The other day I was looking for the canonical states.opml file, the one that I use to test structures of outlines with. I found what appears to be the original copy, dated 12/2/2000. It's now accessible through this.how, which is served by PagePark, using its built-in ability to render OPML files. I'm rebooting the worldoutline capabilities but with an open source scalable stack. 🚀#
Re winning in November. In 2008, Obama had a social network of voters who met, knocked on doors, arranged a buddy system for people to vote. We should reboot that, only do it better. It's 2018, and the technology and our know-how have improved a lot. #
As we get accustomed to a Putin-run American government, where are our Russian counterparts -- the protestors, the democracy advocates, to school us on how to really resist the dawning nightmare. It seems there are voices missing from our conversation#
I haven't heard this mentioned elsewhere, but there are parallels to where we're at now and at the beginning of World War II. #
Russia, like Germany had been defeated and humiliated. Out of that rose a strongman, who has territorial ambitions in Europe. #
As in the 1930s, the US is isolationist. This time we have a defense pact, but it seems like we're going to withdraw from that. #
What it means for Europe is that they're heading for government like that in Russia, and without a strong adversary, an unchecked Russia won't stop before it runs over all of Europe. #
One of the things we learned in massage school, many years ago, was how to listen. There was an exercise I always try to remember when it's time to listen. #
The group separates into pairs. Seated on mats on the floor. Spines straight, head straight, not tilted in or out or to a side. One person speaks and the other listens. The speaker just talks, no rules there. Share whatever you want. Anything. The listener says nothing. Your body doesn't move in or out. No hugging, touching, no words. Your eyes stay neutral. No facial expressions. No empathy, no approval or disapproval, just hear what the other person is saying. Understand that they are this person's words. No response is allowed. #
These days, when it's time to listen, I allow myself to put a hand across my mouth as a signal to my subconscious that it's time to listen. #
What made me think of this today? I listened to the latest This American Life podcast, the second segment was a couple's therapy session. One was speaking, the other wasn't listening. If you're in a troubled relationship, I highly recommend the podcast. And if you can find someone who will pair with you on the listening exercise, above, I recommend that as well. You may be surprised how hard it is to stay centered, neutral, just listen, not go in or out.#
Listening is hard. If more people learned how to do it, we'd be better off. There would more love. People would understand that their friends and partners are real people, not just screens for projecting their movies on. #