I've brought my world view philosophizing here to my blog. Enjoy!
First of all, to try and narrow down some of the wordings to follow (a difficult and yet important step for any philosopher), here are a couple definitions I found for the word or phrase 'world view':
"A set of commonly held values, ideas, and images concerning the nature of reality and the role of humanity within it." -environment.nelson.com/0176169040/glossary.html
"A comprehensive meaning system, providing a frame of reference (often unconscious) for interpreting the world" -school.sufferingfools.net/Archive/RELS_357_01/Apocalyptic%20terms.doc
"A framework of ideals and values through which to interpret the world."
I frequent a Philosophers' Cafe put on by Simon Fraser University that's held at my library once a month. The topics range from all different types of philosophy. I've been going about six months now and really enjoy it.
The latest topic was phrased, "Is it time for a new world view?" and though I was curious to see how the presenter (we have a different one every month) would define that, I was somewhat disappointed by the actual event. At the beginning we had something of a visualization of the future and the woman who led the cafe started right in on what kind of values she thought our new world view should harness (empathy, environmental awareness, respect, love). Meanwhile, I was stuck back on the question of whether we needed a different world view. While everyone else seemed to be venturing idealistically further into what humanity needs to change about the world, I still had some different questions in the back of my mind.
The demographic at this cafe is mostly older, educated men and women. I'm the youngest person there by a couple decades at least (as of yet) so I think it's interesting to see how perspectives can change from generation to generation. Personally, I can be a bit jaded so when it comes to looking at the world. I try not to let pressing issues make me bitter but sometimes everything looks pretty bleak. So as I was listening to everyone agreeing with each other about how important empathy is, I was asking myself if such a thing as a world view even exists.
I don't know if there's any possible way for everyone on this planet to see anything the same way. Yes, everyone in the room that night could agree that empathy was important but could they agree on a finite definition of the word? And could they draw a line of empathy, deciding who was worthy and who wasn't? I'm skeptical that they could and they're all living in the same town. Think of what would happen if you (hypothetically) brought the entire world into a room and asked them to agree on values.
I got frustrated that everyone was speaking about dreams of the future when what I, as a young person, want to see is action. What use is it to talk about the importance of love if you do nothing to change the state of our world? And before you get excited about what our future world view looks like, can you please tell me what a world view even is and what our current world view looks like?
So I put a few questions out to you, whoever is reading this. Think about it. Respond if you like. Either way, thanks for reading this.
1. What is your definition of the term 'world view'?
2. How do you quantify a world view? (i.e. should we be looking towards our government, our marginalized people, our teachers and mentors, our youth or anyone else to tell us how we look at the world? Should we be examining our actions and reactions, our treatment of each other, the way our mass media portrays modern life? What are the sources for defining something so subjective?)
3. From your unique perspective, what does our world view look like? Is there any way to characterize what our world view currently is?
4. Is your personal world view different from that of mainstream society?
and last of all
5. How do you think the messages we get through mass media relate to our world view? Does media help to reflect our world view or is media actively helping to shape it?
Unfortunately, there's no way I can make all of this makes sense to everyone so ask your own questions if you have them and I'll do my best to answer.
I'm eager to hear all of your responses on this.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
birthday excitement - what happened to goodbye
No, it's not my birthday. Or even close really. It's 111 days away, in case you were curious. Oh? You weren't? Yes, you were. You definitely, definitely were. I know things. *glances shiftily from side to side*
Back to talking about my birthday. Oh? We weren't until I brought it up? Well, now we are. Props to D.W. for that delightful conversation controller.
What is happening on my seventeenth birthday, May 10, 2011, you ask? Sarah Dessen's new book. And this is exciting to me. If it isn't exciting to you too, you may stop reading this blog whenever is most convenient to you.
Still reading? Excellent.
I started reading Sarah Dessen's books about two and a half years ago and have since eagerly awaited each new release. No, her books aren't the most surprising or exceedingly literary or even breathtakingly beautiful but I have come to like what I can expect. Sarah Dessen knows how to write teen romance. And I am a hopeless romantic (when it comes to reading).
Add these together and you have love.
Thus, when I hear of contests to win ARCs of her books which, unlike her last release (Along for the Ride) I do not already have*, I must enter. Hence this blog. I realize that having an ARC will ruin the fact that it's coming out on my birthday but I am a contest fanatic. The fact that I am not usually the winner does nothing to deter me. I must submit my entry!
If you would like to join me in my fanaticism, here is the link. If you win, will you lend it to me? *smiles*
*My lovely mother works in a bookstore and sometimes brings home ARCs. Such was the case before Along for the Ride came out but, unfortunately, not for What Happened To Goodbye. Ah, connections.
Back to talking about my birthday. Oh? We weren't until I brought it up? Well, now we are. Props to D.W. for that delightful conversation controller.
What is happening on my seventeenth birthday, May 10, 2011, you ask? Sarah Dessen's new book. And this is exciting to me. If it isn't exciting to you too, you may stop reading this blog whenever is most convenient to you.
Still reading? Excellent.
I started reading Sarah Dessen's books about two and a half years ago and have since eagerly awaited each new release. No, her books aren't the most surprising or exceedingly literary or even breathtakingly beautiful but I have come to like what I can expect. Sarah Dessen knows how to write teen romance. And I am a hopeless romantic (when it comes to reading).
Add these together and you have love.
Thus, when I hear of contests to win ARCs of her books which, unlike her last release (Along for the Ride) I do not already have*, I must enter. Hence this blog. I realize that having an ARC will ruin the fact that it's coming out on my birthday but I am a contest fanatic. The fact that I am not usually the winner does nothing to deter me. I must submit my entry!
If you would like to join me in my fanaticism, here is the link. If you win, will you lend it to me? *smiles*
*My lovely mother works in a bookstore and sometimes brings home ARCs. Such was the case before Along for the Ride came out but, unfortunately, not for What Happened To Goodbye. Ah, connections.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
too nostalgic
My sisters are purported communists who like to say things like 'kidnapping' and 'smuggling' and 'firearms' at the border. They're the type to laugh too loudly in the movie theater and at the dinner table and walking down the street and even in the library that they frequent almost too often.
****
I feel way too nostalgic for sixteen. I've hardly lived at all--not true, but for argument's sake--and yet I dwell on the past as well as the present. Is it possible to be nostalgic for this moment and the fact that it won't last forever (only maybe it will)? I think I am.
January 4th might be a nice day to spend forever in. I almost don't want to write this, lest my life become some Groundhog Day-esque situation where I relive January 4th for all of eternity. But honestly, it wouldn't be too bad. Yes, it's cold and it would be a kind of torture to never go forward in time but still. We're all together, in one place at one time. There's money in the bank and very little in the cupboards that I can eat on a whim but that's fine. There are cheesy family pictures to be taken and vacant comfy chairs at Starbucks to be pushed together. There's 6:30 reservations and cheesecake for dessert. There's three sisters and two parents who will love me no matter what.
What more could I want/need/ask for? If today is as good as it gets, maybe that's enough.
****
I feel way too nostalgic for sixteen. I've hardly lived at all--not true, but for argument's sake--and yet I dwell on the past as well as the present. Is it possible to be nostalgic for this moment and the fact that it won't last forever (only maybe it will)? I think I am.
January 4th might be a nice day to spend forever in. I almost don't want to write this, lest my life become some Groundhog Day-esque situation where I relive January 4th for all of eternity. But honestly, it wouldn't be too bad. Yes, it's cold and it would be a kind of torture to never go forward in time but still. We're all together, in one place at one time. There's money in the bank and very little in the cupboards that I can eat on a whim but that's fine. There are cheesy family pictures to be taken and vacant comfy chairs at Starbucks to be pushed together. There's 6:30 reservations and cheesecake for dessert. There's three sisters and two parents who will love me no matter what.
What more could I want/need/ask for? If today is as good as it gets, maybe that's enough.
"Forever has no meaning when you're living in the moment." - Impulse by Ellen Hopkinsp.s. It occurs to me that I haven't been very funny as of late. Never fear, readers, the year is young.
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