Stuff I'm Reading

I just finished 'The Certainty Illusion' by Timothy Caulfield, and now I'm not sure of anything. 

My next book is one I have already read and mostly forgotten. It is "Value(s): building a better world for all" by Mark Carney. As I recall, it isn't an easy read, although its key ideas are worth the trouble, even more relevant than in 2021 when it was published. Just knowing Mark Carney better is worth the trouble given his emerging importance in Canadian federal politics. 

A synopsis of "Value(s)" is available free at SoBrief.

If you want to know what Mark Carney thinks, you could spend some time with his book as I intend to do once again. If you want to know what I think, read the rest of this note. It won't take so long. Tiny mind.

We have the tools we need to keep the planet from unravelling. Let me do what Moses did and list some 'commandments' or rather Existential Principles that will make things go better.

0. Take care of yourself. If you don't do this, you don't get to do anything else. (I will call the dentist on Monday.)

1. It is what it is. Life is beautiful but hard. (I put this in because I have another toothache. Brush and floss or not. Expect consequences.)

2. Take care of others. We don't survive or thrive by taking care of ourselves alone. (How about universal dental care?)

3. Truth awaits forever in the questions. (Why am I having more pain after the root canal? I thought the nerve was gone.)

4. Think bigger. It's not all about us. (Do elephants get big toothache?)

5. Think longer including future generations. (OK kids. No candy for you. You're going to live long and prosper, if you keep your teeth.)

6. Risk action based on what you know, and learn from consequences. (I took acetaminophen and naproxen. Stopped aching for awhile.)

7. Extremes are dangerous. Find the sweet spot between opposing imperatives. ('Sweet' may be the wrong word given the tooth pain.)

8. Be good. What is good for us may be bad for them. It goes better for everyone when they belong among us. Grow the circle. (Our friends at the candy store are going to go broke. I should keep eating chocolate.)

9. Learn from the past, but don't get stuck there. Things could be better. Make them better. (I think I will get it pulled rather than paying for another root canal.)

10. There's more. Up to you. Add to the list. 

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Stuff Dave's Been Reading: Just Have a Think, March 2, 2025

A Viral Political Meme: Big Think