I keep asking my daughter what generation we’re up to now...
Luv Ullman was a favorite - but mostly because of how endearing and blunt she was on Johnny Carson back in the day. My feeling about her films with Bergman though was ‘kill me now.’ Before we even went into the theater.
"Our common humanity" is held to be a false dogma, scorned by people who fancy themselves intellectuals. That's certainly why antisemitism has seized a bridgehead on university campuses: The Jew as the sinister Other embodies the original denial that all humanity is equally human. It comes out in other ways, too, as when young people imagine that their thoughts and feelings bring something new into the world. That's what you came up against, Liza. Indeed, one of the most pernicious myths with which we're saddled is that of youthful idealism and virtue. A good antidote to that delusion would be to read Stephen King's first novel, "Carrie."
In politics, tribalism manifests itself in the belief that the other side is not just wrong or misguided, but evil. Nothing builds self-esteem like the feeling that you're on the side of the angels. Alas, though, nobody is—at least not all the time.
I have to disagree with Liv Ullman that there are no heroes. Why she would say such a thing I can't imagine. In that regard, heroism, we are not all equal. I've often thought about those FDNY firefighters who ran toward the Twin Towers on 9/11. Would I have done the same? Could I have done the same? I'd like to think so, but I just don't know. Anyhow, they were heroes and no mistake.
"why do we set up artificial boundaries, create sweeping gerenalized descriptions of large groups of people that somehow differentiate us because we were born in randomly selected years?"
An excellent question Liza! Thank you putting it out there 🙏
Nov 13, 2023·edited Nov 13, 2023Liked by Liza Donnelly
Okay, I have a hero. It's Erma Bombeck. She did more for the American housewife than any other woman. She validated her and gave her a voice. For starters, she admitted she was one. She held up a mirror to her life, burst out laughing, then sat down and wrote about it for millions to enjoy. I live by one of her many quotable quips: "If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it." In this insane world, that's one thing that keeps me going. Love the baby cartoon. Too funny.
I have been gifted to work closely with hundreds of adult college undergraduate and graduate students often for several years . We studies the world, both current and the past, and the self. Students designed learning plans often ten pages a semester. One student, retired from the police force so he could build a homeless shelter in rural towns with no support. Another equally honored student lived in her car and went on to manage a McDonalds. It was both personal learning and societal transformation, if you will. Every day was amazing because students always chose to grow as they were able. We never used the word hero but I think every student had superb capabilities and nearly all sought to build their life.
How can we expand such learning? Think exisiting schools, libraries, community centers, senior center and so on.
Our economic system in general and social media in particular has found brilliant ways to find and exploit differences among us--and make a profit in the process.
My simple answer--quite easy up here in small village Vermont--is to build connection through community building. And let's be real: the same connections we establish here in the mountains are also viable in suburbs and towns and cities (Black bears wander through my back yard--as they do in Princeton NJ) . Turn off the screen and go for a walk with a neighbor. Help at the library. Work to dismantle racism and class and toxic heterosexism.(Build this list as you see fit)
Listen, pause, build, bridge, bond. Work. Support nature and each other..
Thank you for this, bob. Advertising and media tend to like to amplify difference, because it sells. Gender difference for example, has always been a selling thing. Community, yes! You are so right, and we can find community in many places. Thank you for the reminder of that as well.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Oh thank you.... I love her too .... well respect her and maybe I do love her.....
I agree about divisions. Goes for a lot of things.
I keep asking my daughter what generation we’re up to now...
Luv Ullman was a favorite - but mostly because of how endearing and blunt she was on Johnny Carson back in the day. My feeling about her films with Bergman though was ‘kill me now.’ Before we even went into the theater.
"Our common humanity" is held to be a false dogma, scorned by people who fancy themselves intellectuals. That's certainly why antisemitism has seized a bridgehead on university campuses: The Jew as the sinister Other embodies the original denial that all humanity is equally human. It comes out in other ways, too, as when young people imagine that their thoughts and feelings bring something new into the world. That's what you came up against, Liza. Indeed, one of the most pernicious myths with which we're saddled is that of youthful idealism and virtue. A good antidote to that delusion would be to read Stephen King's first novel, "Carrie."
In politics, tribalism manifests itself in the belief that the other side is not just wrong or misguided, but evil. Nothing builds self-esteem like the feeling that you're on the side of the angels. Alas, though, nobody is—at least not all the time.
I have to disagree with Liv Ullman that there are no heroes. Why she would say such a thing I can't imagine. In that regard, heroism, we are not all equal. I've often thought about those FDNY firefighters who ran toward the Twin Towers on 9/11. Would I have done the same? Could I have done the same? I'd like to think so, but I just don't know. Anyhow, they were heroes and no mistake.
In relation to heros, perhaps there are few heros; firefighters are doing their jobs but bravery is a different beast.
I suggest that you try doing that job...
My point is, they know what they are signing up for and its not heroism.
Somehow, I think you're wrong about that...
We've agreed to disagree before, right? 😉
"why do we set up artificial boundaries, create sweeping gerenalized descriptions of large groups of people that somehow differentiate us because we were born in randomly selected years?"
An excellent question Liza! Thank you putting it out there 🙏
It's such a strange concept!
You are a treat, everyday in a world of sad news. You sketch said everything. I’m looking up a he Liv Ullman film.
Thank you, Heather!
Okay, I have a hero. It's Erma Bombeck. She did more for the American housewife than any other woman. She validated her and gave her a voice. For starters, she admitted she was one. She held up a mirror to her life, burst out laughing, then sat down and wrote about it for millions to enjoy. I live by one of her many quotable quips: "If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it." In this insane world, that's one thing that keeps me going. Love the baby cartoon. Too funny.
Laughter is so important!! Thanks, Allia, for reminding us that via Erma!
I have been gifted to work closely with hundreds of adult college undergraduate and graduate students often for several years . We studies the world, both current and the past, and the self. Students designed learning plans often ten pages a semester. One student, retired from the police force so he could build a homeless shelter in rural towns with no support. Another equally honored student lived in her car and went on to manage a McDonalds. It was both personal learning and societal transformation, if you will. Every day was amazing because students always chose to grow as they were able. We never used the word hero but I think every student had superb capabilities and nearly all sought to build their life.
How can we expand such learning? Think exisiting schools, libraries, community centers, senior center and so on.
Our economic system in general and social media in particular has found brilliant ways to find and exploit differences among us--and make a profit in the process.
My simple answer--quite easy up here in small village Vermont--is to build connection through community building. And let's be real: the same connections we establish here in the mountains are also viable in suburbs and towns and cities (Black bears wander through my back yard--as they do in Princeton NJ) . Turn off the screen and go for a walk with a neighbor. Help at the library. Work to dismantle racism and class and toxic heterosexism.(Build this list as you see fit)
Listen, pause, build, bridge, bond. Work. Support nature and each other..
Oh: be grateful for Liza. (Smile)
Thank you for this, bob. Advertising and media tend to like to amplify difference, because it sells. Gender difference for example, has always been a selling thing. Community, yes! You are so right, and we can find community in many places. Thank you for the reminder of that as well.