Tuesday, January 28, 2014
What do you believe?
My close to 40 years roaming this life isn't exactly a long time, but it is long enough to have met enough people and experienced highs and lows capable of granting me what I hope is perspective. Along my travels I have been struck by many strange things, one of the strangest is the idea that any one religion is the TRUE religion. How anyone who has never personally met or interacted with their god can claim not only what their god looks like but also that their beliefs are more right than anyone else's baffles me.
I do understand how comforting it can be to have a religious group that you belong to and follow. Having a personal support group during difficult times while following tenets that improve not only your life but also the lives of those around you is an amazing thing. What I cannot understand is how almost every religion preaches tolerance yet teaches judgement.
I wonder, how does one go about condemning another based solely on a difference in religious beliefs? That's like vehemently arguing with another because they enjoy Cocoa Pebbles when Cocoa Krispies is the obvious choice. I mean, think about it, both are a choice based upon a preference. What's more, both probably taste about the same... At least with cereal there is something tangible to debate, by tangible I mean something other than stories.
You see, that's all religions have, stories about ancient events. Yet these stories seem to be meaningful enough to debate, fight and even kill over. Which is strange to me. Think about it this way, ever hear a good scary story over a campfire? The best ones are the ones that have been tweaked over and over again, to get the message juuuusssssst right.
All religions are built upon these stories. I get it though, history has to be passed down somehow. There weren't video records to show us the speeches, rife with tone and inflection, so we had to create our own renditions of the events. These stories, be they real, exaggerated or fanciful, are what we have to go on. I understand this and actually think it is great that people have found something that gives them such positive guidance.
It is the interactions BETWEEN religions that gets me so. Just like cereal, all religions have the same purpose, they just all go about them in different ways. Knowing this I wonder why so many are willing to condemn others simply because their god is a different god? Isn't the most important thing what your god teaches you to do? And isn't the most common message one of love and acceptance rather than judging?
It is almost as if these people lack common sense and empathy. Think about it, if someone came to you and told you that Buddhism (Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, Rastafari) was the one true religion, what would you say? Would you argue tooth and nail for your beliefs or would you give them the floor and listen? And, if you listened, what would you hear? Would you notice the similarities between their god and your own? Would you be able to notice that, at the core, you and this person in front of you want the same thing, you both just choose to go about through a different support group?
Let's go a little deeper, and think about this for a minute, where did you get your beliefs? Did God come to you in a dream? Were you touched by an angel, or did you find God's word somewhere? Chances are that you are of the religion you are solely because it was the one you grew up around or it was the one that changed your life when you you hit bottom. Think about the boy who grows up in the mountains of China. All his life he has been taught the teachings of Confucius. One day, while out gathering firewood he comes across some Christian missionaries who follow him back to his village and, over the course of a few months, preach the teachings of Jesus. At the end of this time, this boy realizes that he is being told he needs to make a decision. Give up the teachings he has grown up with in favor of "the true Lord and Savior" or be eternally damned. Which would you choose?
Believe it or not, I am not trying to discredit those that feel they were miraculously touched, I am merely asking you to contemplate this, are you certain it was it YOUR god?
You see, I believe that there is indeed something greater than the whole of us all. I believe that something helped create all that is around us, seen and unseen. I just don't believe that this spiritual entity has a title.
I believe that every life has a purpose, and I believe that each purpose can be accomplished no matter the religious upbringing. This is because these purposes do not contradict any of the religions out there, in fact it is at the core of them ALL.
We must realize that we are all a part of the same existence. We are all interconnected. Think about this, how many times have you been in a car or walking along and felt someone looking at you and, looking over, found that person quickly? How many times have you felt your ears burn and know someone was talking about you or, as a parent, felt that your child was in danger? How often have you come across someone that you swore you knew before?
We are all a part of the same existence, the purpose of each of existence is to find your true self and figure out how you fit into this world. Listen to your inner voice and let it guide you. Realize though that your inner voice, much like the religion you align yourself with, teaches love and tolerance rather than selfishness. Look at the CORE of your religion and abide by the teachings you learn. Accept others as they are, love thyself, have an awareness of how you can help those around you, protect those that cannot protect themselves, stand up for what you believe is right.
Religious preference does not matter, all that matters are an individual's actions. Don't judge the individual, judge instead the value of the individual within the world around them.
An open letter to Amtrak
I was never one to believe in the mid-life crisis phenomenon, not at least until my own snuck up on my out of the blue one crisp Fall day. You see, I thought that my simple life of teaching athletic classes at a local University was going to be fulfilling, turns out I was wrong. Though rewarding in its own way, it turns out that playing sports with college kids doesn't allow me to fully utilize what I am passionate about, changing peoples lives. Knowing that I would never leave so comfortable a job if I didn't do so immediately, I resigned my post to work on something that means a little more to me, my writing.
Though I have no idea if I am truly good enough to call myself a writer, I have finalized a golf book and have 3 other books stewing in the back of my mind. "So You Really Want to Break 100?" is the story of how I taught myself the game and went from a 26 handicap down to a 6. It turns out the game is not as difficult as we want to make it and I want to share this knowledge with every golfer out there who struggles with the game. Almost finalized, I need to give it one more edit and get it in front of publishers. Once I finish that I can begin on what I hope to be my life's work, a personal philosophy book called Happy to Help.
Life doesn't have to be as hard as we make it, but people need to realize how much they can help others around them. You see, life isn't about us as individuals, it is instead about us as a collective. We used to live in times where the village truly did help raise the child, but times have changed. Happy to Help is about how to alter one's perspective so we can all see how easy (and rewarding) it is to take advantage of what you have in your life (even things as simple as your time and smile) to help others along their journey.
To accomplish these goals, I need time and limited excuses. Looking at my options, traveling by train and using the experiences and scenery as inspiration, and having the time to write, turns out to be the perfect means. My goal, as it stands now, is to travel across as much of the US as I can afford. I have friends scattered throughout who are kind enough to take me in for a few days, and ideally I would love to get to the East Coast as I would like the time to finalize both books and begin the outline for my third.
As I am certain you have caught on to by now, I am writing pre trip to inquire if there is anyway Amtrak can help to make this a reality. As it stands now, I can afford a 15 day Rail Pass. While something is better than nothing, I was hoping to at least travel for a month and was wondering if Amtrak offered sponsorship of any sort.
In return I would keep a daily blog that I would use to write about the experiences, the people I meet, the comfort and convenience of the trip and the unbelievable scenery I am sure to see. I have attached a picture of myself as well as a couple of my favorite scenic pictures to give you a sense for what I would post.
Thank you for your consideration. Right now, my tentative plan is to leave a week from Th (Feb 6), so if you could let me know whether or not this would be a possibility, I would appreciate it.
If you would like a copy of my book for a better sense of my writing, please do not hesitate to ask.
Take care,
ad
Though I have no idea if I am truly good enough to call myself a writer, I have finalized a golf book and have 3 other books stewing in the back of my mind. "So You Really Want to Break 100?" is the story of how I taught myself the game and went from a 26 handicap down to a 6. It turns out the game is not as difficult as we want to make it and I want to share this knowledge with every golfer out there who struggles with the game. Almost finalized, I need to give it one more edit and get it in front of publishers. Once I finish that I can begin on what I hope to be my life's work, a personal philosophy book called Happy to Help.
Life doesn't have to be as hard as we make it, but people need to realize how much they can help others around them. You see, life isn't about us as individuals, it is instead about us as a collective. We used to live in times where the village truly did help raise the child, but times have changed. Happy to Help is about how to alter one's perspective so we can all see how easy (and rewarding) it is to take advantage of what you have in your life (even things as simple as your time and smile) to help others along their journey.
To accomplish these goals, I need time and limited excuses. Looking at my options, traveling by train and using the experiences and scenery as inspiration, and having the time to write, turns out to be the perfect means. My goal, as it stands now, is to travel across as much of the US as I can afford. I have friends scattered throughout who are kind enough to take me in for a few days, and ideally I would love to get to the East Coast as I would like the time to finalize both books and begin the outline for my third.
As I am certain you have caught on to by now, I am writing pre trip to inquire if there is anyway Amtrak can help to make this a reality. As it stands now, I can afford a 15 day Rail Pass. While something is better than nothing, I was hoping to at least travel for a month and was wondering if Amtrak offered sponsorship of any sort.
In return I would keep a daily blog that I would use to write about the experiences, the people I meet, the comfort and convenience of the trip and the unbelievable scenery I am sure to see. I have attached a picture of myself as well as a couple of my favorite scenic pictures to give you a sense for what I would post.
Thank you for your consideration. Right now, my tentative plan is to leave a week from Th (Feb 6), so if you could let me know whether or not this would be a possibility, I would appreciate it.
If you would like a copy of my book for a better sense of my writing, please do not hesitate to ask.
Take care,
ad
Monday, January 27, 2014
Would you want to live to be 120?
A good friend told me the other day about doctors who are working on longevity. As it has always been a topic near and dear to the hearts of man, I thought nothing of it until I heard that their target AVERAGE age was at least 120. Seriously?! 120 years old? Can you imagine the burden hundreds of millions of frail, dependent people could have on society?
I guess it come down to quality of life though. 50 is the new 40, 80 the new 60, or so I have been told. So, if the individual's quality of life is high, I suppose I can understand it. The problem is, I highly doubt that this will be the case. You see, already we have more and more people living longer than humanly thought possible. And while I am certain the vast majority of these people are at least not unhappy to still be alive, I begin to wonder about the sustainability of it all.
You see, more people equals more resources. And, while we could take every human being on this earth and give them a third of an acre and all would fit within the borders of the US, what about resources outside of land? Food, shelter, clothing, medical care, not to speak of the natural resources necessary to live and create all of this.
I wonder about all of this because a favorite topic of mine is the cycle of life. You know, the definitive truth that, as we come into this world in diapers, needing someone to take care of us, we too shall leave the world in the same manner. Thinking about this leads me to question who is going to take care of all of these people.
The problem with the topic of longevity is that most people think in idealistic terms. They are going to be the ones who are active, alert and capable of living a life devoid of assistance until the very end. And, while I envy their optimism, I wonder how many of us can think of more than one person over the age of 85 that we know fits into that category.
Think about any retirement community you have visited. How many of the elderly were able to get through an entire day without the assistance of at least one nurse? It seems that, unless we learn more about adamantium, the physical process of aging is always going to make the elderly dependent upon others.
Can you see the problem?
How are we going to afford it all? You see, when people age, unless they are smart enough (wealthy enough) to invest in a long term health care plan, someone is going to have to pay for them. Now, while I believe that individuals deserve to use whatever retirement money they have saved, I fear that using all of your wealth (or, God forbid, running out and expecting someone else to cover you) to persist for a few years of blended foods and television isn't worth the animosity.
So why are people so concerned with living longer and longer? I believe that it comes down to a fear of death for the individual and a desire to play God for some doctors and families.
I get that death can be scary, the fear of something completely unknown can encompass even the most resolute of individual. I can also understand the sadness of the end of a life, letting go of those we love is incredibly difficult for we know that, in letting go, we have to acknowledge that our lives will never be the same.
I guess I am just different than most. Perhaps it is my belief that, though a death means that THIS life is over, our soul's journey does not end with this body. Or perhaps it is just the belief I hold that a couple of months spent with a painful terminal illness or on a ventilator is not worth the extra cost, pain or suffering (for me or my loved ones).
Don't get me wrong, I am in favor of living as long as your life remains adventure filled and stimulating. I just somehow doubt that will be past 90 for most people.
I guess it come down to quality of life though. 50 is the new 40, 80 the new 60, or so I have been told. So, if the individual's quality of life is high, I suppose I can understand it. The problem is, I highly doubt that this will be the case. You see, already we have more and more people living longer than humanly thought possible. And while I am certain the vast majority of these people are at least not unhappy to still be alive, I begin to wonder about the sustainability of it all.
You see, more people equals more resources. And, while we could take every human being on this earth and give them a third of an acre and all would fit within the borders of the US, what about resources outside of land? Food, shelter, clothing, medical care, not to speak of the natural resources necessary to live and create all of this.
I wonder about all of this because a favorite topic of mine is the cycle of life. You know, the definitive truth that, as we come into this world in diapers, needing someone to take care of us, we too shall leave the world in the same manner. Thinking about this leads me to question who is going to take care of all of these people.
The problem with the topic of longevity is that most people think in idealistic terms. They are going to be the ones who are active, alert and capable of living a life devoid of assistance until the very end. And, while I envy their optimism, I wonder how many of us can think of more than one person over the age of 85 that we know fits into that category.
Think about any retirement community you have visited. How many of the elderly were able to get through an entire day without the assistance of at least one nurse? It seems that, unless we learn more about adamantium, the physical process of aging is always going to make the elderly dependent upon others.
Can you see the problem?
How are we going to afford it all? You see, when people age, unless they are smart enough (wealthy enough) to invest in a long term health care plan, someone is going to have to pay for them. Now, while I believe that individuals deserve to use whatever retirement money they have saved, I fear that using all of your wealth (or, God forbid, running out and expecting someone else to cover you) to persist for a few years of blended foods and television isn't worth the animosity.
So why are people so concerned with living longer and longer? I believe that it comes down to a fear of death for the individual and a desire to play God for some doctors and families.
I get that death can be scary, the fear of something completely unknown can encompass even the most resolute of individual. I can also understand the sadness of the end of a life, letting go of those we love is incredibly difficult for we know that, in letting go, we have to acknowledge that our lives will never be the same.
I guess I am just different than most. Perhaps it is my belief that, though a death means that THIS life is over, our soul's journey does not end with this body. Or perhaps it is just the belief I hold that a couple of months spent with a painful terminal illness or on a ventilator is not worth the extra cost, pain or suffering (for me or my loved ones).
Don't get me wrong, I am in favor of living as long as your life remains adventure filled and stimulating. I just somehow doubt that will be past 90 for most people.
Are you OK?
It is interesting to see that some things never change, no matter how much time passes. Themes constantly weave their way through our lives, ebbing and flowing as lives soar and dip. Looking back over my blog, I have come to realize that what I thought to be my life's current dips, themes of confusion, anger, loss and frustration, all have roots that run much deeper than realized.
I know where they come from and, if you believe a counselor I once bantered back and forth with, sadly around a quarter of you can readily understand my pain. Regardless, I know that, on some level ,every human can relate. You see, we have all experienced things that we wish had happened differently, made decisions that we all wish went in another direction. This is part of the human condition.
My life wasn't always funk and gloom; I have been happy, endlessly and joyously. What I have learned though is that I actually enjoy the world a little darker, a little less frivolous, a little less filled with rainbows and sunshine.
If that makes me a horrible person I am ok with that.
You see, I actually get something out of it this state, something that I believe too many miss out on as they desperately push away sadness and sorrow in favor of some surface level distraction. It turns out that pain is a great teacher, it exposes our weaknesses and vulnerabilities while at the same time highlighting our strengths. Experiencing something real and taking the time to process through it (how you feel about it, how it affects you) allows you to go a little deeper within yourself and closer to the core of your true being.
During this little jaunt down memory lane that I was reminded of the fact that most people are surface dwellers or choose to hide their depth for fear of judgement. It seems that most people do not like to divulge their thoughts, opinions or stories as readily as I do. I think that this is the biggest reason that I have been reluctant to go into the field of counseling, I fear that I am far too blunt and direct for most people. My probing into the "why", "how" and "what" of it all often puts most people off, but I ask because I truly believe people WANT to be asked, to talk about the things weighing on their mind.
It just so happens that most people don't realize that it is okay to go to these depths, that this journey, self-guided or hand held, will allow them to let some of the weight go. Though this does not come easily for most, TALKING, DELVING, DWELLING and SORTING through all that you experience will enable you to better understand yourself. Once you have a better idea of why something made you feel as it did, you can set about fixing, embracing, changing or avoiding it in the future.
Being that this fear of "truth of self" is the norm, the human race has a serious problem. Because humans want, SO badly, to be happy they avoid questions and situations in life that cause angst, fear and restlessness. In a desperate attempt to create the feeling that all is well, we choose to skew our views about what is truly important and pretend that this life, the one spent skimming along the surfaces we see as clean and pristine, is everlasting.
But perhaps I am wrong, I acknowledge one of my biggest flaws is that I profess to know people better than they know even themselves. This comes from an egotistical believe that I have a solid grasp on the human condition. Simply put, EVERYONE hurts and EVERYONE has moments when they feels like the world is a collection of madness and chaos with no rules or equality.
I just wonder though, why so few are afraid to tackle these moments head on? Why are they so afraid to talk about them, to ask for help from others? More concerning to me is why are people afraid to ask others about the hurt they can plainly see written across someone's eyes?
I find it hard to believe that most people cannot see pain, confusion or hurt in another. Why then are so many afraid to ask the simple questions, especially of those closest to us. Questions such as, "are you ok?" and "Anything you want to talk about?" can go a LOOOONG ways in turning a bad moment into a manageable one.
Perhaps though this is more about pushing the issue when you sense the bullshit. Most can tell when they are being fed a line, a quaint little, "I'm fine" uttered in hopes that somehow this lie will suffice.
Remind yourself of how you feel when you hurt and want nothing more than to get past the pain. Most people say they are "fine" because they either believe this is what YOU want to hear or they are afraid you DON'T CARE or WON'T UNDERSTAND.
For the HUMAN race to persist, we must recognize that we are all in this together. Lose the believe that you, as an individual, cannot make a difference. This lie has been drilled into the collective conscious by those that don't want you to know that we ALL can make a difference.
Every individual constantly changes the world around them. Do you want that change to be positive or negative?
Spend some time in your own head. When hurt, instead of picking up that burger, chocolate, beer or puff, think about WHY you hurt. Think about how it makes you feel and how this pain, confusion, anger or angst is affecting your relationship with the world around you. Most of all, when you see the same feelings in someone else, do unto them what you desperately want others to do for you, ask them how they are and don't accept "fine" as an answer.
The world can be changed, it just so happens that this movement starts one person at a time.
I know where they come from and, if you believe a counselor I once bantered back and forth with, sadly around a quarter of you can readily understand my pain. Regardless, I know that, on some level ,every human can relate. You see, we have all experienced things that we wish had happened differently, made decisions that we all wish went in another direction. This is part of the human condition.
My life wasn't always funk and gloom; I have been happy, endlessly and joyously. What I have learned though is that I actually enjoy the world a little darker, a little less frivolous, a little less filled with rainbows and sunshine.
If that makes me a horrible person I am ok with that.
You see, I actually get something out of it this state, something that I believe too many miss out on as they desperately push away sadness and sorrow in favor of some surface level distraction. It turns out that pain is a great teacher, it exposes our weaknesses and vulnerabilities while at the same time highlighting our strengths. Experiencing something real and taking the time to process through it (how you feel about it, how it affects you) allows you to go a little deeper within yourself and closer to the core of your true being.
During this little jaunt down memory lane that I was reminded of the fact that most people are surface dwellers or choose to hide their depth for fear of judgement. It seems that most people do not like to divulge their thoughts, opinions or stories as readily as I do. I think that this is the biggest reason that I have been reluctant to go into the field of counseling, I fear that I am far too blunt and direct for most people. My probing into the "why", "how" and "what" of it all often puts most people off, but I ask because I truly believe people WANT to be asked, to talk about the things weighing on their mind.
It just so happens that most people don't realize that it is okay to go to these depths, that this journey, self-guided or hand held, will allow them to let some of the weight go. Though this does not come easily for most, TALKING, DELVING, DWELLING and SORTING through all that you experience will enable you to better understand yourself. Once you have a better idea of why something made you feel as it did, you can set about fixing, embracing, changing or avoiding it in the future.
Being that this fear of "truth of self" is the norm, the human race has a serious problem. Because humans want, SO badly, to be happy they avoid questions and situations in life that cause angst, fear and restlessness. In a desperate attempt to create the feeling that all is well, we choose to skew our views about what is truly important and pretend that this life, the one spent skimming along the surfaces we see as clean and pristine, is everlasting.
But perhaps I am wrong, I acknowledge one of my biggest flaws is that I profess to know people better than they know even themselves. This comes from an egotistical believe that I have a solid grasp on the human condition. Simply put, EVERYONE hurts and EVERYONE has moments when they feels like the world is a collection of madness and chaos with no rules or equality.
I just wonder though, why so few are afraid to tackle these moments head on? Why are they so afraid to talk about them, to ask for help from others? More concerning to me is why are people afraid to ask others about the hurt they can plainly see written across someone's eyes?
I find it hard to believe that most people cannot see pain, confusion or hurt in another. Why then are so many afraid to ask the simple questions, especially of those closest to us. Questions such as, "are you ok?" and "Anything you want to talk about?" can go a LOOOONG ways in turning a bad moment into a manageable one.
Perhaps though this is more about pushing the issue when you sense the bullshit. Most can tell when they are being fed a line, a quaint little, "I'm fine" uttered in hopes that somehow this lie will suffice.
Remind yourself of how you feel when you hurt and want nothing more than to get past the pain. Most people say they are "fine" because they either believe this is what YOU want to hear or they are afraid you DON'T CARE or WON'T UNDERSTAND.
For the HUMAN race to persist, we must recognize that we are all in this together. Lose the believe that you, as an individual, cannot make a difference. This lie has been drilled into the collective conscious by those that don't want you to know that we ALL can make a difference.
Every individual constantly changes the world around them. Do you want that change to be positive or negative?
Spend some time in your own head. When hurt, instead of picking up that burger, chocolate, beer or puff, think about WHY you hurt. Think about how it makes you feel and how this pain, confusion, anger or angst is affecting your relationship with the world around you. Most of all, when you see the same feelings in someone else, do unto them what you desperately want others to do for you, ask them how they are and don't accept "fine" as an answer.
The world can be changed, it just so happens that this movement starts one person at a time.
Friday, January 24, 2014
The addiction of money (greed part 4)
I have a solution to the nation's (and world's) economic problem. It is a solution that every person, rich or poor, will benefit from and it is a solution that will boost sales, productivity and morale and help stabilize economic growth. Sadly, there is a catch. You see, this idea, beneficial to all, cannot happen without the support of those that have the financial MEANS to assist. If the history of mankind is any indication, we know that is probably never going to happen. But maybe that can change.
I call it Bonus Day.
You see, the largest problem with the world's economy is that wealth disparity is causing a highly unstable economic marketplace. As you will probably read more and more in the coming months, many are predicting a global recession. The market is adjusting itself, slightly. The problem with this is that, as it adjusts due to abuses of the rich getting richer, only the poor and middle class will truly feel the sting. What's worse is that, once it is corrected, that wealth disparity we all know and love so much is going to widen even further.
Just look at the model below and think of it in terms of a tree. If you look at this tree you will notice that the bottom half is sick and dying because if cannot afford to take care of itself. Further up the tree the trunk becomes more a little more stable and there are even the beginnings of a few tiny limbs, new sprouts desperately trying to gain some of the nourishment they can see above them.
But herein lies the problem, you see, at the tip of this tree, the branches are HUGE, thick and full of foliage designed to not only absorb as much above them as possible, but also to prevent anything but spare drops from falling. Explains "trickle down" economics, doesn't it?
But there is hope. You see, I read an article from an ex-Wall Street exec, Sam Polk, that opened my eyes. It seems Mr. Polk decided early on that he wanted to make a LOT of money during the course of his life, so much money in fact that he took the suggestion of a $3.6 million bonus as an insult. As he so eloquently argued, "when around guys making $10 or $20 million a year, $1 or $2 million doesn't seem like much" (hard to argue with that logic, well, until you stop and realize that $2M a year means a paycheck (after taxes) worth over $100,000 EVERY MONTH). How someone could not be placated with this amount is beyond me, but it seems he soon came to the same realization. He realized that becoming ANGRY at free money was a large symptom of an overall sickness, money had become his addiction. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/opinion/sunday/for-the-love-of-money.html?_r=0
Like the junkie holding onto his last eight ball, money becomes a drug for these individuals. And, like any drug, being on it can skew not only one's perception of the world around them, but also their importance within it.
If you have ever, personally or through another's pain, witnessed anyone suffer from addiction, you can begin to see how money corrupts. They are like the hoarder who's house is piled floor to ceiling with so much trash that no one but the hoarder can tell garbage from heirloom. The greedy share the same symptomatology as the compulsive shopper, the overeater, the drug and alcohol craver.
Addiction is the filling in or numbing down of something we are afraid of. Every addict CRAVES something to make the pain stop or to make them feel alive. Curing addiction is about tackling head on the things that cause pain (conscious or un, real or perceived) so that you can again see the world for what it actually is and your place within it.
No individual (nay, no FAMILY) needs $400 million to have a carefree lifestyle. In fact, if they had $200 million, I could honestly say I doubt their lives would change in the slightest. I would love to believe that any individual could comfortable live with $2M in the bank. Heck, invest it with a moderate return and you will take home (after taxes) $7,000 per month. Yet, time and time again, those individuals who have the money rarely feel like they have enough. They are so accustomed to taking, taking, taking that wants become needs and the accumulation of money becomes the only goal. Sound familiar?
Why do the rich hoard? Why can't they be more like the poor and middle class and spend money? Would't that influx of cash stabilize the economy and grow jobs? As logical as it seems, there is one HUGE difference, unlike the poor and middle class, they don't HAVE to spend the money. Couple that with the fact that their financial advisors have educated them about compound interest, and that they have the assets to take the risks and patiently wait for the gains, and it makes sense why the rich keep the money to themselves. But how much is too much?
How many of you have dreams? Dreams as simple as a warm meal every night to as complex as putting your creativity and desires to work running your own restaurant?
Welcome to Bonus Day.
You see, what I believe is that corporations and businesses need to start taking care of the people who actually grow the company instead of focusing solely on the ones who do very little work for heavy compensation. So, at the end of the year, when the stockholders and boards decide on bonuses, instead of giving them to those in administration, they need to start with the ground and work up. Call it Tsunami economics.
Using simple productivity numbers, quantify the individual input of each person, every group and compensate them accordingly. Work your way backwards moving upwards towards the CEOs and upper management. This means that the lion's share will go to those who actually need it rather than the ones who want it. For those outside of the corporate world, this simple principle can be put into place through taxation. This principle is not guided by what people want, instead it is about what people can spare.
Believe it or not, this will benefit those poor CEOs more in the long run. You see, it goes back to the simple principle of spending habits. Give the poor and middle class money and they will spend it. This means more production for the companies (individual stability), which necessitates more hiring (market stability) and means greater profitability (more money in the CEOs pocket). Believe me, the rich will STILL stay rich.
With this simple principle, taking care of those who need it while curbing the wanton greed and corruption, the tree will grow more stably. The top will still be thick and lush with more foliage and fruit than any individual can consume, but now there is limited risk of the whole tree toppling. And we don't want that. Do we?
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Richard Sherman, human
Well, that was awwwwkward....
Why you mad, Bro? You are a Stanford grad, in communications no less, and you drop to that level? On National TV? That was almost as bad as watching Joe Namath drunkenly hit on a sideline reporter during Monday Night Football. Here's a hint, if, as soon as you open your mouth, you see the normally composed Erin Andrews face contort in shock, well, maybe time to scale it back a bit.
That said, on some level, you have to give the man a lot of respect. We all knew before hand that "the best corner in the League", Mr. Richard Sherman, is not an individual hesitant to speak his mind. Never has been, probably never will be. So, as soon as we saw the camera pan from Erin's face to Sherman's, we had to know we were in for a treat. Little did we know that the treat was going to be served raw and unfiltered.
That is the beauty of humanity though, every moment can bring us something unexpected.
While I get that Sherman's rant was probably uncomfortable for most to experience, especially in the moment, it doesn't take a lifetime of playing competitive sports to understand where it comes from. If you still cannot get past the raw emotion and passion to see and hear the what was truly being said, well then, I feel for you. I feel for you because that means that you have either a) never experienced anything in your life worth fighting for or b) you have emotional awareness of a semi-developed cuttlefish.
Think back to any situation in your life where something was on the line, a competitive game perhaps, a big presentation, a job interview... The very memory probably causes your heart to race just a little, doesn't it? Now, imagine that you are competing is this moment against someone you hate and, like someone hell bent on destroying your day, they are pulling no punches in their attempt to stop you from accomplishing your dream.
How hard would you have to work to suppress your emotions? How would it feel every time you won an individual battle?
Now, imagine that, as this moment of a lifetime wore on and the moment of truth approached, you were the one to not only shut down your foe, but did it with such flair that there was no doubting the winner? This rival, the one who had been jawing at you, belittling you, doing everything in their power to stop you from achieving your goal was DONE, and you had landed the decisive blow. You'd probably be more than a little amped up, you may even want to talk about it. Lord knows Mr. Sherman did.
Now, while he probably could have chosen his words a little more carefully, Richard Sherman is still human and humans are hard wired to succumb to raw emotion and alpha/beta reactions. Humans are meant to FEEL life.
Every human being alive, even those we see as emotionless robots, have genuine outbursts of pain, anguish and triumph. We have all, at one time or another, felt the need to tout our superiority, or voice our beliefs.
So what is it about Sherman's rant that hit so deeply within the masses? Sure, for some backwood idiots out there the color of his skin and tone of his voice were enough to set their racist thumbs aTwittering. And for others, the whole scene was just a little too close, a little too uncomfortable that it made us question whether the man yelling at us from the TV was indeed actually sane. But, if you look a little deeper you may see something unexpected staring back at you, your own ego.
You see, I believe that the main reason people had issue with this particular rant is because most of us feel that we would have done better a better job. That somehow our lives, the ones in which a brush with being cut off in traffic or having that third shot of espresso kick in, could somehow compare to being the man that, moments earlier, had just won his team an AFC championship.
In this moment, Mr. Sherman felt finally validated and he wanted to let the world know. He had won and, to top it off, he had played the most integral part. You cannot blame him for his exuberance, you can only blame yourself for seeing something different.
Remove yourself from the immediate and you will be able to see the truth hidden beneath.
Here's hoping that he sent Ms. Andrews a nice apology gift.
Why you mad, Bro? You are a Stanford grad, in communications no less, and you drop to that level? On National TV? That was almost as bad as watching Joe Namath drunkenly hit on a sideline reporter during Monday Night Football. Here's a hint, if, as soon as you open your mouth, you see the normally composed Erin Andrews face contort in shock, well, maybe time to scale it back a bit.
That said, on some level, you have to give the man a lot of respect. We all knew before hand that "the best corner in the League", Mr. Richard Sherman, is not an individual hesitant to speak his mind. Never has been, probably never will be. So, as soon as we saw the camera pan from Erin's face to Sherman's, we had to know we were in for a treat. Little did we know that the treat was going to be served raw and unfiltered.
That is the beauty of humanity though, every moment can bring us something unexpected.
While I get that Sherman's rant was probably uncomfortable for most to experience, especially in the moment, it doesn't take a lifetime of playing competitive sports to understand where it comes from. If you still cannot get past the raw emotion and passion to see and hear the what was truly being said, well then, I feel for you. I feel for you because that means that you have either a) never experienced anything in your life worth fighting for or b) you have emotional awareness of a semi-developed cuttlefish.
Think back to any situation in your life where something was on the line, a competitive game perhaps, a big presentation, a job interview... The very memory probably causes your heart to race just a little, doesn't it? Now, imagine that you are competing is this moment against someone you hate and, like someone hell bent on destroying your day, they are pulling no punches in their attempt to stop you from accomplishing your dream.
How hard would you have to work to suppress your emotions? How would it feel every time you won an individual battle?
Now, imagine that, as this moment of a lifetime wore on and the moment of truth approached, you were the one to not only shut down your foe, but did it with such flair that there was no doubting the winner? This rival, the one who had been jawing at you, belittling you, doing everything in their power to stop you from achieving your goal was DONE, and you had landed the decisive blow. You'd probably be more than a little amped up, you may even want to talk about it. Lord knows Mr. Sherman did.
Now, while he probably could have chosen his words a little more carefully, Richard Sherman is still human and humans are hard wired to succumb to raw emotion and alpha/beta reactions. Humans are meant to FEEL life.
Every human being alive, even those we see as emotionless robots, have genuine outbursts of pain, anguish and triumph. We have all, at one time or another, felt the need to tout our superiority, or voice our beliefs.
So what is it about Sherman's rant that hit so deeply within the masses? Sure, for some backwood idiots out there the color of his skin and tone of his voice were enough to set their racist thumbs aTwittering. And for others, the whole scene was just a little too close, a little too uncomfortable that it made us question whether the man yelling at us from the TV was indeed actually sane. But, if you look a little deeper you may see something unexpected staring back at you, your own ego.
You see, I believe that the main reason people had issue with this particular rant is because most of us feel that we would have done better a better job. That somehow our lives, the ones in which a brush with being cut off in traffic or having that third shot of espresso kick in, could somehow compare to being the man that, moments earlier, had just won his team an AFC championship.
In this moment, Mr. Sherman felt finally validated and he wanted to let the world know. He had won and, to top it off, he had played the most integral part. You cannot blame him for his exuberance, you can only blame yourself for seeing something different.
Remove yourself from the immediate and you will be able to see the truth hidden beneath.
Here's hoping that he sent Ms. Andrews a nice apology gift.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
A disproportionate slice of the pie (Greed part 3)
We all know the stories of the businessmen who cut corners to make their product cheaper yet more dangerous, the lawmakers who take bribes so a corporation can save a little money in taxes, or the vast waste in our government and military. These stories of corruption and greed bombard us daily through our newspapers, while we peruse the internet or when we are catching up on the news. The strangest thing about all of these similar stories is that, even though every story outlines the same message of corrupt individuals placing their personal interests ahead of everyone else, we rarely ever read about anything being done.
I have a buddy working as a civilian contractor for the Air Force up in Alaska who loves to share stories about the wanton waste he sees around the base. Amongst all of the sickening stories of excess and corruption, one sticks out in my mind.
As you may already know, the military is one of the biggest purveyors of waste known to Americans. And, sadly, the way the system is set up almost begs for corruption. You see, every year each unit is given a set budget. This budget is based loosely upon what the unit has needed in the past, but the numbers are always inflated, "just in case something comes up". The commanding officer can do whatever they set fit with this money with very few checks and balances. However, there is always one things in the back of their mind; you see, at the end of the year, if there is any money left over, the excess is absorbed and the difference is reduced from their overall budget for future years.
I am sure you can see the issue.
The story (100% true story mind you) is told of a CO realizing that he was, towards the end of the fiscal year, around $500,000 in the black. That's no good... Knowing that he had to do something with the excess or else have it taken from his unit forever he got the brilliant idea of putting a $500,000 A/C unit in DECEMBER into an ALASKAN Air Force building that was knowingly being TORN DOWN 6 months later. Problem solved...
Can you imagine what could be done in ANY school district with $500,000?
Why is this allowed? How in the world is that person not held responsible for wasting a half a million of the taxpayers dollars? Better question, why is the system so screwed? Would it not be just as easy to give each unit a standard operating budget (figure out what their costs are and adjust for inflation and growth) and, if they need more, set up a grant proposal system. This way, not only is every project actually forced to be outlined as necessary, but this system would limit waste.
Sure, this system would still allow for the greedy out there to abuse it, but there are always going to be those who want more than their slice of the pie and who would easily lie in these grants. But I wonder, why is it so difficult to go out and check on each project once it is finished? If you see a $50,000 gold toilet bowl or fish tank, hold the CO responsible. If you audit and find that not all of the money is accounted for, figure out where it went and go after that individual. Seems simple enough.
The problem of course is two fold: 1) It is almost too easy these days to get away with stealing. It's almost as if the system is set up to fail. OH wait... and 2) So many of those who are doing the auditing and checking are themselves corrupt. How many times have you heard a story of an inspector taking a bribe, or an official looking the other way for a buddy?
It has been pointed out to me that I have an idealist mindset, that finding waste will not necessarily lead to an alleviation of the problem. As I see it, this is exactly what those in charge want us to believe. That, if we think nothing can ever be done, then we will give up trying.
Talk about a perfect cover.
As I see it, if, as you find this waste, you research and find those truly in charge (not the scapegoats used to hide the true culprit) and punish them with charges that befit the crime, things will change. If someone is in charge of a project and it fails, hold them responsible. It something goes missing or something is done incorrectly, find out the source of the cause and the person in charge and hold them responsible. Why is this not done with higher ups?
It is the same with so many construction projects. When was the last time you heard of a project finishing under budget? Yet, you always hear about overruns. I have heard the argument that it is cost of materials, failure to see this problem or that problem, but I have a difficult time fully understanding why this is the consumer's problem. In fact, it seems like a system rife with corruption. Lowball a bid, get midway through construction, then raise your fee.
Economists are always talking about a need to create job, there is, to me, a simple solution. If you need jobs, create auditors (for both tax evasion and those abusing the welfare systems) and use these workers to find those who abuse the system. People need to be held accountable for their actions, good and bad, and rewarded or punished based upon what was done. This system needs to be equitable across all classes of society.
Of course, I am altruist. I believe that everyone does indeed deserve a chance. I believe that we can learn a lot about a person from this chance and that giving everyone a fair chance will make the world a better place.
I am also a realist, I know that it will take a LOT of work to arrive at this place and that there are many, many obstacles in place to ensure that exactly this does not happen. Again, why give up power when you don't have to? Why change a system that you control and can abuse? Well, again, it comes down to those of us who are on the other side of that coin. We are in charge of creating change. Without us, corruption and greed will forever persist.
I have a buddy working as a civilian contractor for the Air Force up in Alaska who loves to share stories about the wanton waste he sees around the base. Amongst all of the sickening stories of excess and corruption, one sticks out in my mind.
As you may already know, the military is one of the biggest purveyors of waste known to Americans. And, sadly, the way the system is set up almost begs for corruption. You see, every year each unit is given a set budget. This budget is based loosely upon what the unit has needed in the past, but the numbers are always inflated, "just in case something comes up". The commanding officer can do whatever they set fit with this money with very few checks and balances. However, there is always one things in the back of their mind; you see, at the end of the year, if there is any money left over, the excess is absorbed and the difference is reduced from their overall budget for future years.
I am sure you can see the issue.
The story (100% true story mind you) is told of a CO realizing that he was, towards the end of the fiscal year, around $500,000 in the black. That's no good... Knowing that he had to do something with the excess or else have it taken from his unit forever he got the brilliant idea of putting a $500,000 A/C unit in DECEMBER into an ALASKAN Air Force building that was knowingly being TORN DOWN 6 months later. Problem solved...
Can you imagine what could be done in ANY school district with $500,000?
Why is this allowed? How in the world is that person not held responsible for wasting a half a million of the taxpayers dollars? Better question, why is the system so screwed? Would it not be just as easy to give each unit a standard operating budget (figure out what their costs are and adjust for inflation and growth) and, if they need more, set up a grant proposal system. This way, not only is every project actually forced to be outlined as necessary, but this system would limit waste.
Sure, this system would still allow for the greedy out there to abuse it, but there are always going to be those who want more than their slice of the pie and who would easily lie in these grants. But I wonder, why is it so difficult to go out and check on each project once it is finished? If you see a $50,000 gold toilet bowl or fish tank, hold the CO responsible. If you audit and find that not all of the money is accounted for, figure out where it went and go after that individual. Seems simple enough.
The problem of course is two fold: 1) It is almost too easy these days to get away with stealing. It's almost as if the system is set up to fail. OH wait... and 2) So many of those who are doing the auditing and checking are themselves corrupt. How many times have you heard a story of an inspector taking a bribe, or an official looking the other way for a buddy?
It has been pointed out to me that I have an idealist mindset, that finding waste will not necessarily lead to an alleviation of the problem. As I see it, this is exactly what those in charge want us to believe. That, if we think nothing can ever be done, then we will give up trying.
Talk about a perfect cover.
As I see it, if, as you find this waste, you research and find those truly in charge (not the scapegoats used to hide the true culprit) and punish them with charges that befit the crime, things will change. If someone is in charge of a project and it fails, hold them responsible. It something goes missing or something is done incorrectly, find out the source of the cause and the person in charge and hold them responsible. Why is this not done with higher ups?
It is the same with so many construction projects. When was the last time you heard of a project finishing under budget? Yet, you always hear about overruns. I have heard the argument that it is cost of materials, failure to see this problem or that problem, but I have a difficult time fully understanding why this is the consumer's problem. In fact, it seems like a system rife with corruption. Lowball a bid, get midway through construction, then raise your fee.
Economists are always talking about a need to create job, there is, to me, a simple solution. If you need jobs, create auditors (for both tax evasion and those abusing the welfare systems) and use these workers to find those who abuse the system. People need to be held accountable for their actions, good and bad, and rewarded or punished based upon what was done. This system needs to be equitable across all classes of society.
Of course, I am altruist. I believe that everyone does indeed deserve a chance. I believe that we can learn a lot about a person from this chance and that giving everyone a fair chance will make the world a better place.
I am also a realist, I know that it will take a LOT of work to arrive at this place and that there are many, many obstacles in place to ensure that exactly this does not happen. Again, why give up power when you don't have to? Why change a system that you control and can abuse? Well, again, it comes down to those of us who are on the other side of that coin. We are in charge of creating change. Without us, corruption and greed will forever persist.
Capitalism and the 1% (Greed part 2)
I have realized, through reading over many of my posts, that it may be misconstrued that I believe that capitalism is a bad system. This could not be further from the truth, I love all of the toys and gadgets that I, as a man who has lived a very frugal life, can still afford. What I am against is what capitalism has become, and how far from what was initially intended it has traveled.
Though first founded as early as the feudal systems of the 16th century, you only need to go back a few decades to see how dramatically capitalism has affected economics. If you were to take a time machine back to the 50's you would see a world that was vastly different, and daily life in America would shock (and probably bore) you. Each house had one radio, one telephone and one car. Families were single income because people wanted a roof over their head, food on their table and a community to help raise their children. Having these things left them feeling content.
But, as capitalism has changed over time, society has changed with it. The 21st century brings with it technology possible only in sci-fi novels decades ago. These days everyone has a smartphone, kids have their own cars and tvs in their rooms. Both parents work not because they have to but because they are trying desperately to keep up with everyone else in terms of gadgets and the newest trends.
This is today's capitalism and, while I understand and appreciate what it has done for the masses, I disagree with the message is currently entrenching in the minds of most Americans. Buy, buy, buy! You can have that! You NEED this!
You see, while capitalism was intended to grow our prosperity, this prosperity was intended, on a more even scale, for ALL, not just the tycoons who own most of what you read, see, eat and buy.
One of the major cornerstones of capitalism was competition. It was believed that the more options consumers had to choose from the more equitable and progressive the markets would be because competition would keep prices down while still driving innovation.
Sadly, this is no longer the case, the days of mom and pop stores lining the street corners are slowly dying off. In their places sprout chain store replacements, franchises owned and operated not by an individual family but by faceless corporations.
I was perusing the internet the other day and came across a chart that, truthfully, blew my mind. I knew that individual companies were dying off fairly rapidly, but I had no idea the true extent. I realized that mom and pop stores were endangered species of sorts, but I did not realize that all had the same 10 predators.
Though first founded as early as the feudal systems of the 16th century, you only need to go back a few decades to see how dramatically capitalism has affected economics. If you were to take a time machine back to the 50's you would see a world that was vastly different, and daily life in America would shock (and probably bore) you. Each house had one radio, one telephone and one car. Families were single income because people wanted a roof over their head, food on their table and a community to help raise their children. Having these things left them feeling content.
But, as capitalism has changed over time, society has changed with it. The 21st century brings with it technology possible only in sci-fi novels decades ago. These days everyone has a smartphone, kids have their own cars and tvs in their rooms. Both parents work not because they have to but because they are trying desperately to keep up with everyone else in terms of gadgets and the newest trends.
This is today's capitalism and, while I understand and appreciate what it has done for the masses, I disagree with the message is currently entrenching in the minds of most Americans. Buy, buy, buy! You can have that! You NEED this!
You see, while capitalism was intended to grow our prosperity, this prosperity was intended, on a more even scale, for ALL, not just the tycoons who own most of what you read, see, eat and buy.
One of the major cornerstones of capitalism was competition. It was believed that the more options consumers had to choose from the more equitable and progressive the markets would be because competition would keep prices down while still driving innovation.
Sadly, this is no longer the case, the days of mom and pop stores lining the street corners are slowly dying off. In their places sprout chain store replacements, franchises owned and operated not by an individual family but by faceless corporations.
I was perusing the internet the other day and came across a chart that, truthfully, blew my mind. I knew that individual companies were dying off fairly rapidly, but I had no idea the true extent. I realized that mom and pop stores were endangered species of sorts, but I did not realize that all had the same 10 predators.
What's worse is that more and more, as the shift in control and power grows wider, the people at the head of these growing corporations are moving away from another of the earliest cornerstones of capitalism, Noblesse Oblige. This concept believes that "nobility (birth or wealth) extends beyond mere entitlements and requires the person with such status to fulfill social responsibilities, particularly in leadership." Simply put, if you have access to the means necessary to make a difference in the world around you, you should.
Back in the 16th century 20% of the population had 70% of the wealth, today that elite number is less that 1%. This disturbing trend has to stop. The people who can afford to do more must be made to do so, be it through a larger portion of taxation, more charitable donations, or something as simple as forgoing shareholders in favor of actual employees; something must be done to redistribute that wealth.
But herein lies the biggest obstacle: most people don't notice this ever growing separation because they are too busy "saving" at their local superstore. You see, as these corporations accrue more and more wealth through the purchasing of rival companies, the average consumer saves (large volume means lower operating costs). It feels nice to save, to pay less for an item that we are used to, so we become sucked in believing this to be a good thing. The problem is that these savings are only temporary and our individual choice of products becomes smaller and smaller.
You see, once a corporation owns the majority of their competitors, they have a monopoly on their product. As we have all experienced through the cost of cable, even partial monopolies are not good for an individual's pocketbook or their choices of available channels.
As we have talked about though, giving up power and money is not something many choose to do voluntarily. One of the biggest reasons for this is that people don't want to share with those they feel who are undeserving. It turns out that many in power believe that the poor are poor because they choose to be, that, if they wanted a different life they would have done something about it.
Didn't you know that everyone has equal opportunity to change their place in the world?
The first time I heard this argument I was in disbelief, but I have listened to my mother cite enough articles to argue this point enough to know that this thought is not singular. Many wealthy believe that they are in power solely based upon their individual merits. Because they took advantage of the world around them, because they scratched and clawed, they overcame. They also believe that anyone, regardless of upbringing or place within society, can do the same.
Now, I may have a different take on this than many, but I am not sure how it is possible to overlook the simple fact that many in power came to be not due to hard work or personal invention or innovation, but because they grew up in a world that was handed to them. I guess admitting this would be a bit of a blow to one's ego, to realize that maybe it wasn't all you and that you, growing up in a house with heat, food, and individual rooms for each member of your family, plus a den, living room and tv room may have been better off than that family of 6 living in a two room shack; that perhaps your private school education may have better prepared you for the rigors of academia than the typical inner city education filled with kids looking to survive more than to learn; that the knowledge that college is a guarantee rather than a pipe dream may have given you a little more drive.
There is a reason the rich keep getting richer.
Again, to acknowledge both sides of the same coin, I do also realize that there are numerous people who came from nothing to become something. There are, without a doubt, those who not only took advantage of any and every opportunity, but who also went out and found new paths when theirs ran into an obstacle. I fear, though, that many neglect to realize that, in order to accomplish this, an individual must be either truly gifted intellectually, incredibly driven, or have an incredible support system.
For most poor, even the dream of something different is just that, a dream. Just because the possibility is possible does not often make it even remotely probable.
I wonder though, why is it so difficult to help others? What do the truly wealthy fear would happen if they gave up more of their wealth? Is it a fear that, with wealth comes education and, with education, comes a desire for change?
I do know that we need to change the current direction of the world's economy. We need to allow the world and our country to grow but, as we do this, we must truly educate ourselves about who is gaining the most, and at what cost. Are there people abusing not only the systems in place but also abusing all of us through these systems?
Capitalism has given us all we have, and will continue to allow present day sci-fi novels to become a reality. The thing we must fear though is that, in every sci-fi novel, while there are cool toys, only a select few are able to play with them while the rest of us live in 10' x 12' apartments.
Monday, January 13, 2014
The worst of all Perversions (Greed part 1)
"How can I make the world a better place?" This question has crossed the mind of every human being at some moment in the course of their lifetime. For some of us it is a persistent question, for others a fleeting thought, a thought quelled due to disinterest or a disbelief that it is something they can affect. Regardless of your place within the debate, making the world a better place is a very possible thing for every human in history. All one has to do is be willing to take one very simple first step: Remember that the world is not about YOU.
Now, I am not idiotic nor altruistic enough to say that you are not supposed to take care of yourself, I am not even saying that you are not supposed to enhance and grow your own life to make it a great one. What I am saying is that, in order for life to become more fulfilling, an individual's existence has to become more focused on NEED than WANT. The reason for this is easy to see: once an individual has their needs met they are more open to the realization that there are others out there for whom even things as simple as food, shelter and love are a struggle on a daily basis.
That truth is one of the greatest travesties in the world, how can there be so many out there suffering while other individuals choose to live a life of excess and wanton waste simply because they can? Can you imagine a world in which every single person cared more about others that they did themselves? How much safer would you feel? How much more likely would you be to talk to and get to know people you never knew? How much more likely would you be to take risks, to try new things?
Greed is, without a doubt in my mind, the sickest of all perversions. With any other perversion there is either a willing participant on both ends, or strong laws in place to punish the perverse who harm others. Greed has none of this. Sure, we like to pretend we do, we love to fake a strong stance, but when was the last time you heard of a greedy executive, government official, or lawmaker receiving a punishment that befit the crime?
To date, no executives of the mortgage fraud that put our country into one of the worst recessions felt have faced prosecution. It isn't that the cases are being lost, it's actually worse than that, there has been no concentrated effort to prosecute those responsible. What happened to Bernie Madoff, the former non-executive chairman for NASDAQ responsible for the elaborate Ponzi scheme that cost his investors between $18 and $65 BILLION in losses (most heavily felt by the middle class individuals who bought in)? Well, let's see, 11 felony convictions and a "punished" Madoff is living out his geriatric years in a medium security prison where he is being treated like a self-professed "Mafia don".
Most corporate executives, even the ones who lie, cheat and steal, seem to have a golden parachute deployed should they be caught or fired.
I say this not only because of the $47 MILLION packages that are the norm for disgraced execs but also because our judicial system actually has in place a safety net for those in power. Believe it or not, there is an understanding that states that the higher up on the nation's financial, economic or business ladder you have climbed, the less likely it is that you will ever be prosecuted. Why is this? Well the justification goes that if these people are prosecuted, the whole system will collapse.
Hmmm... How is it that one individual can cause the collapse of any system? Are we really to believe that incarcerating any one person would somehow collapse our country into an economic crisis? How is this possible? I cannot think of anyone (shoot, not even any group) who don't have at least five competent people able to take their place given the opportunity.
This again begs the question, why is this allowed? Well, it comes down simply to two things: 1) those who created the system put into place a system that not only protects them, but also created one that they can abuse. This gives them autonomous control, thus allowing them to basically make whatever decision they feel benefits them without the fear of repercussion or opposition. Which leads me to 2) It is allowed, frankly, because too many people could care less or, perhaps more appropriately, too many people think that they cannot make a difference.
People know that the systems in place are not only flawed, but they are purposefully broken, and so they feel helpless. "What can I do? How could I make a difference?" Well, the answer is probably the most indicative gauge of present society. There has been little change, and the gap continues to grow wider because, in order to institute change, educating and empowering the masses takes effort and time. The change starts with you.
Without you educating yourself on what is truly happening and demanding that people are actually held responsible, nothing is going to change.
Think about it, would you be willing to relinquish power if you held a firm grip on it? Why then would we believe that those currently in power would, voluntarily want to help others, ESPECIALLY when this change directly affects their pocketbook?
Greed though is not just about the rich, and this education does not just flow one way. Our country's financial stability has also been abused by members of society who hold a decidedly different place in the monetary scale. There are many, many people out there on some form of welfare, assistance or subsidy who will never look to get off of it because they are, like most, unwilling to give up free money. You see, they have found a way to receive just enough from the system that they don't raise their voices. Why would anyone complain about a system in which you are rewarded for doing nothing?
Regardless though of whether this system is purposefully put into place by the rich (a quiet mass is a controllable mass) or voted in by the masses, it needs to change. As Sweden found out, the longer you allow people to remain on a system that promotes free money, the less likely they are to do anything to change their station within this system. Growing tired and weary of watching so many people live off of the system with limited repercussions, Sweden's government instituted a deadline for the welfare programs. What happened was not shocking, within a year unemployment went rocketing down.
Give a human incentive and they will find a way. "In six months, if you do not have a job, we will be taking away your benefits". If unemployed and told that sentence, what would you do? My guess is your next five months would be full of travel, interviews and applications so that you and your family don't end up living in a shelter (if you can find a bed).
If an individual knows that there are actual consequences for inaction, something is going to change, this reads true for rich and poor alike.
Changing the world, in any form, can be done every day, little by little. Every human being has the ability to look internally and assess whether they are making a positive difference in the world around them. Are you living a life that puts others ahead of yourself, one in which your all of your needs are met, but only a select few of your wants? Are there people around you that you can help? If so, how can you help, and are you willing to take that step?
Society means that we are all in this together, we have one world and all of us only have only a short time to walk it. The best way I can see to walk is with your head up, looking around for people you can help and inequalities that you can help fix, rather than with your head down, your own life the sole thought in your mind.
Now, I am not idiotic nor altruistic enough to say that you are not supposed to take care of yourself, I am not even saying that you are not supposed to enhance and grow your own life to make it a great one. What I am saying is that, in order for life to become more fulfilling, an individual's existence has to become more focused on NEED than WANT. The reason for this is easy to see: once an individual has their needs met they are more open to the realization that there are others out there for whom even things as simple as food, shelter and love are a struggle on a daily basis.
That truth is one of the greatest travesties in the world, how can there be so many out there suffering while other individuals choose to live a life of excess and wanton waste simply because they can? Can you imagine a world in which every single person cared more about others that they did themselves? How much safer would you feel? How much more likely would you be to talk to and get to know people you never knew? How much more likely would you be to take risks, to try new things?
Greed is, without a doubt in my mind, the sickest of all perversions. With any other perversion there is either a willing participant on both ends, or strong laws in place to punish the perverse who harm others. Greed has none of this. Sure, we like to pretend we do, we love to fake a strong stance, but when was the last time you heard of a greedy executive, government official, or lawmaker receiving a punishment that befit the crime?
To date, no executives of the mortgage fraud that put our country into one of the worst recessions felt have faced prosecution. It isn't that the cases are being lost, it's actually worse than that, there has been no concentrated effort to prosecute those responsible. What happened to Bernie Madoff, the former non-executive chairman for NASDAQ responsible for the elaborate Ponzi scheme that cost his investors between $18 and $65 BILLION in losses (most heavily felt by the middle class individuals who bought in)? Well, let's see, 11 felony convictions and a "punished" Madoff is living out his geriatric years in a medium security prison where he is being treated like a self-professed "Mafia don".
Most corporate executives, even the ones who lie, cheat and steal, seem to have a golden parachute deployed should they be caught or fired.
I say this not only because of the $47 MILLION packages that are the norm for disgraced execs but also because our judicial system actually has in place a safety net for those in power. Believe it or not, there is an understanding that states that the higher up on the nation's financial, economic or business ladder you have climbed, the less likely it is that you will ever be prosecuted. Why is this? Well the justification goes that if these people are prosecuted, the whole system will collapse.
Hmmm... How is it that one individual can cause the collapse of any system? Are we really to believe that incarcerating any one person would somehow collapse our country into an economic crisis? How is this possible? I cannot think of anyone (shoot, not even any group) who don't have at least five competent people able to take their place given the opportunity.
This again begs the question, why is this allowed? Well, it comes down simply to two things: 1) those who created the system put into place a system that not only protects them, but also created one that they can abuse. This gives them autonomous control, thus allowing them to basically make whatever decision they feel benefits them without the fear of repercussion or opposition. Which leads me to 2) It is allowed, frankly, because too many people could care less or, perhaps more appropriately, too many people think that they cannot make a difference.
People know that the systems in place are not only flawed, but they are purposefully broken, and so they feel helpless. "What can I do? How could I make a difference?" Well, the answer is probably the most indicative gauge of present society. There has been little change, and the gap continues to grow wider because, in order to institute change, educating and empowering the masses takes effort and time. The change starts with you.
Without you educating yourself on what is truly happening and demanding that people are actually held responsible, nothing is going to change.
Think about it, would you be willing to relinquish power if you held a firm grip on it? Why then would we believe that those currently in power would, voluntarily want to help others, ESPECIALLY when this change directly affects their pocketbook?
Greed though is not just about the rich, and this education does not just flow one way. Our country's financial stability has also been abused by members of society who hold a decidedly different place in the monetary scale. There are many, many people out there on some form of welfare, assistance or subsidy who will never look to get off of it because they are, like most, unwilling to give up free money. You see, they have found a way to receive just enough from the system that they don't raise their voices. Why would anyone complain about a system in which you are rewarded for doing nothing?
Regardless though of whether this system is purposefully put into place by the rich (a quiet mass is a controllable mass) or voted in by the masses, it needs to change. As Sweden found out, the longer you allow people to remain on a system that promotes free money, the less likely they are to do anything to change their station within this system. Growing tired and weary of watching so many people live off of the system with limited repercussions, Sweden's government instituted a deadline for the welfare programs. What happened was not shocking, within a year unemployment went rocketing down.
Give a human incentive and they will find a way. "In six months, if you do not have a job, we will be taking away your benefits". If unemployed and told that sentence, what would you do? My guess is your next five months would be full of travel, interviews and applications so that you and your family don't end up living in a shelter (if you can find a bed).
If an individual knows that there are actual consequences for inaction, something is going to change, this reads true for rich and poor alike.
Changing the world, in any form, can be done every day, little by little. Every human being has the ability to look internally and assess whether they are making a positive difference in the world around them. Are you living a life that puts others ahead of yourself, one in which your all of your needs are met, but only a select few of your wants? Are there people around you that you can help? If so, how can you help, and are you willing to take that step?
Society means that we are all in this together, we have one world and all of us only have only a short time to walk it. The best way I can see to walk is with your head up, looking around for people you can help and inequalities that you can help fix, rather than with your head down, your own life the sole thought in your mind.
Left lane drivers
I'm going to pass along a bit of information that, sadly, seems to be shocking news to many: while driving, the left lane is intended for for people to use as a PASSING lane, not as a "safe lane" to drive in while doing 2 mph over the speed limit.
Coming home from Christmas break, one of the MANY drivers I drove up on was an older lady in the left lane, content to drive 72 in a 70 mph zone. I decided to sit behind her for 5 minutes, steadily waiting to see if she would ever take advantage of the numerous opportunities to move over into the appropriate lane for her speed . Not surprisingly, as far as I could tell, she never once even thought about this simple act and instead chose to glare over at me as I passed her on the RIGHT as if I was the one ruining her day. Now we all know what she is thinking, "Jackass, I'm doing the speed limit, so I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else..." Here's a shock Ma'am. No, you actually do not. In most states it is actually AGAINST the law to use the left lane as anything except what it is intended to be, a PASSING lane.
Remember that sign on the side of the road, the one that reads "Keep right EXCEPT to PASS"? It is one of the only signs you will ever see on the LEFT side of the road. They didn't put it there on accident, yet it is a sign that so many choose to overlook. Why is that? Why do so many normally lawful people choose to ignore this law and willfully cause so much animosity just to drive in the left lane? Why is this law the one so many people choose to rebel against?
I have heard the argument that many of these drivers drive slowly in the left lane not because they want to slow others down, but because they are afraid of the "crazy drivers" out there and want to have an immediate "free lane to swerve into should something happen". Hmmm... Interesting. Two thoughts on that argument. 1) Have you ever stopped to think about why these "crazy drivers" are as they are? Ever contemplated that perhaps being stuck behind some selfish individual doing 1 mph over the speed limit in a lane they are lawfully not supposed to be in may just piss some people off? 2) As shocking as this may sound, they have a lane that does exactly that, its called the RIGHT lane. What, do you not drive there because you would have to shift left when someone merges from an on-ramp? Is that too stressful for you? What about all those people that have to shift RIGHT just to pass you? Why are you more important?
If you are afraid to drive in the lane you belong in, or you are hesitant to have to shift lanes time and time again, do us all a favor and look into mass transit as, truthfully, you should not be on the road driving a vehicle.
While everyone with a valid license has a right to drive, please stop letting your ego, sense of entitlement, fear or your laziness get in the way of other people's day. If you are in the left lane and you see people behind you, MOVE OVER. The left lane is not intended for just anyone, the left lane is intended for those who want to take a risk, who want to drive a little faster than the rest of us. If you are not one of those people, move over. The world is not about you.
If you are causing people problems by slowing them down, then alleviate the problem (you) by moving over. It is a very simple thing to do to, and a simple step that can actually make the world around you a better place.
Coming home from Christmas break, one of the MANY drivers I drove up on was an older lady in the left lane, content to drive 72 in a 70 mph zone. I decided to sit behind her for 5 minutes, steadily waiting to see if she would ever take advantage of the numerous opportunities to move over into the appropriate lane for her speed . Not surprisingly, as far as I could tell, she never once even thought about this simple act and instead chose to glare over at me as I passed her on the RIGHT as if I was the one ruining her day. Now we all know what she is thinking, "Jackass, I'm doing the speed limit, so I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else..." Here's a shock Ma'am. No, you actually do not. In most states it is actually AGAINST the law to use the left lane as anything except what it is intended to be, a PASSING lane.
Remember that sign on the side of the road, the one that reads "Keep right EXCEPT to PASS"? It is one of the only signs you will ever see on the LEFT side of the road. They didn't put it there on accident, yet it is a sign that so many choose to overlook. Why is that? Why do so many normally lawful people choose to ignore this law and willfully cause so much animosity just to drive in the left lane? Why is this law the one so many people choose to rebel against?
I have heard the argument that many of these drivers drive slowly in the left lane not because they want to slow others down, but because they are afraid of the "crazy drivers" out there and want to have an immediate "free lane to swerve into should something happen". Hmmm... Interesting. Two thoughts on that argument. 1) Have you ever stopped to think about why these "crazy drivers" are as they are? Ever contemplated that perhaps being stuck behind some selfish individual doing 1 mph over the speed limit in a lane they are lawfully not supposed to be in may just piss some people off? 2) As shocking as this may sound, they have a lane that does exactly that, its called the RIGHT lane. What, do you not drive there because you would have to shift left when someone merges from an on-ramp? Is that too stressful for you? What about all those people that have to shift RIGHT just to pass you? Why are you more important?
If you are afraid to drive in the lane you belong in, or you are hesitant to have to shift lanes time and time again, do us all a favor and look into mass transit as, truthfully, you should not be on the road driving a vehicle.
While everyone with a valid license has a right to drive, please stop letting your ego, sense of entitlement, fear or your laziness get in the way of other people's day. If you are in the left lane and you see people behind you, MOVE OVER. The left lane is not intended for just anyone, the left lane is intended for those who want to take a risk, who want to drive a little faster than the rest of us. If you are not one of those people, move over. The world is not about you.
If you are causing people problems by slowing them down, then alleviate the problem (you) by moving over. It is a very simple thing to do to, and a simple step that can actually make the world around you a better place.
Friday, January 10, 2014
What college is REALLY about
So, I quit my job at OSU a few weeks ago. Though it is tough to quantify why in the world I would quit a job in which my sole duty is to play sports with college kids, especially one that, hourly at least, pays pretty well, the realization that, while employed at OSU, I would never move on and find a real job began to finally sink in a few months ago. And so I begin the next chapter of my life, one in which I hope to find a similar amount of joy, a larger and more stable paycheck, and, especially, more of an ability to make a difference in people's lives.
You see, the main thing I enjoyed about teaching at OSU, and the thing I will, without a doubt, miss the most, is the opportunity to talk to, get to know and give advice to kids who lack direction or someone to talk to. Anyone who has taken a class from me knows that I use the term teacher loosely; while I did indeed spend some time organizing and directing skill building, most of the time I spent getting to know the individuals in my class more personally. I loved to seek out those that I knew needed to talk, to give them an opportunity to share, and to teach them how to do the same for others they meet throughout life.
For me, my classes were not so much about the sport. Sure, there are inherent benefits to each, the activity benefiting mind, body and soul, the interaction promoting growth and development of life and connection and the organization building consistency and life-long love, but I saw the classes as a platform to do something else, promote what a college experience is really about. You see, presently, colleges don't TRULY care about the kids who attend them.
College has become big business. Their concern is to put your butt in a seat, not the ensure that you have the skill set or job opportunity once you are done. As they see it (and it isn't necessarily an incorrect thought) every student has an opportunity to make the most out of their experience and, from this, create their own future. Let's be honest though, as a whole, most administrators don't exactly do a whole lot of assisting when it comes to this, the same goes for many faculty. They are too busy and concerned with the growth and promotion of their university or personal career as this ensures future employment. The only time and individual hears from a university is when the individual misses a tuition check.
College is no longer about teaching and promoting individuals who will be business/job ready, rather it is about making sure everyone believes that college is a MUST; that somehow, if you don't attend college, you will be unable to find work, to pay your bills or to become a productive member of society. And, with many jobs, they are right. But this is where I realize I come in.
I realized long ago that a chimp could do what I do, it isn't difficult and certainly it isn't (at least not in the truest sense) academic. But I am capable things that our ancestral kin cannot do, I am able to help the kids in school make the most out of their experience. You see, for me, college is about three things: 1) to figure out who you are and what you are good at. Take as many different classes, meet as many new people, ask a ton of questions, join ANY club that interests you, make mistakes and poor decisions and learn what made them wrong. Basically, stretch yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Rarely is anyone able to grow when they don't actually try anything new. 2) Figure out how your brain is wired. You see, bac core classes are not there solely to take your money (if it feels like that, you are doing it wrong, or at least have the wrong perspective) they are actually there to give you access to a wide array of classes and possibilities. You see, the worst thing you can do (unless of course you are one of those lucky few who have known for a while EXACTLY what they want to do) is to come into college with an definitive idea of what you want to do (or, worse, what your parents or someone else told you to do). Bac core classes will teach you what you are good at, what you enjoy and what your brain is geared towards. You see, we are ALL different. Every person in this world thinks, sees and processes in their own way (thank god, as homogeneity would be boring as hell). Sure, there are many people LIKE us, but no one is you. Which leads me to 3) Get to know AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. You see, college is about making connections. You never know who in what class may be your future spouse or your future boss. There are, literally, THOUSANDS of people at your college. Meet them. In class introduce yourself to the person next to you, ask simple questions ("how was your weekend", "ready for the test", "where are you from", "how are you liking college so far") and give genuine responses. Realize that not every conversation is going to go as you would hope (that hot sorority girl probably isn't going to fall madly in love with you just because you asked how she is doing), but the more that you talk to people the more you are going to realize that there are people out there like you.
College is about YOU. You have to make the most out of your time there. I see far too many kids, and I was one myself, who are in college to party and have fun. While this is not a terrible thing (it is the best way to get to know people) moderation is key (to EVERYTHING in life). Realize that you MUST work to get good grades, without them you will have a piece of paper good enough to get you an entry level job open to any competent individual. College is a time to excel, to separate yourself from the masses as you learn what masses you feel the most connected to so that you may find a career and not just a job.
If you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life. Though this is an overused adage, there are very few phrases that ever were more succinct and spot on. And so I hope to do the same. While I would love to teach a class to incoming freshman outlining these very principles (and numerous others innately necessary) something tells me that my overall message that not all of them need to be in college would go over too well. And so I will continue to search. Ideas accepted.
You see, the main thing I enjoyed about teaching at OSU, and the thing I will, without a doubt, miss the most, is the opportunity to talk to, get to know and give advice to kids who lack direction or someone to talk to. Anyone who has taken a class from me knows that I use the term teacher loosely; while I did indeed spend some time organizing and directing skill building, most of the time I spent getting to know the individuals in my class more personally. I loved to seek out those that I knew needed to talk, to give them an opportunity to share, and to teach them how to do the same for others they meet throughout life.
For me, my classes were not so much about the sport. Sure, there are inherent benefits to each, the activity benefiting mind, body and soul, the interaction promoting growth and development of life and connection and the organization building consistency and life-long love, but I saw the classes as a platform to do something else, promote what a college experience is really about. You see, presently, colleges don't TRULY care about the kids who attend them.
College has become big business. Their concern is to put your butt in a seat, not the ensure that you have the skill set or job opportunity once you are done. As they see it (and it isn't necessarily an incorrect thought) every student has an opportunity to make the most out of their experience and, from this, create their own future. Let's be honest though, as a whole, most administrators don't exactly do a whole lot of assisting when it comes to this, the same goes for many faculty. They are too busy and concerned with the growth and promotion of their university or personal career as this ensures future employment. The only time and individual hears from a university is when the individual misses a tuition check.
College is no longer about teaching and promoting individuals who will be business/job ready, rather it is about making sure everyone believes that college is a MUST; that somehow, if you don't attend college, you will be unable to find work, to pay your bills or to become a productive member of society. And, with many jobs, they are right. But this is where I realize I come in.
I realized long ago that a chimp could do what I do, it isn't difficult and certainly it isn't (at least not in the truest sense) academic. But I am capable things that our ancestral kin cannot do, I am able to help the kids in school make the most out of their experience. You see, for me, college is about three things: 1) to figure out who you are and what you are good at. Take as many different classes, meet as many new people, ask a ton of questions, join ANY club that interests you, make mistakes and poor decisions and learn what made them wrong. Basically, stretch yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Rarely is anyone able to grow when they don't actually try anything new. 2) Figure out how your brain is wired. You see, bac core classes are not there solely to take your money (if it feels like that, you are doing it wrong, or at least have the wrong perspective) they are actually there to give you access to a wide array of classes and possibilities. You see, the worst thing you can do (unless of course you are one of those lucky few who have known for a while EXACTLY what they want to do) is to come into college with an definitive idea of what you want to do (or, worse, what your parents or someone else told you to do). Bac core classes will teach you what you are good at, what you enjoy and what your brain is geared towards. You see, we are ALL different. Every person in this world thinks, sees and processes in their own way (thank god, as homogeneity would be boring as hell). Sure, there are many people LIKE us, but no one is you. Which leads me to 3) Get to know AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. You see, college is about making connections. You never know who in what class may be your future spouse or your future boss. There are, literally, THOUSANDS of people at your college. Meet them. In class introduce yourself to the person next to you, ask simple questions ("how was your weekend", "ready for the test", "where are you from", "how are you liking college so far") and give genuine responses. Realize that not every conversation is going to go as you would hope (that hot sorority girl probably isn't going to fall madly in love with you just because you asked how she is doing), but the more that you talk to people the more you are going to realize that there are people out there like you.
College is about YOU. You have to make the most out of your time there. I see far too many kids, and I was one myself, who are in college to party and have fun. While this is not a terrible thing (it is the best way to get to know people) moderation is key (to EVERYTHING in life). Realize that you MUST work to get good grades, without them you will have a piece of paper good enough to get you an entry level job open to any competent individual. College is a time to excel, to separate yourself from the masses as you learn what masses you feel the most connected to so that you may find a career and not just a job.
If you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life. Though this is an overused adage, there are very few phrases that ever were more succinct and spot on. And so I hope to do the same. While I would love to teach a class to incoming freshman outlining these very principles (and numerous others innately necessary) something tells me that my overall message that not all of them need to be in college would go over too well. And so I will continue to search. Ideas accepted.
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