It’s Not Happening

This story about a runaway teen who believed he was on “the adventure of a lifetime” promised something a little different than it delivered, I think. It’s worth a quick read, and I don’t want to give too much away, so just take my word for it, how about? OK, minor spoiler: Big props to the reporter for including the mom’s use of the word “unschooling.”

I’m a little surprised that I haven’t read anything else about this in the thousands of blog posts I pore over, but don’t Palin’s non-stop explicit references to her authenticity get in the way of any actual displays of authenticity? She’s all subtext, no text; she may as well just wear a T-shirt that says “AUTHENTIC AMERICAN, JUST LIKE YOU,” smile, wink now and then, and not say a word. To paraphrase pretty much every writing instructor who’s ever lived: Show us, don’t tell us.

Even more annoying is McCain’s constant verbal tic “I know how to…[solve some difficult problem],” which I suppose is moderately reassuring if you already trust him, but sounds empty to the rest of us. It may just be a focus group survivor, but it seems really ill-advised to me. Is it supposed to contrast with Obama’s supposed lack of experience, which he shows to be false every time he opens his mouth?

Imagine if Obama just said “I’m a smart guy and I know what I’m talking about” over and over instead of using his mic-time to demonstrate. How come that only works for the GOP?

I know I can’t just tell you to go look at the scary pictures of freaky models made up to look like Stepford atrocities, so I have to throw you a bone:

I’m here at Remedy waiting for my laptop battery to die, and suddenly I hear a baby kitten mewing. Am I crazy? Has the virus reached my brain? I hear it again, and turn to see the young lady two seats over from me answering her cell phone, cutting off the “kitten” in mid-mew. That’s not such a bad use of ringtone technology, I think. Good job!

I don’t suppose that headline sells this very well, but I read this article a few weeks ago and wanted to pass it along. It’s quite readable, and covers the differences between how conservatives and liberals perceive the scope of ethical concerns. Wow, are you still awake? It’s totally worth reading for those who want some insight into how each side can keep sincerely talking past the other.

The author is a psychological researcher who focuses on morality, and the short answer is that while most liberals focus on two major concepts (fairness and avoiding harm) in constructing their ethics, conservatives add three other concepts (loyalty, respect for authority and purity/sanctity). He does not suggest we liberals expand our ethical foundations, but does suggest that we can couch some of our concerns in language that speaks to those who value the other three concepts. It’s a very interesting read, apart from his weird biographical throat-clearing early on. Move past that and dig in!