The whole piece is beautiful but I loved the line about substances that are not food, but play food on TV. Just in that one line you evoke images of magazine ads and TV commercials and somehow, pushers in dark alleys and all the most predatory and toxic aspects of Hollywood.
Perhaps the key word is 'Wonder'. Wonder, as in amazement lacking in full comprehension. When you get down to it, that is at the heart of science.
But there are those whose minds can only handle belief. The belief need have no basis, no wonder, no comprehension; it must only offer security. Some people feel uncomfortable not knowing, or only half knowing, and so they make up a belief, and it satisfies them.
A guy told me once that he believed in science. I pointed out that science is not a belief system. It is a doubt system. Question. Contemplate. Wonder. That is science.
I once had to walk around a huge lounging harbor seal on the dock in Seward, Alaska, at 20 below in the dark of winter, to get to a friend’s boat that was anchored there. I was flabbergasted at its daunting rubbery and sizable bulk out of the water, but we were both fascinated by each other as I squeezed by within just a couple feet, walking slowly so as not to startle it. Such a simple moment, but I’m always in awe when wildlife lets me get so close, and the memory really sticks with me
The great comfort of growing up in the West was knowing that freedom would govern problem solving in a democratic way. In my childhood, even as a younger man, that seemed inevitable. People would vote with their feet. The fittest narratives would survive. Western liberalism would lead the way indefinitely. There was a sense that as we naturally veered off course, or special interests propogated false narratives, or commercial interests hijacked the system, it was not apocalyptic,the system would auto correct over time.
The greatest loss I felt in the last decade was the belief in this continuity; the faith that what reason was embedded in Western Liberal institutions would naturally prevail. This loss, not coincidentally, corresponded with your ejection from 'academia' in the US and Jordan Peterson and Lyndsay Shepherd's ejection from academia up north. These were threshold moments for me and the reasonable who entrusted our course to Western Liberalism. But as much as they represented a loss, they were also touchstones for an emerging culture. It has become clear that reason has been hollowed out of our institutions, through language games and bad faith values. And so it very well may be the end of many Western Liberal institutions. But it's not the end of Western Liberal culture. I am hopeful for this year and for our future precisely because you and scores of others in my orbit have picked up the mantle from our institutions.
Sadly, they can no longer distinguish between false narratives and reality. But we can and we are and it's contagious. Evergreen's loss was America's gain. Thank you for a wonderful and thoughtful and evolutionary year.
Thank you for this post Dr. Heying. On your time spent with the Rogers, have you given any thought to reading to them? You have a very comforting speaking voice and I think you would win them over in no time at all.
You put my disorganized thoughts into coherent sentences and paragraphs. My food is similar to yours: a delicious beef stew using stewed tomatoes I canned last year, MY canned chicken stock (enhanced with spices and aromatics), fresh potatoes, carrots and onions, bay leaves, plenty of pepper. My Weck jar, however, holds my sourdough starter. We eat this way every day. We are lucky enough to have started gathering dark brown eggs from our seven “girls”, who are housed and treated like the generous creatures they are. They are in danger of being spoiled.
I'm left with a peaceful vision of seals bobbing and a ghost ship passing. I also have to try out a new way to make turkey soup. My version includes the leftover turkey meat and gravy dumped into the stock, a big handful of dried basil, loads of pressed garlic, chopped carrots and a large can of fire roasted tomatoes. Thank you for being a barrier to their barriers.
That sounds so lovely. Getting to watch seals, or any creatures in their preferred habitat is quite grounding. One realizes that the world was not made for us. We are just one of the fascinating species that inhabit it. Every bit of nature informs us. It belongs, do we? We did at one point, but chose a different path. One that still benefits from our recognition of how nature shaped us into the least natural species on the planet. We can love our environments as much when we work to preserve the natural aspects as when we work to maintain the unnatural aspects.
The last time you wrote about seals I was figuring you’d have to get into a wet suit and lay on the ground or float in the water to shrink the barrier between you and they
The whole piece is beautiful but I loved the line about substances that are not food, but play food on TV. Just in that one line you evoke images of magazine ads and TV commercials and somehow, pushers in dark alleys and all the most predatory and toxic aspects of Hollywood.
I especially loved the "substances that are not food, but play food on TV" too.
oh yeah, totally jumped out at me too. good one, Heather!
Perhaps the key word is 'Wonder'. Wonder, as in amazement lacking in full comprehension. When you get down to it, that is at the heart of science.
But there are those whose minds can only handle belief. The belief need have no basis, no wonder, no comprehension; it must only offer security. Some people feel uncomfortable not knowing, or only half knowing, and so they make up a belief, and it satisfies them.
A guy told me once that he believed in science. I pointed out that science is not a belief system. It is a doubt system. Question. Contemplate. Wonder. That is science.
I once had to walk around a huge lounging harbor seal on the dock in Seward, Alaska, at 20 below in the dark of winter, to get to a friend’s boat that was anchored there. I was flabbergasted at its daunting rubbery and sizable bulk out of the water, but we were both fascinated by each other as I squeezed by within just a couple feet, walking slowly so as not to startle it. Such a simple moment, but I’m always in awe when wildlife lets me get so close, and the memory really sticks with me
Beautiful writing. You're rivaling all my favorite and best nature writers of the past century....
Heather
This advice from Proverbs chapter two has helped me for over six decades . . .
“My son, if you accept my sayings And treasure up my commandments,
By making your ear attentive to wisdom And inclining your heart to discernment;
Moreover, if you call out for understanding And raise your voice for discernment;
If you keep seeking for it as for silver, And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah,
And you will find the knowledge of God.
For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;
From his mouth come knowledge and discernment.
He treasures up practical wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield for those walking in integrity.
He watches over the paths of justice,
And he will guard the way of his loyal ones.
Then you will understand what is righteous and just and fair,
The entire course of what is good.’’
Astounding promise!
Thanks
Clay
The great comfort of growing up in the West was knowing that freedom would govern problem solving in a democratic way. In my childhood, even as a younger man, that seemed inevitable. People would vote with their feet. The fittest narratives would survive. Western liberalism would lead the way indefinitely. There was a sense that as we naturally veered off course, or special interests propogated false narratives, or commercial interests hijacked the system, it was not apocalyptic,the system would auto correct over time.
The greatest loss I felt in the last decade was the belief in this continuity; the faith that what reason was embedded in Western Liberal institutions would naturally prevail. This loss, not coincidentally, corresponded with your ejection from 'academia' in the US and Jordan Peterson and Lyndsay Shepherd's ejection from academia up north. These were threshold moments for me and the reasonable who entrusted our course to Western Liberalism. But as much as they represented a loss, they were also touchstones for an emerging culture. It has become clear that reason has been hollowed out of our institutions, through language games and bad faith values. And so it very well may be the end of many Western Liberal institutions. But it's not the end of Western Liberal culture. I am hopeful for this year and for our future precisely because you and scores of others in my orbit have picked up the mantle from our institutions.
Sadly, they can no longer distinguish between false narratives and reality. But we can and we are and it's contagious. Evergreen's loss was America's gain. Thank you for a wonderful and thoughtful and evolutionary year.
Thank you for this post Dr. Heying. On your time spent with the Rogers, have you given any thought to reading to them? You have a very comforting speaking voice and I think you would win them over in no time at all.
Marvellous read ! Thank you.
You put my disorganized thoughts into coherent sentences and paragraphs. My food is similar to yours: a delicious beef stew using stewed tomatoes I canned last year, MY canned chicken stock (enhanced with spices and aromatics), fresh potatoes, carrots and onions, bay leaves, plenty of pepper. My Weck jar, however, holds my sourdough starter. We eat this way every day. We are lucky enough to have started gathering dark brown eggs from our seven “girls”, who are housed and treated like the generous creatures they are. They are in danger of being spoiled.
I'm left with a peaceful vision of seals bobbing and a ghost ship passing. I also have to try out a new way to make turkey soup. My version includes the leftover turkey meat and gravy dumped into the stock, a big handful of dried basil, loads of pressed garlic, chopped carrots and a large can of fire roasted tomatoes. Thank you for being a barrier to their barriers.
Oh boy...
Especially your dream...
And that "tambour door"... (!)
No words. You've already drawn the picture.
Marvelous.
That sounds so lovely. Getting to watch seals, or any creatures in their preferred habitat is quite grounding. One realizes that the world was not made for us. We are just one of the fascinating species that inhabit it. Every bit of nature informs us. It belongs, do we? We did at one point, but chose a different path. One that still benefits from our recognition of how nature shaped us into the least natural species on the planet. We can love our environments as much when we work to preserve the natural aspects as when we work to maintain the unnatural aspects.
Sumptuous piece to start off the new year ... Who knew that vertical-sleeping Rogers would make my day... along with all the rest of course.
This makes me smile.
Another beautiful piece, Heather. Thank you for sharing your voice with us!
Again well painted
The last time you wrote about seals I was figuring you’d have to get into a wet suit and lay on the ground or float in the water to shrink the barrier between you and they
Be a curiosity and be easy to investigate