How Wolves Change Rivers : If you have ever wondered why it matters that we restore a healthy wolf population to Yellowstone (and other places) take the time to watch this beautifully done video.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Critical Thinking and the Paradox of History
Critical Thinking and the Paradox of History
Advice from a Lifelong Student (and sometimes Teacher) of History
Wayne D. King
Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer: there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness.
George Santayana
US (Spanish-born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)
History and politics must be approached with a large dose of skepticism whether from the left or the right because, after all, history is generally written by the "winners" whether their cause was just or not. While I may have coined, or simply adopted, the phrase "The Paradox of History" neither the phrase itself, nor the thought, is unique or original.
Economist John Maynard Keynes coined the phrase the “Paradox of Thrift” to describe that point in a recession when the public is inclined to save as much as possible and spend as little as possible, while at the same time massive spending is the only way to alleviate the economic peril that the country faces. The Paradox of history is simply that history is written by the “winners” who have a vested interest in the narrative, while at the same time, history's greatest benefit to us is what might be learned from an unbiased narrative that provides us an opportunity to see both the good and bad in its events, personas and results. Stated more eloquently by Gordon Craig, “the duty of the historian is to restore to the past the options it once had.”
So, therefore, a good teacher's first responsibility to his or her students is to convince them that they should believe as little as possible of what he or she is about to tell them. Let's call that the "educators corollary" to the Paradox of History.
Having admitted to complete and utter fallibility, a good teacher must then impart his/her knowledge assertively, as if no other source was closer to the oracle of knowledge.
A worthy teacher, then, seeks not to serve answers or truths but to urge students toward the development of critical thinking skills and a healthy skepticism, from which they can derive their own narrative.
This does not in any way alleviate the burden upon you, the student. Quite the contrary in fact - it imposes a larger responsibility because you must find a way to demonstrate a modicum of deference to my years of experience and knowledge while, at the same time, double checking the veracity of everything you learn from me.
One of the first things that you will learn is that a good critical thinker does not mistake opinion or "common sense" for fact. Opinion, after all is just that; one person’s view of something. Common sense, that stalwart beacon of logic and wisdom with which your elders have urged you to imbue your thoughts and behavior, is an even more devilish force because it is empowered by the vast influence of majority thought.
Stephen Hawking, in his extraordinary "Science in the New Millennium" speech, said “. . . common sense is just another name for the prejudices that we have been brought up with.”
Facts, on the other hand, as Mark Twain said, are "stubborn things"
they may stand by themselves or they may be turned into thought, but without them thought has no basis in reality; and, ultimately, no power.
So, as we begin this term, make it your goal to keep both your eyes and your mind wide open. Take joy in the moments in which your notion of the world is turned upside down because that is the surest sign that something useful is happening to you.
The Best Leader
A leader is best
When people barely know
That he exists,
Less good when
They obey and acclaim him,
Worse when
They fear and despise him.
Fail to honor people
And they fail to honor you.
But of a good leader,
When his work is done,
His aim fulfilled,
they will all say,
'We did this ourselves.’
Lao-Tzu
Chinese philosopher
Wayne D. King 2009
Advice from a Lifelong Student (and sometimes Teacher) of History
Wayne D. King
Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer: there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness.
George Santayana
US (Spanish-born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)
History and politics must be approached with a large dose of skepticism whether from the left or the right because, after all, history is generally written by the "winners" whether their cause was just or not. While I may have coined, or simply adopted, the phrase "The Paradox of History" neither the phrase itself, nor the thought, is unique or original.
Economist John Maynard Keynes coined the phrase the “Paradox of Thrift” to describe that point in a recession when the public is inclined to save as much as possible and spend as little as possible, while at the same time massive spending is the only way to alleviate the economic peril that the country faces. The Paradox of history is simply that history is written by the “winners” who have a vested interest in the narrative, while at the same time, history's greatest benefit to us is what might be learned from an unbiased narrative that provides us an opportunity to see both the good and bad in its events, personas and results. Stated more eloquently by Gordon Craig, “the duty of the historian is to restore to the past the options it once had.”
So, therefore, a good teacher's first responsibility to his or her students is to convince them that they should believe as little as possible of what he or she is about to tell them. Let's call that the "educators corollary" to the Paradox of History.
Having admitted to complete and utter fallibility, a good teacher must then impart his/her knowledge assertively, as if no other source was closer to the oracle of knowledge.
A worthy teacher, then, seeks not to serve answers or truths but to urge students toward the development of critical thinking skills and a healthy skepticism, from which they can derive their own narrative.
This does not in any way alleviate the burden upon you, the student. Quite the contrary in fact - it imposes a larger responsibility because you must find a way to demonstrate a modicum of deference to my years of experience and knowledge while, at the same time, double checking the veracity of everything you learn from me.
One of the first things that you will learn is that a good critical thinker does not mistake opinion or "common sense" for fact. Opinion, after all is just that; one person’s view of something. Common sense, that stalwart beacon of logic and wisdom with which your elders have urged you to imbue your thoughts and behavior, is an even more devilish force because it is empowered by the vast influence of majority thought.
Stephen Hawking, in his extraordinary "Science in the New Millennium" speech, said “. . . common sense is just another name for the prejudices that we have been brought up with.”
Facts, on the other hand, as Mark Twain said, are "stubborn things"
they may stand by themselves or they may be turned into thought, but without them thought has no basis in reality; and, ultimately, no power.
So, as we begin this term, make it your goal to keep both your eyes and your mind wide open. Take joy in the moments in which your notion of the world is turned upside down because that is the surest sign that something useful is happening to you.
The Best Leader
A leader is best
When people barely know
That he exists,
Less good when
They obey and acclaim him,
Worse when
They fear and despise him.
Fail to honor people
And they fail to honor you.
But of a good leader,
When his work is done,
His aim fulfilled,
they will all say,
'We did this ourselves.’
Lao-Tzu
Chinese philosopher
Wayne D. King 2009
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| A Glow of Lilies Cards & Posters Fine Art Prints |
Monday, February 20, 2012
Posted to Melissa Harris Perry MSNBC Blog
OK I admit it. I am totally enamored with MHP - as is my wife luckily - so it would take a lot to turn me away from watching on Saturday Morning. It is a moment of shear pleasure as I spend my only quality time of the week on my art and listen and watch MHP. But I have to say that either MHP was completely broadsided by Richard Nixon’s son-in-law or she made a novice’s mistake of inviting a piker to a gathering of wonks. Someone had to have thought that this guy had the intellectual juice to discuss a very serious issue - I had a feeling that MHP was mortified to then have him waste everyone’s time regurgitating the GOP talking points. He should have been dismissed after the first break and when MHP came back on she should have explained that on her show there was an expectation that guests use their brains and not just repeat someone else’s weekly talking points. Furthermore, the first time a Democrat does the same thing he/she too should be banished.
I come from Republican stock, though I am an independent Democrat who almost always splits his ticket on election day. MHP had scheduled a very worthwhile discussion about what has happened to the Republican party. How did it go from the party of Lincoln to the party of Stink’n. That kind of discussion requires serious minded people who aren’t going to give a pass to idiots and ideologues.
As someone who watches news during most of my brief television time I had really hoped that when Jon Stewart took down Firing Line that at least some of the political commentators would give some thought to programming that would enlighten us by sharing nuance and intellect. Unfortunately not many folks have been able to do that. MSNBC at least has a majority of the good ones and to me the Gold standard for MHP has to be the fellow who comes on just before her. Chris Hayes doesn’t hide his own opinions, he doesn’t have to, but what he does is to give respect to the opposition and invite the discussion of deeper meaning, philosophy and- above all - nuance. Most of us would rather watch a professor or an historian than a politician anyway but still I have to believe that there are plenty of politicians who will rise to the occasion if they know that an honest discussion will not put them at a disadvantage to some ideologue who came into the studio dragging his or her knuckles across the floor. (no insult intended to chimps or monkeys who can’t help it.)
I’ll love you no matter what MHP but please have a sit down with your schedulers and staff. Tell them that all they need to do is ask themselves if the “considered guest” deserves to rub elbows with a woman of your intellect. If the answer is no then let them go somewhere else. Give us brain food - people of all persuasions who haven’t read a talking points memo and would laugh (or scoff) if they did. I promise you, if people watch your show and come away with ideas for moving the country forward - for bridging the ideological divide - you will begin to create a currency for honorable dialog, agreement and disagreement that will pay huge dividends in the long run for you and our beloved country. March on Sister! Wayne King Former NH Senator and 1994 Dem nominee for Gov in NH.
http://truth-passion-hope-dreams.tumblr.com
I come from Republican stock, though I am an independent Democrat who almost always splits his ticket on election day. MHP had scheduled a very worthwhile discussion about what has happened to the Republican party. How did it go from the party of Lincoln to the party of Stink’n. That kind of discussion requires serious minded people who aren’t going to give a pass to idiots and ideologues.
As someone who watches news during most of my brief television time I had really hoped that when Jon Stewart took down Firing Line that at least some of the political commentators would give some thought to programming that would enlighten us by sharing nuance and intellect. Unfortunately not many folks have been able to do that. MSNBC at least has a majority of the good ones and to me the Gold standard for MHP has to be the fellow who comes on just before her. Chris Hayes doesn’t hide his own opinions, he doesn’t have to, but what he does is to give respect to the opposition and invite the discussion of deeper meaning, philosophy and- above all - nuance. Most of us would rather watch a professor or an historian than a politician anyway but still I have to believe that there are plenty of politicians who will rise to the occasion if they know that an honest discussion will not put them at a disadvantage to some ideologue who came into the studio dragging his or her knuckles across the floor. (no insult intended to chimps or monkeys who can’t help it.)
I’ll love you no matter what MHP but please have a sit down with your schedulers and staff. Tell them that all they need to do is ask themselves if the “considered guest” deserves to rub elbows with a woman of your intellect. If the answer is no then let them go somewhere else. Give us brain food - people of all persuasions who haven’t read a talking points memo and would laugh (or scoff) if they did. I promise you, if people watch your show and come away with ideas for moving the country forward - for bridging the ideological divide - you will begin to create a currency for honorable dialog, agreement and disagreement that will pay huge dividends in the long run for you and our beloved country. March on Sister! Wayne King Former NH Senator and 1994 Dem nominee for Gov in NH.
http://truth-passion-hope-dreams.tumblr.com
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement
A moving tribute to some of the great leaders of the Civil rights movement by the New Yorker Magazine
Introduction by David Remick
Interactive Portraits
Introduction by David Remick
Interactive Portraits
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Last Lynching - Ted Koppel
Veteran broadcast journalist Ted Koppel focuses on a 1981 lynching in Alabama to tell how acts of hatred and racism have affected the lives of three Americans:
Congressman Robert Filner who, as an 18-year-old Freedom Rider, was thrown into Mississippi's Parchman Prison (currently representing Calfornia's 51st congressional district); Florida school teacher Lizzie Jenkins who recalls tales of her grandfather watching the lynching of five African-Americans in 1916; and Congressman Artur Davis, who as a law student worked to hold the Ku Klux Klan accountable for the lynching (currently representing Alabama's 7th congressional district).
This year they each played a role in Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) becoming the first African-American tapped to be a national party's nominee for president.
"The Last Lynching offers a look at how far we've come on the racial front, and how recent some of the worst days of racial violence really were," said Koppel.
It's a story about how 19-year-old Michael Donald was killed in 1981 in Mobile, Ala., by two members of the Ku Klux Klan.
"Lynchings are a form of terrorism. And the particular purpose was to say to African-Americans that you will never vote or be a part of the political process in this country. And if you think you will move in that direction there will be terrible consequences," Koppel told Tell Me More host Michel Martin.
The one-hour special on race in America airs tonight on Discovery Channel.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Adam Smith
Adam Smith (5 June 1723 – 17 July 1790) is the father of modern economics, known in his era as Political Economics.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, usually abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations, is considered his magnum opus and the first modern work of economics.
Smith's views embrace a liberal view of economics that envisions free markets where the price of goods and services are driven, not by Government fiat but by the "invisible hand of the market" shaped by competition, supply and demand.
Smith believed that when an individual pursues his self-interest, he indirectly promotes the good of society: "by pursuing his own interest, the individual frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he intends to promote it.
The Wealth of Nations Book 1- Audio
The Wealth of Nations, Book 2 - Audio
The Wealth of Nations - Podcast Excerpts
An introduction to Adam Smith - University of Wisconsin professor Charles Anderson
Adam Smith, Part 2 - University of Wisconsin professor Charles Anderson
Henry Ford and Frederick Taylor
Ford and Taylor's Scientific Management
Frederick Winslow Taylor (20 March 1856 - 21 March 1915), widely known as F. W. Taylor, was an American mechanical engineer who sought to improve industrial efficiency. He is regarded as the father of scientific management, and was one of the first management consultants.
Frederick Winslow Taylor (20 March 1856 - 21 March 1915), widely known as F. W. Taylor, was an American mechanical engineer who sought to improve industrial efficiency. He is regarded as the father of scientific management, and was one of the first management consultants.
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