LIFE'S OBSERVATIONS

David Mosdal Guest Columnist

Sometimes, I wonder why the world seems a little crazy from time to time and I have to conclude that the world is always crazy, and not just a little bit. But, take heart. It's not that much different than the times when stories worthy of note were told and repeated around communal fires, continually tended for warmth, cooking and for discouraging large animals with sharp teeth from having us for lunch. Important news stories were written on sheltered rock overhangs, cave walls and ceilings, perhaps providing the impetus for the Sistine Chapel. The point is, human beings (including the Neanderthals) were compelled to disseminate the news of the day, especially when it could be vital to one's survival. Over the centuries this system was refined, resulting in things like written language, radio, the internet, social media and post secondary education. (One of my favorite classes along the way was Bob Waterman's History and Philosophy of Education). Fast forward to the present when it seems all knowledge (that is, everything about EVERYTHING) is being digitized and cataloged and hyperlinked to the point of being too much of a good thing. If you need further evidence, look up www.worldometers.info and watch the numbers roll. This nearly real time data collection and display of information will astound you. Look at World Population, Births and Deaths. Compare the numbers of undernourished people to the numbers of obese people (they are about the same). Look at how much money is being tabulated on various human endeavors, and on and on. Just, wow. So this leads me to some fundamental questions about sex, politics and religion. If you are foolish, or brave enough to broach any of these subjects with a general audience the answer is a resounding “We don't talk about that” or “Don't get me started”. Well, that doesn't seem like a good way to confront differences of opinion that probably only differ by the angle of the light shown on them. Bring your own flashlight but be willing to turn it off and listen while another person is explaining their view. I have a homework assignment for anyone who appreciates the absurd lengths to which we can go to make a point. Educate yourself about a “movement” called “Birds Aren't Real”. It has some Millennial roots. It's a very loud but tongue-in-cheek request to be allowed to enter the conversation. So are you Apple or Android? Facebook or the daily paper? Stay informed.