dispatches from the new world of work

231

My GRP yesterday was three. That is, Gross Rock Product. I've been clearing hiking trails on the Farm, and specifically clearing around gorgeous boulders on Tinmouth Mountain. Today I eked out 3 hours of hard labor—and revealed, sort of "Zen-like," three spectacular boulders, the largest of which was 6 X 12 X 8 feet. Hence a Gross Rock Product of three.

As I headed for a long hot shower that I hoped would reduce my back pain to mere agony, I thought about home writ large, Tinmouth Mountain, Vermont, and the United States of America—and our 231st July Fourth. I/we are lucky—300 million lucky dudes—rancor shadowing Iraq notwithstanding. The Freedoms I "automatically" express and enjoy on my Farm and in my professional life are truly amazing, especially if your reference point is a scant 250 years ago—as I mentioned in a recent Post, I'm reading about the history of the idea of freedom per se. For me, born in 1942, I am also reminded on 4 July of the state of terror that existed in the world when I arrived—i.e., Holocaust and human butchery in general were in full swing.

Hence, putting the likes of Middle Eastern madness and views about this year's decisions by the Supremes aside for 24 hours, we have much to be thankful for, much to be worthy of a hot dog with catsup lathered with reckless disregard of its effect on post-July Fourth girth.

Back to the rocks ...

Tom Peters posted this on 07/04/07.

Comments

Here's a good July Fourth article, one that Tom would enjoy, "The Founding Immigrants." It's from the New York Times, and I never know if it will be available to people who aren't subscribed to Times Select, so I'm putting it here on the back page:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/opinion/03davis.html?em&ex=1183694400&en=72034b45596fb7aa&ei=5087%0A

Happy Fourth of July to all, our UK friends included.

Posted by Cathy Mosca at July 4, 2007 9:17 AM

Mental Blocks

This biggest mental block that liberals
suffer from is that they don't seem to understand that Americans - no matter what politcial brand they
choose to give themselves - are not against legal immigration. Emphasis on legal.

The biggest mental block that conservatives seem suffer from is that many believe that scientists who find strong evidence of global warming are communists out to destroy capitalism (I heard Neil Bortz say exactly that) - this is an absurdity - scientists after all are the very people who give us the technological tools to enable capitalism to thrive - Also, scientists tend to have interesting and rewarding jobs in capitalistic societies. They are not going to bite the hand that feeds them.

Maybe its time for everyone to watch a few episodes of Dragnet and let Sargent Friday's mantra 'Just The Facts' sink in.

Posted by frank at July 4, 2007 10:35 AM

One day you will have to read Will & Ariel Durant's eleven volume "Story of Civilization." It was a fifty year joint effort that among other things brought them a Pulitzer and Presidential Medal of Freedom. The whole series is available on cassette, put to audio over five years by a magnificent reader Grover Gardner (http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/gvpages/gardner.shtml).

But, before diving into the actual work read through their biography, "A Dual Autobiography" (http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Autobiography-Will-Durant/dp/0671230786). You simply cannot appreciate their written works without a basis in where they came from (as I was reminded this morning reading about Steve Jobs childhood, leaving college, fascination with calligraphy, etc).

And, after completing ten of the eleven volumes the Durant's produced a sort of summary of findings in a 100 page (also available in CD audio) work "Lessons of History" (http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-History-Will-Durant/dp/1567310249). Honestly, if I thought I could mail you something that might actually reach your desk I would send you a copy today.

Steve

Posted by Steve at July 4, 2007 2:38 PM

If there is truly strength in diversity and freaks (ie not like me) bring an alternate view that leads to new solutions to seemingly intractable problems, then I'm grateful to live in a mongrel nation.

Happy Birthday to our neighbours to the south.

Posted by Lois Gory at July 5, 2007 2:07 PM

Have your forays into the history of the idea of freedom suggested that it is our natural state, and that all of the nationalism suddenly slathered all over your blog is one of freedom's mortal enemies?

You are a genius and I am a huge fan, but for someone with such an expansive and enlightened view of the global aspects of our present and future, I find your nationalism untimely and distasteful. If it is the ideas so long a part of this country that you still love so dearly, I'm afraid you must seek them elsewhere in today's world. We are now in the role England played 231 years ago: abusing our power, and making no apologies for it.

A different take from another veteran and accomplished writer:

http://www.alternet.org/story/55822/

Posted by Michael at July 5, 2007 3:01 PM