I just became a subscriber because I was alerted to your posts when you commented on a post by another Substack writer. It has alerts been my belief that three of the most important traits are humility, open mindedness, and especially the associated ability to listen without preconceptions. Unfortunately, they all seem to be increasingly in short supply.
I thought at first that you might be a priest: Fr. Prete!
I am developing a new idea of free will as I wrap my head around quantum theory. Maybe there is a creator/energy that began this whole thing and who waits for us each to figure out that the point of control in free will is actually way EARLIER than we ever thought: Have a idea/thought/goal and meditate/pray emotionally on it and it will become the thing reality collapses around.
This really resonates for me because I teach singing and have long taught that since we can’t directly control the singing parts of our body we need to imagine/audiate the sounds we want to create. When we do that, the mind and body can synch up together right before the breath and all the muscles and processes that always and only happen out of our control are given a chance to occur without the interference of “trying” and “effort”.
Yes, it's an Italian name.... I understand your point of view regarding free will. I've thought and talked about a lot, but I'm still not sure that my thoughts are entirely crystallized. It's a difficult concept… And, maybe, illusory to some extent.
Thanks . If I can shake the annoying URI that has been something of a plague over the last 10 days, I expect the coming week to be a real and enjoyable improvement.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness and look forward to continuing the conversation…
Thank you very much for directing me to this episode of Uncommon Knowledge. It is a podcast that I enjoy very much, although I hadn't seen this one. I certainly understand and appreciate these arguments. I also realize that events in the universe are not simply random. However, I'm agnostic on the idea of a creator, per se, at least in the traditional sense. (I should note, however, that when I was young I was planning on going into the ministry. So, like Darwin, I am not resistive to religious thought.) I do, however, think that there is a guiding logic or organization to the way things work. I'm still wrestling with the concept and its implications, though. Let me think a little more about this. I would like to pursue the conversation with you... Enjoy your week
I can't wait to subscribe to your podcast! I was just vaguely referring to "...an article I read about two headed turtles" while subtly trying to get my brilliant daughter to see the light on trans ideology. Her Honors Bio class just started their unit on meiosis and between that and what steal from you, I can keep hope alive!
Thank you so much! Feel free to steal whatever you want. And good luck with your daughter. I’m confident that if she is brilliant, you will be able to lead her to the light! Let me know if there’s anything I can say that would help ellipse
My sincere sympathy on the loss of Greg, he sounds like an amazing person.
I’m going to forward this to my family...I’ve never verbalized it as well as this, but it’s exactly how I’d like to have discussions with them. It’s really been disturbing to me that your humble, thoughtful, open-minded approach is so difficult! Many of the folks I just want to *talk* to (my eyes are wide open, theirs not so much), are doing the equivalent of putting their fingers in their ears and saying “lalalalalala I can’t hear you!” Gaaaa drives me crazy 🤣
And I’m happy you’re a part of the crowd! Thank you for your comment about Greg. That was very kind of you. I agree with you about conversations. I am not sure why everybody wants to win, and what they think the prize will be. I would much rather learn about what you think than jabber on about what I think. I don’t know the former. I’m well aware of the latter. Happily, my youngest (21-year-old) son has also learned to (at least) graciously consider points of view different than his own. He’s come to see what an asset it is out in the ‘real world’ at his job. Maybe there’s hope for a new generation of open mindedness. We can only hope.
I feel a kinship with your perspectives, Frederick. When I say "your vibe," I betray my musician sensibility! So just so you know what I am talking about and what I appreciate-- I mean that it's so clear you come from a place of humility, compassion, curiosity, and clarity as well as original insight. So rare, really. The deep values you have taught your son, also shining into some very difficult topics like gender. Mutual admiration society! :)
Congratulations! I have a professor of microbiology who very much has the mindset. One day the class discussion wandered to evolution vs intelligent design, and he very generously said that he’s not saying intelligent design is wrong, just that we can’t *test* it.
I’m a middle aged adult changing careers, but there are young people in the class just starting college. I thought this was a kind, compassionate, and humble way to teach the importance of science and curiosity.
Nursing! I was a low level newspaper editor out of college, stayed home with my kids and freelanced, and when my youngest goes to kindergarten in the fall I’m doing an accelerated second bachelors in nursing.
That sounds great! I originally was a special ed teacher, then was a designer for a while, then went back for a second BA and a PhD. After teaching for a while, I stayed home for seven years and raised three kids. When my youngest went to kindergarten, I went back to academia. Life has a number of unexpected and wonderful twists and turns. I wish you the best in your studies. I’m sure you will be both successful and happy in your new venture.
I love hearing stories like this! Reinforces my confidence about my decisions. I regret nothing! 😂
Actually, it was not being in the workplace that offered me experiences that led to nursing. I was available to help provide end of life care to my mother in law and grandmother; I spent a decade not just caring for my own kids but also babysitting the new babies of various friends and relatives and discovered a passion for helping new moms. I’m looking forward to this new chapter.
I’m very happy for you! I find your thoughts and perspective reliably edifying and often entertaining. I’m so glad your effort is being rewarded by subscribers.
Well, how kind of you! My friend — who wants to be the sidekick — has a sense of humor and take on the world that's even a bit wilder than mine. I am thinking about this seriously. It could be fun... I just don't want to duplicate what everybody else is doing.... What would your suggestions be for topics? I had originally thought of interviewing people on the extreme edges of various topics. I'm fascinated by the range of worldviews that people have. In any event, thanks for your potential listenership!
Thank you for articulating this. After high school I knew everything, after college I knew how little I know. I think one of the problems today is that "experts" are trying to pretend they know everything, as opposed to real experts, who are humble and excited to learn and freely admit just how much there is to know. I would love to hear experts discuss what they don't know, want to know, if they think someone currently in the field can figure it out...
Well, if your sidekick is in a different sort of profession, you could go with discussions about that. But to straight up answer “What would your suggestions be for topics?” I’d revisit the topics you’ve already written about, especially the ones that got many reactions. Frame with the idea that your listeners might say “I didn’t know that”. Once you see the response, you’ll know where to go. IMHO.
Thank you so much for the kind comment. That was very thoughtful. I agree, the gym does get boring. I find it less boring if I don’t actually exercise when I’m there. Sorry, I couldn’t avoid the easy joke. Your advice is a good idea. I should probably start listening to something while I’m at the gym, too. It would make the time go faster!
I just became a subscriber because I was alerted to your posts when you commented on a post by another Substack writer. It has alerts been my belief that three of the most important traits are humility, open mindedness, and especially the associated ability to listen without preconceptions. Unfortunately, they all seem to be increasingly in short supply.
Thank you!
Thank you…
Condolences.
I thought at first that you might be a priest: Fr. Prete!
I am developing a new idea of free will as I wrap my head around quantum theory. Maybe there is a creator/energy that began this whole thing and who waits for us each to figure out that the point of control in free will is actually way EARLIER than we ever thought: Have a idea/thought/goal and meditate/pray emotionally on it and it will become the thing reality collapses around.
This really resonates for me because I teach singing and have long taught that since we can’t directly control the singing parts of our body we need to imagine/audiate the sounds we want to create. When we do that, the mind and body can synch up together right before the breath and all the muscles and processes that always and only happen out of our control are given a chance to occur without the interference of “trying” and “effort”.
It’s very zen, I think.
Yes, it's an Italian name.... I understand your point of view regarding free will. I've thought and talked about a lot, but I'm still not sure that my thoughts are entirely crystallized. It's a difficult concept… And, maybe, illusory to some extent.
Thanks . If I can shake the annoying URI that has been something of a plague over the last 10 days, I expect the coming week to be a real and enjoyable improvement.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness and look forward to continuing the conversation…
you can also email me at <everythingisbiology@gmail.com>
I want to congratulate you on your subscription success. I look forward to your continued contributions to a useful intellectual discourse.
Give our past ‘conversations’, I expect you would be interested in the YouTube video referenced below
By Design: Behe, Lennox, And Meyer On The Evidence For A Creator
Micheal Behe
Stephen Meyer
John Lenox
https://youtu.be/rXexaVsvhCM
I hope you find this interesting and hope to read your reactions.
Thank you very much for directing me to this episode of Uncommon Knowledge. It is a podcast that I enjoy very much, although I hadn't seen this one. I certainly understand and appreciate these arguments. I also realize that events in the universe are not simply random. However, I'm agnostic on the idea of a creator, per se, at least in the traditional sense. (I should note, however, that when I was young I was planning on going into the ministry. So, like Darwin, I am not resistive to religious thought.) I do, however, think that there is a guiding logic or organization to the way things work. I'm still wrestling with the concept and its implications, though. Let me think a little more about this. I would like to pursue the conversation with you... Enjoy your week
Thank you very much! I’m going to take a look at it now while I’m having my coffee.
i feel very fortunate to read your writing. you are such a wonderful thinker. thank you for sharing your fine mind.
I can't wait to subscribe to your podcast! I was just vaguely referring to "...an article I read about two headed turtles" while subtly trying to get my brilliant daughter to see the light on trans ideology. Her Honors Bio class just started their unit on meiosis and between that and what steal from you, I can keep hope alive!
Thank you so much! Feel free to steal whatever you want. And good luck with your daughter. I’m confident that if she is brilliant, you will be able to lead her to the light! Let me know if there’s anything I can say that would help ellipse
This made me feel more grounded than I have in a long time.
It reminds me of a deep goal I've had and that I've allowed twisted twitter to damage.
Thank you for grounding us in humanity, humility, and honest compassion vs. narcissistic compassion.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Thank you. That was kind of you… I can’t tell you how much your comment meant to me. Sincerely, Frederick
And I’ll be happy to check out the podcast
Thanks! My friend wanted to call it “Pinky and the Brain”. But that one’s taken!
LOL!
I’m happy to be part of the crowd! :)
My sincere sympathy on the loss of Greg, he sounds like an amazing person.
I’m going to forward this to my family...I’ve never verbalized it as well as this, but it’s exactly how I’d like to have discussions with them. It’s really been disturbing to me that your humble, thoughtful, open-minded approach is so difficult! Many of the folks I just want to *talk* to (my eyes are wide open, theirs not so much), are doing the equivalent of putting their fingers in their ears and saying “lalalalalala I can’t hear you!” Gaaaa drives me crazy 🤣
And I’m happy you’re a part of the crowd! Thank you for your comment about Greg. That was very kind of you. I agree with you about conversations. I am not sure why everybody wants to win, and what they think the prize will be. I would much rather learn about what you think than jabber on about what I think. I don’t know the former. I’m well aware of the latter. Happily, my youngest (21-year-old) son has also learned to (at least) graciously consider points of view different than his own. He’s come to see what an asset it is out in the ‘real world’ at his job. Maybe there’s hope for a new generation of open mindedness. We can only hope.
Congratulations! I love your contributions and your vibe. The podcast sounds great!
Thank you so much! And, you know that I appreciate your writing!
I feel a kinship with your perspectives, Frederick. When I say "your vibe," I betray my musician sensibility! So just so you know what I am talking about and what I appreciate-- I mean that it's so clear you come from a place of humility, compassion, curiosity, and clarity as well as original insight. So rare, really. The deep values you have taught your son, also shining into some very difficult topics like gender. Mutual admiration society! :)
Thank you. That was very kind.
Congratulations! I have a professor of microbiology who very much has the mindset. One day the class discussion wandered to evolution vs intelligent design, and he very generously said that he’s not saying intelligent design is wrong, just that we can’t *test* it.
I’m a middle aged adult changing careers, but there are young people in the class just starting college. I thought this was a kind, compassionate, and humble way to teach the importance of science and curiosity.
I agree with you completely! So, micro is quite a challenge. Good luck. What is your new career? I’d be very interested in knowing.
Nursing! I was a low level newspaper editor out of college, stayed home with my kids and freelanced, and when my youngest goes to kindergarten in the fall I’m doing an accelerated second bachelors in nursing.
That sounds great! I originally was a special ed teacher, then was a designer for a while, then went back for a second BA and a PhD. After teaching for a while, I stayed home for seven years and raised three kids. When my youngest went to kindergarten, I went back to academia. Life has a number of unexpected and wonderful twists and turns. I wish you the best in your studies. I’m sure you will be both successful and happy in your new venture.
I love hearing stories like this! Reinforces my confidence about my decisions. I regret nothing! 😂
Actually, it was not being in the workplace that offered me experiences that led to nursing. I was available to help provide end of life care to my mother in law and grandmother; I spent a decade not just caring for my own kids but also babysitting the new babies of various friends and relatives and discovered a passion for helping new moms. I’m looking forward to this new chapter.
I’m very happy for you! I find your thoughts and perspective reliably edifying and often entertaining. I’m so glad your effort is being rewarded by subscribers.
Thank you very much! That was very kind. And, you know that I like your writing!
I’ll listen. And I don’t usually listen to podcasts!
Well, how kind of you! My friend — who wants to be the sidekick — has a sense of humor and take on the world that's even a bit wilder than mine. I am thinking about this seriously. It could be fun... I just don't want to duplicate what everybody else is doing.... What would your suggestions be for topics? I had originally thought of interviewing people on the extreme edges of various topics. I'm fascinated by the range of worldviews that people have. In any event, thanks for your potential listenership!
Thank you for articulating this. After high school I knew everything, after college I knew how little I know. I think one of the problems today is that "experts" are trying to pretend they know everything, as opposed to real experts, who are humble and excited to learn and freely admit just how much there is to know. I would love to hear experts discuss what they don't know, want to know, if they think someone currently in the field can figure it out...
Well, if your sidekick is in a different sort of profession, you could go with discussions about that. But to straight up answer “What would your suggestions be for topics?” I’d revisit the topics you’ve already written about, especially the ones that got many reactions. Frame with the idea that your listeners might say “I didn’t know that”. Once you see the response, you’ll know where to go. IMHO.
Thanks
Oh. Yes. And congratulations on 1,000!
Thank you so much for the kind comment. That was very thoughtful. I agree, the gym does get boring. I find it less boring if I don’t actually exercise when I’m there. Sorry, I couldn’t avoid the easy joke. Your advice is a good idea. I should probably start listening to something while I’m at the gym, too. It would make the time go faster!