Weekly Wisdom from Karen
#culture
Our culture is changing. We and it have changed to adapt to a new survival technique. Avoiding other people’s germs. This put me in mind of the famous recluse, Howard Hughes, who suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
OCD has compulsive hand-washing listed as one of the top activities sufferers are compelled to do many times over. Many more times than is necessary under normal circumstances.
Like many others, I have been embracing staying indoors these last few weeks to avoid copious amounts of antibacterial gel and dry hands. Only venturing out on sunny mornings to photograph the beach and the ocean. Hermit Lore by Sheldon Clay is in sync with my current lifestyle and millions of others. Our 2020 society has had little choice other than to become hermits to stay safe.
The end of martyrdom meant those who wanted to make some grand heroic gesture for their faith needed a new plan. Many found it by embracing lives of isolation and denial. Pretty soon the remote deserts were populated with hermits living in caves and huts.
Matan Valdman enlightens us with three very important parts of Japanese culture. He also offers practical keys to practising these ways of life.
Ikigai is a Japanese word whose meaning translates roughly to a reason for being, encompassing joy, a sense of purpose and meaning, and a feeling of well-being. The word derives from iki, meaning life and kai, and the realization of hopes and expectations.
The wisdom shared by two of Jan Vajda’s favourite writers along with his own personal touches is well worth reading. If you want to kill all that dead time in your life by consuming the fruits of other people’s labours rather than your own, you might want to cancel your Netflix subscription. I am seriously considering it.
Even though I hated myself for being such a lazy ass, I couldn’t stop doing it. At the university, I wrote all the essays just before the deadline. In my fulltime job I spend dozens of hours “researching” and started the actual work on a project as late as possible.
I don’t usually go for controversial pieces, however, this one by Tamara Mitrofanova speaks of an interesting and crucial (my opinion — because words matter to me) view of a specific word used in North America and Canada. Being aware of the language we use is essential to harmony.
I’m white-skinned and of European origin. Therefore I am considered a Caucasian. But the term, “Caucasian” is rooted in notions of white racial superiority and we’re all unconsciously perpetuating racism every time we use it.
Because this article by Roxanna Azimy is titled rather provocatively I felt compelled to read it. Even the Oxford Dictionary perpetuates the idea that white culture is above others.
“White people have no culture.” — Yes, they do. But since it was enforced through centuries of colonialism, this culture is regarded as the default.
I’ve long been a fan of Tony Young, Jr.’s poetry. He has a way with words that are current and meaningful and delivered with sublime skill. I was astounded to notice he has under 1k followers. Let’s see if we can do something about this, shall we?
We all have our differences, some more than others but there’s no need to feel less than because you will always come across someone that’s a hater and not a fan
Once again Weekly Wisdom has started as one thing and ended as something else. Much like this year. From hermits to racists with a sprinkling of good cultural habits, I hope you feel as illuminated as I do about culture. I might even continue the theme next week.
Publication of the Week
Technology Hits is the latest brainchild of ILLUMINATION AND ILLUMINATION-Curated founder Dr Mehmet Yildiz. I’m sure it will be another huge success!
My aim is to bring writers with backgrounds from all aspects of technology and create eclectic stories which can offer something for everyone. I have a connection with and access to thousands of writers on Medium and other platforms.
If you are a writer with some technology-related stories eager to be shared with the world, please read the following invitation:
Thank you for reading.
