I have a suggestion. If you use the phrase "Tragedy of the Commons," and you've never read Garrett Hardin's 6-page paper by that title (1968) -- I suggest you do so now: https://www.hendrix.edu/uploadedFiles/Admission/GarrettHardinArticle.pdf Roughly, the Tragedy of the Commons describes how rational individuals acting in their own self interests will deplete a shared resource at…
As opposed to an “A” struction? Or worse, a “D” struction ?!!
I imagine structions are rated on a danger-scale from A through D. An A is precautionary for 'in the unlikely event', but be aware something can go wrong. A B denotes a strong likelihood of minor injury or inconvenience. C, you can really get hurt. D, there's no hope at all. O? Well, that's a…
New, old, permanence, and change: Heraclitus (everything is in motion) and Parmenides (nothing is in motion) in tension. A montage.
"Not everything was better in our ancestors' days, either -- our own age, too, has produced many instances of excellence and artistic merit deserving to be imitated by posterity. At all events, let us continue to promote such honourable competitiveness with our ancestors." Tacitus. The Annals: The Reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. Oxford World's Classics.…
Don’t be deterred… (Redux)
... from searching a well-trodden path for novel things. Hard packed ground can conceal many treasures. -- Pam L, 2018
Just a Thought. 19.
I'm feeling crushed by the woes of the world, as if it's incumbent on me to fix its problems and set everyone straight. I should blush at my arrogance. Blushing would at least lend me a rosy semblance of health. Instead, my face is pale and drawn from a day of fretting. And besides, I'm…
The Vice of Life. A Window Cill in Montmartre, Paris.
See, The Vice of Life. Canary Wharf, London. https://pam-mentations.com/2020/01/14/spirits/
Mom’s advice? You take a little cringe with the good.
Some parental advice is worth keeping, some not. Here's a not. Mom used to tell me, You can't get married until you can put your hands in hot water. By this warning she figured she could get me to wash the dishes without having to nag. And she was right. Time and again, I took…
Just a Thought. 18.
If you have a spare ten to fifteen minutes, I have a suggestion. Read George Orwell's Politics and the English Language (1946) https://wisc.pb.unizin.org/english100coursereader/chapter/politics-and-the-english-language/ (Courtesy of the University of Wisconsin, Open Texts) Orwell's essay is still relevant and I am confident you'll think your time well-spent. Introduction to Orwell's essay provided at the above link, U…
Just a Thought. 17.
If the world is going to hell in a handbasket, you’ll at least be close enough to listen to your co-travellers. And you might be in for a surprise. It’s as likely that they’ll blame you for their predicament as you them for yours. Pam Lindsay, 2019.
The Vice of Life. Canary Wharf, London.
See, The Vice of Life. A window cill in Montmartre, Paris. https://pam-mentations.com/2020/01/31/2630/
