelihood that none of the above will come as news to anyone. It seems that we have firmly embarked on a course which will lead us progressively down an alliterative descent of despair, despondency, depression and finally, death. What is worse, there is no sign of any turn round without which the prognosis for future generations gives cause for serious concern. Even if and when this is accepted and there is the will to halt the decline, with the best will in the world, the situation will take considerable time to reverse.

Much of the above dismal list has been aided by some of the  technical contributions to the modern age. Some notable innovations, things that should be of a positive nature such as communications technology -which includes popular entertainment and social media have in many cases been distorted. Responsible for the “dumbing down” of substance into style, distorters of facts into fiction, spinners of political agendas, and shapers of public taste (or lack thereof), the chief offenders are beholden to and faithful servants of the giant corporations without whom they would cease to exist.

Therefore it seems high time to stand back, take a deep breath, and with a clear mind, look at the big picture. It is vital to take objective stock of the status quo and to review, re-examine and question many of the long accepted fundamentals of “civilized” conduct and belief structure.

 For some this will be difficult. For example, it targets the mindless acceptance of primitive and arcane dogmatic superstition which for many has for too long been accepted without question. It demands the disposal of all unnecessary philosophical baggage to clear the mind and by sensible and logical reasoning get a more rational feel for what life is, free of any inherited predigested crutches, chemical dependency or cosmetic cop-outs.

Perhaps the best place to begin is with our relationship with the extraordinary and beautiful world around us. This is our home and the essence of everything we experience. Earth, air, fire and water is all there is, from which our bodies emerge and to which they will ultimately return. Sadly, our increasingly urban-based societies are moving progressively towards a man-made environment. Instead of embracing the world and its wonders, the trend is towards insulating ourselves from it.

I have an image in my mind of a stereotypical young urban person on the street, smart phone in hand or headphone in ear, their companions all similarly immersed in their own cyber world. Their mountains and landscapes are of steel, glass, and concrete, the rivers flowing between them made of tarmac. For them, stillness and tranquillity paradoxically seem to cause disquiet and anxiety and any silence has to be blotted out electronically either by texting, conversation or music of varying mediocrity. Indeed the presence of the latter is all-pervading and virtually impossible to escape. 

Many are given to question the purpose of their existence and find themselves in a spiritual vacuum from where they desperately attempt to submerge their neuroses in the pursuit of material possessions and corporeal stimulation. In my experience, those who have been brought up to experience the wilderness or at least unspoiled natural environments at an early age quickly develop a love of the outdoors. Moreover, looking back over the many years during which I have engaged with nature in a variety of pursuits including hiking, paddling, camping and cycle-touring, by far the  majority of those whom I have met and shared these experiences have been (-suitably in the circumstances) firmly grounded and almost without exception to be people of good will.          

2012 Tweed riding -Toronto Style!

          My daughter and I recently participated in the 2012 Toronto Tweed Ride. Clad in garments which reflected at least in part the material implicit in the title and riding 1970’s “Raleigh Sports” 3-speed bicycles, with some trepidation and in the company of 300 others,we launched ourselves into the maelstrom of Saturday afternoon urban Toronto. Here we negotiated high density motorized traffic, pedestrians and above all the street cars of Queen Steet, their deadly tracks ready to trap the unwary. Presumably aided by our strength in numbers there were no problems. Indeed my most enduring memory is of the extraordinary good nature of everyone -including motorists who were often held up at intersections, traffic lights etc. Many pedestrians expressed themselves in a very vocal and positive manner throughout. At the group photo on the steps of Old City Hall our arrival coincided with the exit of a newly married couple to find that they had 300 more well wishers than they expected!

          Later in the ride afternoon tea was served in one of the local parks which in addition to freshly brewed tea included an unusually fine selection of cakes and assorted baked goods. It was a most enjoyable event which raised a substantial sum for “Bikes without Borders”, a charity which specializes in providing life-transforming bicycles to rural Africa and other needy regions across the globe.

          In general the theme of these burgeoning worldwide Tweed Rides is (very) broadly to emulate the era of the twentieth century when the bicycle was ubiquitous among the British working class. I am old enough to remember the latter part of those days and indeed was part of it. Tweed rides display a curious disconnect between then and now. The heights of sartorial elegance on global display are a very far cry from the workingman's modest and often threadbare wardrobe. In my youth those able to afford such tweedy excesses would have been more likely to drive a Bentley or maybe “-ride to hounds” and most unlikely to be seen on any bicycle. “Heaven forefend old boy. What a frightful thought!” The class system was alive and well!

          The preeminent bicycling guru, the late-lamented Sheldon Brown, summed it up as follows:-

"For many years, in many parts of the world, the Raleigh "Sports" three-speed bicycle was considered the ultimate in human-powered transportation. These bicycles were not toys, and, despite the model name, they were not sporting equipment...they were serious vehicles. The men and women who built them, by and large, also rode them, as their primary means of transportation...  ...these were designed to provide solid, dependable transportation for the British public, at a time when only the upper classes had motorcars. These bikes were built to last 100 years, with reasonable care."

 Our two Raleigh "Sports"

   

     Despite the cultural anomaly, Tweed rides, in addition to providing healthy recreation to the participants, have become a new expression of charitable activity. They are environmentally benign and by virtue of their high visibility, extremely effective in raising public awareness. Finally, from our experience, the non-competitive social aspect of these gatherings would seem to generate an infectious atmosphere of camaraderie and good nature, which is not confined to the actual participants.   

     Here are a couple of videos of the event. Sadly, but perhaps appropriately in the light of my comments above they concentrate more on the fashions than the bicycles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRX7o1tJD30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQWGL-6nkgU

Survival of the Richest!

           The US convention season is with us again and once again I shake my head at its format. It seems that in order to attract viewership it is necessary to dumb everything down to the level of extreme pizzazz and show biz superficiality. As is everything else in America, money -lots of it, seems to be the main criteria, without which there is no chance of success. The acquisition of this commodity –lots of it is, under the present system the prime requirement for aspiring Presidents. Both major parties receive major support from large corporations and in so doing surrender themselves up to their mercies. It even seems acceptable for corporate backers to sponsor both sides to hedge their bets. The expression “Bulging Coffers” has been used to define the party’s financial situation. Why should this be such a pivotal factor? On an individual level, how does Mitt Romney’s personal acquisition of wealth (-greed?) inspire a nation or indeed be considered to be an attribute of good leadership? On the contrary, it could be argued that those who have spent their lives compiling fortunes are more likely to be self serving and more interested in “turning a buck” than on providing good governance. Moreover, such “successful” individuals might find it difficult empathize with those less fortunate. Looking back into recent global history it seems that the most inspiring leaders have by comparison been devoid of wealth or any inclination or the wherewithal to acquire it. Gandhi, Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi prevailed but only after surviving adversity and perilous circumstances.

            The current Republic convention, occurring during storm “Isaac” has solicited minimal acknowledgement of this catastrophe (-to my ears anyway). Not to be outdone, President Obama continues to conduct electoral business in Virginia. As of writing, neither contestant has yet made a significant effort to tour the afflicted areas, many of which are home to the less privileged demographic, to offer personal sympathy and support. Some leadership!.

            TV news reports have sandwiched harrowing accounts from distraught victims in the storm centre between updates from the Convention Hall, the latter filled with sleek, well-nourished, grinning, self-congratulatory delegates, high-fiving, bouncing up and down like clapping jack-in-the-boxes at each pithy one-liner emanating from the podium. I find the stark contrast between these extremes most disturbing..

           And then, just when it seemed that things would conclude in their predictable fashion, old Clint came moseying down the aisle -and with a rambling, barely-coherent unscripted presentation with less than pithy one-liners, virtually high jacked the proceedings. Someone attempted to excuse him on the grounds that he is merely a fiscal and not a full blooded social conservative –duh! Could he also possibly be -dare I say  it –an Atheist?

            Next we have the Democratic Convention to look forward to with no doubt much of the same fare. How or for what reason did it all evolve into to this ridiculous “Dog and Pony” show? With apologies to the Creationists I don’t think that even Darwin could have possibly predicted it.  

Sacred Geometry

       This is one of the most brilliant and revealing videos I have ever seen. It’s rather long but you can leave the final 25 min for later. This latter portion just consists of multicoloured graphics which extend the content of the preceding 1 hour. Whatever you do don’t miss the period from 28 min. to 1: 06 min. This fully explains the origin of the “Golden Ratio” and Fibonacci series and how it is integrated into every part of our reality from micro to macro -from DNA to the Cosmos. It consists of astonishing and easy to understand animated graphics. It has to be easy or I wouldn’t have understood it :)  There is no dialogue. 

       It should be shown in schools, as being entirely derived from mathematics it is a fundamental unarguable truth. The religious zealots cannot take issue with any of it. Many thinkers have said that the origin of the Universe and the elusive " Theory of Everything" is merely mathematics that we don't yet comprehend.  It's a very persuasive argumenrt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGqKdqfEYp4&feature=player_embedded

Sexual Ambivalence

      I find it quite extraordinary that here in 2012, there are still those who refuse to accept that homosexuals are, as as the song says “Born This Way”. Were this not the case then what would be the point in “coming out”. Surely it would be preferable to keep the closet door closed and avoid unnecessary marginalization of themselves to friends, families and associates. The Catholic church in Canada is currently even finding the usage of the word "gay" or "gay/strait alliance" unacceptable. Such intolerant semantic nonsense is a bit rich coming from an organisation with such an appalling record of sexual misconduct by its so called God's representatives on earth. In an even more extreme example, according to the evangelistic ignorati of Southern US, they will be destined to ”Buyurn iyn Hayell”!!
      The suggestion that homosexuality is a temptation against which all should safeguard themselves is perfectly absurd.. For the vast majority of heterosexuals, particularly males, the mere thought of same sex intimacy which includes anal sex, is quite abhorrent. The question of  "temptation" with respect to the healthily sexually normal rank and file is essentially a non-issue and invalid.
      Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is perhaps a contrary argument to be made in one specific case involving females who have frequently suffered from the actions of abusive husbands or partners. In these unfortunate circumstances, is it not likely that those so mistreated could possibly seek a relationship with other lonely women who have trodden a similar unhappy path to themselves in an effort to achieve some measure of security, happiness and even physical intimacy? Is this sinful too?
      It is a remarkably unperceptive person who cannot discern human anomalies that can exist both in appearance as well as spoken and body language. For example, the notion of of a mincing male designer of haute couture having anything in common either physically or emotionally with all-in wrestling is absurd. Similarly a robust female coach of a hockey team is rather unlikely to be interested in needlepoint and lace making. Not surprisingly the foregoing and other similar instances are frequently associated with tendencies towards homosexuality. The only question to be answered is whether there is an overlap between the overall range of male and female traits. Should this be the case, then surely ambiguity is to be expected together with a understandable sexual preference for the same gender.
      Using Coreldraw, I have cobbled together below a somewhat crude example of what I mean graphically. It takes the form of arbitrarily positioned circles representing male or female psyche traits respectively with an overlapping hatched “area of ambiguity” together with an equally arbitrary line of demarcation. Using the previous examples it would seem self evident that the sexual traits of the male designer would position him towards the right side of the "Man" traits circle and similarly the female hockey coach would be inclined towards the left of that of the "Woman". They may or may not cross the line of demarcation. Furthermore, however inconvenient it might be to the judgmental, in extreme cases there are transsexual people who possess physical sexual characteristics of both genders. What are they to do? It is not uncommon among these unfortunates that to enhance their quality of life, they resort to medical procedures -including surgery to bestow a physical configuration more in accord with their sense of emotional identity and peace of mind. Is this also a sin?

      As time goes on, due to the relaxation of societal acceptability, the traditional behavioural differences between the sexes is declining. In the case of modern females, now no longer required to behave in a “ladylike” manner, participation in such activities as boxing or other extreme sports is not uncommon. By the same token, male nurses or primary school teachers are becoming progressively mainstream. These activities are by no means indicative of sexual ambivalence but reveal that without artificial societal constraints placed upon them, the differences are perhaps less than previously thought.

      In conclusion, I would briefly address the assertions of religious zealots that homosexuality is against Biblical teaching. Within its pages it is possible to find reference or justification both for and against virtually any belief. Starting at the beginning, it is only necessary to reach Chapter 19 of Genesis; to read how Lot’s daughters got their father drunk, had sex with him and became pregnant. Verse 36 nicely encapsulates the story “Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father”. Even earlier, in Chapter 4, Verse 17, we are told that "Cain knew his wife". As the son of Adam and Eve, who did he marry? It must have been his sister. Does this mean that whilst homosexuality is taboo, incest is acceptable?

Proselytizers in the 'hood

              Our neighborhood seems to receive more than its share of visits from members of those bringing the “good news”. Last year, during one four week period we received 3 teams of emissaries, two from Jehovah’s Witnesses and the other from the Mormon Church. Indeed the sight of two or three representatives, usually clad like undertakers in dark suits and carrying briefcases prowling the neighborhood is a fairly common sight. 

               Whereas most residents seem to briefly indulge their sales pitch from behind the security of a partly opened door, prior to accepting their “Watchtower” (or equivalent); others give them short shrift and close the door with a terse “not interested". I have adopted a somewhat different response. Since they have seen fit to invade my privacy unbidden, I have now decided to try and take them on. I employ a pre-emptive move before they have time to get into their sales pitch and ask them a couple of (to my mind) quite legitimate questions.

               I inquire if they have considered that their chosen brand of religion is most probably the result of an accident of birth, since had they been born in Israel they would have been Jewish; in Italy, Roman Catholic; in India, Hindu or Buddhist; or in Saudi Arabia, Muslim. Radical changes from one belief to another, whilst not unknown -are extremely rare. I then continue by suggesting that their belief structure has not been acquired as a result of carefully considered thought leading to religious conviction, but from a process of mind conditioning throughout their formative years. They were instructed in what to believe without question, either by their parents and/or some controlling ecclesiastic. This would have stressed that should they fall short of meeting the right level of piety and rectitude they will be ultimately be subjected to the severest divine retribution. In other words they have been scared into it and for reasons of fear and superstition overlaid with a dash of guilt, they willingly toe the denominational line -blind faith!

               Their predictable blustering response is to proclaim that their convictions were indeed acquired as a result of carefully considered thought and introspection. This then opens the door for another question which is to enquire where and in what respects the unsuccessful competitors for devotional commitment have fallen short. Should not Islam be more likely since it evolved later than the others in an age of relative modernity? After all they are “People of the Book” with the same God and some overlap with Judaism and Christianity. What about Buddhism? Being more of a philosophy than a religion there is less of the supernatural esoteric to accept. In any event, all the contestants more or less embrace a “Golden Rule" concept in which we are all counselled to “do as you would be done by”, and it is only after the power and control freaks become involved that the problems start.
             On the latest visit, having completed some superficial research of their history and founders, I opened my account by inquiring whether Joe Smith sent them or were they Charlie Russell’s boys. This unexpected and somewhat crass query certainly seemed unsettle them even more than my two initial questions. At the end I asked why it is that we receive so many visits. After all our area consists mainly of reasonably affluent, law abiding (-to them, God fearing) citizens. In other words we represent safe and easy territory. Might not their ministrations be more appropriate in less fortunate areas where crime, violence and general mayhem is more common?  The effect of this plus my two questions caused them to abandon me as a lost cause, beating  a hasty retreat to next door.
             In future I am thinking of suggesting that Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25, where the recipient of just one talent buries it in the ground, could well be seen as a metaphor for their belief code. They have neglected to use their one talent of a magnificent, God-given reasoning brain and have effectively buried it whilst looking to others to do their thinking for them.

           Finally, I accept that despite their questionable doctrine they are sincerely trying to do good works. They would probably receive a less hostile or negative reception if they tried to look less funereal and wore informal clothing to better relate to those whose homes they are targeting. In any event I strongly feel that rather than just blandly accepting their predigested theological pablum, they should be questioned.  

The Crocus Tree

We live about 1km from Lake Ontario. Every year at about this time we enjoy a remarkable floral display around an oak tree close to the lake shore.

 

I have made a short three minute video, mainly for friends and relatives in Britain. It shows a little of the general area and the crocus  phenomenon in particular. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDgVMMCJ0Ow&feature=g-upl&context=G2bda33eAUAAAAAAAAAA