Archive for the ‘big ideas’ category
Good to Know: Maslow’s Hierarchy
Maslow’s hierarchy is neither incredibly new nor incredibly novel. If Wikipedia’s to be believed, the idea was originally published in 1943 in a paper called “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Further, it’s an idea that, once known, seems to have been all but self-evident the whole time.
Maslow’s basic idea is that certain needs always take […]
On Demanding Idealism
Many a young and idealistic college student has set out to change the world. They’ll end war, eliminate poverty, save the environment, or bring true justice to every race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, or age.
Many a cynical older person has condemned such idealism as hopeless tomfoolery. You cannot end war, eliminate poverty, save the environment, […]
In Praise of Conversations
Charlie Rose, who is among the most respected talk show hosts, has been upset lately by the lack of good conversation in the world. And indeed, if one looks around today, it seems that little earnest conversation takes place.
Instead TV “talk” shows — and especially on cable “news” channels — seem have become havens for soundbites and little more. […]
On Brown Houses, and Paying Attention
As we drove away last Thursday, we were interrupted by my mouth saying, “Hey, that house is brown.” And though this is a good demonstration of the power of my mouth to say things I don’t intend it to, that is not what this is about.
This is about noticing things. In Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine, […]
I, like you, do the best I can
That title has been my About Me section on Facebook for some time. I wrote it almost without thought; it sounded nice. But when I reread it I liked it more than I had when I thought of it. I liked it more than I thought I could like anything I’d ever written.
What I liked […]
