Journalism Ethics and Audience Discernment

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What’s a citizen to believe? With all the buzz about “false” and “fake” news, foreign influence in elections, intelligence leakers, inflammatory talk shows, social media manipulators and AI capabilities, how can we know the truth of anything that’s being reported? We can’t. Given any situation that’s reported, we weren’t present to experience what actually happened. Even if we had been, our perception might well differ from other first-hand accounts.

Irrespective of the medium or source, “news” that’s reported is almost always second-hand and beyond. I saw this first hand when I worked in three television stations. Because we’re emotional, meaning-making beings living in constructed personal realities, information sharing is always subjective, a matter of interpretation. Consistent with the purpose of this blog, my primary intent is to appreciate rather than criticize. In this case, I’ll recommend five aids to discernment to help separate the wheat from the chaff.

First, I want to acknowledge the many journalism trade organizations and corporations that have formulated and published Codes of Ethics, including the journalists who adhere to them. I tip my hat to all who are practicing “socially responsible journalism,” where truth-seeking takes priority over shock, glamour or entertainment values.

Although one can earn a degree in journalism, no certification is required. It’s a “field,” not a “profession” where one must have demonstrated ability to become licensed to practice. Anyone, even a nine-year-old or a sociopath can claim to be a journalist and publish material. What makes one a “professional” in this field is employment by a company in the news business. And one of the benefits of that label is that, in some places, it accords that person respectability because their employers adhere to and enforce a code of ethics. In these companies, across all media, serious violation of their code can be grounds for dismissal.

In decades past, self-regulation through these codes combined with policies of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) created an atmosphere of public trust. We could generally be confident that we were not being deceived or manipulated. Today, however, largely because deregulation and the Internet opened the gates to anyone with a microphone or computer who wants to report the news, that trust is being significantly eroded.

This is particularly due to certain tabloid, radio, television and Internet entities that, despite claims to the contrary, have consistently demonstrated bias and deceptive practices. Even these can profess a code of ethics, but there’s a huge discrepancy when it comes to motivation and intent. It’s the difference between promoting an ideology and, in contrast, reporting information that’s true and accurate while preserving, protecting and strengthening the bond of trust between American journalism and the American people.

Our best protection against entities that would confuse, weaken or threaten this relationship through false news, misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories and so on is the individual’s capacity to discern truth from falsehood. Wikipedia defines “discernment” as—

The ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well… It involves going past the mere perception of something and making nuanced judgments about its properties or qualities. Considered as a virtue, a discerning individual is considered to possess wisdom, and be of good judgment; especially so with regard to subject matter often overlooked by others.

The first aid to discernment is to observe the media provider’s motivation and intention. Is it to persuade, influence, arouse audiences or attract advertisers? Do they blur the lines between news and entertainment or news and opinion to maximize audience share? Are they seeking power or converts? Do they exaggerate or hype a story in order to support a social, economic or political agenda? Does their perspective or presentation originate in dualistic worldview where everything is black and white, good or bad, right or wrong? Are they trying to become the moral arbiters of right and wrong? Or are they honest brokers of truth? Do they strive to provide relevant, useful evidence-based facts in context to inform, promote understanding and empower their audiences to make appropriate(healthy, responsible, wise) adjustments to change?

My litmus with respect to motivation and intent is “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves… A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit… by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20). In the vernacular: If it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”

The second aid to discernment is to trust your gut. We can’t entirely trust our minds when it comes to discernment because of the tendency to rationalize or spin information to suit our point of view and values. Studies show that it’s the unconscious, nonverbal cues like body language, that tell us if we can trust what someone is saying. A study by psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that, with respect to credibility and trust, words contributed 7% of the message, tone of voice 38% and body language 55%.

Intuition or gut impressions are important. Along these same lines, it’s widely known that the conscious mind (center of will power, long term memory, logic, critical thinking) uses 10% of the brain, the tip of the iceberg, while the subconscious mind (center of beliefs, emotions, habits, values, long term memory, imagination, intuition) uses 90%. The latter is what drives us. It takes significant effort to balance it with the former.

I notice that when a presenter is a “showboat” or makes the story about him or herself, the needle on my trust meter goes way down. It goes down even further when the person is boisterous, aggressive, antagonistic, blaming, name-calling or boiling over with determination—especially when they intimate that their opinions are the only correct ones.

The third aid to discernment has to do with the world-view of a company or reporter. Or both. A view of the world and human beings in general is revealed in the pattern of content a person chooses to present. In only telling us what they deem important and presenting it in ways consistent with their perception of the audience, they reflect their mentality and values. Most people don’t realize that when we’re watching a newscast, we’re largely witnessing the news director’s consciousness and preferences which in many cases represents the corporation’s values. What to look out for are news anchors who “perform” the news for their superiors. That’s fine in a Late Night comedy context, but not in a serious newscast.

On the one hand I once knew a news director who behind the scenes used language that betrayed his perception of the audience as being stupid, gullible or ignorant. At a different station, the news director assigned a reporter to exclusively cover “good news in the city.” If the preponderance of a company’s news stories are consistently negative, it may indicate that those in control of the operation either have a negative worldview or believe that tragedy and mayhem are what their audience wants to see or hear. Balance requires giving substantial time to stories that encourage, uplift or empower.

A common example of imbalance is when a television newscast consistently and predominantly covers vehicular accidents, fires, domestic abuse, crime and corruption. Because these are out-of-the-ordinary events, news directors deem them to be “newsworthy” and in some instances they are—and coincidentally attract eyeballs to advertisers because they’re emotionally charged. Factual news has a higher purpose. The socially responsible justification for reporting such stories is not only to communicate what happened, but also to increase awareness of tragic events so viewers, civic leaders and politicians can learn what to do or not do, even take preventative measures to reduce their occurrence or find solutions.

A further step forward is the presentation of stories that present a model for what’s working, especially those that can be replicated. For instance, these real stories. The corporation that adopts a policy of maternity leave for both parents and equal pay for women. The church or other group that recycles or collects and delivers tons of food and clothing to countries where people are starving. The commercial fisherman who releases tons of mackerel in a net to save trapped dolphins. The woman who turned decommissioned city buses into shower stations for the homeless. The Goodwill volunteer who turned over to her manager an envelope containing $10,500. that she found in a bag of clothing.

These kinds of stories show the best in us to the rest of us, build trust in our neighbors and confidence in our leaders. Socially responsible journalism functions to educate and empower, not simply to inform and entertain. Otherwise, the public gets a one-sided, incomplete picture of humanity and society, one that results in passivity and feelings of helplessness, fear, worry and depression.

The fourth aid to discernment is to listen to our conscience. Philosopher Immanuel Kant, who wrote extensively about ethics and ethical decision-making, considered the human conscience as the ultimate source for informing us of right and wrong. Practically, his “categorical imperative” advised that we “Act on that maxim which you will to become a universal law.” “Categorical” mean unconditional. So the Kantian test in the context of a news presentation asks the question: “Would I want the whole world to feel what I’m feeling as a result of this news presentation?”

The fifth aid to discernment is to consider the consequences. Similarly, English philosopher John Stuart Mills proposed the Principle of Utility, recommending that we “Seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” This suggests that journalists choose their stories and modes of presentation in consideration of what story or information would yield the best consequences for the welfare of the society. In Mills’ terms, “The morally right alternative produces the greatest balance of good over evil.”

And parents, for the sake of the future, should make sure that children acquire critical thinking skills.

Expressed in personal terms, what in me does a particular news program or reporter encourage? Bonding or fragmentation? Caring or indifference? Tolerance or intolerance? Love or fear? Conflict or collaboration? Action or passivity? Our role as citizens requires that we act in the best interest of both ourselves and society, and responsible journalists help us to do that.

We have to remember, as journalists, that we may be observers but we are not totally disinterested observers. We are not social engineers, but each one of us has a stake in the health of this democracy. Democracy and the social contract that makes it work are held together by a delicate web of trust, and all of us in journalism hold edges of the web. We are not just amused bystanders, watching the idiots screw it up.

Robert MacNeil (Of The MacNeil/Lehrer Report on PBS)

While I’m not proposing a change in your media diet, my hope is that these aids to discernment will serve as a nudge to observe the media with eyes wide open, so we’re not duped by “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” What we ingest through the media can diminish or enhance our own worldview and life experience. It’s a choice we can and domake every day.

Journalism is one of the more important arts of democracy, and its ultimate purpose is not to make news, or reputations, or headlines, but simply to make democracy work.

Davis (Buzz) Merritt (Editor and Co-Founder of Public Journalism)

 

Many national and international media organizations have codes of ethics. Their values and articulation give us hope.

National Public Radio “Our journalism is as accurate, fair and complete as possible. Our journalists conduct their work with honesty and respect, and they strive to be both independent and impartial in their efforts. Our methods are transparent and we will be accountable for all we do.” Their principles include: Accuracy / Fairness / Completeness / Honesty / Independence / Impartiality / Transparency / Accountability / Respect

Poynter Publishing The Poynter Institute is a school for journalists that also practices journalism. The guidelines describe the values, standards, and practices they pursue.  Their core values include accuracy, independence, interdependence, fairness, transparency, professional responsibility, and helpfulness.

Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA members include local and network news executives, news directors, producers, reporters, photographers, editors, multimedia journalists and digital news professionals in broadcasting, cable, and digital media, as well as journalism educators and students.

American Society of News Editors (ASNE) The ASNE “focuses on leadership development and journalism-related issues. It promotes fair, principled journalism, defends and protects First Amendment rights, and fights for freedom of information and open government among its members. It’s principles include: Responsibility / Freedom of the Press / Independence / Truth and Accuracy / Impartiality / Fair Play.

Associated Press Media Editors Their principles are a model against which news and editorial staff members can measure their performance. “They have been formulated in the belief that news media and the people who produce news content should adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.” They include: Responsibility / Accuracy / Integrity / Independence.

Gannett Newspaper Division “We are committed to seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way / Serving the public interest / Exercising fair play / Maintaining independence / Being accountable / Acting with integrity. Editors have a responsibility to communicate these Principles to newsroom staff members and to the public.”

Society Of Professional Journalists “Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity. The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.” Seek Truth and Report It / Minimize Harm / Act Independently / Be Accountable and Transparent.

Journalism Codes of Ethics From Around the World A listing of U.S. and International Ethics Codes

This site provides a clickable list of organizations that publish their codes of ethics. 

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Reality

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Nothing is what it appears to be


In this image I reflect on the notion of “reality,” that it’s both individual and a construct. There’s the reality that I, as the photographer, experienced—the bright sun and the people on the hill. And part of that reality includes cars in a parking lot and an observation platform to the right of the walkers. So, the reality within the frame is a small fraction of what I experienced. Further, the realities of the individuals walking down the path are entirely different from my experience, each having a unique perspective based on a complex of references, preferences, relationships and motivations. And then there are the realities that you and other observers will read into this image.

For instance, there is humanity’s exploration of the planet, it’s advance into the future or the scale of the Earth and human beings relative to the immensity of the sun. Yet another reality is the image itself, experienced differently on a screen or on paper. These and other realities are quite easily seen and understood because our senses provide our brains with stimulations that construct meaning based on past personal experiences.

What we do not see is an “objective reality.” While our sensory systems evolved to maximize the potential for survival and growth, they do not detect the realities that give rise to life and form, the worlds of quarks, atoms and quanta. For instance, the photons that are stimulating our retinas when we look at the above image. Objectively it has no color. What the brain interprets as color has everything to do with the reflection and absorption properties of surfaces. We say a fabric is “red,” for instance, because the combination of threads absorb the colors of the visible spectrum other than red. Put another way, “Blue” is the experience of a lack of yellow. So while our eyes perform the critical task of providing wavelength input and generating stimuli accordingly, it’s actually the brain that “sees” color. The same is true of shape, texture and dimension, properties the brain uses to interpret and construct our visual reality. Actually, every sensation is a mental construct.

People act, not on reality, but on the pictures in their head.

Walter Lippman, American reporter and political commentator

In themselves and aside from our perception, even solids are constructs. In the quantum realm nothing is solid. There is no matter, only vibrating fields that blink in and out of existence. There’s far space then matter within and between the atoms in the hardest metals and minerals. The same goes for the universe—as we know it. All matter reduces to “quanta” and energy “fields.”

For whatever reason, this image reminded me that the realities of everyday life are personal constructs, moment to moment interpretive creations where all my sensory inputs are filtered through a myriad of past experiences and influences including physiology, ethnicity, psychology, family, education, peer associations, socialization and work to name a few. Even the realities and the symbols that represent them are momentary constructions. I’m reminded of the indigenous people in the Americas who experienced Spanish galleons for the first time. They saw them sea monsters or monster canoes and regarded rifles as barking sticks and fire sticks. New realities rely upon established ones to make sense of them.

On the one hand, the awareness that reality is a construct is humbling. It leads to the observation that we live somewhere in the middle between the ephemeral and immensity. It’s also empowering because, if my personal reality is a construct, I can alter it—make it better. What’s more, the leading edge of consciousness and technology that’s expanding our understanding and capabilities in both directions suggests that something grand is in process. From this perspective, and in the image above, I see us walking into that light with enthusiasm and determination.

The physical world is a domain, a segment, and hence a manifestation, of the intelligence of the cosmos. The vibrations that produce the phenomena of physical and nonphysical phenomena are part of the reality of the world, a world that is in-formed by, and manifests, the intelligence that is not only “of” the cosmos, but is the cosmos.

Ervin Laszlo, Author, systems scientist

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Form And Function

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“Exquisite” happens when parts unite to form a greater whole

Aside from the beauty of the reflections, the image of this motorcycle encourages several lines of contemplation. The first is a deep appreciation for the human capacity to extract elements from the earth and shape them into virtually unlimited forms. Size, shape and surface, even strength of materials and temperature tolerances are a few of the variables that designers and engineers can manipulate—which amazes me!

My father was a toolmaker for the Ford Motor Company. He sometimes said he could make anything from metal. When he heard that I was chipping fossils in creek beds with a hammer and screwdriver, he surprised me with a professional looking pick and hammer that he had made from a single piece of steel. The handle was textured for gripping and the head had a needle point on one end and a flat prong on the other for prying. It was beautiful and it worked.

Having gained the ability to shape the earth into anything we can imagine was certainly a key step in humanity’s ongoing physical and intellectual transformation. By literally having “the whole world in our hands,” the forms we have made, and are continuing to create, are informing us about our values and choices. Do they sustain and build? Make us better? Promote understanding? Lift us up? This particular form, the motorcycle, peaks my aesthetic nerve. I never owned one, but this image helps me appreciate how so much potential power, visually and literally, can be contained in such a relatively small and beautiful vehicle.

Another line of contemplation derives from the observation that many different forms have been organized into a highly functioning whole. A motorcycle is an excellent example of the often misused term, “synergy,” initially used to describe a system where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Indeed, extract any part, no matter how small, and the system will perform differently—or not at all. 

There’s also a lesson in diversity here. If all the parts took the same form or performed the same function, they wouldn’t constitute a whole capable of functioning at all. In both physical and social systems, differentiation and diversity are essential for full functioning. Because diversity improves resilience, and therefore adaptability, it’s a survival and growth strategy that bacteria learned about two billion years ago. A common metaphor for demonstrating this is the orchestra, where individual musicians unite to form a whole that exceeds what any of them could do alone. And, being a member of a large group challenges the performers to do their best. It applies to all systems—Broadway plays, business teams and churches. Every part in a machine, and every member of a society has a role to play. And in doing so, their unique performance is enhanced.

What is anything but spirit taking form?

Alex Gray (Artist)

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Qualities Of Character

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Seeing the best in us raises the rest of us and gives us hope

There are certain people in the world who bolster our estimation of humanity and contribute hope for the future. By the quality of their character, defined by social theorist Amitai Etzioni as “the psychological muscle that moral conduct requires,” they demonstrate the best in us to the rest of us.

Tom, in the image above, is a long time friend. Although we haven’t worked together or seen each other in many years, had fewer than thirty phone conversations and exchanged not many more than two dozen emails in that time, I regularly carry him in my heart as one who consistently demonstrated that kind of muscle. In fact, he was the one who, through word and deed, was the first to help me really understand the meaning and value of “character” as a virtue.

I’ve been fortunate to become acquainted with many such people. They were diverse ethnically, young and old, highly educated and not, religious and not, spiritually minded and not, wealthy and not, extroverts and introverts, activists and observers, professionals and stay-at-home parents. My Dad was among them. Character has to do with who we are, not our status, intelligence or occupation.

Curiously, these people are diverse in another way. The duration of our time together is not a factor in terms of their influence. Some of these people I’ve known for a long time. Others I’ve encountered only once and in the space of time as short as an hour. Still others I observed from a distance or listened to them speak. One such person I came across in a television interview. This leads me to conclude that demonstrations of strong character make a lasting impression. The memory of these people stays with us because they stand out. And they inspire by example, showing us the solid and lasting building blocks upon which to construct a satisfying, meaningful, stress free and contributing life.

Even as I write, images of particular individuals come to mind. I cherish them and am grateful to them for demonstrating the qualities of character that I believe will see us through the trials and tribulations of the coming years. As you read the list of virtues below, who comes to mind?

We all take notice of exceptionally good people. Even in the world of business they are recognized, as when someone says “He’s a good man,” or “She’s our kind of people”—code for “Here’s someone you can trust, a person of honesty and integrity.” I have a theory along these lines: I think the consciously or unconsciously perceived “goodness” of a person is one of the less recognized but most potent attractors in forming significant relationships. Along with karma, it might even be one of the components in “love at first sight.”

Particular virtues are more or less developed in all of us. They manifest differently from person to person and from time to time, so we acknowledge that we are all works in progress with respect to these qualities. So what are the virtues? The following descriptions are my own, not sourced elsewhere. And it’s important to note that these are not criteria by which we should judge people. They are just some of the outstanding qualities of character that I’ve experienced and try to emulate.

What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, poet

TRUTH / HONESTY

Valuing and seeking the truth, gathering more information before sharing it with others. Honesty is making a good faith effort to always speak the truth as we know it. This includes not hiding the truth so others can base their perceptions and decisions on the reality of a situation.

INTEGRITY TO VIRTUES

Having integrity is being consistently faithful to something or someone. Because Adolf Hitler was totally committed to his vision, it can be said that he was a man of integrity. So it matters greatly what we are faithful to. Men and women of refined character are faithful to a full range of virtues—and they demonstrate them in everyday living.

KINDNESS

Kindness is interacting with others in a way that fosters or maintains a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship, one that enhances rather than harms. Kindness intends to build and support. Its criticism is constructive and non-judgmental. It accommodates other points of view and seeks an understanding of differences.

INCLUSION

Rather than separate, isolate or disengage people who are different from us, we join, unite and engage them, welcoming the opportunity to explore the possibilities and enrichment that often comes from collaboration.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

When we recognize someone they feel good about themselves or what they have done. It encourages a repeat performance and creates a bond between the acknowledger and the acknowledged. It’s one of the primary ways to make someone feel important, worthy or accepted. Whenever someone does something good, however small, there’s an opportunity to make their day. It’s the reason we say “Congratulations,” give a pat on the back and present awards. When someone sends you an email, respond to it even if it’s just to say you received it.The greater the acknowledgement the greater the contribution to someone’s self-esteem.

GRATITUDE

An expression of gratitude acknowledges that we are not alone, sufficient unto ourselves, that we are thankful for the other and the contribution they make to our lives. As a virtue, gift-giving, sharing and expressing gratitude in return is one of the earliest behaviors of primitive humans. As an act combining acknowledgment and appreciation, it creates bonds.

APPRECIATION

To appreciate is to enjoy, like or celebrate someone or something. Outward expressions of appreciation automatically include acknowledgement. Appreciation as an inner experience enriches the soul through a perception or valuation that’s in alignment with purpose.

HUMILITY

Humility is an acceptance that there’s more to life, living and the universe than the limited mind and experience perceives. Physically, it situates us properly in the scheme of things, between the immensity of the cosmos and the mysteries of the quantum world. Psychologically, it places us somewhere along the continuum between great minds and animal minds. And spiritually it allows us to feel comfortable as we take the next step toward realizing the Great Mystery.

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility is doing what we say we’ll do. It’s follow-through. It’s better to not say “I’ll call you,” than to say you will and not call. If I say I’ll be there, I will be there or you’ll know why not before hand. Better to not commit to a deadline than be late. If you say you’ll send something, send it.

RESPECT

Respect is allowing another’s perspective, method, attitude or behavior without demeaning them as a person. While we may disagree with someone, we accept that they have a right to hold and express their views, to do whatever they need to do—as long as it does not harm.

GENEROSITY / SHARING

Both an attitude and an act of giving. Eagerness to share is also a primitive and potent bonding mechanism.

COMPASSION

In the face of another’s suffering that we can do nothing about, we broaden our perspective to see with understanding eyes that their soul is doing what it needs to do. Deep down, compassion desires the health and well-being of all sentient beings, irrespective of circumstances. At a higher vibration, compassion is the companion of universal unconditional love.

RESPECTFUL SPEECH

One of the most common qualities of refinement is a sense of calm in the voice, and a preference for listening rather than speaking. Foul and abusive language demeans human dignity.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Another of the most common traits of strong character is a positive attitude, irrespective of circumstances. The universal glass is intrinsically half-full.

THOUGHTFULNESS

An act is thoughtful when it expresses concern, respect, celebration or welcome. Irrespective of that which is presented, its method or magnitude, the message is one of caring. In my experience, the thoughtful gifts, consideration or words that makes the biggest impression are those that are unexpected.

SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATION

We all make small talk and carry on conversations about health, activities and plans. But one of the signposts of a person of refined character is a desire to gracefully move a conversation to topics that are less ego involving and more universal—ideas and perspectives that matter in addition to everyday concerns. When the subject is meaningful there’s a deeper engagement that has the potential to heal, inform, uplift or inspire.

PERSPECTIVE

As a society it’s not enough that we prepare our children to be intellectually strong, creative and skilled. Fundamental to all pursuits is the development and strengthening of character traits, particularly morality and ethics. This is one of the reasons why I favor religious education, irrespective of denomination, especially in the early years.

All the major traditions provide rules for good behavior, and while these may be presented in the context of dogma, the qualities imbedded in them are likely to carry over into later life. Even if they don’t, they provide perspectives to rebel against. Religious rules are important because they are based on virtue, the building blocks that contribute to refinement of the personality. And character.

Because school is formative along with parental and peer influences, it’s the best place to introduce the foundational qualities that will help children succeed and be “good people.” Actually, I think that alongside academics and social and emotional learning, the development of character should be incorporated into the mission of ALL schools. The following is a long quote, but I include it because it evokes consideration along these lines and shows that the wisdom pertaining to goodness and strong character has deep roots in our civilization.

The goal of learning about the good life is not knowledge, but to become good. Since the practice of virtue is the goal for the individual, then ultimately we must turn our eyes to the arena in which this practice plays out—the polis. Legislators make the citizens good by forming habits in them, and this is the wish of every legislator; and those who do not affect it miss their mark, and it is in this that a good constitution differs from a bad one. Laws must be instituted in such a way as to make its citizens good, but the lawmakers must themselves be good in order to do this. Human beings are so naturally political that the relationship between the state and the individual is to some degree reciprocal, but without the state, the individual cannot be good.

Aristotle, Greek philosopher

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

 

Equanimity

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Under stress, we can at least gather our feathers

This image of a flamingo illustrates the kind of composure referred to as “equanimity”—steadiness of mind under stress. Calm. His feathers aren’t ruffled. His posture reminds me of the social science phenomenon of “cocooning,” a term coined in the 90’s by trend forecaster Faith Popcorn to describe how individuals were socializing less and retreating into their homes more. Whereas the trend began in part because of the desire for more people to work at home (even air conditioning was a contributing factor), more recent insecurities such as the  Covid-19 pandemic, increased incivility, gun violence and terrorism have contributed dramatically to this drawing in. Add to this the advances in communications technology that have made it much easier to keep the rest of the world at arm’s length. It’s no wonder so many people are preferring to work from home.

Whether or not we view cocooning as a positive or negative—perhaps both and at different times in our lives—the image of this flamingo gathering his wings with a watchful eye suggests to me an appropriate response to the winds that carry breakdown, disappointment, pain, loss and grief. Psychologists warn that resistance to these experiences makes them worse. Placing blame and railing against them stirs up negative energy and spreads the misery.

Gathering our feathers amounts to standing calm and watchful, allowing the storm to bring what it will—and pass. That’s not to say we should be passive. The time for action is when, through observation and with increased information relating to opposing perspectives, the fuller truth is understood. Equanimity is the opposite of rushing to judgment or acting on information that only supports one perspective.

I’ve always lived with cats. One of the things I’ve observed that’s so marvelous about them, and animals in general—aside from their innate appeal and unique personalities—is that they respond to everything with equanimity. One day we picked up our cat, Indy, and he quickly retracted his paws. Normally they were pink. Now they were dark brown and rough. Yet he walked normally and didn’t vocalize. The vet diagnosed that his paws had been burned from jumping up on the stove when one of the burners was still hot. Animals feel pain like we do, yet they respond to it with equanimity, allowing  healing to take place and in the meantime making themselves as comfortable as possible.

Perhaps it’s easier for animals to maintain their composure because their operating systems are driven by instinct rather than self-awareness and they can’t speak. But I think we can at least learn from them that acceptance with composure is a more balanced response to upset. When at times that’s not possible, especially in communication situations, instead of spreading negative energy, we can keep it to ourselves  

In my novel, Jaguar Sun: The Journey of an Ancient Maya Storyteller—the third and last in the trilogy, a young lord, wise beyond his years, gathers his feathers by doing exactly what this flamingo is doing—standing and watching, carefully observing and assessing a tragic situation before taking action. The word “grace” comes to mind.

With so many viewpoints about any topic, if one person is aggressive about his viewpoint, it is likely to bring imbalance into the situation. What is required is a certain calm, a lack of ego, a lack of delusion that one sees all around every situation, and give some space for others to contribute other viewpoints which would allow the emergence of a balanced view, so that there might be balanced action. There has to be balance for there to be health at any level.

Alan Hammond, Visionary, former president of Renaissance Business Associates, Inc.

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Art And Meaning

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Chairs

The random arrangement of visual elements juxtaposing lights and darks in this image comes near to creating abstraction because the subject matter is easily “read.” Another aesthetic feature here is the number of visual elements, each tonal change representing one of them. The more there are, the more complex the image, so there’s increased potential in the amount of information that can be derived such an image.

For instance, a photograph of just one chair would communicate “Look at this chair.” Consciously or unconsciously the viewer would wonder what’s so special about it? The image of multiple chairs generates many more questions: Where are these chairs? Who sat in them? Is this the random aftermath of a business meeting, party or ceremony? Or were these chairs just set to one side so someone could clean the other side of the deck? And is this really a deck? It could be a boardwalk. Might there be more than meets the eye here?

Abstracted images tend to challenge us, however briefly, to make sense of what we’re seeing. We want to grasp the meaning, part of which has to do with why the artist formalizing the subject matter within a frame. What did he or she see? And what’s so special about this subject that we should give it our attention? In this we’re attempting to understand the image-maker as well as the object represented.

In looking at an object we reach out for it. With an invisible finger we move through the space around us, go out to the distinct places where things are found, touch them, catch them, scan their surfaces, trace their borders, explore their texture.

Rudolf Arnheim (Art Theorist)

In many, if not most instances, the mind of the artist is as important as the subject being represented. We’re always trying to validate our world view or understand if there’s value in someone else’s perception that we might be missing, particularly when there’s a discrepancy. It’s why art historians, critics and others maintain that the function of art is to challenge, upset or overturn conventional ways of seeing and thinking.

According to social psychologist, Roy Baumeister, “What sets human beings apart from animals is not the pursuit of happiness, which occurs all across the natural world, but the pursuit of meaning, which is unique to humans.” This, in my view, is the highest function of fine art. However we engage, use or perceive creative works, and irrespective of medium and intent, those who produce it are holding up a mirror to show us who we are, how far we’ve come and what we’re capable of accomplishing. In the process, through the choices they make, is reflected in who they are, how they see and what they value.

So, art plays a significant roll in making sense of diverse personal and social realities. It attempts, and at times defines what it means to be fully human. Across all levels, media and applications, the making and observation of works of art engages us in acts of self-reflection and discovery. Just as instruments reach out to explore space and the depths of the oceans, works of art reveal the dimensions and beauty of the human spirit—wherever and however they are. Even when produced by artificial intelligence which, let us remember, lacking a heart and soul it can only produce through reference and imitation, never through inspiration.

A society that regards the function of “art” as entertainment and appreciation alone, fails to understand that its engagement is nutrition for the collective mind, heart and soul. Museums are not just warehouses for historic and contemporary treasures. They’re arenas rich with potential to stimulate the higher human faculties of observation, imagination, empathy, experimentation, discovery, critical thinking, symbology and aesthetic awakening all toward understanding and making sense of who we are, what we’ve come through and what we can accomplish.

Fundamentally, through expression, artistic works generate questions and stimulate the evolution of consciousness. Some may think this a soft or inconsequential enterprise compared to art produced for the art market, but I would argue that it’s essential for maintaining and advancing the quality of life across the spectrum of time and cultures.

Like the seers and oracles of old, Art sings and shouts from the axis of truth to wake us up to who we are and where we are going.

Alex Gray, Artist

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

 

Unity

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Although this weld bead is not a good one from the perspective of a welder, it caught my attention as a potentially abstract image, rich with color, texture and highlights. When I came across the image, the word “joining” came to mind, eliciting some observations for contemplation. Some of the metaphoric implications are obvious, others not so much. And because Pierre Teilhard de Chardin S.J. wrote so extensively about the evolutionary dynamics and implications of joining together, I offer some of his quotes. They effectively distill the essence of my observations here.

In the first place, I notice that a bead of molten material, itself metal, is used to unify separate pieces of steel. Although different in properties, they’re the same in essence. Just so, two individuals with differing values or perspectives can become joined in purpose or function by a third party, perhaps a “facilitator” who shares their vision or common objective. When there’s a commonly held purpose or outcome, there’s the potential for bonding. And when it occurs the strength of the outcome is increased considerably. A whole system has greatly expanded potentials and more capability than its members operating separately.

Everything in the universe is made by union and generation—by the coming together of elements that seek out one another, melt together two by two, and are born again in a third.

Teilhard de Chardin S.J.

Metals are “hard-nosed” individuals. They are fixed in their ways, not about to change. They “like” being separate. So much so, they can only be bonded by another metal that has undergone a change of state—transformation—from solid to liquid. In the realm of matter, pliability is a necessary condition for unification. In the human realm this equates to flexibility. And that’s where we have an advantage over metal. Even when individuals are fixed in their ways and disagree, bonding can occur through mutually respectful communication.

Fuller being is closer union.

Teilhard de Chardin S.J.

Importantly, in the above image both pieces of metal retain their individual uniqueness even when they are joined. Analogously, the molten bead represents the power of agreement and compromise. And that’s accomplished in the “fires” of discussion and debate—which should, like the elements that compose the metal, include everyone who has something at stake in the outcome.

True union does not fuse: it differentiates and personalizes.

Teilhard de Chardin S.J.

It may be extending the metaphor too far, but I note in this image that the solidified bead is brighter and shinier than the metals it joins. In the domain of human interaction I take this to indicate that the agent of unification is someone “brighter” in the sense of having an expanded perspective, particularly with regard to the potentials that can be achieved through joining.

Union can only increase through an increase in consciousness, that is to say in vision. That is why the history of the living world can be summarized as the elaboration of ever more perfect eyes within a cosmos in which there is always something more to be seen.

Teilhard de Chardin S.J.

The lesson I draw from the metal and human communication analogy is that separate individuals, hardened in their values, beliefs or perspectives, can unite either through intelligent and wise communication or commonly shared experiences. United, individuals are stronger and capable of achieving far more than working separately.

I do not exist in order that I may possess; rather I exist in order that I may give of myself, for it is in giving that I am myself. Cosmic life is intrinsically communal. Being is first a “we” before it can become an “I.” 

Teilhard de Chardin S.J

To learn more about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin S.J.

“Teilhard” is pronounced: Tay-yar), I highly recommend Spirit of Fire: The Life and Vision of Teilhard de Chardin by Ursula King, revised edition by Orbis Books. It can be found in most public libraries.

Teilhard’s legacy was the formulation of a comprehensive mystical vision that integrated science and spirituality. Science critics didn’t think he added much to the field of evolution or paleontology. And the Catholic Church banned him from publishing during his lifetime, even exiled him to China and New York to prevent him from speaking in public. In particular, his views on evolution negated the Adam and Eve story and original sin. Recent pope’s however, spoke highly of his contributions to Christ-centered spirituality and his though figured prominently in the 2nd Vatican Council.

It’s perhaps no accident that I chose an image of metal for this contemplation. When Teilhard was a child he collected rocks, drawn to them because they were the hardest, most lasting objects he could find. Then one day he discovered a piece of shiny metal under a cart. Because it was much harder than rock, he thought he’d found something that would last forever. He said he “cherished” it. When it was left out in the rain for a time he came running to his mother in tears because this precious object was rusting. He cites this incident as the moment when he became determined to find something that would last forever. He found it in the human spirit.

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Snow

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High in the field of frigid darkness

The place where potentials reside,

Atoms rise, congregate and coalesce.

I am born, a vaporous singularity.

 

Wandering there, I reach out to the closest being

A speck of dust carried in an atmospheric wave,

Clinging, descending.

The order within expresses symmetry, six arms.

 

Growing, gaining mass, I descend

Through neighborhoods of varying cold and wet,

More cold my body flattens.

Less cold my arms grow intricate, needle-like crystals.

 

Descending further and gaining momentum

I reach out in seven directions,

Ever growing, expanding, tossed in the wind.

I am not alone.

 

Rising, falling, swirling with my neighbors

Uniqueness become clear,

As does substance as we journey together.

The wind stronger now, carrying us to the same destiny.

 

Approaching the ground, falling together in silence

Trees lift their white burdened arms to greet us,

An orange tabby on a windowsill watches, arches its back.

A doe leads her fawn to a leaf-fallen thicket.

 

Beauty and mystery filled the journey

As singularities became a multitude,

Arriving together in silent curtains of white.

Each of us witness to potentials realized in a spectacle of joining.

David L. Smith

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

Point Of View

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What we see depends on where we stand

In a film script, Point of View (POV) can indicate the camera position or the viewpoint of a character. In a screening of an episode of “24,” the TV series featuring Kiefer Sutherland, the President of the United States and the Vice-president vehemently disagreed on whether or not to retaliate with a nuclear strike against a middle-eastern nation for a nuclear attack on Los Angeles.

The president wanted to wait for proof that the enemy was a particular nation, but the vice-president was eager to strike back immediately as a show of strength, saying he had enough proof. We viewers knew the truth, that terrorists from two other countries were behind the bombing, so we were pleased when Jack Bauer overcame the terrorists and secured the bombs at the last moment. After watching this drama unfold, it was abundantly clear that a simple but profound characteristic of human consciousness made a monumental difference: one’s point of view.

What we see depends on where we stand—literally and figuratively. And we act according to what we see. To a man barely surviving due to circumstances beyond his control, a social welfare program can be a matter of life or death. To a rich man the same program may seem like an unnecessary tax burden. In thinking about this, I realized that no two human beings see through the same eyes. No matter how close or related we are to one another, we each see the world from a unique point of view. And we don’t  share identical interpretations of what we see.

For instance in this image you may see a pensive, elderly Native American woman, but because I knew her, I see a young and vibrant white woman who played the piano like a rock musician in her modern, upscale house. A primary factor that makes a great difference in perception is information. The more information we have and share, the closer we can come to agreeing upon what we see. For instance, the husband of the woman pictured above had a much more accurate perception of his wife. Then too, can anyone really know the truth of another person? Do we even know ourselves that well? Even the perception of myself is a point of view, an opinion that’s constantly changing. I’m not the person I was yesterday.

Our point of view develops when we first open our eyes. And due to the circumstances of life—age, ethnicity, geography, relationships, education, experiences, values and so on—we construct a gestalt, a “world view,” that is foundational to our personal reality, the truth of how things are for us to us. Curiously, the tendency is to think that our gestalt is better or more accurate than that of most people.

A related phenomenon that’s a consequence of our point of view, is the way we reach out to verify the truth and shy away from anyone or anything that’s in conflict with how we see things. And there are degrees of this. For instance I read science books by authors who don’t believe in God or an afterlife. I continue with these books, in spite of my beliefs to the contrary, because I appreciate the scientific method. On the other hand, if an author writing about quantum physics kept beating the drum to prove his anti-spiritual point of view so vehemently I would have put the book down, not because of the difference in our world views, but because he kept using physics to discredit my belief. I can appreciate an author who states his or her personal perspective; it helps me to know where they stand. But for me, proselytizing goes too far.

Point of view is a fascinating aspect of human consciousness. We’ll defend it to the death—as if it’s The Truth, rather than a personal truth, which is dynamic, ever changing. Dictators and politicians of every stripe rationalize war, even crimes against humanity, with the conviction that their side (point of view) must prevail. The domination paradigm is the ultimate statement of self-centeredness and ignorance—not understanding that living systems grow and thrive as a whole as a consequence of harmonious relationships within and beyond the bounds of leadership. I say “ignorance,” because violence, whatever the circumstance or motivation, only generates more violence.

Evolution is a bottom up process, like a pyramid. The same is true of social and biological systems. When a multitude of cells—figuratively at the bottom of the pyramid—are functioning in balance and and coherence, they support the superstructure. On the other hand, when a cell or group of them become greedy or go “rogue,” looking out for themselves believing their truth is the truth and their method must prevail, the inevitable result is systemic breakdown. Science has shown that evolution does not favor the fittest. It builds on individuals and groups that adapt to changing conditions.

In these days of political division and uncertainty, I am heartened by those who work with the light of intelligence and wisdom, for instance journalists and comedians who reveal untruth, factual inaccuracies, disinformation, false news, deceptions, ignorance and greed. They perform a healing service for the social body simply by identifying the cells that are causing breakdowns, helping us to understand points of view—perspectives—that are toxic for the body—so we can adjust to change appropriate to its health and well-being.

The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one.

Brooks Atkinson, American theatre critic

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net

How Systems Evolve

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Through coherence, parts unite to form whole systems

For me, part of the appeal of this image is that it at once evokes the sensibility of living cells and astronomical bodies—the “innerverse” viewed under a microscope and the universe viewed through a telescope.

At both extremes we observe diverse parts that join together to make a whole, and we see the parts in relation to one another as well as the whole. My curiosity extends to both extremes, but lately my thoughts have been directed to the dynamics of biological systems, and these images prompted some observations that suggested a coincidence between the microscopic and the social.

In The Extended Phenotype published in 1982, British biologist Richard Dawkins introduced the idea that the effects of an animal’s genes or “phenotype” can stretch far into the environment. In 2016, science writer Ed Yong, writing in I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life, gives examples of this noting that “…beaver genes build beaver bodies, but since those bodies go on to make dams, the genes are also redirecting the flow of rivers. A bird’s genes create a bird, but they also make a nest. My genes made my eyes, hands, and brain, and in doing so they also made this book.” This is an example of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

So while an animal’s genotype determines the physical characteristics of its offspring, it’s phenotype extends those traits into an “expression” or manifestation that has an affect on the environment. The good news I learned in my Physical Anthropology class is that, although specific genes are inherited, because human beings make considered choices, we can alter their expression, our phenotype—that which shows up.

One’s genetic endowment or genotype, therefore, is largely a predisposition rather than a sentence. And, because it’s the living organism as a whole that contributes (or not) to the next generation, what we do and how we live effects the genes we pass on. And considering that whole, what’s astounding is that each of us is composed of trillions and trillions of cells, each a living being making its own decisions, performing over 100,000 tasks per second! (Biologist Catherine Clinton in a HeartMath interview. And yet we consider our bodies a singularity.

We have to tread lightly in extrapolating from biology to sociology, but in reading about the relationships between microbes, their animal hosts and ecosystems, I can’t help but think there are some lessons to be learned about how we relate as groups. Aside from our cells, in order to be healthy and grow to reproduce, the diverse billions of individual microbes that live inside us are constantly considering: Is this new or unrecognizable incoming entity a suitable dance partner or not? What would be the consequences of our engagement? Is this good for me and the whole in which a play a role? Or not?”

There’s a lot of feeding, moving around and carrying on of conversations, mostly about the neighbors and the neighborhood. The net result of this relating, both in conflict and in harmony, results in the development of communities of like-minded entities, internal “ecosystems” that constitute a survival strategy that has worked since life first appeared on the planet. And rarely, if ever, do we give it a thought.

Socially, might it be that the pressure to engage with people different from us is nature’s way of bringing us together—through conflict as well as harmony within nested ecosystems—to form a new whole entity? Might our physical, mental and emotional urges and preferences constitute the phenotype of the global body? Our collective expression? Considering the consequences of our elections, that would be a resounding “Yes!” And by extension, might our species be developing a global brain? Since it’s founding and because, in part, of its diversity—which is an essential evolutionary ingredient—the United States of America has served as a crucible for the mingling of burning desires and differing beliefs, values and perspectives.

Microbiology informs us that the clash of values, ideas and preferences has been going on between microbes and cells for eons. It may not be comfortable and we might wish it to be otherwise, but just as the microbes inside us engage in energy and information sharing and decision-making that ultimately sustains our bodies, so also we struggle as groups to express our beliefs, values and perspectives so that one day we will open our eyes and realize that, through the union of commonly shared perceptions, values and objectives we have constructed a singularity of purpose and intention that works for everyone.

The dynamic goings-on between the microscopic creatures that populate our bodies suggests to me that, within the crucible the “refinements” that are happening now, though they may be painful, are part of an evolutionary process that requires us to live our best, most authentic lives and keep an open mind when interacting with others. Evolutionary survival value for whole systems is not in being right but in discovering truth and the best way forward for all. We Americans put the Constitution above powerful individuals and groups because, despite our differences, it’s the means by which we create coherence. It’s the operating system that allows us to function as a whole.

From atoms to galaxies, the evolutionary pattern is of diverse parts increasing in complexity and then uniting to form higher level systems. It’s a fundamental cosmic phenomenon that, at the human level, encourages patience and appreciation for the way things are.

Evolution by natural selection depends on just three things: individuals must vary; those variations must be heritable; and those variations must have the potential to affect their fitness—that is, their ability to survive and reproduce. Variation, inheritance, fitness: if all three boxes are ticked, the engine of evolution whirrs into action, pumping out generations that are successively better adapted to their environment. 

Edmund Soon-Weng Yong, British-American science journalist

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My other sites—

Love And Light greetings.com: A twice-weekly blog featuring wisdom quotes and perspectives in science and spirituality intended to inspire and empower

David L. Smith Photography Portfolio.com: Black and white and color photography

Ancient Maya Cultural Traits.com: Weekly blog featuring the traits that made this civilization unique 

smithdl@fuse.net