Comments on: Acceleration http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/ A Notebook of Ideas and Experiences Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:44:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Ryan http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3385 Mon, 21 May 2007 03:21:40 +0000 http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3385 I liked your words about community. They reminded me of a speech by Robert Putnam given here on campus not too long ago where he talked about social capital and the decline of community involvement. I think many people prefer the anonymous lifestyle (at least outside their circle of close friends and family), myself included. I would also include myself in the group of people that needs to get out more often. I think it's great (and inspiring) that you have found so many things to do and have become part of a community. I long for the day when I can stay in one place long enough for the librarians to know me by name--a place where I can "settle down," as it were. I remember this Putnam guy saying how we need to find that "identity" (that you have discovered where you live), and that our contribution as a distinct identity in a functioning community brings massive social capital, without which a society would be dull and drab. Maybe it's because I'm still in college, but reading what you said about your job becoming one foundation in your life has put me into defensive mode against any potential employer that wants to make me a "career employee." I suspect my opinion will one day change. Although I love work and the satisfaction it brings, I can think of many other "things" that I do and am that I would rather have define my existence here. Then again, I do fill somewhat unhappy or apprehensive about many of the job opportunities that lie ahead of me; maybe I'll find that dream job . . . or it will find me . . . or I'll make it, or something. I liked your words about community. They reminded me of a speech by Robert Putnam given here on campus not too long ago where he talked about social capital and the decline of community involvement. I think many people prefer the anonymous lifestyle (at least outside their circle of close friends and family), myself included. I would also include myself in the group of people that needs to get out more often. I think it's great (and inspiring) that you have found so many things to do and have become part of a community. I long for the day when I can stay in one place long enough for the librarians to know me by name--a place where I can "settle down," as it were. I remember this Putnam guy saying how we need to find that "identity" (that you have discovered where you live), and that our contribution as a distinct identity in a functioning community brings massive social capital, without which a society would be dull and drab.

Maybe it's because I'm still in college, but reading what you said about your job becoming one foundation in your life has put me into defensive mode against any potential employer that wants to make me a "career employee." I suspect my opinion will one day change. Although I love work and the satisfaction it brings, I can think of many other "things" that I do and am that I would rather have define my existence here. Then again, I do fill somewhat unhappy or apprehensive about many of the job opportunities that lie ahead of me; maybe I'll find that dream job . . . or it will find me . . . or I'll make it, or something.

]]> by: Derek W http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3384 Thu, 17 May 2007 13:31:49 +0000 http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3384 Funny, I have recently used "acceleration" to describe the changes in my own life these past 5 years. When we first moved to Ottawa in 2002, we didn't know what to do with ourselves, so we ended up putting together puzzles and listening to talk radio quite frequently. As we have gotten to know more people and gotten more involved with friends and the community, putting a puzzle together seems like an idle indulgence. Since we are planning to move away from Ottawa this summer, I wonder if that will take some of the steam off our acceleration. Perhaps the birth of children makes that impossible? Funny, I have recently used "acceleration" to describe the changes in my own life these past 5 years. When we first moved to Ottawa in 2002, we didn't know what to do with ourselves, so we ended up putting together puzzles and listening to talk radio quite frequently. As we have gotten to know more people and gotten more involved with friends and the community, putting a puzzle together seems like an idle indulgence.

Since we are planning to move away from Ottawa this summer, I wonder if that will take some of the steam off our acceleration. Perhaps the birth of children makes that impossible?

]]> by: MCB http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3383 Tue, 15 May 2007 18:42:19 +0000 http://www.scottcorner.org/2007/acceleration/#comment-3383 James-- You need to know that your comment meant a great deal to me in my "dark night of the soul" these past two months. How did you know that i was considering suspending my blog? So, consider your voice heard. And thank you. Re: growing up. I love the way Thomas Merton, the monk who wrote so prolifically about spirituality ( Seven Storey Mountain, etc. ) in the 60s. He distinguished the "true self" from the "false self". The false self falls away throughout life, he proposed, as we each become aware of the elements that feed our core. Sounds like work and the honest gratification it provides is part of that for you. It sounds far from pitiful. Best, MCB James--
You need to know that your comment meant a great deal to me in my "dark night of the soul" these past two months. How did you know that i was considering suspending my blog? So, consider your voice heard. And thank you.
Re: growing up. I love the way Thomas Merton, the monk who wrote so prolifically about spirituality ( Seven Storey Mountain, etc. ) in the 60s. He distinguished the "true self" from the "false self". The false self falls away throughout life, he proposed, as we each become aware of the elements that feed our core. Sounds like work and the honest gratification it provides is part of that for you. It sounds far from pitiful.
Best, MCB

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