Summary

The website content reflects on the nature of self, the interconnectedness of life, and the influence of systemic bias in self-improvement, through a collection of insights and articles.

Abstract

The provided text is an introspective piece that delves into the complexity of the self and the societal structures that shape it. It references "The Social Life of Forests," an article that explores the intricate communication networks among trees, drawing a parallel between the natural world and human society. The content also touches on the personal impact of living in a larger family unit and the challenges it poses to individual habits. There is a candid acknowledgment of the author's white privilege and the bias present in self-improvement advice, with a commitment to improving how diversity is represented in the "Better Humans" publication. The text concludes with a reflection on systemic racism, referencing a removed Smithsonian Institutes' image that resonates with the author's experiences.

Opinions

The author suggests that the concept of self is multifaceted and interconnected with the environment and society.
There is an appreciation for the beauty and depth found in writings that challenge our understanding of life, such as "The Social Life of Forests."
The author recognizes the importance of not rushing through content that requires contemplation and attention.
Social media personalities, particularly on Twitter, are critiqued for their self-aggrandizement and lack of self-awareness.
The author expresses a need to move away from an individualistic approach in self-improvement and towards a more inclusive and communal perspective.
There is an acknowledgment of personal bias and white privilege in the context of editing and curating content for "Better Humans."
The author is committed to addressing systemic racism and improving diversity within their sphere of influence.
The removal of a Smithsonian image from the "Talking About Race" webpage is noted as a loss, as it was seen as a valuable tool for understanding bias in self-improvement.

Ruminatae 2020–12–18

This story has everything; beautiful writing, signs and wonders, cutting-edge science, all combined to leave you confounded by the most fundamental of questions: what is this “self”? The Social Life of Forests

The Social Life of Forests

The Social Life of Forests As a child, Suzanne Simard often roamed Canada's old-growth forests with her siblings…

www.nytimes.com

(That link was shared with me with the very good advice, “Don’t hurry.”)

From Reliquary for the bones of lost suburban tribes —( I’m not sure what this is…a sci-fi memoir set in the present day? It’s a wonderful read, though. Another one that takes some time an attention.):

I know people on Twitter who say that 2020 is the best year of their lives because they are self-styled chaos magicians and as the name implies they thrive on chaos. They make me want to light a fire.

I know people on Twitter who act as if they are God’s gift. It’s a shtick, a security blanket, a suit of armour, a Kool Aid backwash. I can’t block them because they never saw me in the first place. I can’t mute them because they don’t see themselves. They don’t see what I see.

I know someone on Twitter who should not be there.

I think a lot about how self-improvement advice almost always comes from a standpoint of very isolated individualism. Living with a larger family for the past couple of months has given me this understanding on a very visceral level. None of my regular habits function well within this context.

I have also been wondering about my own bias and white privilege over the past year. Of course I want to do better with respect to how I shape Better Humans by choosing and editing articles—but at what point do I admit that my bias prevents me from doing a great job with that, and how do I give away some of that power so we can build something better?

I came across this image via an article on Newsweek, which says that it was once part of the Smithsonian Institutes “Talking About Race” web site. There is an awful lot in here that speaks to bias in self-improvement.

I don’t know exactly why it might have been removed, but what it is saying rings true with respect to my own lived experience and investigations in how I am enmeshed in systemic racism. Much to ruminate on.