Man is Basically Rotten

Does God believe in Evolution?

2011-01-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

Before I taught the subject of Evolution, I always gave my students a chance to voice their ideas and opinions in a free-wheeling discussion. I ended this class with the reading of the Genesis account of creation. If you read it with a scientist's mind, from the void (a cloud of gas and dust), to night and day (rotation) to creatures moving from water to land and finally the creation of mankind, the sequence of events are eerily similar to the scientific explanation of creation.

How did the ancient writer know? Was he inspired? Did he have some "Higher Power" looking over his shoulder and giving advice. The whole idea makes me wonder about just who or what is "out there".

I have long been troubled by American's lack of understanding of Evolution. We could blame conservative Christians, but I believe scientists and the media in all of its forms are to blame for doing a terrible job of explaning what Evolution is and what it is not. Just about every year some polling outfit announces that 60% or 80% of the American public does not believe in Evolution. Yet these same people will visit the Smithsonian Institution or American Museum of Natural History and marvel at the exhibits of trilobites, dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, coal forming trees, etc. To get to these facilities they had to drive in a car fueled by gasoline derived from a fossil fuel called oil and view these creatures in rooms lit by electricity from coal (a fossil fuel) fired power plants. From space travel to the identifying our DNA signature in the Genome Project all science is tied to an understanding of the Earth, the Solar System and the Universe as ancient, dynamic, and ever changing.

The extremists who use the fear of Evolution to raise money and stir up politicians only succeed when people who know better sit and say nothing.

There is Evolution and there is evolution. Evolution (capital E) is Darwin's theory and was and is based on observations of present plants, animals and the ecoystems they exist in as well as a careful examination of the fossil record over the 3.8 billion years of life's existance on Earth. Only a tiny fraction of life on Earth has been preserved, so the idea that life evolved over billions of years must remain a theory because we can not "prove it" and it is constantly changing due to new discoveries in our genes or the fossil record.

Evolution (small case e) is an easily observed process that is constantly at work in our natural world. The process Darwin was trying to explain in his writings was that organisms change over time through a process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection can best be described as "Survival of the Fittest". In an ecosystem, if the climate gets colder, warmer or dryer; if a new predator enters the scene; if an invasive plant invades---those organisms best able to adjust to the new reality will be more successful than those that can not adapt. In any population of living things there are differences in size, shape, health, speed, etc, that become apparent when the species is faced with a crisis. Those individuals best suited to adjust to the changes will continue the species. The individuals unable to change or adapt simply die off and disappear. Extinction ocurrs when none of the members of a population can adapt and the group simply ceases to exist.

I use the following example---

A sow(mother pig) may have as many as 18 baby pigs. She usually only has 12 or 14 feeding stations, so it is first come, first served. There is one complication---the first time a little pig latches on to a milk gland, it's his or hers because it leaves a scent on it and will always return to the same spot. The obvious result is a real fight for the first feeding which will leave some of the piglets with no food or a limited amount. Now Mom weighs about 600 pounds and when she drinks or eats she stands up and walks around. When it is feeding time, she lets out a grunt, warning all around to scurry out of the way. Well "sorry junior" who has not eaten well, may be a little slow and does not hear the "bell" and is still sitting under the grande lady when she drops like a rock, will not survive the experience. Within a few days the best 12 or so little pigs will be doing well and the farmer will be happy. This process of Natural Selection has been going on since life began more than 3.8 Billion years ago and will continue as long as life exists on this planet.

Now about that "Higher Power out there". Stay tuned

Are women rotten?

2009-01-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

I have been asked if the quote "Man is basically rotten" includes both sexes.

Of course.

I am sorry ladies, but my observations tell me you are rotten just like us guys. If you doubt this, just watch a bunch of teenage girls interacting or go to a party and listen to how women talk about each other. They can be really mean to each other and just as rotten as the guys.

However, there is a big difference in how the female of the human species deals with her basic rotten nature. From an early age girls demonstrate the ability to control their rotten urges better than boys. They are calmer, more cooperative, more empathetic and less violent that boys.

If you look at human societies, there are distinct differences in how the sexes approach issues within groups. Males are more aggressive, more likely to resort to fignting or violence to solve problems, more prone to criminal behavior and are more likely to end up in prison than females.

There has been a pattern of men using their superior strength and threat of violence to subjugate women for thousands of years. Throughout history men have organized tribes, religions, societies and governments so they can keep women in their "place". They seemed to realize that if women took over and ran things, they would not have all the perks of power and control they had been enjoying.

The world's religions are good examples.

Why won't the Catholic Church ordain female priests? The leaders use some excuse fron scripture or tradition. The real reason is, women are a threat to their power because they would make better priests. They are better equipped for this job then celebrate men, who sometimes get distracted by other things.

Why do Muslims keep women covered up and ineducated? These leaders are afraid if girls and women see the real world and all it has to offer, they may leave. These guys then would have to do all the dirty jobs themselves instead of forcing the women to do them..

In the United States the rights and responsibilities spelled out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were for white men only. The women in this country have had to fight against an entrenched male dominated system for every thing they got. In 2008, for the first time in history, we had a serious female candidate for President. The Congress, State and local governments are all seeing an increase in female members.

We men have had our chance and our basic rotten nature has resulted in a planet in peril.

It is my opinion that this world would be a lot better place if most of the world's male leaders were replaced by women. War and violence would not stop completely, but its indiscriminate use would disappear, because women just naturally work toward solving disputes with diplomacy. As a recent example, I believe Candelissa Rice used her diplomatic skills to keep the Bush/Cheney team from going to war with Iran. Obama's choice of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State was masterful.

Ladies it is your time. The World needs your love, empathy, compassion and diplomaic skills if we as a species are to make it to the next millenium .

Good luck Bridget.

Obama---The Messiah?

2009-01-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Is Obama the Messiah the world has been waiting for all these thousands of years?

Boy, I sure hope we don't put that heavy a burden on this guy.

When Barach Obama first appeared on my radar screen, I felt uneasy and unsure of this skinny, articulate political novice from the big city of Chicago. Early on I supported Hillary because she had experience and the guts to make a good President.

I have lived under 12 different Presidents starting with FDR and ending with 'W'.

In my opinion only one of them was a real success---Dwight D. Eisenhower. He came into office into 1953, stopped the Korean War and gave us relative peace and prosperity for the next 8 years. He warned us of the threat of the Military/Industrial Complex and retired to his farm at Gettisburg, PA.

I have always been a Bill Scranton Republican. Even today, though I have supported Hillary and now Obama, I still do not accept that government can really solve problems. In my opinion the Republican Party lost its way in 1964 when it selected Barry Goldwater over Bill Scranton as its nominee for President. The Party, with its phony mantra of smaller government and lower taxes screwed just about everyone. Thanks to their policies the rich have gotten richer, government has grown huge and our future has been mortgaged by the greed and bad judgement of the rich and powerful.

Today the core pf the Republican Party is composed of people who would feel more comfortable with a dictatorship than a democracy. The extreme actions of the last 8 years by this party have laid the ground work for its doom or transformation to something new. As has been demonstrated, extremists can get elected on a platform of fear and intimdation, but they can not govern. Governing requires being informed, learning the art of compromise, walking in an other person's footprints, tolerating differences in language, color or sexual orientation and
demonstrating competence.

I think the current Republican Party should be sent to the dust bin of history .

So, what does this have to do with Obama? I have finally figured out what bothers me about Obama. He appears competent, tolerant, nonpartisan and seems to genuinely want to solve the country's problems. He just does not seem to fit the image of what we Americans have come to expect in a President. It is really scary. Could we have person who is President who actually puts the country and its people first for a change?

Sounds great to me.

Only one caveat: Remember "Man is basically rotten". Only time will tell if he is able to succeed with the monumental tasks that lie ahead of him. I for one, wish him well.

The Economy---a positive sign

2009-01-06T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have followed solid waste issues for more than 30 years and I have observed that scrap recycling can give a hint to what is happening in the overall economy.

During the summer of 2008 I took a load of scrap iron to a local junk yard and was very surprised to get $8/100 lbs for the junk I had---I usually received $1-2/100 lbs. Demand had sent the price sky-rocketing.

During the economic crash in the Fall the price dropped to $1.50/100 lbs.

At the end of December I took a small amount of iron to the junkyard and the price had risen to $2.50/100 lbs.

Yesterday I called the scrap dealer and asked him about prices and he told me that today Tuesday January 6, 2009 he was raising his price to $3.75/100 lbs.

Both the Stock Market and the scrap iron business are telling us the economy bottomed out in December 2008 and the rebound has begun.

Why Iron? It is used in making durable goods like steel for cars and trucks, stoves, refrigerators, farm equipment, power equipment, food packaging, tools, etc.

Is this a real uptick or just a hiccup?---only time will tell.

I believe the upturn will be slow and gradual.

Paper is the other commodity to watch. It dropped form $150/ton in the summer of 2008 to about $60/ton by early Fall. It will go up more slowly, but if the Chinese start using boxes again the price will go up and that will be another sign of improvement.

Housing starts---Forget it.

The children of Abraham

2008-12-29T20:01:00.000-08:00

The Palestinians and the Jews are brothers and have been fighting in the Middle East for thousands of years and today the battles continue. A solution will be possible only when the extremists on both sides (those most rotten) are removed from the scene or silenced.

In Isreal the extremist settlers, like the ones who were forcefully removed from Gaza several years ago, must be controlled and not allowed to start settlements on Palestinian territory. The taking of Palestinian lands for new settlements is unjust and I resent that my tax dollars go to support a country that is either unwilling or unable to stop such outlandish behavior. We (the United States) must support Israel's right to exist but our financial support should be tied to real change not just window dressing.

In Gaza people live like animals in a cage. They are ruled by a bunch of criminals masquerading as a government. They are like the terrorists who killed so many in India---they thrive on violence and chaos and have nothing to offer their people but pain and suffering. Hamas must be removed as the governing force in Gaza if there is ever goimg to be peace in the region.

Bush and Cheney---The end

2008-12-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

GEORGE BUSH---Poor science and math student (an-F); Loved to run for office, just did not like governing---"It's hard"; Smirk did him in---he was always the kid in the back of the room who was up to something; Laura kept him straight at home, but when in the oval office he made really dumb decisions, like starting the Iraq War; He liked to give speeches but stayed away from people; January 20, 2009 will be a big relief for him---like being constipated for 8 years and finally getting to go; Texas will be home, but until he comes to grips with some of the rotten things he has done, he will not be a happy camper. So long George, I am really sad that you were such a lousy President---we deserved better.

DICK CHENEY---Poor language student (an F); Loved governing and telling George what to do; Liked people even less than George; His behavior, smile and words personalized evil; Until he comes to grips with mistakes made, he will remain isolated from reality. Mr Cheney, you may consider yourself a patriot, but you were willing to destroy the fabric of my country and for that you will be eternally rotten to the core.

"Man is basically rotten"---an explanation.

2008-12-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

I first came up with the idea that "Man is basically rotten" by looking in the mirror. I realized I really was basically rotten , so I looked around at the behavior of other members of my species and quickly observed that I had lots of company. This concept of the human condition really crystallized in my mind during a Methodist Sunday school class I attended during a time when my wife and I were searching for a church to join. The topic being discussed by this adult class was "Is man good or evil?" After listening to this discussion for about 20 minutes I raised my hand and asked if I could speak. I said "I don't believe you can describe man as either good or evil, I think man is basically rotten". The class broke out in laughter and the quote was mine.

This quote is my working hypothesis when dealing with my species.

The story.

After looking in the mirror and realizing I was basically rotten, my first question was "am I alone or are other people rotten too?". So I started observing human behavior in its raw form and what better place than in a school with a 1000 teenagers running all over the place. What about politics, business, TV, the movies, the mall, and all the places where we humans hang out?

It was a revelation and a relief to realize I was not alone. I eventually I came to the conclusion that we humans are all basically rotten . We are rotten from the day we are born until the day we die---we can not escape it.

Babies, rotten? Yes, a new born baby is rotten (self-centered if you like). It lies on its back and demands everything-me! me! me! It poops, pees and cries until someone pays attention and solves the problem. You know why babies survive? They're cute and they smile---that is what saves them. (My four-month old granddaughter is great example.)

A group of toddlers are in a sand box with a lot of toys. All is quiet until one kid starts to make a cool sound with his dump truck. Other kids hear the sound and want to have the truck with the great motor. Chaos ensues with toys, sand and kids flying everywhere with each one wanting the same toy---basically rotten.

Observations and teachable moment: To survive as a social animal in a group we humans need to learn to share, to give, to love, to put others first if we are to survive in human society. Those who recognize and learn to control their rotten nature (selfishness) are able to make positive contributions to family, groups or societies. Some individuals are unable to control their rotten nature and end up sad, unhappy, bitter, unpleasant and often become isolated from other people. In extreme cases they become social outcasts and end up spending time in prison or mental hospitals, abusing chemicals, attacking and abusing other people or in the worst case---end up dead.

Conclusions:

It is my opinion that we are rotten from the day we are born until the day we die.

The struggle to control our basic nature is life-long and never ends.

It is easy to go with the flow and allow our wants and needs to come first, after all that is what a two year-old does.

It is hard to be honest, truthful and put others first---it takes work, patience, perseverance and commitment.

This is not religion, this is the condition we humans find ourselves in and must learn to accept.

You will find people in every country, culture, religion who do good deeds, share what they have and put others before themselves.

Also some humans in these same situations abuse others, steal and kill---they have not for whatever reason learned to control their basic rotten nature.

For a peaceful society to exist those unable to control their behavior must be isolated or removed.

My suggestions:

If you do not like the word rotten then substitute "selfish" in its place. ( I just prefer "rotten"---its more descriptive)

Make your own observations of the human condition.

What makes people happy or content?

What makes people sad or unhappy?

Any reaction or comments?

Practicing

2008-12-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

Trying to edit this and add a link:

and check out Andy's blog!
First Practice Post