Comfortable in the middle

Recent news made me look up the definition for the word “cure”.  Merriam-Webster offered me four definitions.  I decided to use definitions 2c (a course or period of treatment) and 2a (recovery or relief from a disease) in the composition of this blog title, Hydroxychloroquine is the cure (2c) that doesn’t always cure (2a). However, it looks like a lot of hopeful people took the bait of a r ecent press event by a group of careless doctors who used the word “cure” in asserting there is a cure for COVID-19.  Why do I assert they are careless?  Doctors are educated in a certain way, and should know not to use the word “cure” when it is not warranted, given its popular and common meaning. How do I know it is not a cure (2a definition)?  Peer reviewed articles like this one , published on July 1, 2020 .  If one takes the time to read and understand the results, it is clear that mortality still occurs with hydroxychloroquine treatment (range of 13.5-20.1% mortal...

I recently learned about Poe’s Law after running across a comedic video by RyanLong on Youtube (I didn’t search him out, it was one of those Youtube “we think you’d like this” recommendations).  Fair warning – Ryan Long’s humor might not be your thing, as it’s not family-friendly, in the traditional sense of family.  A comment referenced Poe’s Law, which I had not heard of, so I looked it up, and learned that it might apply to me!  Poe’s Law (according to the internet authority, Wikipedia ) states: “ Without a clear indication of the author's intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a parody of extremism. ” For some good examples, I refer you to the comedic, or sincerely extreme, Youtube Channel Awaken With JP (JP is much less crude than Ryan Long).  So it looks like Poe’s Law may apply to some of my posts, in which case I might be considered a sincere extremist by some, and a comedian by others....

During the president’s interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday (July 19, 2020) , the two quickly got into a disagreement about the COVID-19 fatality rate in the U.S.  Mr. Wallace asked a question, indicating the U.S. has the 7 th highest mortality rate in the world; President Trump replies and states the U.S. has one of the lowest mortality rates, asking Kayleigh McEnany to get him the mortality rate information while saying, “ I heard we had one of the lowest, maybe the lowest mortality rate anywhere in the world…number one low mortality rate.  I hope you show this on the air because it shows what fake news is all about ” Here is a link to the interview transcript:  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/transcript-fox-news-sunday-interview-with-president-trump Since I do my best to compose data-informed positions, I became curious what information is being shared with the President to cause him to make such a bold assertion about the U.S. case mortality r...

I’m so glad there are professional cognitive scientists and social psychologists trying to better understand why people behave the way they do.  As a biologist by training, I know that human behavior is influenced by a combination of biochemistry, and by a range of complex environmental factors.  I enjoy learning about little pieces of the puzzle discovered through the hard sciences and the social sciences.  My understanding of human behavior is even more complex, as I’ve decided to entangle natural and supernatural influences on human behavior.  For example, when God prompted me to get up out of my seat in a waiting area at the Pittsburgh airport, and go talk to a particular woman to pray for her, I don’t think it was my biology compelling me to do so (because everyone who knows me well, knows I’m a massive introvert and incredibly socially awkward, and would never do that, of my own accord), and I don’t think it was my natural environment, but I do attribute it to ...

When I was in college, I attended debates.  College was a lot easier than I thought it would be (thanks to the excellent high school I attended - Marist High School , Chicago), and that gave me plenty of time in the evenings to do what you’re supposed to do in college - experiment and explore your options.  A lot of students partied and spent most nights drunk; I decided to attend debates and join a service fraternity ( Alpha Phi Omega ). Given the current situation in the country - the various social issues, and related conversations, along with a social need for competition as entertainment during the ongoing dearth of athletic competitions, maybe it’s a good time to consider debate as a form of spectator sport.  The idea came to me after watching two short videos posted on Youtube, which depict two men passionately expressing themselves about wearing face masks: Michael Rapaport attempting to persuade people to wear masks (warning - this man drops quite a few F-bombs a...

One of my work colleagues recently commented, “ You are the most optimistic person I’ve ever met.  You can take any situation and see the good in it. ”  Well, sure - why not?  Am I supposed to look for what’s negative about every situation?  How would that benefit me?  How would that benefit people I interact with? So I’ve been thinking about some of the good things resulting from our massive social distancing experiment.  For me, one of the benefits has been the discovery of people worth listening to.  Not being able to participate with my local church in person has given me the time to learn about other communities of Christian believers, the messages they hear, and the songs they sing.  It’s been a great experience!  I’m so thankful for modern telecommunication technologies that make it so easy to participate in community via long distances!  Here are a few of the Christian communities I’ve been able to participate in, and learn about...

It’s not very often that I feel good about the results of an election, but there was one recently which should make anyone concerned about fairness, feel good.  This was the Republican Second Primary runoff between Lynda Bennett Madison Cawthorn in North Carolina’s 11th congressional district.  This was the seat held since 2013 by Mark Meadows, who vacated the seat to become the president’s Chief of Staff on March 31, 2020.  Mark Meadows was very popular in this district, and seemingly unbeatable.  Even though he endorsed Lynda Bennett, as did President Trump, and the House Freedom Caucus, Bennett was trounced by the 24 year-old Madison Cawthorn 65.8% to 34.2%.  This is a good sign, and indicates to me that people want fair elections, and even endorsements from popular, well-liked and powerful advocates is not enough to sway the people when they sense the playing field is not fair.  Good on you, Republicans of North Carolina’s 11th District!  If you wa...

Catching up on the news today, I witnessed two overt instances of discrimination against the religious (I think).  Fortunately, there are plenty of people who record interactions between people, which make it easy to see what’s going on. Both of these videos are approximately a minute long. The way I see it, there are 3 categories of people when it comes to mask wearing.  There are mask wearers, those who unintentionally do not wear masks, and those who intentionally do not wear masks.  I think those who intentionally do not wear masks fall into two categories:  Those who intentionally do not wear masks for medical/health reasons (and I’d love for any medical professional readers to share what sorts of conditions would create risks such that a person could not even wear a loose-fitting bandana).  Then there are those who intentionally do not wear masks for religious reasons.  Everyone is religious, and it ultimately is the god or gods one worships which d...

This short 1 minute video clip shows Mitch McConnell weighing in on how we need to work together to contain the spread of the pandemic by wearing masks, asserting, “it’s not complicated.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJSi2rJ60Ck Mitch clearly disregards the broad diversity of citizens of this country, in making the assumption that wearing a mask is not complicated.  It’s VERY complicated for some people.   Take for example conspiracy theorists.  People commit passionately to their conspiracy theories.  A conspiracy theorist cannot simply throw away a passionately held belief.  Are you able to throw away your passionately held beliefs?  There’s a psychology in play that makes giving up beliefs VERY complicated. Another example - suppose NOT wearing a mask is a person’s way of demonstrating trust in his/her god, that their god will protect them and every person they come in contact with.  What would be the consequence for a follower of this god t...

I think a lot, for some reason.  I just can’t keep myself from processing information I encounter and trying to make sense of it.  A lot of what I think about is how and why people behave and react in the way they do.  My background in science also contributes to my questioning nature, as I enjoy trying to piece together a more accurate picture of reality.  My metaphysical and teleological positions are also major factors in my pursuit of understanding reality.  So I have a lot of thoughts, and I’ve always valued and sought out the thoughts and opinions of others, and have felt for quite a while that I would benefit by sharing my thoughts and ideas in a manner which allows others to contribute their thoughts, and give everyone the opportunity to gain new insights.  I’ve also felt that existing social platforms (like Facebook) are not appropriate forums to discuss a range of serious topics in detail, although I confess I have done so to some extent, but have...

I see a lot of people exhorting non-mask wearers to wear a mask.  I know many Christians are wearing masks – out in public, and in group assemblies.  At the same time, I know there are many Christians who are not wearing masks in public or in group assemblies.  While this may seem confusing, there might be a good rationale for Christians to choose to not wear a mask in public or in group assemblies.  Here is my best attempt to provide that rationale: I love God with all my heart by not wearing a face mask in public during a growing viral pandemic—this is an act of my love towards God, according to the greatest commandment ( Matthew 22: 37-38 ).  I love my neighbor as myself when I do not wear a face mask in public during a growing viral pandemic—this is an act of my love towards my neighbors, according to the second greatest commandment ( Matthew 22: 39 ).  Moreover, I demonstrate my humility and valuing others above my own interests by not wearing a face...

A lot of people have a difficult time reading me – am I being serious?  Am I being sarcastic?  Am I trying to be funny?  There’s always a serious point to be made, and there’s different ways to make that point.  Some people think I’m trying to be funny; others don’t.  Some people think I’m being serious; others don’t.  Some people think I’m being sarcastic; others don’t.  For some reason, I usually leave this unclear, perhaps to reflect the uncertainty inherent in reality.  Some people really don’t like that.

The complexity of reality precludes precisely the kinds of information that allows one to quickly come to a definitive conclusion on many topics of interest.  This doesn’t stop a lot of people from quick judgments, but it gives me great pause.   I’m comfortable abiding in uncertainty, and I recognize lingering with uncertainty and delayed conclusions isn’t a comfortable place for a lot of people.  Where some people reach their destination in a moment of thought, I may never reach a destination, or perhaps I suspect a destination, only to find out later, I’m heading towards a different destination.  I’m a traveler in more ways than one.  I search for truths in lots of places, and I find useful information in many places where those already comfortable in a specific place would never look.  My puzzles have lots of pieces, and it takes time to complete a large puzzle.  The puzzles I work on actually grow in size over time.  It seems that for man...

Tim the Enchanter refers to a character in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  The two scenes involving this character are easily located on YouTube.  Why him?  He’s a Tim, and it’s sort of fitting in some ways.  Note – I’m not a wizard, but I do like fireworks.  I might also take you to places that seem innocent enough, and provide something you think you might be looking for, but you might end up running away (hopefully unscathed).