The ability to change your mind in the face of evidence and argument is the hallmark of scientific practice. It should also be the basis for civil discourse in a free and democratic society. Now that science has become inseparable from the functions of society, the need for civil discourse with evidence and argument driving the potential for changing minds must be recognized as our only salvation. Without civil discourse and open minds we will lack the all-important capacity to move, to effect changes, in the face of the wholly singular challenges our historical moment seems heir too.
At the time I was first considering a coffee shop, I was reasonably unhappy with my real estate career. If you missed it, I wrote about what was making me unhappy with real estate on the Phoenix Area Real Estate Blog last August. It was in May of 2009, however, that the notion of creating a coffee shop began to seriously take hold.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with the “doing it wrong” mentality that’s so prevalent in our culture. It’s nothing new and I’ve certainly been guilty of uttering a snarky judgment or two myself. Perhaps I’m simply more aware of, or sensitive to, negativity of late, but you don’t have to look hard to see the cries of “doing it wrong” permeating the conversation.
The problem is this: merely calling something, or someone, out as “doing it wrong” has no value. It is a judgment, not constructive criticism and, more often than not, is simply translated to, “I disagree with you, and therefore you’re wrong.” Unless it is followed up by suggestion for improvement, “doing it wrong” is nothing more than a petty complaint. A whiny cry from someone who didn’t get their way.
If we’re really interested in making something better, then we need to figure out how to contribute in a positive manner and influence action that can create a better community. Otherwise, we’re all doing it wrong.
I have no problem with people expressing their beliefs, though it may be a good idea to have someone proof read your ideas before putting them on a license plate.
With all those millions of Facebook and iPhone users tending to virtual crops and sharing them with friends, have you ever wondered how their toils stack up against actual real-life farmers? How does our output of digital (and decidedly less tasty) tomatoes compare with our worldwide production of real tomatoes? And perhaps most importantly, who are these casual croppers, and are they anything like their plow-toting counterparts?
We have a lot of recorded material that never makes it into our full episodes that we don’t want to let go to waste.
So here’s our first “Shorts” episode. Enjoy this quick story of random encounters.
Show notes:
Bloody man outside Circle K
$5.25 is the price of a full-day pass
Can I get a light?
It’s like breathing air in Tucson
Just needed to take the edge off.
I’m not a doctor…
That’s not even a teaser.
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My sister-in-law shares her feelings about twitter. This happened a few months back, but I wanted to wait to make sure she was okay with me sharing it.
