Great post, Old man! Humanists, like you and me will never be in style. We ask too much. Such as: Think of the affect your actions might have on others; Share; Turn the other cheek; Give with no expectation of receiving. Worse yet, in my case I can't even offer an after life in paradise - since I don't think it exists, nor can I promise forgiveness for all their sins, since I believe everyone is responsible for their own behavior. No, humanists will lose to greed and self interest, but we are compelled to keep trying.
Another excellent essay – thank you! But I have to wonder how and why our childhood lessons about good and bad, right and wrong, light and darkness – though simplistic and not very nuanced – didn’t stick with us more firmly throughout our lives. Especially when it comes to us Baby-Boomers. I am not quite old enough to remember Hop Along Cassidy, but there were certainly plenty of similar books, TV shows and movies for us Baby-Boomers to absorb throughout our childhood. The question for me is why didn’t more of our generation absorb more deeply more of the humanist philosophy. Why have so many of us filed it away and forgotten about it? What went wrong? We have arguably been the most educated, prosperous, and advantaged generation in history, and even so, we have still managed to screw-up almost everything we have touched … certainly as to the only planet we have available to us as well as all the other things you listed (and so much more). I have often wondered how it is that our children and grandchildren have not risen up, so to speak, and killed us all. It’s a real enigma, at least to my simple mind.
It comes from growing up in a competitive society. We are living at a time when it is difficult to know whom to trust. This is especially true of. us older folks who are the target of scams almost every day. Before I went on this "Humanist" kick, I tried to explain it this way:
I try to be a humanist most of the time but like Fay Reid, I have little to give as salve for those so inclined to be the "Bad" guys (girls).
It is enough just to try to be a model living a life in order to be an example for anyone who cares to ask why.
I am not religious but I consider myself a spiritual person. Years ago I asked the "Universe" to send me people who needed help. Help that I could give and they have come to my presence in a multitude of ways and I have done what I could to help. Not always perfect and a lot of times seemingly insignificant help can be the most impactful.
I was in grad school at U of C as Vietnam was heating up and Westmoreland was demanding more troops. And Chicago is the coldest place on Earth in the winter, so fortunately I got a deferment for Peace Corps in Africa, two great years. I have to add, though, that I suspect that while you might be old, you're undoubtedly not in the way.
Great post, Old man! Humanists, like you and me will never be in style. We ask too much. Such as: Think of the affect your actions might have on others; Share; Turn the other cheek; Give with no expectation of receiving. Worse yet, in my case I can't even offer an after life in paradise - since I don't think it exists, nor can I promise forgiveness for all their sins, since I believe everyone is responsible for their own behavior. No, humanists will lose to greed and self interest, but we are compelled to keep trying.
Another excellent essay – thank you! But I have to wonder how and why our childhood lessons about good and bad, right and wrong, light and darkness – though simplistic and not very nuanced – didn’t stick with us more firmly throughout our lives. Especially when it comes to us Baby-Boomers. I am not quite old enough to remember Hop Along Cassidy, but there were certainly plenty of similar books, TV shows and movies for us Baby-Boomers to absorb throughout our childhood. The question for me is why didn’t more of our generation absorb more deeply more of the humanist philosophy. Why have so many of us filed it away and forgotten about it? What went wrong? We have arguably been the most educated, prosperous, and advantaged generation in history, and even so, we have still managed to screw-up almost everything we have touched … certainly as to the only planet we have available to us as well as all the other things you listed (and so much more). I have often wondered how it is that our children and grandchildren have not risen up, so to speak, and killed us all. It’s a real enigma, at least to my simple mind.
It comes from growing up in a competitive society. We are living at a time when it is difficult to know whom to trust. This is especially true of. us older folks who are the target of scams almost every day. Before I went on this "Humanist" kick, I tried to explain it this way:
https://open.substack.com/pub/oldandintheway45/p/the-big-paradox?r=3qbw9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I try to be a humanist most of the time but like Fay Reid, I have little to give as salve for those so inclined to be the "Bad" guys (girls).
It is enough just to try to be a model living a life in order to be an example for anyone who cares to ask why.
I am not religious but I consider myself a spiritual person. Years ago I asked the "Universe" to send me people who needed help. Help that I could give and they have come to my presence in a multitude of ways and I have done what I could to help. Not always perfect and a lot of times seemingly insignificant help can be the most impactful.
I wish my luck on anyone who is in need.
Thank you sir old for these words of inspiration.
Glad to have just discovered you, and kudos on an excellent essay.
Hi Porter. Thanks for your comment. My sister went to U of C, perhaps around the time you were there. She still lives in Chicago. Stay healthy.
I was in grad school at U of C as Vietnam was heating up and Westmoreland was demanding more troops. And Chicago is the coldest place on Earth in the winter, so fortunately I got a deferment for Peace Corps in Africa, two great years. I have to add, though, that I suspect that while you might be old, you're undoubtedly not in the way.
But I enjoy getting in the way.