Now Comes the Time for All Good Men to Come to the Aid of Their Countrymen....

Dear Readers:

So long ago that simple sentence was the one to muster through to pass a speed typing test.  Now we can talk into our handheld supercomputer and the message is faithfully typed, plus or minus a few corrections. 

So our technology advanced to the speed of light and yet, we haven't moved the needle on making much social progress.   If you are here reading this you are entirely too bored!  Yet, I will go on and try to make your day better.



Social media accounts for a new and large percentage of how we obtain information, 'news,' I suppose.  And with that the critical thinking skills that used to be taught in public schools has nearly disappeared.  that is a lousy combination that helps lead us to the troubles we see today - Talking over each other, name calling, and worse.

So virtually anyone can post virtually anything and if that thought happens to hit the popularity jackpot and go viral - that person is now a subject matter expert.  Actually they just may be clever.

"Believe half of what you hear and nothing you read," said Mark Twain.  Truer words never spoken!

"Motive Attribution Asymmetry" is well documented - A 2014 article in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on “motive attribution asymmetry”


And here discussed in a NY Times article:

"the assumption that your ideology is based in love, while your opponent’s is based in hate — suggests an answer. The researchers found that the average Republican and the average Democrat today suffer from a level of motive attribution asymmetry that is comparable with that of Palestinians and Israelis. Each side thinks it is driven by benevolence, while the other is evil and motivated by hatred — and is therefore an enemy with whom one cannot negotiate or compromise."

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/opinion/sunday/political-polarization.html


Do not be played by the fact that when you read something and agree with it that you are not falling prey to 'confirmation bias.'  We watch or listen or read things we agree with to confirm our thinking, it is human nature. This phenomena is called confirmation bias and it debilitates one's critical reasoning skills.

Get out of the comfort zone and read, listen, and watch other things to learn what the other side is thinking.  Only than can you understand their point of view.  You still don't have to agree, but at least you know what they believe.

Skepticism is a Good Thing!

I hope you feel better!

Good Mornin' World

"Every once in awhile, during the course of a perfectly ordinary life, something extraordinary happens"

Each day we have the opportunity to see what others do not see- To witness Nature's fascinating rhythms, to contrast our own foibles, to see cruelty, to see acts of valor.  In the past these observations were limited to dry research, travel, or simply moving about.

Then came the game-changer: The internet and search engines!  Pre-'net and pre-GOOGLE, one could say, "I don't know," now one can say either, "I did not look it up" or "It's unknowable."  This is HUGE, the effect of this statement has not fully become integrated into our lives.

This blog will explore some of the important issues of our times; such as healthcare, economics, and political points of view.  As well, fun photos, anecdotes and life's little oddities will dampen the seriousity (sp) of the blog.

OK, let's get started: Federal Triangle, WDC Why?

I saw the Federal Triangle stop on the Washington, DC Metro and was curious about it, so I stopped and got off the tube to check it out.  Holy Crap! What a gorgeous place!

This is now the HQ for the EPA, formerly the Post Office. 

   

This is the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building:



This is the old Post Office:

All of these buildings, and more are crammed into an angular block, known as Federal Triangle

Be curious - Take that moment to discover something new, you'll live longer, enjoy life more, and become more knowledgeable.