Putney Passions

A friend of mine bought me A Devil's Chaplain by Richard Dawkins. I'm not liking how it started…

After reading the first essay "A Devil's Chaplain", I found myself disagreeing with much of the basic thinking of the author.

T. H. Huxley's statement:

'Let us understand, once for all, that the ethical progress of society depends, not on imitating the cosmic process, still less in running away from it, but combating it.'

He says

'(man is) the only potential island of refuge from the implications of the Devil's Chaplain: from the cruelty, and the clumsy, blundering waste.'

There are four reasons why this is preposterous. (more…)

Thank you England! Thanks for giving us London – an international city for the world. Its majesty, its history, its beauty, it's convenience for world travel. You've selflessly (unwittingly?) donated this great city to all global citizens to call home.

Sorry for the persistent and increasingly effective cleansing of all things particularly English from London; It's necessary you see. We're defining a new homeland here, as well as in other international capitals; An international metropolis has to have a certain standard of convenience, modernity, and style; We'll keep the English bits as a unique colour and flair! (Please note the English spelling of color).

Some lament that London, England is dead. I doubt it; however, I'm not English. For English London to be dead is to say that the English have been too weak to establish a permanent and unique character to the place. I don't think so. London has a civility, intelligence, pride, history and openness that other world capitals don't have. It is true that this is invisible to many proud English people; alas what is most truly yourself is invisible to yourself; what is invisible is no less real. (more…)

Last night Russell and I were watching a movie that my brother and father recommended over Christmas.  I loved the film.  Sideways is really interesting mix of beautiful, artsy cinematography, hilarious comedy, love and misadventure. 

I thought it was simply going to be a comedy.  This is certainly how my brother Brian described it to us. “I am NOT drinking any f***ing merlot!!” was the memorable phrase, followed by chuckles… (more…)

I mean a different thing than most people when I say wellbeing.  I see wellbeing as something more profound than the absence of physical illness.  I see it as an integrity of the whole of someone.  

I also believe that wellbeing is cumulative and expands naturally. 

It's cumulative in that there are basic foundations of wellbeing that are necessary to take care of before higher levels can be addressed.  Like if you have a broken leg, you really should have it splinted and go to the hospital before you look at your mental health. 

It's expanding because people expand as they take care of their wellbeing.  What I mean by this is that as people are well personally in terms of physical health, mental and emotional health and financial health, they always expand to be concerned about the wellbeing of others.  I have always seen this to be the case.  

I can write forever on this idea but will pause.  What do you think?