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| Posted: 21 Dec 2010 11:00 AM PST Due to a blog post by Amy Mossoff last year listing her accomplishments month-by-month, I've kept track of all my major doings this year. Now that I'm done with school -- and working on more projects than I can remember at any given moment -- I found that really quite satisfying and motivating. Hence, I'm super-excited by this week's topic for the OList Virtual Happy Hour: As we approach the end of the year, I think there is real value in looking back on our individual achievements from the past year, both as a source of spiritual fuel, and as a means of checking one's bearings in contemplation of goals to set for the new year.The OList Virtual Socials are weekly online chats exclusively for subscribers to my OList E-mail Lists. Both lurkers and subscribers are welcome to join the chat. (I sent the instructions for joining the chat to all the lists in a December 18th message with the subject "OList Announcements, so please look for that before you e-mail me or Earl for instructions.) They start at 6 pm PT / 7 pm MT / 8 pm CT / 9 pm ET on Tuesday evenings. Officially, they last an hour, but people often chat longer than that. I'd love to hear what others have accomplished this year -- and, of course, to brag a bit myself -- so OList subscribers, please do stop in for a virtual drink and bite to eat!  |
| NoodleCast #48: Live Rationally Selfish Webcast Posted: 21 Dec 2010 09:00 AM PST On Sunday, Greg Perkins and I hosted another live Rationally Selfish Webcast where I answered people's questions on practical ethics and the principles of living well. The live webcast consists of me broadcasting on video, Greg on audio, and the audience in a text chat. And it's FUN! An audio recording of that webcast is now available as a podcast. Finally, the audio does not suck! Yay! These webcasts are held at 9 am MT (8 am PT, 10 am CT, 11 am ET). As before, however, I recommend submitting and voting on questions on the Idea Informer site itself, because the widget embedded on Rationally Selfish is not working properly. If you enjoy these webcasts and podcasts, please do submit and vote on questions. That's much appreciated. Also, the Rationally Selfish Webcast (and Podcast) is available to anyone, free of charge. If you find value in it, I ask that you support our work by periodically contributing to our tip jar. We suggest $5 per episode, but any amount is appreciated. If you would prefer to send a check, please send it to "Diana Hsieh; P.O. Box 851; Sedalia, CO 80135." Please write "RS Webcast" in the memo field. If you're unable to contribute financially, we'd appreciate your helping us spread the word about this webcast to anyone you think might be interested. You can, for example, "like" the Rationally Selfish Page on Facebook. Webcast Segments These segments are marked as chapters in the M4A version of this podcast. Any included links are those referenced in the podcast. (Many thanks to Tammy Perkins for helping me compile these notes!) Introduction (0:00) Diana Hsieh: DianaHsieh.com: diana@dianahsieh.com Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com Don't forget to submit and vote on questions for upcoming webcasts! Question 1: Thinking Too Much (7:26) Is it possible to think too much? And where does one draw the line between necessary thinking and overthinking? Objectivists are people who take ideas seriously; they are intellectually inclined (as far as I can discern) and spend a lot of time "inside the mind." With all this emphasis on rationality, thinking, introspection, analysis, judgment, reading, etc., how does one avoid the frustration or sense of "analysis paralysis" and ultimately depression that ensues from all this deep thinking and focus on ideas. For example, I've heard numerous people in forums or in letters to Dr. Peikoff state that they are depressed about the state of current politics, our culture, etc. What principles or general rules does one use to put the breaks on all the deep thinking and just chill out, "live and let live," and stop one from becoming crazy. Meditation? Get drunk? (Kidding). On a personal note, I've found that it is necessary for me to literally suppress my thinking and let myself drift into an out of focus state in order to maintain a sense of serenity necessary to get through the day. Money Point: The purpose of thought is to guide action in pursuit of your values. So make sure that you mind working for your life, not obsessing over what beyond control that just make you miserable to contemplate. Question 2: Talking about Sexual Preferences (18:40) When do you talk to a romantic interest (or partner) about your sexual preferences? Is there a right or wrong way to talk with your romantic partner about sexual preferences? Do you wait until you are "in the sack" to find out whether you are sexually compatible? And, how important is sexual compatibility to a romantic relationship? Money Point: You should talk about sex with your partner, and be sure to do so in a simple and direct way. Question 3: The Value of College Degrees (27:56) Are college degrees worth the price paid for them? Do they offer a good value for the investment of time, effort, and money? Why or why not? And if not, how might a person obtain a solid education in the humanities instead? Money Point: The value of standard college education is questionable, but much depends on the field and one's goals. You should consider whether college will serve your professional goals or not, because you can get a better education for much cheaper on your own. Question 4: Killing of a Fetus (37:30) Should a criminal who kills a pregnant woman (and her unborn child) be charged for two murders or one? Does it matter if she's obviously pregnant or not? (Perhaps it should only matter in the sentencing phase of the trial?) I've read your paper on the "personhood" movement and I agree that a person does not have rights until they're born, but it seems different in this situation. Where is my thinking flawed, or is it? Links: The 'Personhood' Movement Is Anti-Life: Why It Matters that Rights Begin at Birth, Not Conception by Ari Armstrong and Diana Hsieh, particularly the section Rights in Pregnancy, When does a fetus/infant become an individual? on Objectivist Answers, and Abortion Rights and Parental Obligations by Greg Perkins. Money Point: Rights are contextual absolutes, meaning that only apply in certain context, but that they apply fully in that context. Given nature of rights and nature of pregnancy, rights cannot apply to fetus but only to born infant. Question 5: The Morality of Revenge (45:07) Is revenge moral or not? Is it wrong to want to hurt people who have hurt you? It is wrong to make them hurt? Money Point: It is self-destructive to nurture hatred and anger toward those who have wronged you. You need to accept that the wrong happened, deal with it as you can, and then move on to pursuing your positive values. Question 6: OA: Capitalism as Misunderstood (55:06) From Objectivist Answers: Why is capitalism so misunderstood? I've noticed a huge backlash against capitalism in the media and on the internet for a while. Why? Why are people so resentful towards capitalism when it gave them all the prosperity? Money Point: Epistemic confusion often at root of wrong ethics and politics -- and that's definitely the case here. Conclusion (59:54) Diana Hsieh: DianaHsieh.com: diana@dianahsieh.com Greg Perkins: Objectivist Answers: greg@eCosmos.com Don't forget to submit and vote on questions. And if you can, please contribute to our tip jar. The video for the webcast is only available for those attending live. After the webcast is completed, you can listen, download, or subscribe to the audio podcast. Podcast: Listen Now 60:52 minutes
 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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