The last section "On Certainty", resonates with me AND sums up my experience over the past almost 3(!!) years...."Certainty has become a point of pride for people, and a way to shame those who don’t have it." What a succinct way to say what I've felt for so long. You have a gift with words and your writing is appreciated!
Excellent article Heather. So sad that cities are destroyed like this. It’s great that you, Bret and the boys have been able to move to what sounds like a lovely place.
Year by year, month by month, heck even day by day I see things that makes me take Dr Edward Dutton's idea of "spiteful mutants" ever more seriously. The basic idea is that in pre-industrial societies half of all children born do not live to reproductive age where as in modern industrial societies only about 1% of those born do not reach the age of adulthood, of majority, of franchise and productivity. Which suggests, considering that possibly 85% of our genome codes for the brain that half of the people we share our space with are cognitively or emotionally impaired to some degree. That might be the root cause of why roughly half of us can't stand the other half to the extent of sanctioning, imprisoning or eliminating them. Why else would half the population embrace ideas that the other half considers insane? Dutton describes the problem but offers no solutions. Is the fall of civilization and with it the spiteful mutants our only hope as a species?
Heather, powerful, truthful and validating exposé. Did not know you felt or were so strongly opposed to all the shenanigans in Portland. You really hold yourself in check on your podcast with Brett. Occasionally see sparks of anger pour forth from your lips. Usually brief without elaboration. My guess is the strategy to maintain a presence on YouTube. This article was concise, informative of the madness that has taken over parts of our society. People must realize they are small in number & funded by billionaires. The old saying, “Money talks.” Keep in mind, money also destroys itself. Hope this an evolutionary fact.
Having grown up in the countryside west of Portland, and now return at least twice yearly it is incredibly sad and frustrating to see this beautiful, cool, and weird city decline so radically. I wish you, Bret, and your sons all the best in the San Juans! As an unvaccinated, over 70 year old living and socializing with mostly vaccinated people the past two years have been emotionally quite challenging. Your essays and podcasts have been reassuring and informative. Thank you! Also, I would love to see you produce a “Resist Calmly” t-shirt.
It's always a breath of fresh air when reading your articles. This one is probably my favorite so far. Its amazing to see how quickly things have degenerated throughout the country but am thankful for warriors like you and Bret that continue to seek truth.
I grew up in the southern part of Oregon - in a more rural setting but traveled to Portland on occasion. I even competed in a statewide academic competition there as a high school senior. It was to me the most beautiful city. We used to think of Eugene as weird and Portland was the adult in the room. Boy how that has changed. I did not even allow my kids to apply to the Oregon universities sadly. Thank you for the essay Heather.
Well, well, well, so people voted for this. They supported the city council and mayor and there horrible decisions. It was the sequel to The Crucible with a twist. It was obvious what would happen to anyone but a person suffering from terminal optimism. If you fight CRAZY with compassion this i what you get, and you get it good and hard.
A beautifully written break-up letter with Portland, coupled with depressing clarity on the state of our collective existence. It took three tries to get through it - akin to putting my head under the covers to delay the inevitable alarm ring. Thank you, Dr. Heying, for your insight and voice of reason in these troubling times.
It is indeed disheartening and even offensive to have to look upon the symptoms of a dis-eased culture, and "a decrepit motorhome in front of an historic multi-million-dollar property" (not sure why the extension cord appeared so additionally morbid) is certainly one of them. But it is still, like all that increasingly plagues the cities and towns, a symptom, and not the disease itself.
BTW, which owner is most affected by the declining value of their property? Depends on how you define value, I suppose.
The last section "On Certainty", resonates with me AND sums up my experience over the past almost 3(!!) years...."Certainty has become a point of pride for people, and a way to shame those who don’t have it." What a succinct way to say what I've felt for so long. You have a gift with words and your writing is appreciated!
Excellent article Heather. So sad that cities are destroyed like this. It’s great that you, Bret and the boys have been able to move to what sounds like a lovely place.
Year by year, month by month, heck even day by day I see things that makes me take Dr Edward Dutton's idea of "spiteful mutants" ever more seriously. The basic idea is that in pre-industrial societies half of all children born do not live to reproductive age where as in modern industrial societies only about 1% of those born do not reach the age of adulthood, of majority, of franchise and productivity. Which suggests, considering that possibly 85% of our genome codes for the brain that half of the people we share our space with are cognitively or emotionally impaired to some degree. That might be the root cause of why roughly half of us can't stand the other half to the extent of sanctioning, imprisoning or eliminating them. Why else would half the population embrace ideas that the other half considers insane? Dutton describes the problem but offers no solutions. Is the fall of civilization and with it the spiteful mutants our only hope as a species?
Heather, powerful, truthful and validating exposé. Did not know you felt or were so strongly opposed to all the shenanigans in Portland. You really hold yourself in check on your podcast with Brett. Occasionally see sparks of anger pour forth from your lips. Usually brief without elaboration. My guess is the strategy to maintain a presence on YouTube. This article was concise, informative of the madness that has taken over parts of our society. People must realize they are small in number & funded by billionaires. The old saying, “Money talks.” Keep in mind, money also destroys itself. Hope this an evolutionary fact.
Oh yeah. Keep voting for Democrats.
Having grown up in the countryside west of Portland, and now return at least twice yearly it is incredibly sad and frustrating to see this beautiful, cool, and weird city decline so radically. I wish you, Bret, and your sons all the best in the San Juans! As an unvaccinated, over 70 year old living and socializing with mostly vaccinated people the past two years have been emotionally quite challenging. Your essays and podcasts have been reassuring and informative. Thank you! Also, I would love to see you produce a “Resist Calmly” t-shirt.
God I love when you get snarky…
And they will tell you, each and everyone of those people, that they are on the reich side of history.
It's always a breath of fresh air when reading your articles. This one is probably my favorite so far. Its amazing to see how quickly things have degenerated throughout the country but am thankful for warriors like you and Bret that continue to seek truth.
I grew up in the southern part of Oregon - in a more rural setting but traveled to Portland on occasion. I even competed in a statewide academic competition there as a high school senior. It was to me the most beautiful city. We used to think of Eugene as weird and Portland was the adult in the room. Boy how that has changed. I did not even allow my kids to apply to the Oregon universities sadly. Thank you for the essay Heather.
Well, well, well, so people voted for this. They supported the city council and mayor and there horrible decisions. It was the sequel to The Crucible with a twist. It was obvious what would happen to anyone but a person suffering from terminal optimism. If you fight CRAZY with compassion this i what you get, and you get it good and hard.
Despite all the bullshit, I still love Portland too.
Having visited last month though I can confirm it's sank to new lows.
A beautifully written break-up letter with Portland, coupled with depressing clarity on the state of our collective existence. It took three tries to get through it - akin to putting my head under the covers to delay the inevitable alarm ring. Thank you, Dr. Heying, for your insight and voice of reason in these troubling times.
It is indeed disheartening and even offensive to have to look upon the symptoms of a dis-eased culture, and "a decrepit motorhome in front of an historic multi-million-dollar property" (not sure why the extension cord appeared so additionally morbid) is certainly one of them. But it is still, like all that increasingly plagues the cities and towns, a symptom, and not the disease itself.
BTW, which owner is most affected by the declining value of their property? Depends on how you define value, I suppose.
Love your article. But the computer reading it is awful. Will read in the future 🙃