"Us and Them" !

In these days of hi-tech, it is amazing just how many bookstores still exist in the  greater Toronto area.  I was in Chapters a few days ago and near the exit, stood a young man selling his first self-published book. Having had a similar adventure I needed to speak to him about his experience and his book. At the end of our discussion, I purchased an autographed copy. Struggles of a Dreamer is an allegory with a message.

The experts tell us that our culture historically began with the early Greeks. I doubt if they would recognise very much if they walked down Yonge Street today! Over the years, our way of being in the world - our history, literature, science, philosophy, religion, music and lifestyle have undergone huge transformations. Years later the European culture in Canada was further reshaped by the French and British settlers and the aboriginal peoples.

When I was a boy growing up in Saint John it was not uncommon to see horse- drawn wagons making deliveries. My father would tell the story of standing in his office on Main Street and seeing his first car drive by the store. My mother often reminded us that she was the first woman driver in the city. 

Our life is altered by inventions, conflicts, the mixing of cultures, wars and changes in our environment. One of the challenges we all face is a tendency to readily adapt to some differences and yet oppose other deviations. Part of us is encouraged to be accepting, still another part wants the stability of cultural patterns.

Not only are these changes personal, but social as well. This gives rise to conflict between those accepting change and those who refuse for whatever reason. For example, the current battle between the taxi companies and Uber. It reminds me of the Luddites, the textile workers in 19th century England who realized the new machinery would destroy their way of life. There are men in this world who refuse to accept changes to the role of women in society. They resist because it would require them to change as well! On a wide scale, these cultural disconnects tend to divide nations, people, neighbours and even each of us into camps - "us" and "them". And there lies the rub! Once locked into a position everything is measured by those terms leaving no room for dialogue or compromise! The ability and courage to break free are abandoned. And we are left with an  "us" versus "them" confrontation.

There is still lots of room for books (and bookstores) in our life. Yahaya Baruwa, the young man I met at Chapters, put it this way. "If I died right here and now, I would die a happy man, for I have been fortunate enough to break away from the limiting boundaries of tradition and have begun to discover the limitless possibilities of the world."

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did you Know?  Notes and coins have been in use for 4,000 years. Canada is now considering a digital currency of its own. It would be cheaper than printing bills and minting coins.

Exercising the Brain for a Sharper Mind!

To you folks who take a few moments to read my weekly Blog - Many Thanks. It is you who keep me at the keyboard encouraging me to exercise my otherwise lackadaisical mind. It is so easy at my age to think,"Why to bother. I'm wasting my time trying to learn something new at my age!". I reasoned writing a blog each week might be compared to a good workout at the gym. The Blog writing exercises the mind and the gym exercises the body. At least, that is what I would like to believe.

Dr. Norman Doidge's book The Brain that Changes Itself points out that not many years ago, scientists taught that the brain was fixed, leading to the conclusion that any damage was incurable. Modern science now believes the brain has a lifetime ability to change even its own structure. The word on the street is that anything a young brain can do an older brain can do as well. Of course, some of us have to work a little harder!

They call this amazing discovery neuroplasticity. The downside is that it works both ways as our brains are also more vulnerable than we previously thought.

Apparently some companies are developing computer-based cognitive training software 'games'. One ad suggests that the user will be able to "bulk up" their brain power just like muscles at the gym. Now I must admit there is plenty of excitement about these encouraging new insights on brain plasticity.  I hope some day the new knowledge will bring greater hope, especially for those suffering from dementia. Nevertheless, what role games will play is still undecided. A number of prominent experts, in a published article, suggest that 'some claims made by the game developers are exaggerated and misleading.' (The Stanford Letter). As one of the authors said, "You would be better off spending it (money) on a gym membership or a fitness class as these have not been proven".

I admit I tried a few 'brain training' computer games hoping to improve my memory and verbal reasoning skills. I found you learn very quickly, but as the current research suggests, there is probably no long-term improvement. Shucks! 

Obviously, more research needs to be done as no studies have demonstrated that participating in some of these games necessarily changes the brain's plasticity. On the other hand, some of the new rigorous therapies are showing extraordinary improvements.

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In the meantime, I hope the scientists soon find a way to convince my 'body's plasticity'(!) that I could do without my developing 'pot belly'. The stomach seems to resists every effort to ban it. Apparently, aging male bodies are programmed to include a paunch after a certain age.

In the meantime..

That's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did You Know?  

There are those who suggest we are on the cusp of The Fourth Industrial Revolution and there are those who believe our economy is in a state of stasis. What do you think?

Contradictions and Confusion!

I have a wonderful friend who will never discuss politics, religion or sex. Not only that, his world is very simple - black or white. We get along just fine. I know there are others who prefer to attend simply to their own needs and their own life and we also get along just fine. For me, it is not that simple. I find there are many 'buts' and 'maybes', huge grey areas that lead to doubts and confusion. But is that not expected of octogenarians?

Take smoking for an example. Luckily it has never been a problem for me except at work related meetings where I had to devour all that second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars and dirty old pipes! Given the amount of advertising around the dangers of smoking, why do so many people still do it? Are they hiding a secret hope that 'it won't happen to them'? Confusing, is it not?

Most of us are convinced fossil fuels are a  threat to the environment and even to life itself. On the other hand, who wants to give up smoking, central heating, a comfortable car or a plane ride to the islands! The girls now pay big bucks for holes in their jeans and Facebook will soon add a 'Reactions' button, but not a 'Dislike' one? Confusing, is it not?

When all is said and done we humans have to figure out what the common good is and to find some sort of mid-point compromise before we wreck the planet. Not always an easy task! As we all know, there are times when even compatibility is not possible or even desired.

Of course, not all opposites are negative: night and day, sweet and sour, justice and mercy, hot and cold to name a few. I don't think it's realistic to  expect we will always find a compromise in every situation. So how do we proceed? 

The same could be said about the incompatibilities we daily experience with lovers, friends and fellow workers. Obviously, finding agreement in arguments does not necessarily generate a solution!  The other side may grudgingly agree to the compromise, but stomp off feeling hurt and unappreciated.

Each of us has unique needs. For example, I need and appreciate some sense of my own autonomy. Yet, I know I am not absolutely free!  Since that is the case, then occasionally, especially with the ones I love, it is best to yield and raise the white flag. It shows I care about the other person's need to preserve their own unique autonomy and freedom. And if it is merely one of those daily little differences, then it is a way of showing respect. I do it because I care about them, not because I'm weak or 'it's the right thing to do'!

I read one time that too many little compromises will slowly eat away at a relationship. This is probably true if, over time, one partner or the other perceives it as a chipping away at their personal freedom.

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Just like it's necessary to change the oil in my car, I find it is also good to consider revamping my habitual and even fixed ways of doing things. In my case, it keeps me very busy!

The times are often contradictory and confusing to this old senior, but, in the end confronting my confusion is more suitable than a simple black and white perspective!

"If you do not create change, change will create you." (Unknown)  I like to keep my hand on the tiller!

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did You Know?  The baby boomers in the U.S. are on their way out. Close to 10,000 reach retirement age every day. Great opportunity for the millennials!

Happy State of Mind

Tough Guy!

Two options I passed up as a boy were the opportunities to learn a musical instrument. In discussions with my mother we considered the violin, but I did not like the idea of having to carry it around. Some of my hockey playing friends might see me with it! Nevertheless, I was secretly interested in playing an instrument.

In our front living room stood an old grand piano.  Some days after school I would sit there and run my fingers over the keys. In time, I learned to pick out a melody or two, but could never work the left hand into my rhapsodies.

Mom thought I was doing well on my own and talked me into piano lessons. The lessons were short-lived. Once again I did not want to be seen carrying music books around! Somehow, it did not go with my turned up leather jacket collar. Thus, two opportunities to learn a musical instrument slipped away. But unlike the Ancient Mariner, I did not carry that albatross around my neck until much later.

In my seventies, I decided to try a musical instrument again. I knew it was too late to become a successful musician but a few beginner lessons at a local high school night class got me started. I thought I could learn a few chords on the guitar, and along with a strum or two, fulfill a lost dream. That would be my level of success.

 Not once did I heard Winston Churchill say, "Never, never, never give up". On the other hand, I sometimes think our society puts too much emphasis on the idea of success. It leads one to believe there are only two choices in life, good or evil, right or wrong, success or failure! In sports winning is all that matters. In business making lots of money or climbing the corporate ladder is what constitutes success. In life, 'winning friends and influencing people' is an important achievement. And by the way, don't forget to pick up your lottery ticket? Just take a slow walk in a bookstore and count the books on how to be successful in almost anything.

In general much of the advice is useful and good. Who wants to be a failure? But the problem is a single success may provide a useful moment, but not necessarily a happy state of mind. Most of us want to be happy, but just setting goals and achieving them can lead to disappointment. It is unfortunate that we are almost forced to live life as others define it and not the life we truly deserve and want.

Getting old has given me a sense of what truly matters. Winning the lottery, even at my age is not something I would turn down! On the other hand learning to be content with who I am and what I have been is more than enough. Utilizing the gift of time and enjoying my being alive makes me happy more than anything else. And yes, don't forget that 'wonder drug' called exercise. Its benefits are very well documented.

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I wonder if we take too much for granted, believe too many 'truths', live with too many contradictions and lose sight of our deepest needs - to be loved and to be happy above all else.

I will never be a successful guitar player like Paco de Lucia or Eric Clapton. But strumming on my guitar, often by myself, is a wonderful way to relax and to feel my life is well-lived and fulfilling.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did you know? 

Too much salt is not good for you. It is said that cutting sodium could save thousands of lives a year. Adjust your taste buds, it is worth it.