Image via Wikipedia Being a writer and marketer, I tend to think the underlying cause of all problems is lack of communication.
Wandering and Wondering
Watching the campaigns, I observe that politically active folks tend to see political solutions to every problem.
People of faith see spiritual solutions.
People of science see rational solutions.
Engineers see structural solutions.
Heavy Questions
How do you see the world? What’s at the root of our social and economic problems?
As a writer or marketer, how do you take yourself out of your world view and take on the perspective of your audience?
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Brad,
Interesting questions.
Your first question brings about what may be a sensitive topic for many.
Without being apologetic for my own views, let me first say that I fully understand that many hold views on this topic which differ strongly from my own. Personally, I have full respect everybody’s views regardless of whether or not I agree with them.
Also, let me stress that I am not trying to ‘bible bash,’ but merely to answer your question in a truthful and honest manner.
Personally, I like to think of myself as a man ‘of faith,’ as you put it. My own opinion is that the fundamental problems of the world are predominately the result of sin or rebellion against god.
Unfortunately, in a fallen world, we will always have many of the problems like war, poverty and starvation – we will never fully overcome these problems (although of course, at an individual level, we should do our best to help others wherever possible).
Whilst I personally desire to do my best to help overcome worldly problems, this is not my main focus. My principal goal in life is to live in a relationship with god and to in a manner which is honorable to god. If I achieve this, then I am satisfied with my life.
Andrews last blog post..Fixed term contracts and ethics part 2 – employee’s viewpoint
Hi Andrew, Thank you for sharing your ideas and beliefs and being so open about them. A rambling response … Somewhere I heard that Original Sin is the only article of faith that can be demonstrably proved … Anyway, I can’t think of a better approach to tackling worldly problems than by following your course. Spiritual and worldly perspectives can’t be separated – we act as we believe … So, if I could put a communication spin on your comment, what stands out to me is the phrase “live in a relationship with God …”. Are we listening? Are we open to listening? Relationships take effort. Think of marriage or your closest friend. The more significant the relationship, the more effort it takes. Open and honest communication strengthen a marriage in the same way prayer and theological reflection strengthen our spiritual selves …
Brad Shorrs last blog post..How Do You See the World?
Hi Brad, isn’t it interesting how the shortest posts ask the biggest of questions?
I suppose I think we need to learn how to live fundamentally differently, and that each and every one of us needs to do that if we’re to live on a planet that’s healthy, safe, and peaceful.
I tend to be wary of those who think they’ve got ‘the’ answer or solution. I think we need many, and we need to work together to try and sort them out.
My main source of inspiration is the natural world – if we watch and learn from it we can see all the things we need – strength, resilience, new shoots of growth, flirtatiousness, wild exuberance… you name it, it’s there.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Permission To Change Direction
Hi Joanna, you are so right about the need to work together. The main reason I started this little feature is because we can’t work together if we never discuss these issues. The way we get closer to truth is to look for it. If someone says they have all the answers, to me that sounds suspicious, in that they have stopped looking for answers. God has complete knowledge, but us people … not possible.
This reminds me of Robert Hruzek’s writing challenge: Metaphors for Life. I wrote two posts on that: This Mystery Called Life and Life As a Shared Adventure. Great topic! Thanks.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Touching Hearts and Changing Lives
Brad,
Regarding your point above, it takes a considerably greater amonnt of discipline to listen than to talk. Also, in many cases, it is more natural to want to be understood ourselves than for us to want to understand others and their points of view.
Andrews last blog post..Fixed term contracts and ethics part 2 – employee’s viewpoint
Brad,
just let me add two things: First of all I think the soucrce of many many problems is the lack of communication. Talking about the problems in a way people can understand them. For example, the current problems of finance in the USA and also in Europe: Only a few people up to now were able to explain them in a way I could understand.
And communication for me is also the ability to exchange differing views on things without declaring one opinion as being the “right thing” (just as Joanna said). I think that today problems cannot be solved just by doing one thing.
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Friendly Waters
How do you see the world? What’s at the root of our social and economic problems?
I see it as spiritual in nature, but instead of believing that forcing you to see my world view will change things, I try to live and write in a way that demonstrates my beliefs.
SpaceAgeSage — Loris last blog post..Can wisdom contradict itself?
Hi Lori, What a great philosophy you have. Actions speak louder than words. Thanks for visiting Word Sell.
I agree with Lori. I like posts where people share their experiences and their view of things in order to start a conversation. They’re as interested in listening as in expressing their ideas. I try to do that in my posts. And I spend at least as much time reading other posts and commenting as I do writing my own.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Touching Hearts and Changing Lives
I think all the problems of the world and all the questions can be summed up in one: Can’t we all just get along? Annoying one, as it’s kind of overused, but I think what we need to do is accept each other for who we are. This involves accepting differences of all kinds, communicating to better understand each other and then, as Joanna put it, work together to make everything better. Getting to really know all aspects of each issues, to see all perspectives is the first thing to do, as I feel we sometimes assume to know everything without even trying to test our knowledge.
Alina
Alina Popescus last blog post..Monday Reading Roundup – Take #11
Alina, I think it is anything but overused or simplistic, and in fact, you’ve given me the inspiration for my post this Friday, so thank you! On a side note, I don’t know if you ever saw the movie “Mars Attacks”, but at one point Jack Nicholson, playing the American President, delivers the line “Why can’t we all just get along” to the Martians. It’s very funny and now I can’t hear that line without chuckling.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Blog Design Features You Can Love
Glad I could help, Brad
I have only seen a few scenes of the movie, but the one you mention was included. It is really funny indeed, I should watch the whole movie soon.
Alina Popescus last blog post..Monday Reading Roundup – Take #11