I write these articles each week. They are really just thoughts from things I observe. Sometimes they are light comments, other times they consist of theological and philosophical comments. Feel free to read and subscribe.
Weekly Thought 2010
Hostage Hope
I was watching the rescue of the Chilean miners on Sky TV in real time while running on a machine at the gym. Initially this didn’t strike me as unusual until there was a lull in the proceedings. It…
Your Productive Value
I’ve noticed that house prices in the local area have dropped quite significantly. I just happened to notice because there seems to be a sudden rush to get houses on the market. I guess summer must…
Inevitability of the Unwanted
England finally has a government. That will come as a great relief to both Poms and the rest of the world that is economically connected to the place. Despite the fact New Zealand had to wait nearly…
Being a Superhero
In 1882, a few years before I was born, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche published an article called “Gay Science” (aka Joyous Science). It was in this publication that he is famously believed to…
Useful Hope
With global travel coming to grinding halt over the last couple of weeks, people across the globe have been frantically trying to return home. We’ve been reminded that despite our best efforts,…
A Different View
Memory is an aspect of being human that most of us take for granted. In the general busyness of life that constantly urges us to look ahead, we fail to realise that our memory of what has been will…
Flying Solo
I drew the short straw today, which meant taking the kids indoor rock climbing. Actually it's a lot of fun. I don't climb; I hold the safety rope, which means I have the power of life and death. I…
Roundabouts
I’m not sure who invented the roundabout, but I have a suspicion it was the English. Every time I travel there I’m constantly amazed at the complexity and size of these traffic turntables consisting…
Interior Decoration
On Good Friday in 1963, 53 blacks, led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., marched into downtown Birmingham, Alabama to protest the existing segregation laws. All were arrested. As a result the…
Extremism
On Good Friday in 1963, 53 blacks, led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., marched into downtown Birmingham, Alabama to protest the existing segregation laws. All were arrested. As a result the…
Easter
Every now and then I have the privilege of traveling overseas. When I was last in Asia I visited friends living 8000 feet higher than my lungs were accustomed too. After a few days they suggested we…
Truth & Fiction
“Truth is stranger than fiction”, at least that’s how the saying goes. I guess it’s true. But does it make sense?
As academic philosophers move from the shadows of their ivory towers into the…
Purpose & Direction
In the second half of the nineteenth century the world changed. The onset of mass industry created a new form of wealth and the beginning of what we call the “middle class”. Prior to this there were…
The Ideal Person
Nearly all of us have great respect for those who sacrifice themselves on behalf of others. Such actions touch something deep within us. We might call it heroism or selflessness, but whatever title…
Generalisations
Generalisations get a bad wrap these days, which is unfortunate. As far as I can tell a generalisation is a statement that can be seen to be generally true. Why then are we are so concerned by…
Arthur
Some years ago I read some of the writings of Arthur Schopenhauer. Despite being a fabulous writer his early work was quite literally ignored. In fact his very first publication was such a non-event…
You're Worth it!
Generalisations get a bad wrap these days, which is unfortunate. As far as I can tell a generalisation is a statement that can be seen to be generally true. Why then are we are so concerned by…
Motive is Everything
Some years ago I read some of the writings of Arthur Schopenhauer. Despite being a fabulous writer his early work was quite literally ignored. In fact his very first publication was such a non-event…
A Cunning Teenager
The saying, ‘water always finds the easiest route’ well describes the way some teenagers operate. We’ve just completed the Abel Tasman walk with five teenagers and bunch of adults. Yet unlike…
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