Tag: society

Fannypacks, Life, Death and Resurrection

Carl Setzer
Timbuk2 Fannypack Ad
Timbuk2 Fannypack Ad

Having come of age in the 80s, I spent several key years with the ever-glorious fannypack. I watched its death without concern, much like the supposed demise of disco and leg-warmers. Recently, I noticed the creeping resurgence of these little gems, along with up-turned collars on polo-shirts (I proudly support polo-shirts, even without the up-turned collar).

So, I found both joy and amusement when the ad above (for high-end bag-crafter Timbuk2) drifted through my inbox. A reminder, I guess, of the old adage “what goes around comes around”.

* For some strange reason (weird, aberrant psychology, perhaps), I kept typing “up-terned” instead of “up-turned”. 

The Worst Things Ever Said To Grievers

Carl Setzer2 Comments
Grief

I just read 64 of the Worst Things Ever Said to a Griever. Yeah, brings out awful memories. My personal worst: after my mom died, and evangelical type told me that if I’d prayed right, she would have been healed. I don’t remember my response, but I doubt it was pretty or polite. However, I expect I was so stunned that I remained silent. Most importantly, I remember this decades later. It deeply tainted my relationship with evangelical Christians.

Reading through the list, I see that most of these “worst” are very self-centered. Stepping out of your ego and seeking compassion are the best ways to be a decent human being.

Fortunately, these bloggers have created 64 of the Best Things Ever Said to a Griever. It’s not hard to be kind.

So, folks, simply be awesome to each other.

DNA, Technology and Unintended Consequences

Carl Setzer

From Wired Magazine: “There’s No Such Thing as Family Secrets in the Age of 23andMe”

This looks at the fascinating intersection of biological tech with democratized data, laden with so many “unintended consequences” in the DNA market (is it right to call this a “market”?).

I believe there was no way to guess these issues would come up when humanity first developed medical insemination. DNA databases and the commodification of DNA data: I doubt we could’ve guessed this coming about 10 years ago, much less in the 1970s.

Many, many questions, so few answers. The way forward seems murky. I guess it always is.

Comic Art Inspired by Dune’s “Litany Against Fear”

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Frank Herbert’s “Dune” holds a key spot in my soul. The “Litany Against Fear” that Herbert created spoke power to my soul back as a teen, carrying forth to this day. Gavin Aung Than’s art inspired by the litany holds power, too, speaking to today.

We Quibble And Quarrel, Ignoring The Fire Around Us

Carl Setzer

I’m surrounded by dissention, anger and invective. It makes me want to scream. 

There are so many critical discussions, history making decisions that we need to make as a society and as a species. 

Why do we seek out, aggressively, so many petty things with which to bicker and squabble over? I watch, time and time again, people waste monumental energy over the minor and leave the critical ignored. 

Perhaps it’s easier, and less frightening, to engage with the petty than with the important. It’s also useless.