Post No. 245 - Self congratulation and other topics for thought

Recently I was awarded membership grade "Fellow" of the professional institution to which I belong for my day job. To get my parchment for this, I attended a "Fellows Luncheon". A few things struck me at that event:

1. the expense and/or income from an event with over 400 people attending, most paying more than $80 per head: what happens to that money? How much of the money is left over, given the institution chooses to hold these regular events at a horrendously swanky and expensive place? Is that decision of location based on numbers, or elitism - i.e., wanting somewhere that is upper class?
2. the guest speaker's talk about preparing for disasters.

Now, I know engineering can improve things in terms of having buildings that are stronger and more resistant to earthquakes, fires, floods, etc, but, ultimately, we can NEVER "beat" Mother Nature. I think designing things to be "better" is great, BUT it is MORE important to have an attitude of respect. If people had had an attitude of respect, maybe fewer houses would be built in flood plains, or in situations of extreme fire risk.

I found the speaker had a somewhat self-congratulatory tone to his speech, and that concerned me. Could it be contributing to an insular group-think? Particularly given the elitist nature of the function?

Here are a few other links which might provide some thought on a range of topics. Remember, just because I write that something is "interesting", does not necessarily mean I either agree with it, or think it is necessarily good, so keep your thinking caps on!

How to talk to a ghost, which is rather brilliant: here.

An interesting programme on ABC Radio National's Encounter programme about paganism: here.

I read that Britain plans to introduce a "Happiness Index", see here, which - if true - is an excellent idea, and brings to mind the Gross National Happiness Index from Bhutan.

http://snowhawke.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/dude-youre-in-my-space/

From Witchvox:

Spirit and Character, by Rhys Chisnall http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ukgb2&c=words&id=14449

(Insert Your Name Here) : Vampire Slayer!, by Bob Makransky http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=gtxx&c=words&id=14448

Musings of a Grizzled Warrior, by Ursa http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usks&c=words&id=14450

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnj&c=words&id=14346 which contains examples of appalling behaviour by courts, police etc in the USA

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usga&c=words&id=14452 which makes a good point about individual uniqueness!

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=14462 which brings to mind a thought that any coming religion may well not emphasise God over personal behaviour

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ustx&c=words&id=14444 which emphasises connection to nature rather than replacing Father God with Mother Goddess

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=14259

The Pope has made some sort of decision or statement to try and make clear that Jews were NOT responsible for the death of Christ: see here. On the other hand, an article about the good and bad to be shown in Queensland's recent floods, here, mentions religious fanatics who attribute this to Divine intervention ...

An article on the Crystal links website about "the things we are guided to", here.

Some other links from Crystal links and elsewhere are:

http://www.crystalinks.com/blogginandpersonality.html includes some thoughts on the possible home of Proto-IndoEuropeans ("Aryans")

http://www.crystalinks.com/arkaim.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkaim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeoastronomical_sites_by_country

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/blogs/blunt-instrument/hero-or-villain-neither-hes-an-idiot/20100914-15a0n.html

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-mind-reader-20100919-15hzh.html

Could this person have actually been possessed or obsessed? See here - and elsewhere on this blog for ways to protect yourself psychically :) (And, for the record, I suspect he probably was NOT possessed)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism The comments about the prevalence of conventional causation is noteworthy and true!

The Sumerians and the Egyptians by Priestess Jean http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usaz&c=words&id=13674 (which mentions influence of Kurgans)

A Scientist and Magician Speaks on Science and Magick by Once Schooled, Now Solo Mage http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usal&c=words&id=13665

Conducting Paranormal Investigations by Priestess Jean http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usaz&c=words&id=13655

Simple House Cleansing and Warding by Rev. Jennifer "Jay" Bull http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usil&c=words&id=13765

Where Faeries Tread by Christopher Aldridge http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnc&c=words&id=13717

The Magick of Negativity by Leandra Witchwood http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=13774

What Does It Mean To Be Pagan in the Age of Darwin? by Gypsy Sidhe http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=iexx&c=words&id=13777

Don't Fear The Dark: A Discussion On Cursing by Ravenix http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ukgb2&c=words&id=13683

I'm Pagan. I Don't Pray. by Silverwolf Sanctuary http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnh&c=words&id=13659

A cautionary note about natural remedies: http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/natural-remedies-can-prove-lethal-research-20100208-nnaf.html

Some environment based stories are here, which almost inspired me to describe the press as nongs, but then this journalist is actually probably just doing his job and making sure people know of the implications of policies, and here. This story scotches the claim that Aboriginal fire practices changed the Australian countryside.

Social commentary interest me, so here are a few links that are not psychic-based, but may be of some interest to any who share that interest - feel free to ignore :)

Social inequality is eating away at America's soul http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/inequality-is-eating-away-at-americas-soul-20110103-19dqc.html

Facebook, beginning with a story about a young person who has chosen NOT to be connected, here, (Yay!), and another story with a bit of a salutary warning here. And a link about Twitter, which I think is a bit harsh: all forms of communication have their benefits and their disadvantages - including formal writing and newspapers, phone (e.g. here), etc ... Here is an article about the dangers of on-line friends: personally, I think on-line "friendships" should reflect the shades of grey that exist in real life, with close friends, friends and acquaintances.
Here is an article about the implications of the shut down of the Internet during the recent Egyptian uprising.

Some links, for and against, "Generation Y" here, here and here. (Dare I say truth can be on both sides, and maybe both sides here are guilty of generalising - of assuming that everyone is a group is as per the stereotype - one way or another - that is being sought to be applied to the group? The third link seems to me to tend towards this view ... )

Another interesting link on the whole subject of attitudes towards the young is here. A more distressing link about a situation where a youngster died as a result of a police shooting is here, but here is a story about a more positive, interesting (quirky?) young person (who I suspect I may not agree with politically, but never mind that). Another link about attitudes in conflicts comes from Israel - here. Another article here argues that we need, in general, greater self discipline (or self control). Yet another set of attitudes around dedication to work vs. dedication to family are triggered by this story here. See here for some thoughts on empires, orientalism and intelligence ... here is an article about forgetting manners on public transport ... I've heard that one before, but I do consider social attitudes have changed over recent decades and that may lead what some perceive as a loss of manners ... and there is, of course, the issue of an actual lack of consideration on the part of some people, but that's been around as long as people have. Here's another link claiming parents should "grow a digital spine" ... here's another one from a judge commending parents for turning in their son for a crime ... Here's a more positive link about changing attitudes.

People can be afraid of change: that seems to me to be a significant part of the reason that the junta in Burma has refused to free Aung San Suu Kyi (see here).

Some more links on "AFL girl", who I have posted about previously, and the generally deplorable behaviour all round shown: here, here, here and here, but remember this here.
And a link on royal pre-nuptial agreements ... here.

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

This post's photo is yet to be posted.

Tags: attitudes, society, Christianity, Judaism, happiness, rescue, protection,

First published: Frysdagr, 18th March, 2011

Last edited: Friday, 18th March, 2011