Those words, "compassion deficit", ring true with me. I think that it is so easy to shield yourself from the suffering of others and become convinced that we are not our brother's keeper. On the flip-side I can resonate with being moved by compassion to help out and to give when I see a need.. even if it is simply a TV show or a YouTube video. I don't know about you but I do not want to live with a deficit of compassion in my life.For decades, surveys have shown that upper-income Americans don’t give away as much of their money as they might and are particularly undistinguished as givers when compared with the poor, who are strikingly generous. A number of other studies have shown that lower-income Americans give proportionally more of their incomes to charity than do upper-income Americans.
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His study [Paul K. Piff], written with Michael W. Kraus and published online last month by The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that lower-income people were more generous, charitable, trusting and helpful to others than were those with more wealth. They were more attuned to the needs of others and more committed generally to the values of egalitarianism.
“Upper class” people, on the other hand, clung to values that “prioritized their own need.” And, he told me this week, “wealth seems to buffer people from attending to the needs of others.” Empathy and compassion appeared to be the key ingredients in the greater generosity of those with lower incomes. And these two traits proved to be in increasingly short supply as people moved up the income spectrum.
This compassion deficit — the inability to empathetically relate to others’ needs — is perhaps not so surprising in a society that for decades has seen the experiential gap between the well-off and the poor (and even the middle class) significantly widen.
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Given all this, it’s tempting to believe that there’s something intrinsic to the rich or the poor that explains their greater or lesser generosity and empathetic connection to others (i.e., rich people get rich because they like money more and are less distracted from their goals by the relational side of life), but Piff’s research points in a different direction. Piff found that if higher-income people were instructed to imagine themselves as lower class, they became more charitable. If they were primed by, say, watching a sympathy-eliciting video, they became more helpful to others — so much so, in fact, that the difference between their behavior and that of the low-income subjects disappeared. And fascinatingly, the inverse was true as well: when lower-income people were led to think of themselves as upper class, they actually became less altruistic.
The Compassion Deficit
A few months ago the New York Times published an article titled The Charitable-Giving Divide. Here are a few excerpts from it:
WikiLeaks
I originally posted this in July. With all of the hubbub in the news I thought that I'd repost.
The controversial website WikiLeaks publishes and comments on leaked documents alleging government and corporate misdeeds.
In this video founder Julian Assange talks about how the site operates, what it has accomplished and what drives him.
What do you think? About the video? About WikiLeaks.org? About whistle-blowers?
The controversial website WikiLeaks publishes and comments on leaked documents alleging government and corporate misdeeds.
In this video founder Julian Assange talks about how the site operates, what it has accomplished and what drives him.
I think that people are a bit fascinated by whistle-blowers. Movies like this year's The Informant (see my review of it here) and others like The Insider and The Rain Maker speak to this fascination. There is just something about liars and weasels being exposed.
The video shown in this 20 minute interview is troubling and makes me want to erase it from my memory - I would rather not know about this aspect of war. That said I think that it is not a bad thing to expose the good, bad and ugly of wars, governments and corporations. Predictably Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not appear to share my view when he said:
"Mr. Assange can say whatever he likes about the greater good he thinks he and his source are doing. But the truth is they might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family."Interesting that he does not know of any damage that has already been done.
What do you think? About the video? About WikiLeaks.org? About whistle-blowers?
Is Modesty a Lost Cause?
This past weekend the Kansas City Star, our local newspaper, posted an article titled
Is modesty a lost cause in this society?. The article featured input from a Protestant minister and a Jewish rabbi. The Rev. Holly McKissick, pastor of St. Andrew Christian Church, made this observation after telling about a very weird experience when she sat on a plane next to a couple who were sexually intimate:
I liked what the rabbi had to say about modesty, humility and dressing the same inside and out of your place of worship. To me it speaks of an integrated life - a life that does not draw artificial boundaries between the sacred and the secular. Of course I have also been made a bit uncomfortable by the immodest behavior of folks in religious settings.. but that could be a bit more about me than them.
Have you ever been made to feel uncomfortable by the immodest behavior of others?
Is modesty a lost cause in this society?. The article featured input from a Protestant minister and a Jewish rabbi. The Rev. Holly McKissick, pastor of St. Andrew Christian Church, made this observation after telling about a very weird experience when she sat on a plane next to a couple who were sexually intimate:
Here is a bit of what Rabbi Robert L. Tobin of Congregation Beth Shalom had to say about modesty:Modesty is not about how we live in our own home, but how we live in public space, shared space. In that sense, modesty is about hospitality: acting in a way that makes others feel welcome, at home, comfortable. At times modesty requires that we reign in our own desires and preferences out of consideration for others. The couple on the plane were self-centered, narcissistic, inhospitable.
There are certain settings — synagogue, church or mosque, for example — when certain attire would seem scandalous. We all have a line we draw, though we don’t all draw the line in the same place. The Jewish tradition teaches us to expand that sacred and respectful space beyond our sanctuaries and into our lives, dressing respectfully at all times. Some of us even wear special prayer shawls, called tzitzit, under our shirts to remind us of our obligations at all times. Yet also important — neither more nor less — is the call to wisdom that comes from genuine humility.Firstly, I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Holly to be sitting next to that couple - pretty gross and disgusting display if you ask me. I have to admit that it is pretty indecent behavior. Yet I think that some in our culture might not find it offensive - Hollywood has convinced us that such behavior is representative of sexually "free" people.
I liked what the rabbi had to say about modesty, humility and dressing the same inside and out of your place of worship. To me it speaks of an integrated life - a life that does not draw artificial boundaries between the sacred and the secular. Of course I have also been made a bit uncomfortable by the immodest behavior of folks in religious settings.. but that could be a bit more about me than them.
Have you ever been made to feel uncomfortable by the immodest behavior of others?
4 years, 2,350 posts and 100,000 visits later
I actually started blogging in 2004 at An Eye for Redemption. I mostly wrote there about my faith experiences and focused on the redemptive aspects of pain. I don't write there much anymore but am still getting visits (47,000 and counting) on the 400+ posts there. If I get inspired I may start writing more there.During those first few years I began to make friends in the Blogosphere and wanted to blog about more than faith and redemption. So I started KansasBob.com with the intention of simply sharing my life's experiences and my opinions in a casual but intentional fashion.
Here are a few things that I recollect about blogging here:
- I originally called it "What About Kansas Bob" then arbitrarily shortened the name.
- The presidential election of 2008 gave me an opportunity to share my political views. It also helped me expand my thinking about the issues as I had discussions with many of you in the comments section.
- I shared a bit of what it was like to have a son serving on the front lines in the Iraqi war and found support in your responses to my posts.
- I found an outlet for my love of movies and shared mini-reviews of the ones that I saw. I am not a movie critic but know what I like.
- In 2008 I began sharing about my struggles with Ann's disability and found a place to update friends on her health. Your thoughts and prayers still encourage me.
- I love to share the things that I learn from other places in cyberspace. I regularly find great stuff on other blogs, websites and blogs.
- I am a geeky tinkerer and like to mess around with my blogs' format. Guess my 30 years in software is a bit reflective of my nerdliness.
- It is fun sharing blog authorship with other people like Bill, Ed, Martha, Sue and Wanda at the Daily Prayer blog.
- I have learned so much from folks who do not agree with me. I feel that I am more open to new ideas and a little less closed minded than I used to be.
I am still about 25 visits short of 100,000 but hope that one of you will hit it today. I so appreciate your visits, your comments and your virtual friendship. Hope that this Christmas season finds you experiencing the joy and peace associated with the coming of Christ.
Charity Navigator
Got the list below, and the explanation of it, from Charity Navigator. I think that it is always a good idea to check with a resource like them before you donate to a charity. It is hard to imagine how these CEOs sleep at night but I guess there is a rationalization for about any bad behavior. Of course even the charities that are rated high are rife with six figure salary executives - some make a half million or more.
Black Friday Deals
I did note that, one week ago today, a Best Buy manager gave two iPads to the gals who had set up a tent in anticipation of the great deals today. Wonder if they stayed in line?
Are you heading out or coming home from shopping? Where did you go?
Thankful for You!
It may seem a bit trite to say but, on this day of giving thanks, I am so thankful for you. Over these past six years of blogging I have met some of the most amazing and inspiring people. So when I count my blessings I include those of you who visit here.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Do You Really Need Antivirus Software?
Here the answer from a ZDNet article of the same title:If you’re not sure of the answer to that question, then the short answer is yes. The longer answer is that security software is only one piece of what should be a simple, straightforward, and systematic approach to your PC’s health.Here are his security steps along with my geeky comments:
- Use a modern operating system.
He says that XP has security problems. Both of our laptops have Win 7. - Keep your OS up to date and backed up.
Good idea to weekly back up your data to an external drive using something like the Back2zip freeware product. Also be sure to use the Windows update process. - Keep applications updated also.
I always specify update notifications on all of my apps. - Be suspicious of any new software.
Good idea to Google any new app before downloading to your PC. - Set up standard (non-administrator) accounts for unsophisticated users
This is a really good idea if you have kids at home. Of course some kids know more about the PC than their parents. - Use a modern browser.
Older browsers have serious security issues. I use Chrome but I think that other newer browsers like Firefox and IE 8 are ok. - Install an antivirus program and keep it up to date.
I have been using the free version of avast! for about a year now and it seems to be pretty painless. It automatically updates the data files a few times a day and talks to me when it does. Have had no problems with it.
How many of his steps do you follow? What antivirus are you using these days?
The 3s of Me
My Facebook friend Annie tagged me in a note with the same title as this post.
I haven't dones one of these in a while so here it is:
3 nicknames
And in closing I want to tell you how thankful I am for your visits here. The virtual friendships that I have made over the years is so precious to me. Have a great day!
I haven't dones one of these in a while so here it is:
3 nicknames
- Bobby: My dad call me this until the day he passed on.
- Eggy: Known by this one in junior high after my hair was buzzed.
- Eddy: Some folks at work called me this in the early 80s.
- Soldier: Worked on a Nike missile firing site for 2 of my 3 years.
- Software Designer: Started as a computer programmer in 1976.
- Pastor: Loved providing care and counseling for people at church.
- New York: Grew up on Staten Island in 5 houses on the same street.
- New Jersey / Texas: Spent my early marriage years in these places.
- Kansas City: Have lived in 4 different houses in the area since 1976.
- Coffee: Currently sipping on a 50-50 Starbucks breakfast blend.
- Tea: My afternoon decaf drink of choice - English style like my mom.
- Wine: I occasionally enjoy a Cabernet with lunch or supper.
- Seinfeld: The depth of the characters on this show was matchless.
- House: Last season's portrayal of addiction and recovery was amazing.
- Morning Joe: My favorite news program. Enjoy the friendly banter.
- Hong Kong/China: My bible smuggling trip was an adventure for sure.
- Niagara Falls: Much more majestic and awe inspiring than I imagined.
- British Columbia: This and the northwest area of the USA is spectacular.
- Pizza: I especially love NYC style pizza but like deep dish Chicago style too.
- BBQ: Love the KC version but also enjoy Carolina pulled pork sandwiches.
- Steak: Not much out their that matches a Kansas City Strip steak.
- Palm Pre: Calendar, email, RSS feeds, camera, games and even a phone.
- Faith: Gets me through my days and lifts me up when I am sad.
- Glasses: Don't always wear them but I always have them with me.
- Vacation: Ann and I are hoping to travel this winter to a warmer climate.
- Advances in Medicine: Ann is hoping to get into a stem cell trial.
- Heaven: Words cannot express the hope that I have in my heart.
And in closing I want to tell you how thankful I am for your visits here. The virtual friendships that I have made over the years is so precious to me. Have a great day!
Exercising Futility
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it without a sense of ironic futility. -Errol Morris
It is futile to talk too much about the past ... like trying to make birth control retroactive. -Charles Wilson
Housework is a treadmill from futility to oblivion with stop-offs at tedium and counter productivity.
-Erma Bombeck
Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established. -George Carlin
Work is futile if we cannot utilise the experience we collect in one life in the next. -Henry Ford
When I was still a rather precocious young man, I already realized most vividly the futility of the hopes and aspirations that most men pursue throughout their lives. -Albert Einstein
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity. -Dwight David Eisenhower
The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win and their participants know it. Hence, rioting is not revolutionary but reactionary because it invites defeat. It involves an emotional catharsis, but it must be followed by a sense of futility.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
US Debt Reduction: The Military
As announced a week ago I hope to write a bit about the recommendations of the co-chairmen of the US presidential debt reduction committee.
One of the recommendations of the co-chairs is the reduction in military expenditures. This chart speaks to the degree of spending the US incurs verses the next six countries that spend money on their military forces.
There is a hash-tag on Twitter (#bringthemhome) that is speaking to the frustration that many have about the War in Afghanistan. These tweets are advocating that the troops be brought home. Here are a few Twitter entries:
I am not an expert in defense spending but I do question our military presence in places like Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, South Korea and other places around the world. That said I do admit that I may really be naïve about such things. I know that some of these are strategic in nature. Perhaps these bases should be in those places and military spending should be cut in other places. In any case I think that there is fat in our military spending.
Boiling it down I think that the issue is one of ideology. If one believes that the US has a responsibility to go it alone in places like Iraq and Afghanistan then there will always be a justification for the expenses and other countries will not have to be involved in the war on terror. But if one has a different mindset then perhaps they might embrace the spending cuts. I guess I would like to see more of a sharing of these expenses amongst the nations.
There is a hash-tag on Twitter (#bringthemhome) that is speaking to the frustration that many have about the War in Afghanistan. These tweets are advocating that the troops be brought home. Here are a few Twitter entries:
- In one week the date for major withdrawal in Afghanistan has been pushed from 2011 to the end of 2014. Now the US is backing off that date.
- It's time the US stops rebuilding other countries and starts rebuilding our own.
- The United States spends more on the military than anyone and more than the next 16 countries combined.
I am not an expert in defense spending but I do question our military presence in places like Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, South Korea and other places around the world. That said I do admit that I may really be naïve about such things. I know that some of these are strategic in nature. Perhaps these bases should be in those places and military spending should be cut in other places. In any case I think that there is fat in our military spending.
Boiling it down I think that the issue is one of ideology. If one believes that the US has a responsibility to go it alone in places like Iraq and Afghanistan then there will always be a justification for the expenses and other countries will not have to be involved in the war on terror. But if one has a different mindset then perhaps they might embrace the spending cuts. I guess I would like to see more of a sharing of these expenses amongst the nations.
Stop Torture, Stop Captcha
It reminded me of this old post below. Please find other ways to catch spammers. With Blogger's new spam protection I do not need captcha.
Sept 2009: Peter over at Blogger Tips and Tricks is telling bloggers that they no longer need to use that annoying Word Verification for comments. Here is a clip of his post:
If you allow comments for your posts, I would highly recommend you do not enable captcha (word verification) for the following reasons:I echo Peter's sentiments.. I have not used captcha in years and have not had a problem with spammers. And please.. if you moderate comments please do not use Word Verification.. it is torture squared when you do. :)
Ever since all blogging platforms including Blogger add the "nofollow" attribute to hyperlinks in comments, the incentive for spammers to post spam comments have been greatly reduced and I have found that spam comments have reduced to almost zero.
Having to complete word verification is a great inconvenience, especially for the visually impaired who have to click on the universal handicap iconin order for the alphabets in the captcha to be read out in audio form. I have tested clicking on that icon and the resulting machine voice is practically indecipherable.
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In my opinion, captcha is a torture. Why subject your readers to torture when the original reasons for enabling captcha, spam comments, is no longer a problem.
The Healing Quality of Humor
I have to admit that laughing is one the major defenses I have in my arsenal against depression. I purposefully laugh out loud when I watch something funny on TV. There is just something healing in a belly laugh. Humor has got me through some very difficult times.
So I commend you today to an article titled 9 Ways Humor Heals on the Beyond Blue blog.
Here is the list:
So I commend you today to an article titled 9 Ways Humor Heals on the Beyond Blue blog.
Here is the list:
- Humor combats fear.
- Humor comforts.
- Humor relaxes.
- Humor reduces pain.
- Humor boosts the immune system.
- Humor reduces stress.
- Humor spreads happiness.
- Humor cultivates optimism.
- Humor helps communication.
Humor disengages fear because it changes your perspective: of the past and of the present. The traumatic childhood episode loses its tight grip on your heart if you can place it into the "ridiculous" category of other stories from the past. With a playful perspective, you can remove yourself from the marital problem that has you debilitated with anxiety. Laughter forces a few steps--some much-needed distance-- between a situation and our reaction. We all would do well to follow the advice of Leo Buscaglia: "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. And swing!"I recommend that you take a few minutes and check out the post. It is a good perspective.
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