Head-dibs

I would rather work a puzzle than play a game and here’s why:  puzzles lead to solutions and games end with a judgment;  puzzles cultivate will and games exploit weakness;  puzzles foster cooperation and games nurture rivalry;  puzzles elevate, encourage, bring completion and satisfaction to everyone who participates while in games thrive castigation, discouragement, irresolution and dissatisfaction. (disclaimer: CrossFit is the only exception to games because it's a lifestyle.) The difference between puzzles and games may also be seen by considering what it means to “win.” G. K. Chesterton published in 1910, “There is no such thing as backing a winner. There is no such thing as fighting on the winning side. One fights to find out which is the winning side.” (In “Part One: The Homelessness of Man,”  What’s Wrong with the World .)  The Far Side by Gary Larson Who is The Brave Man? Socrates wondered if this was the one who with assistance ...

I am writing this as one who grew up in the time and place of change. I was a part of all that was happening, but was too young to fully understand what was happening. Here at the start, I want to acknowledge my gratitude to Mrs. Williams, an African-American teacher at my Elementary School who guided children like me through the transitions (and it is with great joy I have always called her MRS. Williams). I loved Mrs. Williams then and she still holds a special place in my heart because of how she took care of us in those times. When I moved, I cried and I kissed her. She is the first woman (relatives excluded) I ever kissed. The significance of what was happening is partially due my age and partially because of, let’s just call them “life adventures.” I was entering Fifth grade and already had enough life adventures to keep me distracted enough to understand. The school district was moving all Fifth-graders from all over the district to open a charter school. The most important fea...

I would rather work a puzzle than play a game and here’s why: puzzles lead to solutions and games end with a judgment; puzzles cultivate will and games exploit weakness; puzzles foster cooperation and games nurture rivalry; puzzles elevate, encourage, bring completion and satisfaction to participants while in games thrive castigation, discouragement, irresolution and dissatisfaction. The difference may also be seen by considering what it means to “win.” G. K. Chesterton wrote in his essay, “There is no such thing as backing a winner. There is no such thing as fighting on the winning side. One fights to find out which is the winning side.” (“Part One: The Homelessness of Man” in What’s Wrong with the World.) Trying to understand what this means, I think of a cartoon clipping is posted on the door of one of my colleagues. The panel depicts two soldiers pouring hot oil on the enemy below the castle. One says to the other, “Win or lose, I love doing this.” Many don’t know when to stop, a...

Lately I've been spending more time surfing websites representative of various world views. One cannot help but notice how so many are thriving on enmity against others while simultaneously striving for unity amongst the like-minded. Each group at bottom presents in various ways one common desire: unity. As to what that unity is, who it includes, how it is achieved, why it is necessary, etc. is of widespread opinion; however, a closer look at each cause reveals that unity is not really the goal, but reconciliation. Mankind is ultimately hard at work in the context of discord, stress, anxiety. Relationships are strained inidividually, ethnically, nationally, politically, religiously; yet, people are invariably desiring to reach a resolution, bridge a gap, inaugurate change, repair the breach, compose harmony. But what is the adversary? Man and (blank) are at odds. What is the (blank)? The Epicureans (in their various forms today) teach that which brings the most pleasure is that whi...

Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between a light bulb and a laser? How can a medium power laser burn through steel in a matter of second while the most powerful spotlight can only make it warm? The difference is unity. A laser can be simply described as a medium of excited molecules with mirrors on each end. Some of the excited molecules naturally decay into a less excited state. In the decay process they release a photon, a particle of light. It is here that the most unique process of the laser begins. The photon moves along and "tickles" another molecule, inviting another photon to join him on his journey. Then, these two photons "tickle" two more molecules, and invite two more photons to join the parade. Soon there is a huge army marching in step with each other. It is this unity that gives power to the laser. A light bulb may have just as many photons, but each is going its own independent way, intereffing with the other photons. As a ...