A Week's Worth of Rants

Today is the 4th anniversary of the WTC attack. It was one of those events that everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened. There is something that they forgot, though. Americans shared the feeling of anger and a sense of patriotism. The overall attitude of the American public changed. Everyone became a lot nicer. I was surprised at how it changed how people drove. They were more aware of the people around them and more courteous to them. This was short lived, unfortunately.

What happened to everyone? The anger has subsided, naturally. I don't believe anyone is less patriotic than they were four years ago, they just don't feel the need to advertise it. What about the respect we had for each other?

On 9/11 and the months following it, Americans had something in common. They shared a social awareness beyond their normal, self-centered world. It appears as if they have gone back to that frame of mind. Was no one paying attention? There was something to be learned from the feelings we shared. I don't think I could find a person that would disagree that the country was in a better place because of those feelings. It seems easy to me: compare how you use to view society before the attacks to how you viewed them afterwards. After that, build on what is better about the new attitude, and if necessary, toss out the old attitude. Tada! Yes, people always change through time, but we can accelarate the process if we want to.

I have become more aware of looking past the differences of my fellow man. I have come to better understand the good behind Humanism. It approaches matters with the highest priorty to human life. Conflicts are not looked at as conservative vs. liberal, faith vs. logic, or black vs. white. They consider the common ground of, "Hey I'm a human on this planet and so are you. What can we do to make things better for both of us?"

Looking past people's differences helps us live in a better society. No matter what we disagree on, we can come together for a common good. This does not mean that we ignore those differences. When I have a difference of opinion with someone, I will state my case, and listen to what they have to say. If both of us keep in mind the humanist point of view, beyond our discussion, we can continue to have a civilized conversation. Communication begins to break down when this is not followed. For example, when laws are passed based on faith instead of logic. The proponents of Intelligent Design are a good example of this. They want a psuedoscience taught as a science in our public schools. They are not thinking of the good of all Americans. Instead, they are thinking of the good for all judeo-christian religions. When their opponents bring up their views on the matter, they are subject to insult and public assault. Obviously the ID crowd is not willing to find common ground for the good of everyone. Even worse, they know they are wrong. A civilized, round-table discussion would prove that, and they know it.

Back to our differences. I tend to look for ignorance in the world, and am more than happy to point it out. At times, even that has it's problems. People get defensive because they think I'm calling them stupid. Ok, they are ignorant to the definition of ignorance. For those who don't know:

Ignorant: not having knowledge of a paticular subject

That's it. It has nothing to do with intelligence. Everyone is ignorant. Consider the combined knowledge of everyone of the planet. How much of that knowledge do you possess? I know that I am ignorant to most of it, but I attempt to chip away at that ignorance every day.

Here is a list of items that I am ignorant of:
1. how to play guitar
2. how to salsa dance
3. Marxism
4. Japanese poetry during the 1700's
5. the beginning of sentience on Earth
6. lifeforms in the Andromeda galaxy
7. all things I don't know minus this list, if it were completed to the best of my knowledge (ignorance of ignorance)

As a curious person, I have an interest in learning everything on this list. Salsa and Japanese poetry are very low on my priority list. It is quite possible that I will remain ignorant of them for the rest of my life. I will probably never know about number 6, because of lack of evidence. I think number 5 is very possible to scientifically verify, and hopefully it will happen before I die. That leaves items 1, 3, and 7. I will learn to play guitar one day when I have more free time. I will learn about Marxism because I have a high interest in politics and sociology. As for number 7, it is always a constant search.

As you can see, there are some things that I choose to remain ignorant about. There are others things that I feel a duty not to remain ignorant about. As a voter in America, my knowledge of politics is important. If I choose to remain ignorant on the issues and the candidates, I am not helping the country with my vote. Unfortunately, it appears most voters don't share my attitude. They get all their information from the media. Do yourself a favor if you fall into this category:
-Research each candidate - see what actions they have made
-Research the political parties - understand what position they take on issues and how much their members follow those issues
-Research and more research - yeah, it's like homework... sometimes it's not fun, but this country needs more educated votes

I can't remain ignorant on politics. I can, however, remain ignorant about poetry. My lack of knowledge in that area doesn't affect my daily life or my fellow Americans.

What are your ignorances? Do they affect your life and those around you? I am not asking because I want to know. I am asking because this is something you should know about yourself.