Author Archives: dgermann

Which is tougher: purposely thinking or purposely not thinking? In this course we will do both. :- Doug.

Whatever humanicity does, what do we, elders living now, do? This picture that we ask the generations to think new thoughts, to tell new stories and new truths, is probably central. Goodness, truth, and beauty, these three not as constants … Continue reading →

It is our sacred task to think toward the 11th generation. :- Doug.

We tell stories so they will tell better stories. :- Doug.

Whatever the specifics may turn out to be, will we understand our bodies and minds well enough to improve? :- Doug.

Story may be a probabilistic fractal: where stories are applied with a dollop of randomness in each succeeding generation so that humanicity develops meaning. So we cannot, ought not, seek to bestow our truth on the generations. Better we can … Continue reading →

Stories initially are told random fashion. Then grandchildren self organize. :- Doug.

Books stay in our awareness longer than magazines, papers, and articles, in that order. Books can bring a longer perspective, an overview, and far-sight. :- Doug.

We may not get far. That’s no reason to not set out. The question is, What directions are fruitful? :- Doug.

Stages of response to new technologies: Gee whiz; Oh my; Take care. Taking care early is the role of far-sight. :- Doug.

“It enlarged her capacity for giving.” What will enlarge humanity’s capacity for giving? :- Doug.

If we are the intelligence of the known universe, what with loud engines on Saturday night, drugs, and all stupidity, how do we bring intelligence to intelligence? :- Doug.

Humanicity is about, we are about, the deepest art, most sublime music, most beautiful mathematics. :- Doug.

We do not recognize technology as separate any more: we think nothing of glasses and contact lenses, but those are not organic, nor a part of us. We have brought titanium hips and knees inside our bodies and consider them … Continue reading →

Digital information does not last even short. Living beings last longer, and we are always changing, morphing our memories with new events and imaginations. Life has stored our most basic (and profound?) knowledge in genes, DNA, and such. Just what … Continue reading →