Ideas Worth Pondering: Nine Jordan Peterson Quotes

Seeds

"There is no correlation between being smart and being wise."

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"If you have hope you are not poor."

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"Don't overestimate yourself, but don't underestimate who you could be."

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"It's from the uphill climb that we derive our value - and I mean this technically. So, almost all the positive emotion we feel, especially the emotion that fills us with enthusiasm... that's experienced in relationship to a goal."

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"If you don't specify what you want, you won't get it."

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"There's nothing that makes you more formidable than verbal competence and being able to articulate; be able to think; to Marshal your arguments, right? It's a Battlefield metaphor: get everything in order; get all your information straight, you know, to Marshall your forces."

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"If you don't have a noble aim then you have nothing but shallow, trivial pleasures and they don't sustain you and that's not good because life is so difficult."

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"The nobler the aim, the better your life."

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"A major part of life and its meaning is the challenge that comes with confronting difficulties."

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Source: https://x.com/JBPetersonQuote

Crossing Over Into The Twilight Zone

"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone."

* * * 

"You're traveling through another dimension -- a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Twilight Zone!"

* * * 

"You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone."

* * *

My hand has not yet recovered from my stroke seven weeks ago, so I've been seeing a physical therapist who has given me exercises to do. This week I latched on to a new routine. While doing my finger exercises I've been watching episodes of The Twilight Zone, the original black and white show that began airing in October 1959. I was seven years old at that time and when I reached episode 4 the other day I was surprised that I remembered it. Perhaps it was the subject matter, a man who was somewhat obsessed about books and reading.

I have also been surprised at how dark these stories are. The mood conveyed by the narrator is one of impending doom or heartbreak of some kind. And like O. Henry's famous twist endings, Rod Serling's tales likewise end with a startling twist. 

More than 150 episodes, 80 of them written by Rod Serling, creator of the series.

One episode that I watched this past week was titled "Time Enough at Last." Here's the opening: 

"Witness Mr. Henry Bemis, a charter member in the fraternity of dreamers. A bookish little man whose passion is the printed page, but who is conspired against by a bank president and a wife and a world full of tongue-cluckers and the unrelenting hands of a clock. But in just a moment, Mr. Bemis will enter a world without bank presidents or wives or clocks or anything else. He'll have a world all to himself... without anyone."

It turns out that Mr. Bemis decides to take his coffee break in the bank's vault where he be alone with his book. Unexpectedly, his world is shaken by a nuclear war outbreak. When he emerges from the vault, most of the town's buildings have been destroyed. He is the lone survivor.

To his delight he finds the public library still standing and he proceeds to stack piles of books to be read during the months ahead. And no one will ever again criticize his love of reading.

SPOILER ALERT

Besides his passion for reading, one other detail from the opening scene stands out. He wear glasses with coke-bottle lenses. The twist at the end? As he bends over to pick up his first book, with all the tme in the world now available for reading, his glasses slip off and shatter on the concrete sidewalk. His "heaven" suddenly turns to hell.

* * *

Here are a couple other episodes that offer viewers the flavor of this show.

"The Silence" In this episode, a wealthy man bets a poor man a million dollars that he cannot keep silent for one year. It turns out that the rich man was not rich at all and did not have a million dollars, while the poor man had cut his own vocal cords in order to win the bet.  {I hear an echo of Chekov's "The Bet" here.}

"To Serve Man" Nine foot creatures from space descend on the UN and leave a book. The title is decoded to read, "To Serve Man". Thinking that this title illustrated the creatures' noble goals, Earthlings begin migrating to their planet. They soon find out that the book was a cookbook.

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There's a sense in which this year's presidential election circus feels a bit like an episode from The Twilight Zone. We'll soon see what kind of twist ending has been written into the script.

The Role of College Educators Is To Teach Students How To Think

"There are always good arguments on both sides of any real issue."  
—Bertrand Russell

Here is the 1915 inaugural statement of principles by the American Association of University Professors (A.A.U.P.) on page 405 of Norman Finkelstein's I'll Burn That Bride When I Get To It!

The university teacher, in giving instruction upon controversial matters, while he is under no obligation to hide his own opinion, under a mountain of equivocal verbiage, should, if he is fit for the position, be a person of a fair and judicial mind; he should, in dealing with such subjects, set forth, justly without suppression, or innuendo, the diverget opinions of other investigators; he should cause his students to become familiar with the best published expressions of the great historic types of doctrine upon the questions at issue; and he should above all, remember that his business is not to provide his students with ready-made conclusions, but to train them to think for themselves, and to provide them access to those materials, which they need, if they are to think intelligently.

The teacher ought to be especially on his guard against taking unfair advantage of the students immaturity by indoctrinating him with the teachers own opinions before the student has had an opportunity fairly to relate to examine other opinions upon the matters in question, and before he has sufficient knowledge in ripeness of judgment, to be entitled to form any definitive opinion of his own. This is not the least service which a college or university may render those under its instruction, to habituate them to looking not only patiently but methodically on both sides, before adopting any conclusion upon controverted issues.

To which Finkelstein adds: "A lectern is not a soapbox, a classroom is not a political rally, a professor should not serve as a conveyor belt for a party line. His responsibility is to stimulate, not dictate."

ChatGPT's Book-By-Book Overview of the New Testament

1560 Geneva Bible

Have you ever wondered why the various books of the New Testament were written or what they are about? I asked ChatGPT for a one sentence description of each and found it enlightening.

Today seemed like a good day for an exercise like this, because Pope Francis is addressing the G7 Summit (A first for a pope!) to make an appeal for more regulation of AI. I'm sure that even Pope Francis would have no problem, however, with using Artificial Intelligence for an assignment like this one.

For those unfamiliar, there are 27 "books" in the New Testament canon. (Canon is defined as a collection of sacred books accepted as genuine.) The first five New Testament books are historical, four of them about the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. The fifth details the formation of the early church. The majority of the rest are letters from the early apostles.

Here is a list of the contents of each of these 27 books. 

Matthew

Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and King of the Jews, emphasizing His teachings and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies to prove His divine authority and role in God's salvation plan.

Mark

"Ecce Homo"by Antonio Ciseri. 

Mark offers a fast-paced account of Jesus' life and ministry, highlighting His miraculous works and servant leadership to demonstrate that He is the Son of God who came to serve and sacrifice for humanity.
Luke

Luke provides a detailed and orderly narrative of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing His compassion and inclusion of all people, especially the marginalized, to show the universality of the gospel.

John

John's gospel focuses on the divinity of Jesus, presenting Him as the eternal Word of God who became flesh to bring light, life, and salvation to those who believe in His name.

Acts

Acts chronicles the birth and expansion of the early church through the work of the Holy Spirit, detailing the apostles' missionary efforts and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Romans

Paul's epistle to the Romans presents a comprehensive theological exposition on salvation, faith, and righteousness through Jesus Christ, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith.

1 Corinthians

Paul addresses the divisions and moral issues within the Corinthian church, urging believers to live in unity and purity, grounded in love and the resurrection of Christ.

2 Corinthians

In this follow-up letter, Paul defends his apostolic authority and encourages the Corinthians in their faith, highlighting themes of reconciliation, generosity, and the power of God's grace in weakness.

Galatians

Paul passionately argues against the necessity of following Jewish law for salvation, affirming that faith in Christ alone justifies believers and sets them free from the law's bondage.

Ephesians

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus about the unity and richness of the Christian life, emphasizing the church as the body of Christ and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and integrity.

Philippians

In this letter of joy and encouragement, Paul thanks the Philippians for their support, urging them to rejoice in the Lord and to live humbly, following Christ's example of selflessness and service.

Colossians

Paul warns against false teachings and emphasizes the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, urging the Colossians to live a life worthy of the Lord and rooted in His truth.

1 Thessalonians

Paul expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonians' faith and encourages them to continue living holy lives, providing hope and instruction regarding the return of Christ.

2 Thessalonians

Paul addresses concerns about the Day of the Lord, reassuring the Thessalonians of God's justice and urging them to stand firm and continue working faithfully until Christ returns.

1 Timothy

Paul provides Timothy with guidance on church leadership and sound doctrine, emphasizing the importance of godliness, prayer, and proper conduct within the church community.

2 Timothy

In his final letter, Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith and ministry, warning against false teachings and highlighting the importance of Scripture for teaching and guidance.

Titus

Paul instructs Titus on appointing church leaders and teaching sound doctrine, emphasizing the need for good works and godly living as evidence of faith.

Philemon

Paul appeals to Philemon to accept his runaway slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ, highlighting themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and Christian love.

Hebrews

This letter, written to Jewish Christians, presents Christ as the ultimate High Priest and perfect sacrifice, urging believers to hold fast to their faith and persevere despite persecution.

James

James emphasizes practical Christian living, calling believers to demonstrate their faith through good works, wisdom, and ethical behavior.

1 Peter

Peter encourages suffering Christians to remain steadfast, reminding them of their hope in Christ and urging them to live holy and exemplary lives despite persecution.

2 Peter

Peter warns against false teachers and reminds believers of the certainty of Christ's return, urging them to grow in knowledge and godliness.

1 John

John reassures believers of their salvation, emphasizing the importance of love, obedience, and the rejection of false teachings as evidence of genuine faith.

2 John

John warns against welcoming false teachers into the community, stressing the need to adhere to the truth of Christ's teachings and to walk in love.

3 John

John commends Gaius for his hospitality and support of itinerant missionaries, contrasting his behavior with that of the prideful Diotrephes who opposes them.

Jude

Jude urges believers to contend for the faith and warns against ungodly individuals who have infiltrated the church, encouraging them to remain firm and build themselves up in faith.

Revelation

John's apocalyptic vision reveals the ultimate victory of Christ over evil, offering hope and encouragement to persecuted Christians by depicting the final judgment and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

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Your thoughts on this use of AI?

Legacy Unearthed: Richard Bong’s "Marge" Has Been Found

Fighter pilot Richard Bong
repeatedly put his 
life on the line.

On Thursday, May 23, researchers announced from Papua, New Guinea’s Madang Province that they had found the wreckage of one of World War II ace Richard Bong's planes in the South Pacific. This plane, that he had named “Marge,” wore nose art featuring a photo of the sweetheart he would later marry before the end of the war.

The announcement of the find was made via a video news conference to journalists around the world, including a roomful at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Center here in Superior, Wisconsin, where Bong’s 99-year-old sister Gerry Fechtelkotter sat enthusiastically absorbing the news.

 

The press conference began with introductory remarks by John Gidley, Executive Director of the Bong Veterans Center. The mission, Gidley stated, was straightforward. “Whatever became of Richard Bong’s P-38 named Marge which crashed on March 24, 1944, in Papua, New Guinea?” 

 

Medal of Honor recipient and WW2 Top Gun 
with bride to be and inspiration, Marge.

Briana Fiandt, Curator of Collections and Exhibits, shared why this was such an iconic plane. Richard Ira Bong was one of the most decorated American fighter pilots in history and the country's top flying ace. A U.S. Army Air Forces major and Medal of Honor recipient, Bong has been credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft, all with the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. 

 

Bong himself was not flying the plane the day it crashed in March 1944. Rather, it was being flown by another pilot, Thomas Malone. Bad weather and mechanical issues forced Malone to bail out, so the plane was lost. “Its discovery is a significant historical find,” Fiandt said. 

 

The expedition to find Bong’s plane—code name Mission: Marge—was undertaken as a partnership between the Veterans Center and a non-profit organization called Pacific Wrecks. The mission of Pacific Wrecks has been to chronicle, investigate, and safeguard the history of military aircraft wreckages and crash sites, mainly from the Pacific Theater during World War II. The organization has been vital in capturing and sharing the narratives behind these wrecks, paying tribute to those who served, and informing the public about the war's events and sacrifices.

Fiandt then introduced the team, streaming live from Papua where it was 4:00 a.m. The two chief spokespersons were Steve Kleiman, project manager for the expedition, and Justin Taylan, founder of Pacific Works and team lead. They were joined by Norman Nayak of the Madang governor’s staff, and team photographer Joe Carillet.

Seated on a couch with three of his compadres, Steve Kleiman began, “Hello, Wisconsin, from Nadang!”  

 

Justin Taylan opened his remarks by thanking the Bong Center, and especially Briana Fiandt, for setting the project in motion. The team had come to locate one of the most important crash sites of World War II and it was a success. “Marge” was Bong’s first and most famous plane, in part because of the larger-than-life portrait of his sweetheart on the fuselage, and also because of the distinctive red wingtips and other painted embellishments. While flying this plane he notched three of his record-setting 40 aerial kills. 

 

“It was an amazing find,” said Taylan. 

 

When they located the crash site the engines were buried, but the red paint on the wingtips was still visible. Upon reaching the Marge they located the serial number and confirmed the find. All members of the team touched her. “Mission accomplished.”

 

“It was quite emotional,” Taylan added.

 

Nayak said, “Hooray” and Carillet concurred. “I was in the midst of history,” he said.

 

Richard Bong's 99-year-old sister Gerry
was present for announcement of find.* 

During a Q&A they were asked how they found the plane. Using historical references, Pacific Wrecks spent more than two years researching. “There are thousands of wrecks there.” 

The first plane they found there was a Japanese aircraft. When it was learned that this was not the Bong plane, the locals said there was a second plane near the plantation. This second plane was The Marge.

 

An old logging road nearby gave them access to the vicinity of the crash site. Even so, to reach the site they were supplied with 16 locals who carved a trail and helped carry their gear. Taylan said they were lucky this forest had not been logged or the plane would likely have been lost forever.

 

For history buffs it’s noteworthy that approximately 10,000 Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft were produced, serving in the European, Mediterranean, Pacific, and China-Burma-India (CBI) theaters. Of these, around 1,800 were lost in combat or accidents. This figure includes aircraft lost due to enemy action, mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors. 

 

Major Bong’s last flight took place on August 6, 1945, the same day the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. During a test flight while piloting a P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter the aircraft's engine malfunctioned shortly after takeoff. Bong attempted to eject but was unable to do so in time, resulting in his fatal crash in Burbank, California. He was just over a month shy of his 25^th birthday.

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Originally published May 30, 2024 in Duluth's Reader Weekly

Related Link
Industry Veterans Bill Rebane and Robert Wilhelm III in Superior to Shoot First Episode of Masters of Valor

* Photo Caption: Bong’s 99-year-old sister Gerry Fechtelkotter, center, was in attendance at the Bong Center on May 23 for the announcement that searchers found the fighter plane Bong had named after his future wife while serving in New Guinea in 1944.

Vaclav Smil's Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing Is A Humbling Warning

The 20th century has been proclaimed by many to be "The American Century" because of its surprisng rise as a powerhouse in the wake of Britain's decline after 300 years of global dominance. For many, this premise is unchallenged, accepted as fact. And many see the next 100 years as more of the same, with the U.S. remaining on top of the heap as the world's top dog. 

Vaclav Smil sees things differently, hence ths book about what he calls as The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing.,the subtitle of his 2013 assessment of the USA today. 

It's easy to see how America became a manufacturing powerhouse after WW2. Our competitors' industrial capabilities, infrastructure and populations were decimated by that war, and many had not yet fully recovered from the earlier global conflict.

For Smil, America's ascent began with the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. Advancements in technology, infrastructure, and workforce skills turned the U.S. into a manufacturing powerhouse. These advances were mega-amped by the rise of mass production techniques (hence Huxley's A.F. in Brave New World) that boosted productivity and economic growth. 

However, from the late 20th century onward, several factors contributed to the sector's decline. (1) The rise of global competition (esp. Japan, China and Germany) eroded the U.S. manufacturing base. (2) Many American companies relocated production to countries with lower labor costs. This outsourcing lead to job losses and deindustrialization in the U.S. (3) Automation and advancements in technology reduced the need for manual labor, changing the nature of manufacturing jobs. 

And how has this played out?

Smil shows how the loss of manufacturing jobs contributed to economic inequality, regional disparities, and the decline of the American middle class. The shift away from manufacturing has also affected communities that were once heavily reliant on factory jobs (eg. Detroit) leading to social challenges such as unemployment and declining living standards.

Surprisingly, Smil still expressed cautious optimism about the future of American manufacturing, arguing that the sector can be revitalized through strategic investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure. Key recommendations include reindustrialization, advanced manufacturing and sustainable manufacturing practices to address environmental concerns and improve efficiency.

I find it interesting that some critics considered the book too pessimistic. I find it overly optimistic. Is the glass half empty or half full. We'll eventually find out.

Smil makes a solid case for the importance of manufacturing. Yet here in Northern Minnesota there is very little being done to incentivize it, even though we are rich in natural resources. Our economic base has flipped, away from manufacturing to a service economy. The biggest employers are universities, hospitals and our tourism related services. I don't see evidence of this turning around. Do you?

An Overview of Glenn Greenwald's "No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State"

One of my ongoing areas of interest has been the issue of free speech and free thought. I've written numerous times about Bertrand Russell's 1922 lecture on this topic, and frequently warned about the  government's use of propaganda to persuade (manipulate) the masses. It is for this reason I have been interested it the stories of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. 

This blog post will explore Glenn Greenwald's No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State, a compelling exposé on the expansive surveillance practices of the National Security Agency (NSA) revealed through the whistleblower Edward Snowden. Published in 2014, the book is a detailed account of Snowden's disclosures and the broader implications for privacy, democracy, and government accountability. After the overview I will share what some of Greenwald's critics have said.

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No Place To Hide has five sections. The first details how Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald became involved with bringing Snowden's revelations to light. The meticulous planning and risks involved have the feel of a Mission Impossible flick. It soon becomes apparent why bringing to light these "dark secrets" was such a big deal.

Section two details the scope of NSA surveillance. Americans have generally assumed that there were laws restricting what the NSA, CIA and other agencies have authority to do. Snowden's experience showed him how these agencies have gathered extensive data on American citizens and international targets alike. (They don't call them "spooks" for nothing.)

Greenwald provides examples of various programs, such as PRISM and XKeyscore, which enabled the government to intercept communications and gather metadata. According to Greenwald and Snowden, these agencies were scraping info about us from the biggest social media platforms including Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and Skype. 

One of the first stories the Guardian published was how during the Obama administration the NSA was collecting phone records of millions of Verizon customers. The White House, once this was exposed, defended this mass surveillance of U.S. citizens as necessary for our safety from homeland threats.

Part three lays out the rationale for exposing these government actions, how mass surveillance erodes civil liberties and creates a chilling effect on free speech and dissent. He highlights the constitutional and ethical concerns of pervasive government monitoring, contending that it undermines the principles of a democratic society. (Yes, this is 1984 revisited, in real life.)

Part four goes into detail about media complicity, all the various media players and and other players who willingly participated. Greenwald also discusses the challenges he faced in publishing the Snowden revelations and the broader issues of journalistic integrity and
independence.

The last section is a call to action. Greenwald concludes with an appeal for increased transparency, legal reforms, and public awareness to combat unchecked surveillance. He emphasizes the need for collective action to protect individual privacy and civil liberties.

* * * * *

As you can imagine, not everyone feels the same regardng this book or the actions of whistleblowers like Edwad Snowden. Here are the pros and cons.

POSITIVE REMARKS

Supporters laud Greenwald for his courageous journalism and commitment to transparency. They argue that No Place to Hide sheds light on the extent of government overreach and the importance of protecting democratic freedoms. The book is praised for its meticulous documentation and compelling narrative, which brings crucial issues to the forefront of public discourse.

Many view Greenwald's work as a vital defense of privacy in the digital age. By exposing the NSA's surveillance tactics, the book underscores the need to safeguard personal information from unwarranted government intrusion. Advocates for privacy rights see the book as a critical reminder of the threats posed by mass surveillance.

The book is credited with sparking significant public debate and policy discussions around surveillance and privacy. Snowden's revelations contributed to legal challenges and calls for reform, highlighting their influence on both public opinion and legislative action.

CRITICAL VIEWS

Perhaps the biggest issue has to do with concerns over national security. Critics argue that Greenwald's disclosures, and those of Snowden, compromised national security by revealing classified information. Such leaks endanger intelligence operations and international relations, making it harder for agencies to protect against genuine threats.

Some detractors question Greenwald's objectivity, suggesting that his staunch advocacy for privacy rights and criticism of government overreach may skew his analysis. They argue that his portrayal of the NSA and its activities lacks nuance and fails to adequately consider the complexities of intelligence work.

In light of the above, the book's sympathetic portrayal of Snowden is controversial. While some view Snowden as a hero, others see him as a traitor. Critics argue that Greenwald's narrative may romanticize whistleblowing without fully addressing the potential legal and ethical ramifications.

Bottom Line

It's an enlightening read even if we already knew that our privacy is being violated. The extent to which our personal info is being gleaned is out there in other books like Bob Hoffman's BadMen: How Advertising Went From A Minor Annoyance To A Major Menace. The degree to which our own government has been active in this, however, is disturbing, even scary. If you're unfamiliar with the Snowden story, this is probably a good place to start.