Frankly Speaking: Opinion & Commentary
2008 March 19: Foolishness
If you read a lot and think a bit, you're eventually going to find yourself in situations where people who read different things or think differently than you do will think that you are foolish.
Take this personally, take it to heart, and realize that you are in fine company. Here are a few examples that lots of people think of as pure foolishness.
Learning enough American History from Stan Freberg to:
- understand that the Founding Fathers were people who made difficult decisions;
- discover that there is humor in even the most dramatic situation; and
- ace the final.
Dreaming of the day when molecule sized machines help correct some of our most difficult problems, from cancer to pollution -- problems that remain intractable at the human scale.
Teaching a course as if you expected all the students to do well and then doing everything you can to make sure they do well.
Perceiving that a knowlege of art and history help us understand new developments in technology -- as well as in culture and politics. Rome, Athens, Alexandria, and Carthage (as well as Altimira and Lascaux) still have a lot to teach us.
Believing that common courtesy is important -- and not so very common.
Not being limited to your first impression of the person, place, or situation. Things aren't always what they initially seem and the landscape morphs as we watch.
Realizing that anyone can learn new tricks.
Finding out that Zen has a lot more to offer the art of motorcycle maintenance than first imagined.
It's all folk music.
P.S. Bullwinkle is a lot smarter than he looks.
Note: I'm not sure where I found these or how long I've had them, but I do believe they are worth sharing. I present them in the spirit of fair use for your edification and amusement.
Dream big, aim high, shoot for the stars...
and learn everything you can along the way.