Your complement is one of the greatest honors I've received in some time, in large part because I have such deep respect for you as one of the most honorable humanists I've known.
Let me know if you get to Austin. We should break bread together again sometime.
The past is a foreign country, and it is challenging to understand. As you say there is great value in doing so, but I also think there is value in believing our current culture is the pinnacle of civilization and worth continuing. This was definitely part of my education but interestingly, not something my wife was taught (she grew up in Canada).
I would say there are strands of our current culture that may be regarded as amazing and worth building on, for sure. There are also strands that are deeply problematic. I believe that the more we move towards a voluntary system, in education, in community building, and in legal systems, the more deeply wonderful are our future possibilities. People will choose to engage in communities that are more beneficial for them and their children and avoid harmful behaviors and practices.
But right now we subsidize (mostly through our governments) too many harmful behaviors and restrict too many ways of building positive communities. Providing incentives for people to damage themselves and others is not useful.
One of your best pieces, Michael. You are a deep resource for our culture.
Dear Fred,
Your complement is one of the greatest honors I've received in some time, in large part because I have such deep respect for you as one of the most honorable humanists I've known.
Let me know if you get to Austin. We should break bread together again sometime.
Appreciatively,
Michael
Thank you, Michael. I found this to be both very refreshing and inspiring.
I'm delighted you found it valuable!
And I'm just discovering your Substack. I look forward to browsing.
Ditto. Mine has been neglected in favour of raising another baby :)
The past is a foreign country, and it is challenging to understand. As you say there is great value in doing so, but I also think there is value in believing our current culture is the pinnacle of civilization and worth continuing. This was definitely part of my education but interestingly, not something my wife was taught (she grew up in Canada).
I would say there are strands of our current culture that may be regarded as amazing and worth building on, for sure. There are also strands that are deeply problematic. I believe that the more we move towards a voluntary system, in education, in community building, and in legal systems, the more deeply wonderful are our future possibilities. People will choose to engage in communities that are more beneficial for them and their children and avoid harmful behaviors and practices.
But right now we subsidize (mostly through our governments) too many harmful behaviors and restrict too many ways of building positive communities. Providing incentives for people to damage themselves and others is not useful.