So, this week has been a week of being ill, learning new things, and finding out my personality has changed from a kind and loving inspiring kind of person into a cold, ruthless leader. My friend Kevin put it best when he said, "You're still loving, and kind, and caring, but now you're out for blood as well. (insert winky smiley face)" Yeah, thanks, Kevin. *rolls eyes*
The one thing I did want to talk about in reference to this personality test, however, is one question that stumped me for a really long time, and still kind of hurts to think about, because it's oh-so-relevant in my life currently. The question read:
"Do you prefer justice or mercy?"
And I had to think about this for a long time--do I care about people, their circumstances, and their faults, and show mercy? Or be resolute, and punish and demand restitution? Which should you choose, when you have a choice to make between forgiving someone, and demanding reconciliation with law, truth, justice, etc.?
On a wider ethical scale, I think justice is the answer. After 9/11, I sort of snapped, when a Middle-Eastern woman was discovered with nitro-glycerin in her beauty products, which was supposed to blow up, along with her, in a giant jet over the ocean--which brought about a sweeping change in airport policies. All I could think, is what could a bunch of middle class and lower middle-class families have to do with some absurd jihad that they didn't even understand? And these people honestly believe they are doing good in the world by blowing up people's friends, families, and their neighbours? It just made me feel sick.
As I grow a bit older, I find that I am deeply, deeply saddened by events like this where masses of people are killed, often out of a very selfish act of one individual, or a group of individuals.
When it comes to my own life, however, I have often been accused, perhaps of being too mericful at times. And too forgiving. I think that's true. I guess I just don't hold actions against me, for the most part, as bad as most people do. Maybe it's the type of family life I had, maybe it's just that I'm extremely patient with people at times, or maybe I'm just nuts. (I haven't completely ruled out the third option just yet.)
In life, we all prefer to be either just or merciful. Some of us don't see the value in mercy, and others are bleeding hearts. I find my problem to be that I often sit on the fence, thinking about it for a very long time before I can decide...justice or mercy in my life.
On that survey, I clicked on justice. But in my personal life, I feel that what people need more than anything is mercy. Somewhere in the Bible it says, "You don't need to hand out justice--God does that."
And I suppose, that's sort of how I feel about being the judge of other people in my life.
But it's hard not to want to demand justice.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
VOW: Crows vs. Cat vs. Cat
This is pretty funny if you watch it all the way through. I'll have a TOW up on Sunday, I'm just still a bit to sick to do any serious writing.
Monday, November 22, 2010
My New Personality?
Woah, my Myers-Briggs personality changed. Apparently now I'm a control-freak???
The Executive-ENTJ
As an ENTJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
ENTJs are natural born leaders. They live in a world of possibilities where they see all sorts challenges to be surmounted, and they want to be the ones responsible for surmounting them. They have a drive for leadership, which is well-served by their quickness to grasp complexities, their ability to absorb a large amount of impersonal information, and their quick and decisive judgments. They are "take charge" people.
ENTJs are very career-focused, and fit into the corporate world quite naturally. They are constantly scanning their environment for potential problems which they can turn into solutions. They generally see things from a long-range perspective, and are usually successful at identifying plans to turn problems around - especially problems of a corporate nature. ENTJs are usually successful in the business world, because they are so driven to leadership. They're tireless in their efforts on the job, and driven to visualize where an organization is headed. For these reasons, they are natural corporate leaders.
There is not much room for error in the world of the ENTJ. They dislike to see mistakes repeated, and have no patience with inefficiency. They may become quite harsh when their patience is tried in these respects, because they are not naturally tuned in to people's feelings, and more than likely don't believe that they should tailor their judgments in consideration for people's feelings. ENTJs, like many types, have difficulty seeing things from outside their own perspective. Unlike other types, ENTJs naturally have little patience with people who do not see things the same way as the ENTJ. The ENTJ needs to consciously work on recognizing the value of other people's opinions, as well as the value of being sensitive towards people's feelings. In the absence of this awareness, the ENTJ will be a forceful, intimidating and overbearing individual. This may be a real problem for the ENTJ, who may be deprived of important information and collaboration from others. In their personal world, it can make some ENTJs overbearing as spouses or parents.
The ENTJ has a tremendous amount of personal power and presence which will work for them as a force towards achieving their goals. However, this personal power is also an agent of alienation and self-aggrandizement, which the ENTJ would do well to avoid.
ENTJs are very forceful, decisive individuals. They make decisions quickly, and are quick to verbalize their opinions and decisions to the rest of the world. The ENTJ who has not developed their Intuition will make decisions too hastily, without understanding all of the issues and possible solutions. On the other hand, an ENTJ who has not developed their Thinking side will have difficulty applying logic to their insights, and will often make poor decisions. In that case, they may have brilliant ideas and insight into situations, but they may have little skill at determining how to act upon their understanding, or their actions may be inconsistent. An ENTJ who has developed in a generally less than ideal way may become dictatorial and abrasive - intrusively giving orders and direction without a sound reason for doing so, and without consideration for the people involved.
Although ENTJs are not naturally tuned into other people's feelings, these individuals frequently have very strong sentimental streaks. Often these sentiments are very powerful to the ENTJ, although they will likely hide it from general knowledge, believing the feelings to be a weakness. Because the world of feelings and values is not where the ENTJ naturally functions, they may sometimes make value judgments and hold onto submerged emotions which are ill-founded and inappropriate, and will cause them problems - sometimes rather serious problems.
ENTJs love to interact with people. As Extroverts, they're energized and stimulated primarily externally. There's nothing more enjoyable and satisfying to the ENTJ than having a lively, challenging conversation. They especially respect people who are able to stand up to the ENTJ, and argue persuasively for their point of view. There aren't too many people who will do so, however, because the ENTJ is a very forceful and dynamic presence who has a tremendous amount of self-confidence and excellent verbal communication skills. Even the most confident individuals may experience moments of self-doubt when debating a point with an ENTJ.
ENTJs want their home to be beautiful, well-furnished, and efficiently run. They're likely to place much emphasis on their children being well-educated and structured, to desire a congenial and devoted relationship with their spouse. At home, the ENTJ needs to be in charge as much as he or she does in their career. The ENTJ is likely best paired with someone who has a strong self-image, who is also a Thinking type. Because the ENTJ is primarily focused on their careers, some ENTJs have a problem with being constantly absent from home, physically or mentally.
The ENTJ has many gifts which make it possible for them to have a great deal of personal power, if they don't forget to remain balanced in their lives. The are assertive, innovative, long-range thinkers with an excellent ability to translate theories and possibilities into solid plans of action. They are usually tremendously forceful personalities, and have the tools to accomplish whatever goals they set out for.
The Executive-ENTJ
As an ENTJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
ENTJs are natural born leaders. They live in a world of possibilities where they see all sorts challenges to be surmounted, and they want to be the ones responsible for surmounting them. They have a drive for leadership, which is well-served by their quickness to grasp complexities, their ability to absorb a large amount of impersonal information, and their quick and decisive judgments. They are "take charge" people.
ENTJs are very career-focused, and fit into the corporate world quite naturally. They are constantly scanning their environment for potential problems which they can turn into solutions. They generally see things from a long-range perspective, and are usually successful at identifying plans to turn problems around - especially problems of a corporate nature. ENTJs are usually successful in the business world, because they are so driven to leadership. They're tireless in their efforts on the job, and driven to visualize where an organization is headed. For these reasons, they are natural corporate leaders.
There is not much room for error in the world of the ENTJ. They dislike to see mistakes repeated, and have no patience with inefficiency. They may become quite harsh when their patience is tried in these respects, because they are not naturally tuned in to people's feelings, and more than likely don't believe that they should tailor their judgments in consideration for people's feelings. ENTJs, like many types, have difficulty seeing things from outside their own perspective. Unlike other types, ENTJs naturally have little patience with people who do not see things the same way as the ENTJ. The ENTJ needs to consciously work on recognizing the value of other people's opinions, as well as the value of being sensitive towards people's feelings. In the absence of this awareness, the ENTJ will be a forceful, intimidating and overbearing individual. This may be a real problem for the ENTJ, who may be deprived of important information and collaboration from others. In their personal world, it can make some ENTJs overbearing as spouses or parents.
The ENTJ has a tremendous amount of personal power and presence which will work for them as a force towards achieving their goals. However, this personal power is also an agent of alienation and self-aggrandizement, which the ENTJ would do well to avoid.
ENTJs are very forceful, decisive individuals. They make decisions quickly, and are quick to verbalize their opinions and decisions to the rest of the world. The ENTJ who has not developed their Intuition will make decisions too hastily, without understanding all of the issues and possible solutions. On the other hand, an ENTJ who has not developed their Thinking side will have difficulty applying logic to their insights, and will often make poor decisions. In that case, they may have brilliant ideas and insight into situations, but they may have little skill at determining how to act upon their understanding, or their actions may be inconsistent. An ENTJ who has developed in a generally less than ideal way may become dictatorial and abrasive - intrusively giving orders and direction without a sound reason for doing so, and without consideration for the people involved.
Although ENTJs are not naturally tuned into other people's feelings, these individuals frequently have very strong sentimental streaks. Often these sentiments are very powerful to the ENTJ, although they will likely hide it from general knowledge, believing the feelings to be a weakness. Because the world of feelings and values is not where the ENTJ naturally functions, they may sometimes make value judgments and hold onto submerged emotions which are ill-founded and inappropriate, and will cause them problems - sometimes rather serious problems.
ENTJs love to interact with people. As Extroverts, they're energized and stimulated primarily externally. There's nothing more enjoyable and satisfying to the ENTJ than having a lively, challenging conversation. They especially respect people who are able to stand up to the ENTJ, and argue persuasively for their point of view. There aren't too many people who will do so, however, because the ENTJ is a very forceful and dynamic presence who has a tremendous amount of self-confidence and excellent verbal communication skills. Even the most confident individuals may experience moments of self-doubt when debating a point with an ENTJ.
ENTJs want their home to be beautiful, well-furnished, and efficiently run. They're likely to place much emphasis on their children being well-educated and structured, to desire a congenial and devoted relationship with their spouse. At home, the ENTJ needs to be in charge as much as he or she does in their career. The ENTJ is likely best paired with someone who has a strong self-image, who is also a Thinking type. Because the ENTJ is primarily focused on their careers, some ENTJs have a problem with being constantly absent from home, physically or mentally.
The ENTJ has many gifts which make it possible for them to have a great deal of personal power, if they don't forget to remain balanced in their lives. The are assertive, innovative, long-range thinkers with an excellent ability to translate theories and possibilities into solid plans of action. They are usually tremendously forceful personalities, and have the tools to accomplish whatever goals they set out for.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
World Philosophy Day
A really interesting article got featured in the Ottawa Citzen saying that we shouldn't care about World Philosophy Day. I wrote a reply to the Ottawa Citzen. I got a call saying I was being considered for the Letter section, but apparently smart meters and some 36 word opinion about helicopters in the area were more important. Well, either way, I'll post it here, since I worked on it! =)
Don't Diss World Philosophy Day: It Serves a Purpose
I take issue with Dr. Snedon's article on World Philosophy Day (Nov. 16 'World philosophy day? No thanks'). Somewhat alarmingly, the author thinks that it's ok for professional philosophers to take for granted the one day the world actually recognizes the importance of philosophy in science, education and culture.
Besides the questionable attitude of calling an observance of your own discipline and career "lame," perhaps it would interest Dr. Sneddon to know that UNESCO has cancelled the World Philosophy Day event that was to be held in Tehran, Iran?
That's because a number of countries and professional philosophers protested that Iran does not allow the intellectual freedom or academic standards that Western philosophers enjoy every day. Students and academia are regularly persecuted in politically unstable parts of the world.
For example, Iranian student Abdollah Yousefzadegan was in solitary confinement for 95 days for being involved in an election protest. He was taken from his own home and transported to jail. How does an elite student and the gold medal winner in the National Literature Olympiads end up in prison without charges? He apparently waived his rights to freedom for expressing his ideas and being part of a government-targeted intellectual group. Look where critical thinking and action got him.
Doesn't this sort of unacceptable ethical, moral, and political behaviour demand a day for the discipline that loves wisdom?
Philosophy, and critical thinking in general, is required for the betterment of human society. I wish Dr. Sneddon had not taken the approach that people “probably don’t care” about World Philosophy Day. That’s not the point. We need a day to remember that some people and societies crack down on intellectuals, and there is no better way to do that than to mark a cultural distinction for the one discipline that many trample on, but few understand.
Don't Diss World Philosophy Day: It Serves a Purpose
I take issue with Dr. Snedon's article on World Philosophy Day (Nov. 16 'World philosophy day? No thanks'). Somewhat alarmingly, the author thinks that it's ok for professional philosophers to take for granted the one day the world actually recognizes the importance of philosophy in science, education and culture.
Besides the questionable attitude of calling an observance of your own discipline and career "lame," perhaps it would interest Dr. Sneddon to know that UNESCO has cancelled the World Philosophy Day event that was to be held in Tehran, Iran?
That's because a number of countries and professional philosophers protested that Iran does not allow the intellectual freedom or academic standards that Western philosophers enjoy every day. Students and academia are regularly persecuted in politically unstable parts of the world.
For example, Iranian student Abdollah Yousefzadegan was in solitary confinement for 95 days for being involved in an election protest. He was taken from his own home and transported to jail. How does an elite student and the gold medal winner in the National Literature Olympiads end up in prison without charges? He apparently waived his rights to freedom for expressing his ideas and being part of a government-targeted intellectual group. Look where critical thinking and action got him.
Doesn't this sort of unacceptable ethical, moral, and political behaviour demand a day for the discipline that loves wisdom?
Philosophy, and critical thinking in general, is required for the betterment of human society. I wish Dr. Sneddon had not taken the approach that people “probably don’t care” about World Philosophy Day. That’s not the point. We need a day to remember that some people and societies crack down on intellectuals, and there is no better way to do that than to mark a cultural distinction for the one discipline that many trample on, but few understand.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Kim and Brennan
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Saturday, November 06, 2010
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