The Quest for Harmony
Do we always need to fight?32 total reviews
Comment from WLHall
Remarkable commentary. You really hit it right by your observations. Here in the USA the division makes me sad. And I'm not too quiet when expressing my views to whoever will listen. I can tell you are very passionate on this subject and it's well thought out. We should listen to others before disregarding them. The freedom to form opinions without worrying about being "cancelled" is the foundation of my country. I don't even know who or what is driving us to division. Is it Big Tech or a corporation? Is it one powerful person or one powerful group? I do know our government is corrupt and self-serving of our leaders. I could go on and on, but I'm here to review your work. I didn't see any grammatical errors and flowed well.
Wanda
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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Remarkable commentary. You really hit it right by your observations. Here in the USA the division makes me sad. And I'm not too quiet when expressing my views to whoever will listen. I can tell you are very passionate on this subject and it's well thought out. We should listen to others before disregarding them. The freedom to form opinions without worrying about being "cancelled" is the foundation of my country. I don't even know who or what is driving us to division. Is it Big Tech or a corporation? Is it one powerful person or one powerful group? I do know our government is corrupt and self-serving of our leaders. I could go on and on, but I'm here to review your work. I didn't see any grammatical errors and flowed well.
Wanda
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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Thank you, Wanda :-). I do wonder if anyone benefits from keeping people at one another's throats - the only benefit seemes to be for the reporting and social media industries, whose platforms are kept thronging with angry dissenting voices.
Whatever's true, we seem to seek reasons to fight as a species.
Mike
Comment from dellsworthpoet
It seems what you are talking about is called a zero sum game. That is where one person's gain is equaled by another person's loss--thus the outcome of zero sum. Your arguments are mostly well founded and your reasoning easy to agree with. The images are clear and the language almost scientific.
Suggestion:
I would suggest you look up the actual meaning of communism and fascism. It has to do with more than just economics. These are used as trigger words all too often without considering the full meaning.
Thanks for a good read.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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It seems what you are talking about is called a zero sum game. That is where one person's gain is equaled by another person's loss--thus the outcome of zero sum. Your arguments are mostly well founded and your reasoning easy to agree with. The images are clear and the language almost scientific.
Suggestion:
I would suggest you look up the actual meaning of communism and fascism. It has to do with more than just economics. These are used as trigger words all too often without considering the full meaning.
Thanks for a good read.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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Thank you! In all, I don't think there's really any right answer - just a smorgasbord of options to disagree over :-).
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You are welcome.
Comment from Cindy Warren
It's nice to imagine a world where everyone gets along, but it's never going to happen. People can't agree on what to have for dinner. It's human nature. The powerful will do anything to keep power, no matter how violent. Nobody wants to share. It seems we are not designed for harmony.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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It's nice to imagine a world where everyone gets along, but it's never going to happen. People can't agree on what to have for dinner. It's human nature. The powerful will do anything to keep power, no matter how violent. Nobody wants to share. It seems we are not designed for harmony.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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Thanks Cindy :-). I agree - there will never be harmony while people encounter one another. I think it's a biological imperative designed to stop population getting our of control (on which level, it's failed).
Mike
Comment from BethShelby
This is well thought out and interesting. I think there may be something in our DNA that tells us we need to form an opinion, but I like the idea of being flexible enough to be willing to listen to the opinions of others and to admit to ourselves that maybe there is merit in their opinions, and as we get more facts our own opinion might need to be updated. I admit to finding a bit of amusement in watching a good debate. Conflicting opinions stimulate the mind as long as you can control your emotions.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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This is well thought out and interesting. I think there may be something in our DNA that tells us we need to form an opinion, but I like the idea of being flexible enough to be willing to listen to the opinions of others and to admit to ourselves that maybe there is merit in their opinions, and as we get more facts our own opinion might need to be updated. I admit to finding a bit of amusement in watching a good debate. Conflicting opinions stimulate the mind as long as you can control your emotions.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2022
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How true your last line is! Discussion is good for polishing our understanding of things. I always try to keep an open mind - especially on subjects I have no great knowledge of. Thanks so much for the awesome review :-).
Mike
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
The best thing about this commentary is that it's based on facts and not opinion. I may not agree with every single thing you say, but I can find no fault in the way you present your opinions/pose questions to consider.
I agree there are way more than "two sides" to an argument these days - I just wish the people doing the shouting weren't armed.
Well stated and the writing is impeccable, as always.
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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The best thing about this commentary is that it's based on facts and not opinion. I may not agree with every single thing you say, but I can find no fault in the way you present your opinions/pose questions to consider.
I agree there are way more than "two sides" to an argument these days - I just wish the people doing the shouting weren't armed.
Well stated and the writing is impeccable, as always.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thanks so much, Pam :-).
For me, it's got to be about discussion. All people will never agree, so we need to find the ways that work, and extreme viewpoints tend to be exclusionary by nature. If you need a gun to make your point, it's probably not a universalisable opinion!
Tha ks so much for sharing your thoughts and response with me.
Mike
Comment from Faith Williams
Your piece was thought-provoking. I read it a few times to take it all in. It's funny, but I saw a quote on facebook today (yes, I know) that stated, "Opinion is really the lowest form of knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge...is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding." --Bill Bullard
I'm not sure that empathy is a prized skill anywhere. Sure, we may talk about it, but it's not seen as essential. It's not taught. The truth is that it could be taught in reading and writing lessons, in history lessons, in physical education lessons, etc. In my opinion, (make of it what you will given the quote above) empathy is seen as a weakness.
The sentence, "Okay, that was a little sarcastic, but this approach could work if people were willing to be reasonable." Made me laugh. It's a brilliant sentence.
The other sentence I wanted to comment on, "...where we ca have as much contentment as possible without removing it from anyone else." In your piece, you talk about government, but I think economic systems might be at play here, too, especially when dealing with the idea of contentment. Capitalism thrives on discontentment. Commercials everywhere say, "You need more! You need better! You need bigger! You need different!"
Sorry this review is so long. Thanks for sharing your piece. I really enjoyed it.
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Your piece was thought-provoking. I read it a few times to take it all in. It's funny, but I saw a quote on facebook today (yes, I know) that stated, "Opinion is really the lowest form of knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge...is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding." --Bill Bullard
I'm not sure that empathy is a prized skill anywhere. Sure, we may talk about it, but it's not seen as essential. It's not taught. The truth is that it could be taught in reading and writing lessons, in history lessons, in physical education lessons, etc. In my opinion, (make of it what you will given the quote above) empathy is seen as a weakness.
The sentence, "Okay, that was a little sarcastic, but this approach could work if people were willing to be reasonable." Made me laugh. It's a brilliant sentence.
The other sentence I wanted to comment on, "...where we ca have as much contentment as possible without removing it from anyone else." In your piece, you talk about government, but I think economic systems might be at play here, too, especially when dealing with the idea of contentment. Capitalism thrives on discontentment. Commercials everywhere say, "You need more! You need better! You need bigger! You need different!"
Sorry this review is so long. Thanks for sharing your piece. I really enjoyed it.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thanks so much Faith. It's been great to read people's responses as I see all these things as a discussion. I agree that empathy would be great. Part of my day job is designing user interfaces to the systems we have in our organisation, and I'm always trying to approach it from the perspective of others. What are they coming for, what would they call the things they're looking for, what do they actually need to see? It's obviously only one small aspect of life, but it's fascinating to put one's self in the shoes (and minds) of others.
Mike
Comment from estory
I thought this was a great, very thought provoking essay. You really lay out on the table the friction in society today, no holds barred. The answers to these questions may be unanswerable, unworkable, but they are questions that confront us every day and beg us to make out way through them. In your essay are questions of the need for concensus in an individualistic society, the parameters of freedom, tolerance and conviction. How can you have tolerance and conviction at the same time? This is maybe the hardest of all questions. And you raise it. estory
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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I thought this was a great, very thought provoking essay. You really lay out on the table the friction in society today, no holds barred. The answers to these questions may be unanswerable, unworkable, but they are questions that confront us every day and beg us to make out way through them. In your essay are questions of the need for concensus in an individualistic society, the parameters of freedom, tolerance and conviction. How can you have tolerance and conviction at the same time? This is maybe the hardest of all questions. And you raise it. estory
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thanks so much, my friend. It's a genuine conundrum, I think. We can't be completely free without suppressing others, so it boils down to what we're collectively willing to curtail. Ultimately, there will always be those unsuited to any particular society.
I loved your thoughtful response - many thanks.
Mike
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Great post for the non-fiction writing contest. You lay out your thoughts on harmony and disharmony in a very coherent, organized, rational, and non-confrontational style. Very well done.
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Great post for the non-fiction writing contest. You lay out your thoughts on harmony and disharmony in a very coherent, organized, rational, and non-confrontational style. Very well done.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thanks for the great response - I'm really glad you liked it.
Mike
Comment from lyenochka
Thanks for sharing your well argued thoughts, Mike. I don't think it's bad to disagree and have conversations. The problem is we have extremists in our country and they have guns. And sometimes, like several of the recent mass murderers, they don't really have a good opinion or viewpoint. They are just mad. (both in the American and British sense of the word.) How do we cope with the conflict and the insanity? It's okay to welcome differences in opinions and work together. But we need to stop people who get brainwashed by false indoctrination from things like social media and rally to attack one's own government as in January 6 here. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thanks for sharing your well argued thoughts, Mike. I don't think it's bad to disagree and have conversations. The problem is we have extremists in our country and they have guns. And sometimes, like several of the recent mass murderers, they don't really have a good opinion or viewpoint. They are just mad. (both in the American and British sense of the word.) How do we cope with the conflict and the insanity? It's okay to welcome differences in opinions and work together. But we need to stop people who get brainwashed by false indoctrination from things like social media and rally to attack one's own government as in January 6 here. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 28-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thank you :-). I agree completely- discourse is healthy, and can expose better ways to move forward. The issue is, most seem more intent on arguing than discussing. Thanks so much for sharing your response :-)
Mike
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
I am very pleased that you reached the conclusion that we thrive on conflict. This seems to me so obvious. Otherwise, why would Putin have invaded Ukraine, and still be persisting in this pathway? Otherwise why would Boris Johnson persist in hanging on in the face of obvious demands for him to resign? (perhaps you should add that we thrive on contrariness). Thanks for posting this interesting essay. Kate xx
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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I am very pleased that you reached the conclusion that we thrive on conflict. This seems to me so obvious. Otherwise, why would Putin have invaded Ukraine, and still be persisting in this pathway? Otherwise why would Boris Johnson persist in hanging on in the face of obvious demands for him to resign? (perhaps you should add that we thrive on contrariness). Thanks for posting this interesting essay. Kate xx
Comment Written 27-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2022
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Thank you, Kate :-). Contrariness is definitely a factor. I always want to watch the DVD I've lent to a friend! I think humans are designed to be territorial and defensive - just like many other animals. It's probably a natural method of population control that just hasn't worked!
Mike