tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post1088555171813216355..comments2023-10-30T06:38:39.170-07:00Comments on Snow Branches: Contagion - or, When You're SmilingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-732098508348581122014-02-22T18:03:53.902-08:002014-02-22T18:03:53.902-08:00Thanks Tommi, may we all be good vectors.Thanks Tommi, may we all be good vectors.David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-15001234996786917202014-02-22T18:01:25.097-08:002014-02-22T18:01:25.097-08:00Hi Bea, thanks for the lead to Pinker's book -...Hi Bea, thanks for the lead to Pinker's book - I'm definitely going to read it - here's a little blurb from Wikipedia:<br /><br />Pinker presents a large amount of data (and statistical analysis thereof) that, he argues, demonstrate that violence has been in decline over millennia and that the present is probably the most peaceful time in the history of the human species. The decline in violence, he argues, is enormous in magnitude, visible on both long and short time scales, and found in many domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, criminal justice, treatment of children, homosexuals, animals and racial and ethnic minorities. He stresses that "The decline, to be sure, has not been smooth; it has not brought violence down to zero; and it is not guaranteed to continue."<br /><br />Yes Listeria is pretty nasty and seems to pass around the meat and dairy industry.David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-74547439969440233522014-02-17T10:39:47.548-08:002014-02-17T10:39:47.548-08:00Yes, the best contagion is the kindness contagion....Yes, the best contagion is the kindness contagion. This one spreads with a smile. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17168519733031796908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-72337147975764094472014-02-15T17:35:33.596-08:002014-02-15T17:35:33.596-08:00I think we can all relate to the kind of good feel...I think we can all relate to the kind of good feeling inside when we do something thoughtful or helpful to another. That kind of emotional health can't be found in a jar for any amount of money. <br /><br />The idea that we're getting more considerate, more civilized and less violent is explored in Stephen Pinker's book Our Better Angels. Maybe he and you are on to something? <br /><br />I'm glad you're out of the Listeria monocytogenes business... Far too much of it comes from unhappy sources. Bea Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981537551810309024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-71852572382352731542014-02-09T21:59:38.511-08:002014-02-09T21:59:38.511-08:00*smiling back* Hi Susan. I've had the benefit ...*smiling back* Hi Susan. I've had the benefit of the kindness of strangers too. Definitely a motivation to pass it on. Glad you like visiting. *still smiling back*David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-39046842686381555242014-02-09T09:15:41.827-08:002014-02-09T09:15:41.827-08:00Hi David,
*smiling* A timely video from Russia, my...Hi David,<br />*smiling* A timely video from Russia, my mom used to sing that song, Pope Francis said that? -wow, and, a cool scientist who liked 'creepy biohazard symbols' *smiling* <br />Over 10 years ago, out of the blue, an older couple (strangers), smiled compassionately at me when I needed it the most. It was like a warm blanket placed over my shoulders and it changed my world. Amazed at the power of a timely smile, I will always remember that moment, which a decade later I still wonder who they were, and am compelled to 'pay it forward'. <br />Thanks for the fun time at Snow Branches *still smiling*<br />susandedorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18408105025111214404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-6315424392979905872014-02-08T21:24:39.808-08:002014-02-08T21:24:39.808-08:00PS hugs are always good!PS hugs are always good!David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-51593297449801045622014-02-08T21:18:11.479-08:002014-02-08T21:18:11.479-08:00Hi Christine! The video chokes me up too. A little...Hi Christine! The video chokes me up too. A little encouragement about the kindness in human nature is always welcome and goes a long way.<br /><br />Science was really cool and an intellectual challenge, and so is law, but law gave me a chance to intact and hopefully make a difference in people's lives... and be theatrical :) Science was a bit like playing with a chemistry set but law was more a path with heart.David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-66777718237910957442014-02-08T12:48:11.951-08:002014-02-08T12:48:11.951-08:00OMG David, tears, tears, tears with that first vid...OMG David, tears, tears, tears with that first video! From Russia with Love! :) A love that just comes naturally it seems, not because one is on a "spiritual path", or because on is "enlightened" but because when we allow ourselves to open to life, we just *naturally* act out of love and kindness... (one would hope anyway)... Amazing how our/my stereotypes of "other people" and "cultures" (no pun intended:) can blind us to the Heart that lives everywhere! Thanks for posting the video! I will send it on! Big Hugs, in case you need one too :) LOL<br /><br />btw - what changed your direction to become a lawyer?Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-52178705967027901462014-02-08T11:11:17.901-08:002014-02-08T11:11:17.901-08:00Truly. The concept of a cybersangha would be somet...Truly. The concept of a cybersangha would be something out of science fiction!David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-63576935148969992942014-02-08T10:01:52.095-08:002014-02-08T10:01:52.095-08:00Dave, I still marvel at the everyday miracle of be...Dave, I still marvel at the everyday miracle of being able to exchange our thoughts and writings over the distances. When we were growing up, one would have needed to write a newspaper or magazine article, or get a book published, if they wanted to communicate in a way that many now take for granted due to the internet. It's all good -- keep smiling!<br /><br />Blessings!Bobhttp://theconsciousprocess.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-20057905121943490722014-02-07T22:51:10.635-08:002014-02-07T22:51:10.635-08:00Thanks, Bob. I had a good read of In Search of Sel...Thanks, Bob. I had a good read of <a href="http://theconsciousprocess.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/in-search-of-self/" rel="nofollow">In Search of Self</a> over at The Conscious Process.David Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339979176989832285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803595820939776322.post-60868781975766495492014-02-07T22:14:09.821-08:002014-02-07T22:14:09.821-08:00Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your ...Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behavior does.<br />Your mind training doesn’t matter when you don’t have compassion.<br />Your meditation doesn’t matter when you don’t see your own faults.<br /><br />~Phakchok RinpocheBobhttp://theconsciousprocess.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com