Halloween

Welcome to this All Hallows Eve.

I don't know much about the origin of Halloween, but my awareness has come from a steady diet of American TV. It seems like fun but there is probably a serious downside. Is it really a good idea for kids to ask strangers for treats? Better minds than mine are pondering this problem.

Speaking of better minds, I'm trying to decide what to do with mine. I mean, now that I have bettered it, not that it is generally better than others. Since finishing the PhD, I've taken some time to take stock. Obviously, the changes that have occurred this year have forced a deeper introspection than I might have otherwise committed to, but that is ok. Maybe it is even better.

So, after many months of navel-gazing, I have decided that I need to change the world. Let me be clear, the world is changing whether I want it to or not. My intention here is to guide that change. That probably seems a bit arrogant, to which I respond, "Have you met me?"

I know I probably can't change the world, but I'm pretty sure I won't if I don't try.

I think that most people believe that they can't change the world or compete with those larger-than-life figures that dominate the international news. There is also the problem that we don't all agree as to what changes we need.

I don't know either, but I think I have some good ideas. I think the first thing we need to change is our resistance to change. We all find a way of tolerating our circumstances unless the impact is sudden. My evidence for this assertion is that the people in my street wouldn't tolerate the conditions present in a poorer suburb if they were suddenly thrust into it. But over time, a suburb can become poor, and the people there adjust slowly. So, some of those intolerable aspects become tolerable given time.

Obviously, this isn't always the case, and there are many exceptions. But that is not the point.

Reading back over this, I can see how it might seem that I am contradicting myself. I propose accepting change and then I say we already do this, as long as it is slow. What I mean is that when charge comes on is slowly, we don't think of it as change, so we have accepted changes that we shouldn't have because we don't want to change quickly, even if it is for the better.

So, why should someone accept my perspective of what is better?  Again, "Have you met me?"

Actually, now that I think about it, most people believe that things could be better, at least for themselves.  The problem may be that we tend to focus on the way change could be worse, and evolution has molded us to believe that worse is more likely than better.  Ever said, "If it ain't broke...?"

But it is broke, and it can be fixed.

"How?" you might ask.

First we need the will, then we need the action, and finally, we need perseverance.

Thought for the day:
I want an 8k screen.  It may be the key to my happiness.  That is all.