Monday Links

Anyone who knows me, knows that I read a lot; but its not just books.  Over the course of a week I read many news stories and articles.  I'm not much of a TV watcher sans sports (which, without cable or satellite, cuts that down pretty dramatically); so much of that free time is spent reading and perusing - be it in books that I read or in interesting stories I find.  Occasionally, in this space, I write about a recent book I've read, in addition to the most recent reviews page from my Goodreads profile.  As part of my internal thinking of making this blog a better sharer of what's going on, and using it to shun other forms of social media that do not tend to promote conversations in a way that a blog can (looking at you Facebook), I thought I could share some links that I've read over the past week(s).  I'm a firm believer that what someone reads can tell you a lot about a person.  The books I read I think reflect various parts of me - what I find interesting, my reactions to those books, etc.  Stories and articles that a person finds interesting also has the ability to reveal important and significant qualities about that person.  For me, in my worldview, knowing what someone reads, what they find interesting, is a vital part of knowing that person.  If I want this space to be a way of sharing with friends and family that vital part of me, it therefore follows I would share those things (is that overthinking all of this or what?).  Anyway, without further ado...my first attempt at some Monday links, articles that caught my interest, made me think, made me react, etc., from the past week (the past week of when I read it, not necessarily when the article was new).

1.  How to Get Kids to Read - quick story about how everyone seems to agree on the importance of reading for kids, but briefly discusses the struggles with obtaining that result.  Applies more generally to older kids that what we currently have with Maia, but suggests that, along with many other things, having a child have ownership of the interest - picking their own books - is a key component.

2. Julian Edelman and the Super Bowl... - In the Super Bowl the other night, Patriots Wide Receiver suffered a couple hits that brought the NFL's problem with concussions into focus.  The article provides a background to the immediate context - the hits, Edelman's staggering, and discusses the protocol of how he probably should have been pulled from the game.  For me, the situation made me uncomfortable during the game.  It is a reminder of how the brutality of football is increasingly becoming more difficult for me.  I have yet had the moral fortitude, so to speak, or the will power, to start abandoning my viewing of the sport, but I think things like this continue to push me in that direction.  I understand it makes no difference to the NFL; but I try to be consistent and authentic in having my actions align with my beliefs.  We'll see what happens...

3. Writing down thanks... - Another article from Vox (which I read a lot) about studies into showing that writing down things one is grateful for, on a daily basis, has positive impacts on one's life; credible impacts.  The studies seem to suggest that one should engage in the exercise even if its not "genuine."  Reminded me of one of the long term impacts on my philosophy my experience with Buddhism has had - being mindful.  Mindfulness is much more expansive than *just* being grateful; but I think it gets at the idea that life is to be lived consciously and purposefully.

4.  Why the modern world is bad for your brain - If there is one thing I read in the past week that I would want others to read, its this story from The Guardian.  Increasingly, studies seem to suggest that the overflow of the information age will have detrimental effects on our brain, on how it focuses, remembers, and processes.  The article even points out that the buzzword of "multi-tasking" is a bit of a myth, as our brain is not doing all those functions simultaneously, but rather switching back and forth very quickly; and this eventually impacts our focus and performance in those tasks.  Its the type of article that you read, and it makes you think about what changes you can make in daily life.  It definitely made me think about it.

5. Rand Paul on Vaccines - This is from today, where apparently the effectiveness of vaccines, the impact of anti-vaxxers, and the balance of individual freedom and social obligation are all being debated.  These debates seem to very rarely include proper scientific thinking, and appropriate rationality.  But what in particular stroke me in this article was Paul's assertion that it should come down to individual choice, because the government does not own the children, the parents own the children.  Just really odd phrasing to say "own" their children.  Beside that though, Paul's focus of placing individual freedom above all else isn't consistent with legislative history in this country, which he claims it is.  While it might be for the very specific issue of vaccines, its not for things that have ability to harm other people.  We regulate speed limits because it can endanger people other than those that drive way too fast.  We regulate drug use because of the harm the practice and trade can deal to non-users.  Our history and society is ripe with examples of when we regulate things for the greater common good, to protect victims, because one's individual freedom only extends so far in societies based on an underlying social contract.  I give a great deal of credence to the idea that we judge societies and civilizations on how we treat the most weak and vulnerable in our society.  Vaccines, which are overwhelmingly effective and have serious side effects very, very rarely, help protect those in our society - young kids, sick kids, elderly - that are most in need of protection.  We've eliminated polio. We had eliminated measles and whooping cough.  Those two, among others, are coming back due to people's unfounded mistrust and irrational fear of vaccines.  Paul's adherence to the myth of individual freedom overriding all social concerns, will only exacerbate the problem in my opinion.  Hoping, as the issue continues to be discussed in the coming days and weeks, that we begin to trust the right experts and avoid the fallacy of authority, and do not give in to fear and misinformation. I can hope, right?