Category: Commentary

Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters by Brian Klaas (Reader’s Notes)

I really didn’t get too much out of this book until the last chapter where these notes come from. Some good insights and ideas listed below:

We toil in a quixotic frenzy, to squeeze the last cold drop off efficiency from corporate strategies, life hacks, and to do lists, a drive-through strategy to living. Do more, even if you enjoy each bit less. Life’s victories have become, to many, eliminating moments of slow, quiet reverence and replacing them with hyper productive multitasking as we chase Sisyphean goals that will never be enough to satiate us. It feels, too many of us, like a checklist existence. But our greatest moments are often the least efficient, those fleeting experiences in which our desires to achieve are put on hold, and the prize is just a moment of ecstatic being.

This is the paradox of 21st-century life: staggering prosperity seems to be tethered to surging rates of alienation, despair, and existential precariousness. Humans have constructed the most sophisticated civilizations ever to grace to planet, but countless millions need to medicate themselves to cope with living within them.

This is a despair of our own making, according to the German sociologist Harmut Rosa, not because of technology, but because of a futile yearning to make the world controllable. Relationships become a means to an end, reducing a magically networked existence into mere “networking.”

Countless distant decisions, accidents – – happy and not – – separated by space and time, come together in ways that we could never anticipate, and our lives changed because of them. It can be comforting to accept what we truly are: a cosmic fluke, networked atoms infused with consciousness, drifting on a sea of uncertainty.

A world without lived mystery would be a cold, disembodied one, in which we drift through life never surprised, never pausing to contemplate how nature spun us into its endlessly intricate web, never overwhelmed with an existential sense of awe.

It’s humbling to recognize that you’re not the conductor of the symphony but rather one vibrating string within it. The truth situates us within something vast and unknown. We can’t know where we are going, or why we are here (if there is any reason.) It leads us to three of the most important words in existence: I don’t know.

What happens when we can give up a bit of control and let ourselves drift and explore a bit more without direction? We know – – with clear evidence – – that moments of diversion, in which idleness envelops us, and our minds linger away from directed action, are often moments of brilliance.

“Remote” Observations from my Couch on Sports

I spent a majority of my time this past weekend on my couch, fiddling with my remote to watch various sports events. Five observations…

  1. I watched and enjoyed the women’s NCAA basketball tournament this season and you can credit Caitlin Clark for my avid interest. She is the female reincarnation of “Pistol” Pete Maravich, who played for LSU in the late 60s. Clark and Maravich were prolific shooters, ball handlers and passers. The women’s game continues to improve and doesn’t have the same turmoil of disgruntled players flocking to the transfer portal as the men’s game is experiencing.
  2. I have read and viewed some pushback from WNBA players about Caitlyn Clark. I already sent some jealousy regarding Clark’s popularity and athletic notoriety. When Pete Maravich was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, he faced hostile teammates who were upset by his popularity and style of play. I am hoping that Clark does not experience the same negativity from her teammates. It will only hurt the WNBA – – the WNBA needs Clark more than she needs them.
  3. I had some emotional conflict during the finals of the women’s NCAA game. Part of me wanted Iowa to win so it would cement Caitlin as one of the best or maybe the best women’s player in college basketball. But most of me was a Dawn Staley fan. Staley is an excellent coach and a class act whether she wins or loses. She basically took a new team to the NCAAs, went undefeated and won the title.
  4. I read this morning that John Calipari is preparing to move from coaching Kentucky to Arkansas. Calipari could takes some lessons from Dawn Staley on communication. Calipari has worn out his welcome at Kentucky based on mediocre results this season including early losses in the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament. I watched Kentucky more than any other men’s college basketball team this year. I was interested in the progress of DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw who both played at Camden High and were expected to be drafted into the pros this year. Based on their performance on the court, I would not draft either one. I don’t think either one benefited from their tutelage under Calipari. Both should look into the transfer portal and hopefully reinvigorate their chances to get into professional basketball. Calapri is an excellent recruiter, but a mediocre coach.
  5. Kudos to another great performance by a female athlete. Anna Leigh Waters won her 100th PPA championship this weekend. She took gold in women’s singles, mixed doubles and women’s doubles. At 17, she is the predominant pickleball player in the women’s division. Some suggest that she is the best pickleball player, man or woman. I am hoping that she will have a competitive rival soon. Her reign reminds me of how Chris Evert dominated women’s tennis in the 1970s before Martina Navratilova started to play competitively.

Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball by Keith O’Brien (Book Review)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was a fair and sensitive biography of a complicated and controversial man. This book was excellently researched and the author was able to get cooperation of many of the players, family and even mistresses of Pete Rose. The book confirms to me that Pete was a vain, greedy, self-serving and not a very smart man, not someone who you would want as a friend or be around with.

The author documents Rose’s playing exploits on the baseball field, which were legendary and his off field foibles which were many. Well I think it was easy to admire Pete Rose the player, it must’ve been very hard to admire Pete Rose the man. It’s as if he never grow up.

All that being said, I think the Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Yes his gambling, particularly on baseball, may be disqualifying. However I have not read or heard of any evidence where he directly or indirectly affected the performance or results of a baseball game. What Pete Rose achieved on the field, he achieved largely on his own merits. I did not read of any evidence that he took steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.

This book is an excellent read for any sports fan but especially for this reader as I remember watching Pete Rose’s career, particularly when he played for the 1980 Phillies who won the World Series that year.

Sitzkrieg and other Political Observations

On September 1, 1939, following the German invasion of Poland, both England and France declared war on the Hitler government. From September 1939 to May 1940, there were few major battles, and the period became known as the Sitzkrieg or “sitting war.” Similarly, in the United States, we find ourselves in a metaphorical “sitzkrieg” amidst our political, religious, and cultural conflicts. While January 6, 2021, might be considered a minor skirmish, it could be a precursor to more significant events. Former President Trump has hinted at potential chaos if not re-elected, suggesting a looming “bloodbath.” Comments like that are like lighting a match in a gas filled room.

I would prefer to read about the current political and cultural discord in the U.S. from a future vantage point, rather than experiencing it firsthand. It’s plausible that future generations will perceive this era as a “Dark Age” in American history.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, struck by a cargo ship yesterday morning, serves as a poignant metaphor. Just as the bridge crumbled into the river, so too may our democracy face deterioration in the wake of collisions spurred by divisive ideologies.

Insights and Musings

A bill is under debate in Congress and nationwide concerning TikTok, with the House voting overwhelmingly to compel its separation from the Chinese Communist Party due to concerns about its influence on American youth and promotion of Chinese ideology. Whether TikTok should be regulated or removed is still uncertain to me. However, if we are addressing negative social media influences, Congress should consider Fox News, which has had a more detrimental impact on our nation than TikTok for its misinformation and lies.

***

In World War II, young American soldiers, some as young as 18, could brush off Axis Sally and Tokyo Rose propaganda in a foxhole or ship preparing for battle. Today we have a generation of younger people who are judged not to have the same discernment to understand when they are being scammed or mislead while reading, watching or listening to certain social media from their living room couches.

***

I am not excluding my baby boomer generation from criticism about being easily manipulated and fooled by misinformation and propaganda.

***

I’m happy to see that there can be discussions about the amount of realtors’ commissions starting in July. I think commissions should be negotiable. I think that the realtor who sold my house did deserve a 6% commission. She worked very hard for us and put in a lot of time and effort. If she did not work hard, we very likely would not have sold our home or moved. My concern is that someone like her, with an excellent work ethic, may not be able to survive financially under the new guidelines agreed by the realtor industry.

***

The Palin Awards

I had hoped that as more women entered politics and ran for office that civility and good judgment would be elevated. I conceded that the behavior and decision making of many men in politics and governance were often disgraceful, uncivil, selfish and not good for the interests of the American people.

I am disappointed in women in politics. There are too many mediocre women in government and the media who behave and perform as the worst men currently in office or who have influence.

In 2008, Sarah Palin was nominated as the Republican candidate for Vice President. She was not fully vetted to see if she was capable of performing the job. As the campaign proved and as time has gone by, she did not possess the knowledge, experience, judgment, maturity and leadership skills to run for a national office. She was the proverbial “empty suit” or more apt, “empty dress.”

As bad as Sarah was, we currently have a cadre of women politicians and political influencers who exhibit bad judgment (personal and political), “deer in the headlights” looks when confronted with tough questions and express nonsensical viewpoints on important issues. The poor behavior and opinions of these women are often more cringeworthy than those of their male counterparts like Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Tucker Carlson, Tommy Tuberville, Tim Scott and Lindsay Graham to name a few.

Shown below are my list of women who are disappointing in not elevating the interests of women specifically and those of the citizens of the U.S. generally.

Lauren Boebert

Nancy Mace

Marjorie Taylor Greene

Megyn Kelley

Katie Britt

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Kristi Noem

Laura Ingraham

Kay Ivey

Tomi Lahren

Marsha Blackburn

Kari Lake

P.S. Yes, I know all these women are Republicans. There is also a list of Democratic women who could make this list but their influence pales considerably to their Republican counterparts.

Coming Attractions

Photo by AI

At this point in my life, age 72, I would have thought I’d be useful as an elder or mentor. I have varied life experiences with some ideas on career, education, finances, marriage and success. Regrettably I have no children so I cannot pass my philosophy and ideas to a prodigy. I rarely get asked my opinion by younger people. Maybe it’s because I am not publicly successful. I could share many of my frustrations, disappointments and issues life through at me. I have lived to 72 and enjoy a marriage of 46 years. I am not rich but I started financially with very little. Possibly younger people would not be interested in overcoming struggles?

However I question whether my ideas or life experiences would be relevant currently. There is a huge gap from the world of my youth starting in the 1970s to today. Marriage and commitment are so different today. I could imagine rolled eyes from a young audience on what I think makes a good marriage.

I can easily see my viewpoints and advice being tuned out. I would be like Plato or Socrates trying to talk to modern day students and competing against iPhones, social media and headphones.

One of my biggest disappointments is my lack of opportunities to share what I have learned in life and teach/mentor/coach/encourage someone who could use my help.

I will write and share my ideas and advice for a younger audience on future blog posts…

Who Will Pick Up the Pieces?

The United States has morphed into fragile pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Events are moving towards the pieces separating and falling scattered to the floor. Sadly, there will be no one with the ability or consensus to pick up the pieces and put the puzzle back together again.

Photo by AI

Trump’s Allies Ramp Up Campaign Targeting Voter Rolls

Nikki Haley Ducks and Weaves on Trump Endorsement, I.V.F. and Jan. 6

Trump Drops an All-Time Whopper at Rally, Claims 82% of the Country ‘Understands That it Was a Rigged Election’

Voters Doubt Biden’s Leadership and Favor Trump, Times/Siena Poll Finds

CVS and Walgreens to start dispensing abortion pill in states where it’s legal

Tennessee National Guard deploying to southern border as Biden admin ‘fails to act,’ GOP gov says

Republican senator blocks bill to protect IVF access after Alabama ruling

Notes from Ageless Soul by Thomas Moore

Stages in the aging process 

  1. feeling immortal, 
  2. first taste of aging, 
  3. settling into maturity, 
  4. shifting toward old age, 
  5. letting things take their course.

***

We can deal with this anxiety individually by living a day at a time, being present to what the day has to offer. If there is no sickness or any other problem, we can enjoy the day. Some people project themselves into a debilitating future and live in the anxiety of imagined woes to come.

***

I don’t care what the calendar says. I have a strong youthful component in me, and often that person in his 40s seems to inhabit my body. Even when I look in the mirror, I sometimes manage to see more of the 40 year old man than the one who is 76. I’ve always been a strong believer in illusions.

***

Simple, ordinary activities can improve your health and ease the black bile of melancholy that afflicts many older people. Take that walk in the woods, look for a sparkling lake or river, and don’t spend much time with negative people. We don’t realize how important it is to rely on nature for our health and mood, to think about the kind of people we have around us, and to understand the value of gardens and trees. 

***

The older years offer a perfect time to reflect more often, more deeply and more seriously on these important aspects of life. Of course, we need to begin this kind of reflection in our youth, but it can reach its depth in old age. Being part of a culture that has lost interest in profound ideas and intense reflection on experience makes aging more difficult.

***

Being an elder not only helps other people find guidance and wisdom, but it also gives the older person added reason for living. It may be the final act of a generous and thoughtful life. It is service taken to the last moment and done with a special authority and dedication it helps if the older person consciously adopts the role of elder. I could say from my own experience that a certain point people begin to treat you as an elder and look for benefits that you may be able to give them.

***

The poet Maya Angelou once wrote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thus legacy is a matter of the heart. It’s not an idea but a feeling connected to largely invisible people, it’s a special way of loving, and if there is anything that could make growing old more pleasurable, it would be to discover new ways to love.

***

Reflection – – the first stage for an ordinary person is reading or listening to someone else offer an understanding of events. You listen or read and make those ideas your own in your own way. The second stage of reflection is conversation. You make a point to speak with people who have something worthwhile to say and with whom you enjoy speaking. A third stage of reflection is to find some effective mode in which you can express yourself it could be writing of various forms – – journals poems, essays, fiction…

***

My Review of the Book

I am a bit of a cynic. Books like these discussing getting older are often written with the goal to alleviate the concerns and fears of elderly people as they approach death. The objectives when you get into your 70s and 80s are to find interests and things that will motivate you to stay alive or at least maintain your enthusiasm for healthy living.

While one can try to maintain a healthy attitude about life in your 70s and 80s, what’s more important are the states of your mind and your body. It’s critically important that you are not alone and that you do have some type of social network that hopefully includes family and friends.

It’s a comforting book with some useful bromides about topics like overcoming melancholy and leaving legacies. I don’t think there is one philosophy or set of rules to follow in life after 70. One of the things that I try to adjust to is the declining control I have in the direction of my life. I don’t have the physical, intellectual or mental energy I had a year ago and I expect that to continue to decline.

My five worst fears as I get older:

  • Losing my wife
  • Loneliness
  • Dementia
  • Disabilities and loss of health
  • Running out of money