“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.“  (Bertrand Russell)

Oh, Bertrand.  So well said.

Sometimes I let myself be hypnotized by casual truths – ideas I’ve grown up with and really not thought about.  I bet many of them are subconscious – no exploring involved. 

I don’t want to be hypnotized.  I want to be awake … unhampered by what my neighbours think, by what my mother thought.

How about this one?  Aboriginal Canadians are lazy, drunk and just plain bad.  I love meeting new people of whatever race.  I want to see what’s within their eyes.  But has part of me been co-opted by the majority opinion?  If so, I need to fight that seduction.

People with university degrees are intelligent.  In their area of expertise, I guess that’s right.  But what about intelligence in living, and in treating other human beings well?  Some of them yes, some of them no.

Kids don’t know as much as adults.  Well, they haven’t accumulated as much life experience.  They haven’t learned all the intricacies of navigating the events of their days.  But what about fresh thinking, outside of the boxes that older people create?

Being rich with material comforts creates happiness.  If I believe stories about depressed millionaires … not so much.  I think happiness comes from experiences of deep contact with other humans.

Men can’t do X.  Women can’t do Y.  Absurd.  I rejoice with male nurses and female mechanics.

***

I wish Bertrand and I had shared a coffee

Oh well

There are many more free spirits to meet