Notes for 05/24/25
Wrong questions, UBI, American voters, Self awareness, Returning home, Florida, Hurricanes, Vaccinations, Life long learning
Asking the wrong questions - “If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.”
— Thomas Pynchon (1937)
~ Follow-up Question:
To what extent can the shaping of public discourse through misdirection or strategic framing function as a form of intellectual control, and how does this influence the boundaries of inquiry in democratic societies?
Like cats which chase the shiny object especially in these days of social media and the Trump administration. Asking the wrong questions is especially a problem in the dawning age of AI when the algorithms fill in our questions for us before we even complete the question guessing what it is that we are asking.
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05/19/25 Universal basic income works - A guaranteed income pilot program in Oakland improved housing stability and employment among its recipients, according to a new report from the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research. (Public News Service 05/19/25)
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Incompetent American Voters - It is interesting how prescient The Fifth Risk is the fifth risk being incompetence. We are living it now and it will only get worse with DOGE activities to gut the Federal government. It will take decades to restore what is being destroyed.
The big question I keep wondering about is "What were they thinking?" when they voted for Trump who clearly is, has been, incompetent. The lack of discernment of the American voters never ceases to astound me and I wonder what makes voters so incompetent themselves?
Perhaps there should be a new civics course on the topic of "What to look for in selecting governmental leaders." What would the syllabus for such a course include? (David G. Markham post to Allnonfiction on 05/21/25)
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Self awareness and know it alls - How important is self awareness? I fantasize about walking up to people and asking, "Will you tell me please what makes you tick?"
Self awareness is the first skill in Cindy Wigglesworth's book SQ21: The Twenty One Skills of Spiritual Intelligence.
I often impress on students and supervisees that it is extremely important to know what you don't know. If you don't know what you don't know the not knowing what you don't know will get you into trouble, and sometimes big trouble. I don't have many fears these days but the one that lingers and troubles me is the fear of "know it alls." They are dangerous to themselves and to others.
The statement you made about being ignorant and wise at the same time is right on target. One of the definitions of wisdom is coming to terms with all that you don't know. Out of this wisdom comes humility, curiosity, and an open heart. The amount of my ignorance grows every year of life I am given. I knew everything at 16 and it has been downhill ever since. (David G. Markham post to Clinicians’ Exchange on 05/22/25)
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T-1.V.4. Ultimately, every member of the family of God must return. The miracle calls him to return because it blesses and honors him, even though he may be absent in spirit. “God is not mocked” is not a warning but a reassurance. God would be mocked if any of His creations lacked holiness. The creation is whole, and the mark of wholeness is holiness. (A Course In Miracles)
Peace Pilgrim said, “I look for the Divine Spark in every person and focus on that.” I try to do the same most of the time but sometimes I forget or get distracted or triggered and don’t see the Divine Spark but what I think is something else.
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Public health - Florida's new law banning fluoride in public water systems has drawn sharp criticism from dental professionals, who cite decades of evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.
Dr. Jeff Ottley, president of the Florida Dental Association, warned that the change will lead to a rise in cavities, particularly among children and underserved populations. (Public News Service on 05/23/25)
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Hurricane damage to increase in US - As hurricane winds become stronger with climate change, losses for U.S. property owners will become significantly worse, especially for those in the South, a new study in Risk Analysis predicts.
By 2060, wind-related losses for homeowners in Southeastern coastal states could be as much as 76% higher, and by 2100, they could be 102% higher, according to the study, which was released May 21.
Texas will experience the highest increase in losses, with 14% higher hurricane wind speeds in the 2050s than today, followed by the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama region, the researchers said. (Public Health Watch 05/24/25)
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Most Americans support the measles and other vaccines - Americans overwhelmingly recognize that the benefits of being vaccinated against measles outweigh the risks, a national poll finds.
The Annenberg Science and Public Health survey, conducted in April, found 83% of adults believe the benefits of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine for children outweigh risks, which are generally minor. Side effects of MMR vaccination can include soreness at the injection site, a mild rash, stiffness or a fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More serious side effects are rare.
The poll also found that 67% of adults correctly understand that vaccines do not cause autism. While that rate is high, it is lower than in recent years, with 71% of people rejecting the connection in 2021. The decrease comes as vaccine and science skeptics appointed by the Trump administration assume leadership of key federal health agencies.
About 70% of Americans believe children should be required to be vaccinated to attend public school because of the potential risk to others, the poll found. While vaccination requirements for schools have long been the norm across the U.S., policymakers are increasingly pursuing measures that make it easier for parents to opt out or loosening requirements. In Idaho, a law that bars schools, government entities and companies from requiring vaccination for participation will take effect July 1. (Public Health Watch 05/24/25)
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Life long learning - “Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die.”
— Tom Clancy (1947–2013)
~ Follow-up Question:
How does the identification of learning as the essence of life challenge traditional biological or material definitions of living, and what philosophical implications arise when intellectual or spiritual growth is treated as a criterion for vitality? (The Wisdom Letter #284, 05/24/25)