~ Eliezer Yudkowsky, Rationality: From AI to Zombies
My father was one of the most honorable people I’ve ever know. I can’t recall a single time of him being dishonest or selfishly causing harm or hurt to someone else. He was quiet, he worked hard, he had strong beliefs and sense of family and was quick to help others or to ask for help when needed. People liked and respected him. He came from a large family and he lost an older brother in a tragic farming accident when dad was still little more than a boy leaving his brother’s wife and child to fend for themselves. The story is that dad undertook running their farm and supporting his brothers family for over a year. Dad was also a veteran of WWII and as such viewed the horrors of war and the liberation of Nazi Death/Concentration Camps but he never spoke of it. That was just who he was.
While he expected “honorable” behavior from me, his love was always apparent and made his expectations seem reasonable, normal and fairly administered. I honestly can’t say that in my life I’ve been able to meet the bar he set, but his example has forever been imprinted upon me and is often in my thoughts. Dad passed away from leukemia in March of 1989. Wow, it seems impossible it’s already been almost 31 years.
I’m sure many others can relate similar stories of their parents or grandparents from this age..there’s a reason for them being called the greatest generation.
Perhaps this is partly why the total lack of moral character, basic honesty and human compassion demonstrated by so many of our current leaders, who hold positions of trust, leaves me angry and discouraged. I’ve known of much better and I fear what this speaks of for our children’s future.
My head says times have changed and one should always be open to working with those of different beliefs, but I don’t know there should ever be compromise if faced with evil. I don’t want to be that person who stands by and watches while others are harmed but I sometimes feel like that’s what’s happening.
We seem to stand by while others are caged and killed or while the earth, our environment and our future health and sustainability are destroyed. But let someone try and take away our guns or heaven forbid imagine them trying to take away smartphones and there would be a mass revolution.
Our reactions seem disproportional, it’s crazy and a dilemma.
Couldn’t agree more.
Let’s hope a vast majority agrees come this next November, Howard.
I don’t have much to add other than I tend to agree. I am willing to consider a lot of different views on a lot of topics, with the exception of science. And of course, science doesn’t claim to have answers for everything, but those that reject what IS known to preserve tribal loyalties are just lost causes to me.
I just can’t get my head around that. Dilemma indeed!
Yeah science, and facts, in general, are inconveniences for some. It’s at that point when there’s nothing in common that discussions seem pointless. Sometimes I think “tribal loyalties” although descriptive are simply more pleasing wording for individual choices. I guess I’m still holding out hope, however faintly, there may be some individual repercussions for actions that have caused so much harm.
I can’t say I disagree with anything you’ve said but reading your post has brought memories…
Growing up, I recall hearing my own father’s disappointment in the leaders of his time and my grandfather’s of his. Both would often wish for the days of their youths, the good old days when life was easier, kinder, slower, better. They both felt anger and frustration at the corruption, dishonesty and immorality they perceived in the world. My father used to say: What people need is a good war. Having been a child in one war and fought in another, he only meant that metaphorically, his intention best explained by something my son once said: Strong people bring good times, good times make weak people, weak people bring hard times and hard times make strong people. A sentiment Hemingway may have had and that may be where my son got it from.
The kind of people that make up the likes of your father Earl, and the likes of some of the men and women in my life, are rarely the ones who feel enticed to step into the role of leadership. Those kinds of people only do so when pushed to do so, usually by desperate circumstances or hard times.
Some years back, I spoke with a guy who was in his 90’s. He was helping the homeless by bringing them food as part of a charitable organisation. He not only had his wits about him, but he had a lot of compassion and empathy that had no limits and no bounds. When I started talking about how bad things were in the world that so many people should be homeless, he looked at me and laughed, “Son, I’ve been around a long time and I can tell you things have never been better with the world.”
We talked more over the course of a few nights and I was, and still am, most grateful for his stories and insights. I am only saddened that I don’t remember his name. Not that he would care one iota; he’d be happy enough knowing that he’d made a difference I suspect, and only humbly so.
Anyway, I kind of went off track Earl, my apologies. Your post just made me think of three men in my life who influenced me similarly to your father’s influence on you. Perhaps those other types of people you refer to weren’t so lucky. Or perhaps some people are just dicks 😊
Not off track at all, Cedric, as my post was a rambling soapbox moment at best. :-) Thanks for sharing a little about a few of the influencers in your life. You probably right about some of the leaders today not having the benefit of similar experiences. It can make a difference. My frustrations may not be so much about those “dicks” but more about a large number of people who hold them aloft allowing them to be in positions with the power to cause harm on a grand scale. It’s an ugly underside of society that’s not easy to reconcile with. Much like your son’s (or Hemingway’s) saying, I do see and believe in a pendulum effect and here’s hoping we’re getting ready to swing the other way. :-)
I do wonder sometimes if I could use the perspective of a 90 yr old in my life, or maybe a 150 yr old would be better.
My thinking at this time in my life is that many of us really desire more love and compassion in this world. But,this seems to only happen when we move from being self-centered to being other-centered. We are self-centered when our focus is on control, power, wealth and lack of understanding or seeing our differences. I’m also of the belief change is made from within me and not when everyone else conforms to my ideals.