Friday 25 April 2014

IN WHICH BEAR DOES SOME READING AND RAKING

In the Book

As many of you know, Bear is primarily a reader of non-fiction. For him to venture into a novel would be a novel experience, indeed.

One does not normally use "exciting" to describe a work of non-fiction, but there are exceptions to every tradition. And this is one of them.

The book I'm reading is called The Great Turning; its sub-title is "From Empire to Earth Community." 

David C. Korten is no socialist. Born in 1937, he grew up in a white, middle-class and very conservative part of the state of Washington. He has a Ph.D. from the Stanford Business School and has taught at Harvard University's Business School.[1] That's a pretty good track record as a conservative economist.

But then, the shift.
"To this day, I retain my conservative suspicion of big government. I am now, however, equally suspicious of big business and big finance. . . . Although I love my country, . . . I have seen first-hand the devastating negative impact that the economic and military policies of the US government have had on democracy, economic justice, and environmental stability."[2] But as Korten notes, by time his children had graduated from high school, they had lived (with their parents) in Nicaragua, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as in the US. Indeed, he has some very negative comments for what he calls the "conservative agenda" of contemporary US politics.

I'm only getting into the book, but the first 20 pages are fascinating. I'll have more in due course. 


In other news:

• We hosted a birthday party for our daughter-in-law on Tuesday,
• I spent much of Wednesday at the university doing ethics work,
• the Russians have not invaded Ukraine, yet,
• the Sheltie "Superdogs" are still with us, and will be for another week,  

• I'm going to be leading worship in our congregation a couple of times, in the May and June (old habits die hard, and people seem to know that for some reason), and, 
it snowed last night. When the Superdogs and I went out this morning, there was snow on the ground and it was still coming down. On April 25th. (And I was just getting started on our spring work, after a day of sun and a couple of days' rain.) GGggRRrr!

Blessings and Bear hugs, everyone!

Notes
[1] www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Korten.
[2] David C. Korten, The Great Turning, pp. 8-9.


Today's Weather Report
It's 0°C (32°F) with snow this morning, but feels like -5C (23F). The anticipated high is 6C (or 43F), but it will feel like only 3C (that's 37F). It will be cloudy all day. With fog overnight, and temperature of 2C (36F).

31 comments:

  1. It seems just too late in the day for it to be snowing!! Glad to read you are well and keeping busy! ♥

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    1. Yes, the snow is getting a bit tiresome, Kathy. We've had a Robin here for a week, who bravely sings amidst the snow.

      Hope you are well.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

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  2. What, no 53 comments already? Awesome. So Now I will write. Glad you are keeping your old habits and are taking some services. I can subscribe to most of the things you believe in and you do walk the talk.
    You really do need to get your own superdogs. I am so glad you are back in a house! I hope the yard work is not too much for you and that you can/will contract much of it out to others. So far Kerry and Lavrov are still yelling at each other. Better than shooting (unless it were at each other).

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    1. If I were more predictable, it might be easier to reply. But as consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative, I prefer it this way.

      When the work around the house gets too onerous, I have a son who lives within two blocks. Whereas you have a couple of sons-in-law. But the whole point of the house is to keep me active. Better to wear out than rust out. I have been busy re-organizing downspouts, to keep water away from the house. Done just in time, before the rain storms.

      Thanks for your continuing kindness, Al!

      Maybe we could find a sniper to take out Putin on his next visit to Ukraine? Or, better the devil we know than the devil we don't?

      Hope you, Tanya, and family stay well. Blessings and Bear hugs! (That's Canadian Bear, not Russian Bear. Russian Bear hug is Putin's dream for Ukraine.)

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  3. There is a lot to learn from fiction too. I see you are thawing a tad; hope your weather warms up a bit more.

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    1. Fiction is wonderful, Rosaria. And I've read lots. It's just that I hear lots of fiction that passes as news these days, so I wonder.

      We may get some spring in time for summer. I'm the eternal optimist.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  4. That sounds an interesting book. I am off to catch up on your previous posts now.....

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Cait. Happy reading!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  5. Something tells me you're going to miss the shelties when they're gone....right after you celebrate them leaving.

    Beau has learned to WALK BACKWARDS in front of me. He's been seeing Joe doing it a lot lately, to help me keep my balance. Now Beau is doing it. They are family.

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    1. Ah, dogs; you gotta love 'em. Walking backwards, or four-legged doorbells, or cuddle cushions. I'm sure I'll niss them when they're gone. But to keep the house clean, we need to vacuum the place at least once a day. They do shed a lot of hair. Not so sure I'd miss that.

      The dogs are more fun, though, than pigs that fly!

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Lotta!

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  6. pretty nice blog, following :)

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    1. Hello, Skyline Spirit. Thanks so much for coming by. Especially leaving a note.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  7. Glad you found a good read, particularly since it snowed again! I primarily read fiction, but I did just finish Unbroken, which was one of the most phenomenal true stories I have ever encountered. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it.

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    1. I've come to believe that, on a snowy day, one should curl up before a nice fire (in the fireplace) with a book and a dog. Which then begs the question of why I am sitting at my computer. (The dogs are curled up close to me feet, so I guess that counts as part.)

      Thanks you for the book tip! Glad you enjoyed the reading.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  8. Sounds like you've been keeping yourself busy.

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    1. I have been keeping myself busy. I'll bet you have two, with all your little friends. Happy Ratterday!

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Mary.

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  9. Dr. Korten is a wise man, whose beliefs reflect many including mine. There is such a sadness for what was once a nation where every one could improve themselves, gain.

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    1. There is, indeed, a lot of sadness, with good reason.

      Attached is the link to th opening scene of the tv series The Newsroom. I don't know whether you've seen it, that you will have to cut and paste:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4r7hIWln7Q
      It addresses the situation in a balanced manner, but it is powerful.

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  10. Oh Bear more snow are you sure you do not live in Siberia Russia? :) I tend to read non-fiction and write fiction or is that the other way around:) Take care have fun. B

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    1. Not in Siberia. No pictures of half-nude President Putin on a horse here on our walls.

      I think you must read fiction and write non-fiction. Cows with hats — who could make that up as fiction?

      Blessings and Bear hugs (Canadian Bears that is, Buttons)!

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  11. Mmm... as a person who also studied economics, it is definitely interesting to read what economists say when they're not being bound by politics of some sort.

    Might just check this book out.

    Hope the snow goes away soon for you! It arrived in my country yesterday. :-)

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  12. I just put a hold on this book at the library. I am looking forward to reading what has turned you on like this! :-)

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  13. I can think of a few exciting nonfiction reads and surprisingly none were about poodles.

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  14. I'm thinking you should have regular visits from your friends...I know the hair is a challenge...I have a cat and I am watching a fur ball float by as I type..and I just swept the floor...but! yes, there is a thought at the end of this train...I note that you have a lift to your spirit. Now, please grade on a big curve for my horrid sentence structure. Have a great weekend Bear..we are expecting dangerous storms Sunday...so I am not very happy with spring so far.

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  15. That sounds like a very interesting book to wrap your mind around and no doubt very challenging. A book like that might make you want to go man the barricades and start a new revolution like the one in the 60's.

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  16. Wow! You have been busy. The book sounds interesting. The snow? Not so much.

    Good thing you still have your winter coat. You do, right?

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  17. I snowed here in the California mountains on April 26! I am a progressive person, mainly because of what's happening in these United States where conservatives are buying into the carrot dangling in front of them, placed there by the rich who have them convinced that if they work hard, don't go on public assistance, make do without health insurance, love big oil, love guns, don't question anything, don't think for themselves, hate all minorities, and on and on....they too will some day become wealthy and live the good old American dream of wealth and fame...... In Sweden I would be a conservative, probably.

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  18. Give those adorable Sheltie dogs a hug from Mia and me.

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  19. I'm glad that many people read books and articles on government and economics and then relay their thoughts to those of us who rarely read those things; not that I am totally ignorant about what goes on in the world. I mostly watch news talk shows, C-span and the like. There is enough debate going on to help me form opinions.
    Enjoy the book. I'll click over the the link of the author, because you know, I'm "Just Curious." :)

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  20. It was reading his book 'When Corporations Rule the World' that first got me to truly understand that it's essentially the power engendered by massive quantities of money in few hands that causes the most serious problems in the world. It's becoming more apparent to everyone by the minute.

    I hope you're well, Bear.
    Best wishes.

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  21. I haven't seen Korten's first book, but I'm assuming this book is "variations on a theme."

    If you would like to read similar information from other sources, I could suggest a number to you.

    Oh, and low-grade depression really is unfriendly. But I'm all right of the shape I'm in. I think.

    Blessings and Bear hugs.

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