Wednesday, October 13, 2010
I'm on Tumblr
I am more active on Tumblr now. You can find me there at iknowalotaboutnothing. See you there!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Bridging Generational Conflict
A past article from one of my favorite publications: Relevant, has finally motivated me to write about what has affected me from time to time in my life, more so recently: Angry rejection by some, but not all, of a fearful older generation. My thoughts are derived directly from my comments on that article. Please read first if more context is sought. Although it refers to generational conflict in many churches today, I believe this affects all facets of life in society and culture today and is directly relevant to many other issues facing us today, secular and otherwise. Once again, these are just thoughts, journaling, almost, coming into sharper focus. Deeper understanding and meaning are worth reaching for.
I agree with the premise about fear driving the control response by some of the older generations. I have long been disturbed by the open generational conflict that at times has become quite ugly. To be honest, I am one of those in-between representatives, who at 46, finds himself sandwiched in between the cautious, fearful older generation and the vigorous, enthusiastic younger generations who are accomplishing so much.
I would disagree with the ‘arrogance of youth’ which the author mentions. Some, perhaps are. Most, in my experience, were not. I have seen highly motivated, well-prepared, inspired, humble youth often crushed by the proud arrogance of the older generation, repeatedly. Yes, that proud, cultural arrogance may perhaps mask the older generation’s fear as a root cause. It is more often than not expressed as proud, dismissive arrogance. Everything brought as a strength by anyone not part of the oldest generation is often needlessly rejected out of hand. What is viewed as the ‘arrogance of youth’, is perhaps better labeled as ‘rejection’. Treat someone badly enough, rejecting their input often enough, and they won’t return. Having been silenced, devalued, and shutdown repeatedly, why would they honestly be expected to return to those who have repeatedly treated them so poorly? They have ‘shaken the dust from their feet’ and left, or worse, shown the door. To our shame, this is seen daily in all facets of our society in a public, visceral way. Even worse, it is encouraged and seen as a good thing by those doing it.
Teachers, mentors, students, and disciples all learn from each other through the process of teaching and learning. Those teaching & mentoring learn just as much from their students and source material as the students learn from them. It is an inspiring and challenging exchange based on trust that works both ways - from teacher to student and student to teacher. The direct analogy being from the older generations to the younger generations, and the younger generations to the older generations.
Respect and trust are two way streets. I do respect, honor, and trust the older generations and what they can teach. However, I see precious little in the way of love, respect, honor, or trust from the angry, fearful, arrogant older generations to the younger generations. Honestly admitting error and learning from it is part of maturity and leadership. Stubborn, angry, intolerant, arrogant refusal to admit any mistake from both the older and younger generations compounds the error, reinforcing rejection, disrespect, and distrust.
As I begin to move, in my personal life, from the position of an adult child to what may turn into becoming a caretaker of my parents, I still respect, honor, and trust them. They also, respect, honor, and trust my judgment in seeking my counsel as I answer their questions, sharing my knowledge and experience with them as they still seek to learn. We usually manage to understand each other. It is something that in some ways surprises me, but in others ways does not. Love and respect tend to engender love and respect in reciprocation. It also motivates me to work even harder to get whatever I am working on right. Will I make mistakes? Yes. Have I made mistakes? Yes. Will I continue to do so? Yes - but so will those both older and younger than I. Gracious respect from all living generations to all living generations is required.
I pray and wish that others would learn from my own parents’ example. We have & continue to admit our mistakes as we realize them, sometimes with a little loving prodding. We try to learn from our mistakes through forgiveness looking forward, not back. We don’t reject each other out of hand. We enjoy a richer, deeper, more honest and rewarding relationship today because of it. By definition, we are different. We will not be the same, nor will we always make the same choices. Our differences are what makes us stronger together. Even though they may not make the same decisions or choices we have and continue to make, they trust we are as grounded in our daily walk as they are. We do so, boldly, walking as strangers through this strange land, in strange days, in a place no longer recognized by the generation that just might be leaving us all too quickly. It is no longer a familiar place for my parents. It is neither a better nor worse moment or place we find ourselves in today, as we strive to avoid romanticizing or idealizing a past that never existed. We have not been given a spirit of Fear.
This is in essence a problem that is defined by differences, and fear of those differences. Any attempts to cast one over another in this discussion as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ forces, by definition, an adversarial approach. This will breed division with resentment. Mediation, understanding, respect, and humility by all living generations for all living generations can begin to bridge this gap. Many other communities, countries and cultures do this extremely well. Why can’t we?
Understanding, respect, and acknowledgment of each generations’ unique contributions will begin to allow the breach to be closed. Civility and humility can be disarming. The question is: will all affected be willing to seal the breach and work together? Perhaps not. If not, then refraining from denigration and condemnation would seem to be in order, replaced with blessing and honor if paths diverge.
I pray for more bridges to be built by all generations to each other, not angrily burned in fear or rejection by the generations before me or after me. We need more bridge builders to each other, not bridge burners, or as my Grandmothers would say: ‘Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater’.
I agree with the premise about fear driving the control response by some of the older generations. I have long been disturbed by the open generational conflict that at times has become quite ugly. To be honest, I am one of those in-between representatives, who at 46, finds himself sandwiched in between the cautious, fearful older generation and the vigorous, enthusiastic younger generations who are accomplishing so much.
I would disagree with the ‘arrogance of youth’ which the author mentions. Some, perhaps are. Most, in my experience, were not. I have seen highly motivated, well-prepared, inspired, humble youth often crushed by the proud arrogance of the older generation, repeatedly. Yes, that proud, cultural arrogance may perhaps mask the older generation’s fear as a root cause. It is more often than not expressed as proud, dismissive arrogance. Everything brought as a strength by anyone not part of the oldest generation is often needlessly rejected out of hand. What is viewed as the ‘arrogance of youth’, is perhaps better labeled as ‘rejection’. Treat someone badly enough, rejecting their input often enough, and they won’t return. Having been silenced, devalued, and shutdown repeatedly, why would they honestly be expected to return to those who have repeatedly treated them so poorly? They have ‘shaken the dust from their feet’ and left, or worse, shown the door. To our shame, this is seen daily in all facets of our society in a public, visceral way. Even worse, it is encouraged and seen as a good thing by those doing it.
Teachers, mentors, students, and disciples all learn from each other through the process of teaching and learning. Those teaching & mentoring learn just as much from their students and source material as the students learn from them. It is an inspiring and challenging exchange based on trust that works both ways - from teacher to student and student to teacher. The direct analogy being from the older generations to the younger generations, and the younger generations to the older generations.
Respect and trust are two way streets. I do respect, honor, and trust the older generations and what they can teach. However, I see precious little in the way of love, respect, honor, or trust from the angry, fearful, arrogant older generations to the younger generations. Honestly admitting error and learning from it is part of maturity and leadership. Stubborn, angry, intolerant, arrogant refusal to admit any mistake from both the older and younger generations compounds the error, reinforcing rejection, disrespect, and distrust.
As I begin to move, in my personal life, from the position of an adult child to what may turn into becoming a caretaker of my parents, I still respect, honor, and trust them. They also, respect, honor, and trust my judgment in seeking my counsel as I answer their questions, sharing my knowledge and experience with them as they still seek to learn. We usually manage to understand each other. It is something that in some ways surprises me, but in others ways does not. Love and respect tend to engender love and respect in reciprocation. It also motivates me to work even harder to get whatever I am working on right. Will I make mistakes? Yes. Have I made mistakes? Yes. Will I continue to do so? Yes - but so will those both older and younger than I. Gracious respect from all living generations to all living generations is required.
I pray and wish that others would learn from my own parents’ example. We have & continue to admit our mistakes as we realize them, sometimes with a little loving prodding. We try to learn from our mistakes through forgiveness looking forward, not back. We don’t reject each other out of hand. We enjoy a richer, deeper, more honest and rewarding relationship today because of it. By definition, we are different. We will not be the same, nor will we always make the same choices. Our differences are what makes us stronger together. Even though they may not make the same decisions or choices we have and continue to make, they trust we are as grounded in our daily walk as they are. We do so, boldly, walking as strangers through this strange land, in strange days, in a place no longer recognized by the generation that just might be leaving us all too quickly. It is no longer a familiar place for my parents. It is neither a better nor worse moment or place we find ourselves in today, as we strive to avoid romanticizing or idealizing a past that never existed. We have not been given a spirit of Fear.
This is in essence a problem that is defined by differences, and fear of those differences. Any attempts to cast one over another in this discussion as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ forces, by definition, an adversarial approach. This will breed division with resentment. Mediation, understanding, respect, and humility by all living generations for all living generations can begin to bridge this gap. Many other communities, countries and cultures do this extremely well. Why can’t we?
Understanding, respect, and acknowledgment of each generations’ unique contributions will begin to allow the breach to be closed. Civility and humility can be disarming. The question is: will all affected be willing to seal the breach and work together? Perhaps not. If not, then refraining from denigration and condemnation would seem to be in order, replaced with blessing and honor if paths diverge.
I pray for more bridges to be built by all generations to each other, not angrily burned in fear or rejection by the generations before me or after me. We need more bridge builders to each other, not bridge burners, or as my Grandmothers would say: ‘Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater’.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
We Feel The Same Way Here
Fed up and disgusted with our own 2 party system since 1982 as a registered Independent voter, recent comments on an article by a blogger at Floridatoday.com left me feeling even more bleak about the dark ugliness emerging from all corners in American life, looking for a scapegoat - be it religious, political, moral, financial, or personal. We are still left with an eternal pendulum swinging between 2 parties who value gridlock & payback more than real solutions. It’s still about power and who wields it.
Then I came across this quote:
“They see the future as bleak,” Sadek says. “They don’t know about the job, marriage, housing — they see torture. They see corruption. They see rigged elections. What can they do? Of course: The only tool in their hands is their fingertips. And the keyboard.” sociologist Said Sadek
from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129425721
This came from an Egyptian sociologist observing & commenting on a recent Egyptian trial of several young bloggers protesting everything from police corruption to the Egyptian Religious Police. The youth in Egypt strike an uncomfortable chord in myself.
As phildickian as this moment was when I read this, my heart sank as I realized no one in America is talking about the torture that was perpetrated in the name of American Security anymore or the emerging religious reich that lusts for power as a deputized Religious Police in the name of ‘Taking Our Country Back’.
Our country was never anywhere near where the reactionaries want to take us ‘back’ to. Our country was never a fundamentalist theocracy the last time I checked. Every theocracy implemented in history on our planet has been ruled by *men* acting as stand-ins for God. Don’t ever expect me to trust an approaching goat wanting to make me implicit in scapegoating anyone. Our own, self-appointed, ugly, emerging Religious and Political Police believe only in the absolute of the absolute power they lust for. Absolute Power Still Corrupts Absolutely.
Then I came across this quote:
“They see the future as bleak,” Sadek says. “They don’t know about the job, marriage, housing — they see torture. They see corruption. They see rigged elections. What can they do? Of course: The only tool in their hands is their fingertips. And the keyboard.” sociologist Said Sadek
from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129425721
This came from an Egyptian sociologist observing & commenting on a recent Egyptian trial of several young bloggers protesting everything from police corruption to the Egyptian Religious Police. The youth in Egypt strike an uncomfortable chord in myself.
As phildickian as this moment was when I read this, my heart sank as I realized no one in America is talking about the torture that was perpetrated in the name of American Security anymore or the emerging religious reich that lusts for power as a deputized Religious Police in the name of ‘Taking Our Country Back’.
Our country was never anywhere near where the reactionaries want to take us ‘back’ to. Our country was never a fundamentalist theocracy the last time I checked. Every theocracy implemented in history on our planet has been ruled by *men* acting as stand-ins for God. Don’t ever expect me to trust an approaching goat wanting to make me implicit in scapegoating anyone. Our own, self-appointed, ugly, emerging Religious and Political Police believe only in the absolute of the absolute power they lust for. Absolute Power Still Corrupts Absolutely.
Q: Who goes 1st? A: The one who cares
Those who consistently *never* offer to apologize, & pride themselves on it are very lonely wrapped in self-righteous delusions of martyrdom
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
More Bike Riding Stuff
After this weekend's last post, I reached out to the kind folk over at Commute Orlando Blog and received some great information in response. Needless to say, I will be following up with George Martin over at Florida Bike Law and reaching out to Brevard County, and the cities of Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral. Hopefully there will be some positive changes, wider perspective, and more inclusion for cyclists, pedestrians, and responsible motorists. If you haven't checked them out, Keri over at Commute Orlando Blog is doing a fantastic job building bridges between law enforcement, city officials, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. OPD and other local law enforcement bicycle cops frequently ride and train with her. She's got some great video of even bicycle cops being hassled by obnoxious, rude, ignorant drivers, (not a smart thing to do). Remember: Let's be safe out there!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral Frequently Allow Blocked Bike Lanes
Compared to Orlando, Brevard County, Cocoa Beach & Cape Canaveral, in particular, strive to be especially bike-friendly by catering to tourists and their bikes. Looking around while driving, even the most casual observer cannot fail to notice the large, numerous, well-placed 'Bikes Sharing Road' signs with wide, well-marked bike lanes and even new, well-maintained separated bike paths. It seems as if the large local population of resident cyclists has been forgotten. Unfortunately, as diligently as both municipal police from both communities and even Brevard County Sheriff's Department enforce bicycle safety laws with cyclists, Brevard County glaringly fails when it comes to also ensuring cyclists safety when it comes to drivers.
When it comes to motorists, home owners, and even boat-owners who are allowed to park, block, drive in marked bike lanes, and even on completely separated bike paths, local law enforcement either turns a blind eye or, even tells the homeowners that it's OK to do so, as explained by one homeowner on the bike lane. Vehicles required to stop at side-streets intersecting with Ridgewood frequently blow through stop signs narrowly missing pedestrians, drivers on Ridgewood, and cyclists in their rush to the many public beach access parking spots.
Anywhere from Port Canaveral on King George & N. Atlantic, also on Ridgewood from Central Avenue all the way to Cocoa Beach Pier drivers frequently park their vehicles, boats, pile their yard waste and trash bins in the middle of the bike lanes and separate bike paths. Drivers are often observed driving on bike paths *completely separated* from the roads.
Bike lanes and Bike paths are often also completely obstructed by pedestrians as well. With the brand new bike path on Ridgewood from Central Ave all the way to Cocoa Beach Pier, it appears that the bike path was constructed without any input from the cycling community at large.
The bike path crosses driveways and is almost always blocked by parked vehicles. Unfortunately, with boats, cars, trash and pedestrians walking, driving, parking and blocking the bike paths, cyclists are forced to drive in the street. All of which, shouldn't be a problem, especially since it's a 25 MPH road. However, drivers are very aggressive and confrontational about insisting that cyclists 'get off the f*cking road and out of the way'.
A *LITTLE* help by local law enforcement by ticketing the boats, motor vehicles, and drivers & home owners who are blocking the bike paths & lanes and even driving on the completely separated bike paths would be most appreciated. Given the indifference witnessed and experienced by this cyclist, I am not hopeful.
*Updated: Sunday, August 1, 2010 1721EST - This morning at 9:30AM a complete semi tractor-trailer in Cape Canaveral was parked on a completely separated bike path on N. Atlantic Ave. between Central Ave. & A1A. A brand-new black Lexus was also seen driving completely off the street on a bike path on N. Atlantic Ave just north of Central Ave. There was no other traffic on N. Atlantic in Cape Canaveral at that time, except for pedestrians and bicyclists working their way *around* the vehicles in their path. Other vehicles have been seen further north driving on a designated bike path using it as a short cut to avoid either King George Street or the light at King George and N. Atlantic from behind several office buildings & a local restaurant.
See Photos Below:
When it comes to motorists, home owners, and even boat-owners who are allowed to park, block, drive in marked bike lanes, and even on completely separated bike paths, local law enforcement either turns a blind eye or, even tells the homeowners that it's OK to do so, as explained by one homeowner on the bike lane. Vehicles required to stop at side-streets intersecting with Ridgewood frequently blow through stop signs narrowly missing pedestrians, drivers on Ridgewood, and cyclists in their rush to the many public beach access parking spots.
Anywhere from Port Canaveral on King George & N. Atlantic, also on Ridgewood from Central Avenue all the way to Cocoa Beach Pier drivers frequently park their vehicles, boats, pile their yard waste and trash bins in the middle of the bike lanes and separate bike paths. Drivers are often observed driving on bike paths *completely separated* from the roads.
Bike lanes and Bike paths are often also completely obstructed by pedestrians as well. With the brand new bike path on Ridgewood from Central Ave all the way to Cocoa Beach Pier, it appears that the bike path was constructed without any input from the cycling community at large.
The bike path crosses driveways and is almost always blocked by parked vehicles. Unfortunately, with boats, cars, trash and pedestrians walking, driving, parking and blocking the bike paths, cyclists are forced to drive in the street. All of which, shouldn't be a problem, especially since it's a 25 MPH road. However, drivers are very aggressive and confrontational about insisting that cyclists 'get off the f*cking road and out of the way'.
A *LITTLE* help by local law enforcement by ticketing the boats, motor vehicles, and drivers & home owners who are blocking the bike paths & lanes and even driving on the completely separated bike paths would be most appreciated. Given the indifference witnessed and experienced by this cyclist, I am not hopeful.
*Updated: Sunday, August 1, 2010 1721EST - This morning at 9:30AM a complete semi tractor-trailer in Cape Canaveral was parked on a completely separated bike path on N. Atlantic Ave. between Central Ave. & A1A. A brand-new black Lexus was also seen driving completely off the street on a bike path on N. Atlantic Ave just north of Central Ave. There was no other traffic on N. Atlantic in Cape Canaveral at that time, except for pedestrians and bicyclists working their way *around* the vehicles in their path. Other vehicles have been seen further north driving on a designated bike path using it as a short cut to avoid either King George Street or the light at King George and N. Atlantic from behind several office buildings & a local restaurant.
See Photos Below:
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Still Learning, Still Listening
Hmmmm, on my second wind in the middle of the night. Everyone else is sleeping. Still reading, still writing, still listening. After years of writing, blogging, facebooking, am now playing with tumblr. You may find me there as it seems to combine the best of a status update type of stream, twitter feed, blip.fm, and others. Will be posting to there and here - may keep both, or write my own web app to make it work for me. Hope to see you there.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Surprise! (Again)
Another day, another surprise. Another unexpected surprise via phone. Not this week, (sigh).
Friday, May 14, 2010
Atlantis is go for final launch today
Live coverage of Atlantis' final Launch today is available here: Florida Today Flame Trench Blog
Very glad to be able to see this live and in person.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Just added Twitter feed - if you're on twitter hit me up
Just added a twitter widget for a twitter feed from one of my twitter lists. If you're on twitter, hit me up! I'll be working on adding a YouTube widget for my videos, and a Flickr widget for my pictures, and restoring my archived material from my old 'iknowalotaboutnothing' blog. If you're already on Gmail, you can follow me from your gmail account.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Connecting Point Computers Is Cool
I can't say enough good about Connecting Point Computers. Extremely knowledgeable, professional, courteous - and Apple Authorized Service. I just picked up my MacBook, with a spanking new logic board, keyboard, touchpad, and cover plate. All warranty work, done at their Winter Park location without having to ship my unit back to Apple. Best experience ever with any computer warranty work. It was done under the original manufacturer's warranty from Apple, but I'm glad I have Apple Care anyway. Dell, HP, everyone else should take note: this is how to do warranty work right without making their customers jump through so many hoops. Just another reason for me to stay with Apple.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Back to Blogging
After FB's many recent privacy snafus, I've given up on FB and will be keeping up with things again via my old blog 'I Know Alot About Nothing'. I'll get my old template and posts back up with links to my pictures, videos, and other content.
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