So, time for some quick reflection and update on how this year is progressing in terms of my stated objectives. Some significantly major progressions above and beyond expectations which have correspondingly led to some huge regressions.
Powder Burn by Daniel Glick recounts the story of an arson at the Vail Ski Resort of Colorado and its impact, fallout, and effects on the community. The arson occurred in 1998 on the eve of a disputed expansion into terrain possibly containing a nearly endangered species of lynx. Glick writes in a “whodunit” style but the title takes off as the story sidetracks into unexpected diractions. Vail Associates pissed off the entire community of residents dependent on the mountain for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the culture of multi-millionaire second and third home jet setters sparks interesting research into the causes, effects, and ramifications of an uber rich upper class culture taking over a working class ski bum town.
Following in the footsteps of fellow “New Atheists” such as Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and David Mills; Richard Dawkins book The God Delusion brings the full force of scientific argument against the existence of god. Dawkins holds nothing back utilizing ridicule, slander, and full confrontation in his brilliant writing style. Agree or disagree with Dawkins premise, it is hard to refute that Dawkins’ is a wonderful writer whose mastery of science, most especially evolutionary biology, provides a logical and scientific basis for his conclusions.
Dawkins immediately makes it clear that he has no respect for religious perspectives. The author’s blatant sarcastic stabs at religion throughout the text provides a doubter, skeptic, agnostic, or atheist with great amusement. However, it is also a hostile and unfriendly approach considering Dawkins professes in the first chapter that he hopes people of faith will read his book and question their beliefs.
Daniel Wegner brings a new, primarily Psychologically researched, perspective to the long and hotly debated Problem of Free Will. Wegner’s solution to the so called Problem of Free Will? Pundits on both sides of the issue are wanking over poor use of semantics and a question that is not appropriate for the answers allowed. Wegner sums up his point by suggesting that the question “Do we have Free Will or not?” is akin to asking “Shall we dance or move about the room in rhythm to the music?”
Conscious Will as defined by Wegner is the experience and emotive feeling of thought and its related action rather than “will” itself. Through detailed analysis of research on the subject including many of his own experiments, Wegner makes a seamless case that our actions begin before we consciously will them to. Conscious Will is merely the experience of deciding on a course of action, the course has already been *cough* “determined” by psychological, unconscious, and physiological mechanisms.
John Fry’s numerous years in the ski industry (specifically publications and magazines) has provided a wealth of knowledge about the sport and recreational activity of skiing. What was to become The Story of Modern Skiing was originally pitched to publishers by Fry as a memoir of his experiences in the ski industry. University Press of New England had a different idea and directed Fry to draw on his vast experiences to write a comprehensive history of modern skiing from the North American perspective.
Continuing my latest readings on the Revolutionary War period of American history, David McCullough’s 1776 found its way into my hands via Paper Back Swap. McCullough is revered as a great American historian with many Best Sellers and awards to his credit. Could the book be as great as the hype?
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has become one of my favorite up and coming directors after only having seen two out of his three films (the third, Amores Perros, is awaiting a screening). Having been impressed with Naomi Watts’ performance in Mulholland Drive, I first stumbled upon Alejandro González Iñárritu’s work when I rented 21 Grams a few years back. That movie totally blew me away and I was excited to find the director had other movie’s to his credit.
Alejandro’s style, pacing, characterization, and moral involvement is amazing and breath taking. In the style of my favorite movies, Babel throws out strands of a web in a multitude of directions. The director picks up the web at its center and lifts slowly, bringing the strands together seamlessly. Having already watched 21 Grams, I expected a non-linear segment or two and was not disappointed. Though not quite as dramatic and piercing as his former work in 21 Grams, Babel delivers with a great plot of moral dilemmas which feature real characters making tough decisions and occasionally having to face the consequences when luck does not favor them.
With the passing of March, it seems like an appropriate time to evaluate where I stand on some Life Objectives I made for myself at the beginning of the year. All too often people propose excessively broad goals that are quickly forgotten after a short passage of time.
Long term financial planning has recently become a top priority in my life. Recent life events could certainly explain this long term financial focus as I move into a new life phase. The current transition from recent college graduate to established adulthood brings different perspectives, needs, and motivations. My employment is stable currently and for the foreseeable future and I have finally achieved a payroll satisfactory with my base standards of living and long term investment.
However, my life situation is not the only cause for a shift in financial focus. Events global and domestic including but not limited to Climate Change, United States Debt, the looming Social Security Crisis, a major demographic shift, and the Medicare/Medicaid issue all combine to point towards likely economic collapse well before I reach retirement years. Our national leaders would suggest that the dire predictions and warnings are fear mongering tactics without merit. Those who believe an imminent economic crisis is looming on the horizon are generally optimistic that warnings will be heeded and disaster averted. Human nature suggests otherwise.
The current political climate is one of dire straits. Two parties desperately fighting for a narrow margin of national power through any means necessary including party lock step and avoiding important but unpopular issues that could cost political capitol. George W. Bush learned the hard way that you do not touch Social Security. Both Republicans and Democrats took note and the issue has been completely dropped from the national conversation even though everyone knows we face serious problems.
In our culture, the New Year signifies a time for reflection and resolutions. Historically I have frowned on such traditions. I believe that reflection and resolution should be daily activity. Each day we should reflect on the direction of our lives and the progress towards our goals. The root of the word resolution is resolve which is defined both as “1. to come to a definite or earnest decision about” and also “18. firmness of purpose or intent; determination.” These are not decisions to be made on a yearly basis, but rather daily acts that require habit forming decisions. Aristotle wrote that “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Resolutions may be made yearly but resolve occurs daily. Everyday we either reaffirm or deny our resolve in the most basic of decisions. Often times, we do not even realize that we are making decisions because they are not consciously examined.
Resolutions lack accountability which is why they often fail and often miserably so. While I do not condone running your life like a business, the business world can offer some Best Practices to ensure life goals are attained. A favorite saying in my company is “what gets measured, gets done.” Measuring your progress is key to success in any goal or resolution. Measuring progress does not entail a yearly reflection and readjustment or restatement of resolutions, but rather a daily or weekly accounting of progress, regress, and target evaluation.