Thoughts on Thoughts

Elliot -

So you are looking to do something that is physical and outdoorsy with smart and motivated kids. Have you considered a round of golf at the country club? Or perhaps a game of croquet? The point I'm making is that it seems you are missing an important requirement: you want to do something of value and meaning. This seems like something to point out maybe for the sake of your own "self-awareness." All the options you've listed below, especially AJWS, I think would meet my criteria for these three requirements.

You also might want to consider an internship at the Shalem Center. We both know who works there and it is certainly a leading institution. You can see the program here.

In regards to your thoughtful thoughts on my thoughts on thinking about blogging, I think it may be easier to address those thoughts in a numbered way, and in accordance with your bulleted post.

1)I agree. We should strive to maintain a blog that is substantive and not a regurgitation of conventional wisdom. Your reference to Nick Carr's piece in the Atlantic is striking to me because of how much it seems to have influenced our thinking on these issues. I think we are both inclined to agree with the articles thesis that the Internet is in fact limiting our ability to achieve more substantive forms of knowledge. The (overly ambitious?) intent of our blog seems to be to counter this disturbing trend.

In terms of your disinterest in TNR's blog, I admit similar feelings. I think it is largely a symptom of a common problem. Essentially, it's hard to write quality blog posts and also attract readers that can generate advertising revenue. Watch any cable news channel and you know how this can be true. It's probably also true with TNR, which is struggling to find it's niche in the world of online news.

I think this reality reinforces the need for independent and unpaid bloggers - like ourselves - who can try to write about the things that need to be written about, but that not everyone will see or even want to see. (Though it is always nice to get paid...)


2) I'm glad you called me out on how even the most self-aware of people can lack honesty or any form of moral guidance for that matter. I agree: self-awareness does not necessarily create the future Ghandis of our world. Just as mind control experts, impressive meditators, and excellent actors are not necessarily the most moral of characters. But barring the sociopaths of this world, it seems to me that self-awareness is an excellent place to start and realize our own moral character.

I think of self-awareness as an essential tool that can prevent dishonesty when combined with a person who is able and willing to pursue a life of integrity. So while self-awarness may not provide clear guidance on what to do with a strong mind, it should be a prerequerisite for a morally serious person.

3) So it seems here we may have something that we can really disagree on. If I seem "almost sure that offline interaction trumps an online interaction", than you seem the opposite. While I enjoy your anecdotes and even your idea of how this could be relevant to the world of social policy and mentoring, my inclination is that there is something profoundly superior about person-to-person interactions.

Still, I accept your point. If we were to develop a hierarchy of beneficial relationships an online relationship where people expressed themselves openly and honestly does seem better than a shallow and unproductive person-to-person relationship. (So maybe online mentoring programs are a good idea, if the alternative is poor.) However, I think that a positive person to person interaction is always better than an equally positive virtual interaction.

What do you think?

Happy 2010!

Z

ps I don't think we are alone here in criticiing the failure of our modern news system. Check out this new column from Andrew Cohen at the Atlantic Monthly.

Money quote: "Intellectual honesty and rigor, or reasoned, dispassionate analysis, is for wimps, public television and the occasional unscripted moment on the Sunday shows." Might he add the blogs of recent college graduates?

pps Two more years left for human civilization on planet earth. True or False?