We're Made To Be Good

It's great how we're made. The natural aggressiveness our species needs to survive has always been measured against the compassion we feel.

I think it's fantastic that we're made in such a way that doing something for someone else makes us both healthy and happier (see http://ca.geocities.com/earthpages5@rogers.com/gp1.htm?rss)

It shouldn't be a surprise that we're more altruistic when we laugh. When we feel good, we want others to feel good.

Advanced Over-editing

I am qualified to teach. I have my B.Ed.. I've taught students from 2 to 82, from pre-school to university. Yet, when it comes to trying to think up a topic to teach at night school, the only thing I can think of is Over-editing 101.

I know a little about a million different things, but the only thing I do exceptionally well is take a well written story and turn it into mush. My editing style really is a two steps forward, one step back approach. Because, inevitably, I erase a whole bunch of changes because I wrecked the story.

I do get to a finished product that I'm proud of, because at some point, inspiration kicks the brain cells into action. All those small changes, back and forth, suddenly explode into something different, something I didn't expect, something I'm ready to send in the mail - after I edit it just a little bit more.

The North Magnetic Pole is Emigrating

I didn't know the North Magnetic Pole had left Canada, or that it is headed for Siberia, until last week. In fact, it moved over 40km last year. Weird. I wonder what forced its move. Taxes? Government policy?

Perhaps, it just wanted to mess with compasses. After all, every day it shifts around a little. I don't think it ever stays still.

I'm hoping it's just proof of a planet-wide sense of humour. I mean the North Magnetic Pole is actually the magnetic south pole of Earth (we just call it the North Magnetic Pole because it's 'north' geographically), and scientists believe the poles could reverse some day - probably on April 1st.

Libraries and Learning

I've done a lot of different jobs over the years. Recently, I substituted for a middle-school librarian at the year of the school year.

An inventory confirmed her worst fear. Over 10% of the books were unaccountable. I almost wished that hundreds of books had simply disappeared, because knowing they were purposefully stolen and/or damaged irks me. They are free to signout for everyone, what possible gain is there to stealing. The only reason I can think of is to affect some negative reaction on the part of the school administration.

Kids were suspended from a Toronto high school last week for posting teacher 'hate' on website. For some reason, a few hundred kids thought that moral support should include throwing things at police officers.

I wonder who is learning what. I wonder why we are so prone to destructive tendencies when frustrated. I wonder what my children will be exposed to as they age. I wonder how to fix it.

And then I realize...

By starting. It doesn't matter if the first step is big or small, or the second. The important thing is moving forward.

So, I joined the Library Advisory Board this past week. It's another small step. But the more small steps I take, the further I've travelled. And it's the journey, not the destination that makes us who we are.

Classical Music for 200, Alex

I read in the Globe and Mail Facts and Arguments that a researcher has determined that at least five of Bach's pieces were actually written by his wife.

I wonder how many talented women used their husband's names to publish their artistry. I couldn't think of any female classical composers, and it has to be solely due to sexism.

I've heard rumours of Shakespeare being a multitude of people and not just one (he didn't even sign his name consistently). I wonder if perhaps there was a group of women who did the writing (even if they did borrow heavily from Marlowe).

The Garden of Eden

The internet branches across the world like a set of roots, soaking up all the data and information we throw into it, creating a living, undulating mass of information.

It changes every millisecond. Sometimes for good and sometimes for bad.

The internet is the perfect place to share misinformation.

There are a couple thousand sites all listing the same junk science, because they thought it was so amazing.

Regardless of copyright, I really don't know why people don't verify stuff through snopes, or some other service.

The internet is also the perfect place to feed perverse desires, spread hate, show intolerance and utterly humiliate.

The internet is a tree of knowledge. Just watch out for the rotten fruit.

History rewritten

Sometimes I think everything I know is wrong.

I read about one gentleman who thinks just about every date in the history book is wrong and that written history took place in half the time we think.

According to Discover magazine, another scientist has found what might be T-Rex muscle. Since tissue is thought to only last about 10,000 years, the repercussions are incredible.

Then there's the findings that suggestion North American natives came from the south and not the north - Well, maybe they came from the north, went south and then back up north - but now I'm just confusing things.

Darkmatter.

The universe is expanding - no contracting - no expanding.

Removing tonsils will cure 25% of ADHD patients.

Using cell phones more than 50 hours a week will rot your brain. Or not. Maybe it's only true if you eat aspartame at the same time.

And tomorrow it will all be different.