Robert Gale Ongley

Author: Bo

  • UNBELIEVABLE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND WHAT SOME FIND BELIEVABLE ABOUT THEM

    I am not a stranger to conspiracy theories. I’ve entertained a few in my life and I’ve been captivated by a few more. Although I don’t consider myself a conspiracy theorist, I don’t rule out all of them. Besides, some of them have been proven to be true.

    Governments are the target of most conspiracy theories. It turns out they are actually at the bottom of activities that prompted generation of the conspiracy. You may have heard of some of these. For instance, during Prohibition, our federal government pressured alcoholic beverage manufacturers to lace their products with strong poisons to discourage people from drinking them. This ultimately led to over 10,000 poisoning deaths directly related to the government’s operation. Another example is the CIA’s mind control tests using LSD and other hallucinogenics. MK-ULTRA was the name of the program which began with experimenting only on volunteers, but before long they were conducting testing on unsuspecting victims. Some of them sustained psychological damages from which they never recovered.

    I’ve scouted around for a decent sample of bizarre theories with at least a grain of truth-like content. Their fringe unreality can hold a certain attraction for those who don’t take the world at face value. Do any make you do a double-take on your concept of everyday reality?

    We Exist in the Matrix

    This theory is popular enough to have spawned books and that familiar series of movies we know and love. The basic theory has branched out into sub-theories as well. The essential root in modern times is that we are under the influence of a mega-computer that’s playing a show for us with multi-sensory surround sound in our minds. The believability arises from various factors, including ancient teachings that this world is all an illusion. Others are the rapid explosion of technology and artificial intelligence as well as dreams and susceptibility to how strange the world can be at times.

    Beatles Never Existed

    We were duped into believing such a phenomenon could have taken place. It’s akin to the Monkees, created and assembled for a TV series. Theory has it that John, Paul, George and Ringo were merely roles played by various actors who looked almost identical. If one looks closely at their photographs, differences in certain features can be detected. Apparently, all of that groundbreaking music had to have been created by a wide array of talented musicians who preferred to remain anonymous. That way, they wouldn’t have had to suffer the inconvenience of being chased around by hordes of screaming girls.

    Earth is Actually Hollow

    To the casual observer, it’s absurd to think the earth is hollow since we can dig thousands of feet down and keep finding solid material. Volcanoes verify the existence of molten rock within this globe. However, scientist Edmond Halley, the Halley who has the comet named after him, came up with the hollow earth theory in the 17th century because the inner magnetic fields change direction. This theory endures and has time on its side. It was bolstered by a discovery in 2014, when scientists determined there is a massive reservoir of water within the earth greater in volume than the oceans. It isn’t free floating water, but is inside ringwoodite, a rock formation that’s 435 miles beneath the outer surface of the ground.

    Bill Gates is…

    There are a number of Bill Gates conspiracy theories. Perhaps the most famous is that he is behind the Covid pandemic because he wanted to profit from vaccines that help get the spread under control. It is said he has also initiated use of vaccines to implant microchips in peoples’ bodies. He is accused of instituting a tetanus vaccine in Kenya that carries an abortion drug. He is said to have conspired with the Chinese government to create fake snow that won’t melt. Some say he is “leading a class of global elites” and others say he is “leading efforts to depopulate the world.” He has brought himself such attention for a few reasons, one being that he is rich and famous. Another is his TED talk in 2015 where he warned of the danger of a coming pandemic that would kill over 10 million people. Then there’s the fact that he and Melinda Gates have been pushing world health and put a lot of money into it for a long time, including distribution of Covid vaccines.

    America is Run by a Cabal of Satan-Worshiping Elites

    This view of the United States is promoted by the conspiracy-rich QAnon group. As you may know, it gets even more bizarre in the claim that the elites are running an underground child-trafficking ring. They are also out sabotage Donald Trump. For QAnon, these define the Deep State. These specific features are tacked on to the previously known concept that it is “a body of people, typically influential members of government agencies or the military, believed to be involved in the secret manipulation or control of government policy.” I must admit to finding the latter definition to be quite possible. I’ve been spouting a theory resembling that for years. I have not adopted the more detailed, fringe version embellished by QAnon.

    Keep Your Head

    The world is not as it seems. That’s a fair statement, right? Look for the truth behind the lies fed to us by self-serving government officials, greedy corporations, controlling organized religions and power-hungry oligarchs. But don’t let your search take you down a rabbit hole where your fall seems to never end and you’re inclined to say as Alice did, “I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth! How funny it’ll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downwards!” Keep your head on straight and right side up.

  • NARRATING OUR LIVES

    Many of us have a running commentary in our heads about what we’re doing or what’s happening to us. There usually aren’t full sentences, but rather fragments or expletives or moans or groans or cheers. At times we’ll be muttering our complaints about how we’ve been treated or how we could have done better in a given situation. If we weren’t doing this, we could be simply being and experiencing instead of judging and grading and resisting. Some of us may be sailing through with a rosy outlook and gratitude for whatever comes our way. Blessed be the undisturbed, for they will know The Way. I believe, however, a lot of us are making ourselves miserable, to one degree or another, with internally narrating our lives in a negative way. Whether or not this applies to you, I invite you to read on. I will share some insights on the human inclination to do play-by-play on the game of life.

    What is This Tendency?

    For many centuries, philosophers have made mention of people talking to themselves. It may be silent or aloud, but we have been addressing ourselves for probably as long as we’ve had brains to convey the exchange. It was only in the late 20th century that psychologists began formally theorizing it.

    An article written in Frontiers in Psychology in 2020 and published on the National Library of Medicine website “explores the relationships among different types of internal dialogues and self-talk functions.” The writers of the paper lump internal dialogue and self-talk under the broader term “intrapersonal communication.” There are other modes of intrapersonal communication, but for our purposes I’m going to focus on the above two modes.

    The article cites a study that says self-talk is a self-regulatory tool used by all of us at times. We use it to calm ourselves with such phrases as “Don’t worry” or “You can get through this.” A different context might call for something like “Ah-h, the finish line!” With self-talk, the sender and the receiver are usually assumed to be the same person. The message can be one word, sound, command or such without an answer or extended conversation. It’s essentially an internal monologue.

    With internal dialogue, the communication becomes more complex. There may be multiple parties with multiple voices exchanging statements, all within one mind. The primary way it’s used is to help a person work out how to handle new or strange experiences. Have you ever had a conversation that went disturbingly wrong and you ran through it over and over again, maybe revising it to have you saying something much more sensible or courageous?

    I tend to think internal monologues or dialogues are habit-forming and we can come to depend on them. I believe the same is true of self-talk. My wife and I find it amusing that we punctuate the completion of tasks large and small with a quiet “Okay” as we walk around the house.

    Psychologists view these mental exchanges as a natural phenomenon. Some experience them more than others and supposedly some don’t experience them at all. In most cases, this phenomenon need not be a cause for worry.

    When it’s Not So Good

    The mental health professionals tell us when our voices go unusually negative, it’s time to seek help. Specifically, when we’re having thoughts of harming ourselves or others, we may be losing control and need to rein in the mind.

    While I take that advice very seriously, I wish to turn our attention to a lesser problem that we may not see as a problem at all. I’m referring to the everyday narrative hounding us constantly, which tells us the unsatisfactory state of our world. It’s an insidious element of our minds, steering us to the negative as it slyly pretends we’re perfectly fine thinking that way.

    I have long looked upon myself as a positive person with a relatively cheery outlook. I’m known to be sarcastic sometimes, but even then I usually try to lace my comments with a non-caustic thread of humor. Only in the last couple of years have I started to see my glasses aren’t as rose-colored as I thought they were.

    As a part of an intensified yoga practice, I spend a little time each day in introspection. I examine how I behave and where my thoughts go. I’ve noticed more than a few negative behaviors, among them being my reactions to what happens in everyday life. Over the two years plus, I’ve seen how I generate my own misery in my reactions. Here are some examples of mine that you (a good, seemingly positive person) may notice in yourself. A few minutes ago, I picked up a folder of papers from my desk and dropped some of the contents on the floor. I cursed, as though that was a really big deal. I could be watering plants when the hose kinks. I might sigh in annoyance and walk back to the spot of the kink with agitation. I’m driving to an appointment, running a little behind, and groan when a green light turns red. When my novel Boundless Trust was published, I realized I misspelled a word in the last sentence of the book. I had a talk with myself internally about that, wondering how I could have made that mistake. I still cringe with embarrassment when I think about it.

    Being in the Moment

    We don’t need the self-judgment, the negation or the commentary at all. It’s all ego, yakking at us through our brains. I believe we are here first and foremost to simply be. Without our baggage, we are unencumbered by thoughts and matter. But, hey, thinking is a tough habit to break. If you have to think, then choose to be cheerful and forgiving. As you make your way through your day, accept who you are and what happens. You’ll be a lot happier if you do.

  • THE GREAT CONVERSATIONALISTS (THEN AND NOW)

    In my last post, I covered the satisfaction deep conversation gives us. I broke it down and ended with a few wonderful quotes on the subject, but I had some residual attention on the famous people who have excelled as conversationalists. In this article, I want to shine a light on the best ever and some who are worthy of mention and are actually alive now. Let’s begin with the all-time greats and finish with those who we can relate to presently in a world which is a far cry from yesteryear.

    Ancients

    Socrates: This iconic Greek philosopher, born in 469 B.C., is probably unmatched in his crafting of conversation. Having gained a grand reputation as a philosopher and a wise man, he was reluctant to give his opinion on practically anything. He would rise early and go to places where people gathered, engaging any person who seemed likely to provide him with stimulating or amusing discussion. He was known to call for the definition of a large concept, then to reveal its incompleteness, its contradictory content or its absurdity. He led on the participants with questions they would respond to with a fuller and more complete definition, which he himself never completed with his own answer. His mastery of conversation enabled him to direct the flow of the exchange of ideas with groups. He answered his critics who complained about his unwillingness to come right out with his own ideas, saying “the god compels me to be a midwife, but forbids me to bring forth.” He didn’t profess to teach anything more than the art of examining ideas.

    Teng Shih: Sometimes called the Socrates of China, this lawyer and philosopher lived in the fifth century, BC. He was a famous intellectual rebel who taught right and wrong were relative and not absolute. He could argue endlessly in favor and against various moral positions. Teng eventually composed a code of penology that the government found to be too idealistic. He posted them where the common folk could easily see them. The prime minister prohibited the posting of pamphlets in public places. Teng then delivered them to people in person. The minister forbade the delivery and Teng smuggled them to his readers, concealed in other articles. The government answered this disobedience by beheading him.

    Renaissance

    Martin Luther: The architect of the Christian Reformation was a gregarious man. He wrote a lot in his famous pamphlets, but he was known to immerse himself in discussion regularly. He and his wife Katerina were generous and hospitable. They were known to have a wide variety of people at their home for dinner. Luther would initiate stimulating and meaningful discussion by asking those around the table about their views on current issues or debates. Sometimes, he would start with his own commentary on the news of the day. They often had students staying with them and it was their inclination to take notes on Luther’s quotable statements. There were at least eight editions of these, compiled in a series titled Table Talk. As students came and went over the years, they had volumes of his sayings recorded for posterity.

    Early Modern Period

    Catherine de Vivonne, marquise de Rambouillet: This society hostess and French social leader forged a place in history as a huge influence on the development of French literature. As Britannica puts it, “Revolted by the coarseness of the French court under Henry IV and distressed by the amount of political intrigue, she set out to establish at her townhouse, the Hôtel de Rambouillet, a salon devoted to literature and cultured conversation where nobles and men of letters could mingle on an equal footing.”

    Catherine’s establishment of this forum and her own communication with a rich sense of humor made the salon a vital part of cultured society for hundreds of years.

    Contemporary

    Bill Moyers: I have found it difficult to come up with truly great conversationalists in our era. There are some amazing speakers, such as politicians like Winston Churchill and brilliant comics like George Carlin. There have been a number of astute interviewers, William F. Buckley Jr., Dick Cavett and Barbara Walters to name just a few. Of those stellar personalities, one stands out as more than just an interviewer. Bill Moyers’ career as a journalist led to decades as a TV interviewer. He has said he thinks of television as a campfire, where he gathers sensitive people to talk, to listen and to enjoy a shared experience. With his probing questions and expansive responses, he would jointly develop a topic with his many guests in a way that brought greater understanding about matters of tremendous substance and depth.

    Terry Gross: I came to choose Ms. Gross in a roundabout way. I’ve thought of her as an incredible interviewer, so she didn’t identify in my mind as a pure conversationalist. As I wrote above, real conversation was no longer part of public culture. Then it hit me. Podcasts engender a bounty of excellent conversation, and they have become so popular, there are a remarkable number of people taking part in stimulating, complex, nuanced and intelligent discussions across our country.

    I admit I haven’t listened to enough podcasts to know for myself who the best hosts are, so I did a search to find out. The Top 15 Famous Podcasts list gave me the most popular ones, such as Joe Rogan, Ashley Flowers, Ben Shapiro, and Keith Morrison. My podcast junkie daughter suggested Jordan Harbinger as one who qualifies as an outstanding conversationalist. He seems like a real natural. However, when I learned Fresh Air, the radio show Terry Gross hosts, is now a podcast, I couldn’t help but nominate her. For a long time, I’ve admired her show and her easy manner of carrying on a conversation with her guests. Yeah, it’s an interview, but I’m convinced she goes off-script when the discussion invites her to probe deeper as a guest surprises her with an answer to a question. She adds her take when appropriate, and that adds value to the conversation. She draws information into the open with ease and skill I’ve rarely seen.

    So, yes, I’m giving Terry Gross a spot on this list of all-time great conversationalists. I believe she deserves it. Yet, there could have been so many others from this culture of podcasters. I’ve heard quite a bit of stellar conversation from hosts I’ve overheard in our daughter’s listening around the house when she’s not wearing the headphones. Ms. Gross is somewhat famous, has a proven track record in public conversing and she has a voice I could listen to all day.

    Talkative Times

    I see this as a golden age for conversationalists. The podcast has risen to the heights of entertainment. Although I’m not a fan of some of the content and what I see as weak use of language with the over-use of profanity and an unnecessary presence of professional “laughers,” I recognize the brilliant interaction between people developing thought into perceptive conversation.

  • THE SATISFACTION OF DEEP CONVERSATION

    Do you remember the first time you had a conversation that went beyond surface chat? If so, how old were you? What was the subject? We don’t necessarily recall details of many conversations in our lives, but isn’t this an incident that should be special enough to warrant lucid recall?

    As children, we may ponder and even ask how certain things work. Some kids even vocalize wisdom that seems beyond their years, but I think it’s safe to say it’s rare for them to engage in conversation that digs into the depths of life and living.

    Once the brain has developed enough, deeper thought can be plumbed and articulated. I would judge this to be in the teen years, but it’s a gradual process for most of us and the depths reached may not be terribly significant until adulthood. This of course depends upon natural intelligence, environment and formative experience.

    Thinkers and Conversationalists

    There are those in this world who seem to spend a lot of time in thought and who want to share what they think. These individuals run the risk of simply being annoying, making us listen to what they have learned or in some cases what they have opinions about when they haven’t necessarily formulated the opinions without harvesting actual data. Taking a the lion’s share of conversation time is not the habit of the great conversationalist. Those skilled in worthwhile conversation do have something interesting to say, but they speak their piece efficiently and succinctly. They then listen. There is a natural flow and balance to it all. So, the real thinkers and true communicators add value to a discussion. When two or more people gather with these kinds of skills and dynamics, the result is often electrifying.

    Those who communicate well, meaning they issue and receive communication in this balanced way, have certain traits or acquired skills. I always like to do sufficient research to write something worthy of being read. Today, I came across an outstanding article that provides the elements of great conversation. I wish I had written it. I found it on a website called Thought Catalog. The article title is “13 Little-Known Secrets Of Great Conversationalists.” It is written by Kovie Biakolo, a woman I had not heard of until today. I’ve now looked her up and found she is a freelance journalist who writes about culture, identity and the arts. Her work can be found in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, TIME, among other publications. She relates the little-known secrets of being a great conversationalist expertly. Following are my Top Seven from her list.

    1. Do a lot of reading on various subjects.
    2. Have friendships with people who are diverse in a broad spectrum of ways.
    3. Ask meaningful questions, deepening and enriching the discussion of a given topic.
    4. Listen attentively
    5. Debate with the intent to learn (not to win). Debating to engage in a lively exchange of ideas is stimulating.
    6. Appreciate the silence. Reflecting on what has been said and collecting thoughts are part of the process.
    7. Relentless curiosity. Wanting to receive data and other people’s views enhance the dynamics of conversation.

    It can be seen from this list that those who master the art of conversation are special people indeed. To be well-read, friends with people of highly diverse backgrounds, a query-oriented listener, one who doesn’t make debate competitive, who can comfortably add silence to the discussion and who is hungrily curious–these are qualities not found simultaneously in many individuals.

    Satisfaction in Conversation

    You’ve felt it, right? Coming away from a conversation feeling stimulated, awakened and even fulfilled? Maybe for us average people, it doesn’t happen that often. Too seldom, I would say. There were two studies by Professor Matthias Mehl and a team of researchers at the University of Arizona in which they sought to learn whether having deeper, more meaningful conversations would enhance our well-being. In both studies, the results showed this to be true. People engaging in substantive discussions actually were more satisfied and happier for having participated. It also suggested that more social interaction added to the level of happiness.

    Joy

    I close this article with a few quotes which convey the joy deep conversation can bring.

    “A conversation is so much more than words, a conversation is eyes, smiles, the silences between the words.” ~ Annika Thor

    “Night air, good conversation, and a sky full of stars can heal almost any wound.” ~ Beau Taplin

    “When is the last time that you had a great conversation, a conversation which wasn’t just two intersecting monologues, which is what passes for conversation a lot in this culture? But when had you last a great conversation, in which you overheard yourself saying things that you never knew you knew?”
    — John O’Donohue in Conversation – The Sacred Art by Diane M. Millis

  • IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!

    If you’re on a career path outside the arena of the arts, but you sense a gnawing from the subconscious you should be creating through the medium of aesthetics, you may think that ship has sailed. You may have trained for a practical, stable occupation and think there’s no room for distractions that take you down a rabbit hole into crazy dreams.

    The truth is there’s room for including arts in your life on some level. Despite your busy schedule, there’s time to start developing latent talent you have a longing to explore. There have been many who did so late in life, sometimes to enormous success. This article will give a few examples of stories you may not have heard.

    Ways to Get There

    Imagine this familiar scenario. A girl in elementary school falls in love with books. She wants to read constantly. She always seems to have a book open or at least at hand. This continues through her high school years. She’s a good student, especially good in English and secondary languages, but is so reverent toward authors that she never considers she could be a an outstanding writer, too. Then one day a teacher gives the class an assignment in creative writing. She must write a short story of at least 2000 words. She knows she will be miserable at storytelling and even puts it off until a few days before the assignment is due. When she finally starts typing, she feels a magical tingle in her spine. The words begin to flow and she enters a new mental dimension. The story is almost writing itself and she is merely its instrument. She loves the process and wants nothing more than to keep doing it.

    Discovering artistic talent within us often doesn’t occur until we are beyond our formal education years. One of my brothers grew up focused on sports and having good times (much like me). He was drawn to cars and didn’t mind getting his hands caked with grease in maintaining those cars. He started working immediately after high school, was soon married and raising children. He worked hard and played hard, sometimes sustaining severe injuries that limited his physical activities. When he was in his mid-40s, he jumped off the bed of a big truck as a portable tank of some kind of gas was about to explode. He broke both feet and was disabled for months as he healed. This made him reflect on what he really would love to do with his time. He took up photography and found a passion for it.

    Some individuals don’t realize ability in the arts until their retirement years. In fact, there are cases documented where dementia impinges on use of parts of the brain and allows artistic abilities to surface. This new way of occupying their time gives people a new purpose and function in life.

    Late Bloomers of Note

    Claude Monet–This legend of the art world didn’t start painting until he was in his 30s. His wife died when Monet was in his 40s and this period became transformational for him. His production mushroomed and he developed his iconic style at that time. That hidden potential and generational innovation was lying within for half of his life.

    Vincent van Gogh–Another master with his own distinct style, van Gogh set upon painting in his late 20s. He wasn’t a social person. He didn’t show his work to many people, but he was prolific. In his 10 years or so of work, he completed approximately 2100 paintings. His reluctance to promote himself couldn’t keep his brilliance from being discovered and revered. His life was complex and I don’t claim to understand him well, but his passion for nature and portraits suggest he saw the world with a remarkable depth.

    Out of Nowhere

    Charlize Theron–A striking beauty, Theron was brought to the United States from South Africa by her mother at the age of 19. She had no intention of becoming an actress. She was discovered by a talent agent as she was arguing with a bank teller who refused to cash a check she had presented. Her presentation must have been convincing. She soon landed movie roles and later had impressive box office hits. She developed her craft well and eventually had a lead role in Monster, playing a serial killer who actually lived a tragic life that spiraled downward into a horror for many. Theron won an Academy Award for Best Actress with that part.

    A Life of Expression

    It’s natural to express our thoughts and feelings. It could be said it’s a form of therapy. I know this to be true for me when I write. If we can bring our creative urges into reality where others can experience their manifestation and communicate messages of meaning, we may be able to inspire. What higher purpose can there be? It doesn’t matter you haven’t found this expression yet. It is indeed never too late to try.

  • THE DECLINE OF AMERICA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM–PART TWO

    In Part One, I related how the education system of the United States rose to prominence in the 20th century…and how it has fallen in world rankings over the last 50 years. I covered some of the reasons for its diminishing effectiveness. In this post, I’ll lay out some of the ways the system can be improved.

    Funding

    Providing schools with the money needed to run them and money to conduct the classes and money to carry out the extracurricular activities that enhance the educational experience is a no-brainer. Paring it all down to something akin to a third-world country program is not how to teach our children what they need to succeed in society.

    An integral part of this funding should go toward addressing overcrowding of schools. It isn’t really even being acknowledged in any meaningful way. Reopening the many schools left vacant in the consolidation of schools across the country would be a logical step toward alleviating overcrowding. Teachers and administrators would be needed to operate these schools, but that’s part of what the funding must cover. The shameful ratio of students to teachers should be remediated without further delay. More schools and teachers translate to more effective education.

    Higher Standards

    Throwing money at a problem doesn’t necessarily resolve the problem. That’s bound to be true for education. However, the pool from which to hire top-quality teachers is bound to become bigger if teachers can be paid a salary that corresponds to their value. If more money can be funneled into the education system, talented students who want to teach can keep the incentive to live their dreams without concern for their financial survival.

    Funding for school districts come primarily from state and local governments. The percentages vary from state to state, but typically the state contribution is roughly equal to the local input. The remainder for public schools is provided by the federal government and amounts to 10 to 20 percent. A larger allocation from the federal government could be helpful, but the idea of the overly liberal or overly conservative strings attached make their “help” unwelcome to many individuals in the small locales where they have their own ways of doing things.

    Also, school districts unfortunately are not created equal. Poorer communities have lower property values and thus less property taxes to flow into the school coffers. This means less support for programs and less compensation for hard-working, sometimes highly challenged teachers. Raising the teacher qualifications in such districts can be even more difficult than in the prosperous ones. Federal support could make a great difference to these areas as long as it is non-partisan. In any case, putting classroom management and curriculum creation decisions in the hands of the community increases citizen and parental involvement, which are vital to the health of an education system.

    On the subject of the poorly funded districts, which are often inner city neighborhoods, I also want to touch on the tragic subject sometimes referred to as the school-to-prison pipeline. The following quote from the American Civil Liberties Union website describes the problem and suggests a basic solution.

    “The ACLU is committed to challenging the “school-to-prison pipeline,” a disturbing national trend wherein youth are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal legal systems. Many of these youth are Black or Brown, have disabilities, or histories of poverty, abuse, or neglect, and would benefit from additional supports and resources. Instead, they are isolated, punished, and pushed out.

    “Zero-tolerance” policies criminalize minor infractions of school rules, while cops in schools lead to students being criminalized for behavior that should be handled inside the school. Students of color are especially vulnerable to push-out trends and the discriminatory application of discipline.

    The ACLU believes that children should be educated and supported in schools, not incarcerated. We are working to challenge numerous policies and practices within public school systems and the juvenile justice system that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline.”

    Restorative justice, a system of criminal justice which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large, is also part of the solution and has shown good promise.

    Study Technology

    It’s time for administrators/educators in the USA to more widely accept innovative methods of teaching. I strongly urge them to put greater emphasis on results for individual students rather than moving the herd across the range of the K-12 landscape. Everyone should be monitored and tested each step of the way to ensure they are getting the material to the point of being able to use it. They should be able to work at their own pace and not be pressured to move on to the next section before they fully understand the section at hand. Regimenting grades and mass movement through the system is unnecessary and counter-productive.

    A survey of the highest performing educational systems in the world reveals some interesting developments. The Singapore government created the Education Technology Office. Its purpose is to come up with new technologies that can be used in the classroom. These include educational apps and online learning platforms. They have also put time, money and effort into developing new instructional methods, such as 21st century learning, emphasizing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

    Curricula

    College is overrated and there is a trend away from getting degrees because they don’t offer the odds of success in life they once did. There needs to be greater emphasis on vocational training in public schools to put students on a path to a productive occupation that truly interests them. Vocational training on an ever-widening scope as the world changes would be a solid step toward providing a more meaningful and fulfilling education.

    The German education system is one to aspire to when it comes to preparing students for the world of work. Students are taught how to be efficient and productive workers. They are given the opportunity to get work experience by being placed in internships and actual jobs. When they graduate, they are very employable.

    Turning it Around

    Much more could be written about this subject. The problems with the education system in the United States are complex and wide-ranging. I’ve scratched the surface here, but it’s clear there is hope. If educators, parents and community leaders will open their minds to change and solutions, there are models for success accessible to this great country. Differences can be resolved. Caring communication is where it all starts.

  • THE DECLINE OF AMERICA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM–PART ONE

    The United States was once ranked at or near the top for its effective public education system. Now that system is in a slide that sees its standing deteriorating more and more with each passing decade. Our children are not reaping the benefit of an education that will prepare them for adulthood and a satisfying career. How did this happen? What can be done to reverse the trend?

    The answers to these questions are varied and highly contested on certain points. Politics have become increasingly involved. The issues are complex. Before we take a hard look to see if any reliable answers are being offered, some background may be helpful and relevant.

    The Rise

    The first European colonists arrived in America in the 1600s. In the first 200 years, education was offered selectively to children based on social status, gender, race and region. It was privately provided by the likes of churches, charities, boarding schools for the well-to-do, local civic groups and even traveling schoolmasters. Although the founding fathers made it clear they felt the nation’s citizens should be educated, even publicly, the notion didn’t generally catch on in those early years. In the mid-1800’s, the states were getting on board with the concepts of public education and that it should be free (supported by specified taxes). It became widely accepted that teachers should be trained and students should be required to be in school. By 1870, approximately 78% of children aged 5 to 14 were enrolled in public schools.

    High school attendance didn’t become common until the 20th century. The numbers grew slowly and steadily to the point where the majority of students earned a high school diploma.

    Prior to that, the training of elementary-level teachers became standardized in what were called normal schools. Eventually, teachers were trained for K-12 at teachers colleges. The standards were high. Good teachers were being produced. Education was gaining ground in being valued and respected. Whereas teachers had been mostly male, it became more and more common to see women taking the role.

    Access to an education was not even along the way. People of color, females, immigrants and those from poor families faced challenges that were often daunting. It can be said, however, there were usually many progressive citizens in lots of communities who were promoting more inclusive agendas.

    In spite of the persistent social problems, American students generally were benefitting by the 1950s from a well-organized, well-funded school system. The states were increasing their support while local funding diminished, taking pressure off the local citizens and organizations. There was a steady increase in reading and mathematics performance. These gains had become the norm.

    The Decline

    When the National Assessment of Educational Progress began documenting performance in 1971, the nation’s 17 year-olds were at the same reading level as they were in 2016. They performed better in math, but progress there leveled off in 1990. This lack of development is true for white students as well as other races and ethnicities. For Americans born since the group of 1947-1957, the United States’ subsequent generations rank last in mathematics and second to last in literacy.

    Getting a handle on this failing trend had not been easy as we passed into the 21st century. Then we hit the pandemic. With schools having to teach remotely and students being more on their own to keep up their studies did not yield good results. Recent statistics show that 9 year-olds scored on the average 5 points lower in reading and 7 points lower in mathematics compared to their 2020 assessments. This is the largest average score decline in reading since 1990 and the first ever such decline in math. The Brookings Institute has described the effect of the pandemic on students as “a wrecking ball for U.S. public education, bringing months of school closures, frantic moves to remote instruction, and trauma and isolation.”

    More Reasons Why

    Much has been written about the fall of the American education system’s fall from grace. There’s considerable disagreement about what has brought us to this, but there are many points of agreement as well. I’m not going to bullet point these and discuss each in a short article, but here are some reasons that seem consistent with logic and common sense.

    There are deficits in needed funding for schools. Discontinued programs and the need for teachers to pay for class activities out of their own pockets are obvious proof of ongoing shortages. Decline in school safety is a distraction that is significant. Another distraction is technology and it can make it easier to cheat rather than learn. Standardized testing can lead students to study for test questions instead of deeply learning a subject, internalizing the data. Teacher salaries have decreased in some cases and failed to maintain a level of sustainability in many others, meaning talented teachers are lost and less competent teachers are hired in greater numbers. Overcrowded schools have resulted from numerous school closures and bigger classes translate to less individual attention from teachers. Mental health challenges are on the rise among students and the ratio of counselors to students is inadequate. Parental involvement in their children’s education is lacking, making their children less likely to succeed. Teaching methods are inadequate and teacher innovation has been suppressed by standardized curriculums and testing.

    Leading to Solutions

    There are other theories about why our system is failing. There are also solutions being proposed. Some are contentious and controversial. In Part Two, I’ll delve into these. It’s a huge topic, but I’ll do my best to do it justice.

  • THE ART OF RELAXATION

    One of the best benefits of being a writer is learning about a subject you are intending to inform your readers about while not being an expert. Ideally, we have a reservoir of knowledge from which we draw, but speaking for myself, I have an incomplete education on so many things I want to share that I can hardly help informing others without informing myself.

    One of my favorite books comes to mind. I’m referring to Illusions by Richard Bach. His tongue-in-cheek treatment of the job of a Messiah is based on a fictional book he was given titled Messiah’s Handbook & Reminders for the Advanced Soul. One passage from the book states “Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers.”

    With that as justification for doing an article on the art of relaxation when I am not a master of it myself, I forge ahead, armed with some excellent information that may help if you’re in need of it.

    Is Relaxation Natural?

    I dare say it is a natural state. Our brains are versatile enough to help guide us through dangerous situations by substituting in non-relaxed emotions. This is definitely a survival mechanism. However, we are talking about times when we are at rest and not in danger.

    Being stressed is a reaction to perceived or imagined threats to survival. It can manifest in many environments, including confrontation with a grizzly bear, confrontation with an employer, a shortage of money and many more scary scenarios.

    When we are freed from places and situations that pose danger, we will relax if we haven’t already entered onto a spectrum of mental illness. One of the symptoms of this condition is worry when nothing is threatening us in the moment. When we look upon a gorgeous sunset, smell a pine forest or listen to the crashing waves of an ocean, we should return to a state in which nature soothes whatever ails us.

    The Science in the Art

    Learning how to relax can be a difficult task for those who have become accustomed to having their nerves on edge. Some can even become addicted to it. There’s been a need for relaxation for many centuries and ancient practices were devised by wise people throughout time to help calm us down. I would like now to share some techniques which I’ve found from various sources.

    Businessinsider.com published an article in 2013 that suggested 10 proven ways to relax. Clearly, people in business need to relax. Among the 10, there were such interesting techniques as listening to mellow music, having a makeout session, watching a funny movie, taking a yoga class, eating chocolate and creating a mental trigger. This last means to decide upon and do some particular routine before tackling a strenuous activity. For instance, one could focus on a stone or other object that brings comfort. Or, doing some jumping jacks could shed some anxiety. Also, ignoring your phone is one of the 10 with promise.

    In his book Change Your Brain Change Your Life, Dr. Daniel G. Amen has reported that the basal ganglia in the brain set the anxiety level of the individual. He has written prescriptions for setting or resetting our basal ganglia to a relaxed, healthy level. He instructs taking 20 to 30 minutes per day to train relaxation through guided imagery. We can focus on imagining our safe haven where all is ideal according to our own customized wishes. He gives other prescriptions such as diaphragmatic breathing and training the mind to stop automatic negative thoughts. There are others. He provides detailed routines that have been successful for his patients.

    One of the most common methods to bring about relaxation is meditation. These are usually accompanied by breathing exercises that help calm us. This is one of those ancient techniques that has brought deep relaxation to many.

    Take it Easy

    There is an abundance of techniques that could be a solution for you. Find your way to something that makes sense, hopefully a tried and true method proven through use over many years. And may you find peace in your application.

  • EQUANIMITY WINS THE DAY! (BUT DON’T GET TOO EXCITED)

    There are at least a few terms for it. Steadiness, unruffledness, equilibrium, calm, evenness are several. Diverse leaders encourage it–Buddhists, psychologists, coaches in sports, certain bloggers. Diverse leaders discourage it–mob instigators, dictators, cult heads, certain bloggers. But what is it really? Psychology Today provides a good working definition:  Equanimity means to “maintain mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.”

    I have thought of myself as an even-keeled person for most of my life. I believe I give that impression to others generally. Maybe on a scale of one to 10, I score above five. I like to be the calm in a storm, the voice of reason in conflict, the cool head in an emergency. Yet, recent exercises in introspection have enlightened me to the reality I am being buffeted about on the waves of emotion that run amok through my mind. So although I’m one who encourages equanimity, I recuse myself from being an expert or shining example on how to walk the walk. Let’s take a look at some better sources of equanimity wisdom than me. I can at least shine a light on those who can show the way.

    Quotes

    “Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.” – Carl Jung

    “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” – Marcus Aurelius

    “There are two types of seeds in the mind: those that create anger, fear, frustration, jealousy, hatred and those that create love, compassion, equanimity and joy. Spirituality is germination and sprouting of the second group and transforming the first group.” – Amit Ray

    “All of life is peaks and valleys. Don’t let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low.” – John Wooden

    John Wooden in Equilibrium

    How to Develop Equanimity

    Development of equanimity is a subject of great depth and potential complexity. Teachers of spiritual and psychological principles are good people to seek for guidance. With the limited space designated for this post, I’ll point in a few promising directions and pass along some sensible tips to get you started.

    There’s a remarkable article on the National Institute of Health website, Moving beyond Mindfulness: Defining Equanimity as an Outcome Measure in Meditation and Contemplative Research that gives insight into equanimity with an in-depth scientific perspective, recommending meditation, yoga and other contemplative practices while acknowledging the value of clinical studies to measure the efficacy of such activities.

    Psychology Today’s website has an article titled 4 Simple Ways to Replace Hostility With Equanimity which could be very helpful when applied.

    The Yoga Journal published an article online called “Calm Within” and subtitled Cultivate equanimity in the face of life’s ups and downs, and find deeper access to joy. This piece informs the reader of different perspectives on handling adversity. It also tells of how to get started on a practice to cultivate equanimity.

    Suggestions: 1) Train your mind as a way to overcome excessive emotional reaction. There are various methods to get control, including meditation, developing good eating habits, focusing on one task at a time and maintaining that focus, acknowledging feelings rather than denying them, engaging in creative activities, being mindful to the present moment, and getting into focused physical activities such as sports and games; 2) Realize or remember you are not your mind. Your emotions are not you. You exist apart from those and you reside in a place of peace and calm.

    What Do I Know?

    I know I’d be better off to be rational under all circumstances. That makes me realize successful emotional self-control is essential. Life presents many surprising situations that will challenge our emotional equanimity. I need to develop mentally and spiritually to the point I’m not caught off guard in whatever provocation. I should keep my balance and gracefully dance to whatever tune the Piper plays.

  • SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST

    One of the most shocking things I ever witnessed in person happened during a pickup basketball game in which one of the guys on my team suddenly punched an opposing player right in the face. The player who was struck was knocked out and he slumped to the floor. I could hardly believe what I had seen. I stood there motionless, emotionally numb.

    Once when I caught my daughter smoking pot in her bedroom in our home, I knocked loud on her door. When she stood there in front of me, I yelled at her angrily to get the point across I would not tolerate any illegal activity in our house. Before she could even respond, she fainted and fell. I also saw her faint a few years ago for no apparent reason and she hit her head on a small table. She went into a seizure that frightened her mother and me not just a little.

    I myself have fainted a couple of times, back when I was a child and was quite sick. One was at school. I hit my mouth on a low cabinet as I fell and broke off two front teeth. It was a life-changing event. In recent years, my cardiologist told me I’m a candidate to have sudden cardiac arrest because I have had rather long pauses in my heartbeat. That triggered recurring moments of fear and panic when I felt an irregular heart rhythm. I’ve moved past these emotional reactions in the last couple years, but what I witnessed on Monday Night Football last week brought back these shocks of the past.

    The Lights Go Out

    Chances are you know the facts surrounding the incident, but I’d like to share my account. I was watching a game on January 2nd, alone in our living room. I’m a big Buffalo Bills fan. We lived near Buffalo in Niagara Falls when the Bills franchise came into existence. This was a key game of their season. Damar Hamlin saw Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver carrying the ball into his area. Hamlin tackled him and got up from the play as usual, but suddenly Hamlin fell backward from his standing position. His knees buckled and he just tipped over. I was stunned and so were the announcers and so were millions of viewers.

    When it became obvious he was in serious medical trouble, I took my cue from the players on the field. Their faces conveyed fear and grief and disbelief. Whatever was wrong with him, it was clear these men who were no strangers to injury were strangers to what it was they were seeing. I was afraid for this 24 year-old whose bright future was now in serious question. The Bills players came onto the field and formed a dense circle around their fallen teammate, presumably to give him privacy from curious cameras. We would not see what they were seeing as Hamlin and the medical team fought for his life. The word came before long that CPR was being administered. This was a matter of life and death.

    Football Was No Longer Important

    An ambulance whisked Hamlin away as a hushed stadium full of frenzied fans looked on fearfully. The game officials declared the teams would be given five minutes to gather themselves and restart the game. It soon became evident the appetite for the game was dwindling. The players on both sides looked to be in shock. The announcers found it difficult to expound as the only thing they could talk about was shrouded in a void of information. The two head coaches met on the sidelines with the officials, agreeing to send the teams to the locker room indefinitely. The game was suspended until further notice.

    An hour or so after the injury, the National Football League announced the game would not be played that night. In subsequent days, it was decided the game would not be finished at all. All people cared about around football and far beyond was whether this young man would make it out of intensive care with his life.

    The story of Damar Hamlin grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. I know it wasn’t just me being a dedicated sports fan. His name was prominent in the news cycle. His condition was updated to the world on major news services internationally as soon as any information became available. My heart was captive to the fragile condition of his heart. When I learned the next morning he had survived the night, I shed tears of joy.

    The Short and Winding Road

    Hamlin was placed on a ventilator and was put under heavy sedation. This left the world wondering if he would ever wake up and if he did, would he breathe on his own again. Not only that, would he be able to move or would he be a slave to paralysis? I checked the news at least once every day of the week and beyond.

    On Tuesday, the day following the collapse, an uncle reported Hamlin was needing less oxygen from the ventilator. He remained in critical condition, still unconscious. I was so happy just to learn he was still alive.

    On Wednesday, a family spokesman said his friend was showing signs of improvement. The lack of detail left much to be desired, but he was headed in the right direction.

    On Thursday, he awoke and used a writing pad to ask who won the game. More importantly, a doctor said he was making substantial improvement and his neurological function was intact!

    On Friday, the ventilator was removed from his body. He had a Face Time call with his teammates in which he spoke, saying “Love you boys.” I felt genuine relief he had survived the dreaded ventilator. Now there was actual verbal communication on his part.

    On Saturday, he was still listed in critical condition. He posted on Instagram and Twitter, thanking everyone who reached out. He requested continued prayers. I was puzzled that he was so interactive, yet still considered to be in critical condition.

    He was photographed sitting up in bed on Sunday, parents at his sides, oxygen tubes running to his nose. He watched the Bills football game and reportedly jumped up in excitement as the team scored a touchdown on the opening play.

    On Monday, one week after cardiac arrest, he was upgraded and released from University of Cincinnati Medical Center to Buffalo General Medical Center. He tweeted that all the love he has received has been “an amazing feeling.” He added, “The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more.”

    As I write this on Wednesday, January 11th, Damar Hamlin has been released from Buffalo General to complete his rehab at home and with the Bills training staff. His recovery has been described as remarkable.

    When Disaster Strikes

    I’ve seen human cruelty. I’ve contributed to its heartless cuts. I’ve witnessed society’s indifference to suffering. I’ve turned a cold shoulder myself. I’ve observed people withholding love from those who need it for whatever reason. I’ve resisted the natural flow of love through my own heart. But when the specter of death or destruction forces its way into our consciousness, we of the human race tend to rise to our higher nature. We want to help with the resources available to us. We will roll up our sleeves and clean up a disaster area. We’ll send money for the newly destitute. We’ll take time for prayer and compassion and condolences for support of the devastated who we don’t even know.

    It happens all around the world, again and again. Humanitarian action comes to the aid of those in need. In the case of Hamlin, our love was manifested in various forms. Candlelight vigils, social media messages, and heartfelt caring attention to his welfare are a few ways it has been expressed. One of the most striking shows of support came by donations to a GoFundMe campaign he had organized in 2020. It was under the name of Chasing M’s Foundation and it was initially meant to be a Community Toy Drive with a goal to raise $2500. In the short time since his injury, the campaign donations skyrocketed. It quickly shot up over a million dollars. Currently, the total is over eight million dollars! I view that as evidence of humanity just having to give its support to this stricken young man in any way it can.

    Paying it Forward

    And now we have Damar Hamlin telling us he plans to put the love he has received back into the world. May we keep passing it on and building on it, creating a movement of love for all. This is what it’s all about. May love, peace and joy abound.