About Me
I like to think of myself as a philosopher - or a
scholar. Look them up in the dictionary; neither is
nearly as pretentious as it sounds.
A philosopher is one who is engaged in the use of
reason and argument in seeking truth and
knowledge of reality. A scholar is a person who
learns. At least those are the definitions that I feel
apply.
I have also been athlete/coach, teacher, soldier,
manager and consultant, providing me a broad
platform for gaining experience - and knowledge.
But a great deal of knowledge comes from
listening to and reading the words of others, and
as we all know, the more we absorb the more we
realize we do not know.
To consolidate such experiences, including what
we fondly refer to as "book learning", one must
also think, and writing aids thinking just as
teaching does. It also provides knowledge of self,
something more sobering than any other.
That's what I do.
scholar. Look them up in the dictionary; neither is
nearly as pretentious as it sounds.
A philosopher is one who is engaged in the use of
reason and argument in seeking truth and
knowledge of reality. A scholar is a person who
learns. At least those are the definitions that I feel
apply.
I have also been athlete/coach, teacher, soldier,
manager and consultant, providing me a broad
platform for gaining experience - and knowledge.
But a great deal of knowledge comes from
listening to and reading the words of others, and
as we all know, the more we absorb the more we
realize we do not know.
To consolidate such experiences, including what
we fondly refer to as "book learning", one must
also think, and writing aids thinking just as
teaching does. It also provides knowledge of self,
something more sobering than any other.
That's what I do.
Central Highlands 1969
AT WORK
AT PLAY
Bavarian/Tyrolian Schuhplattel
Welcome to blockhead's sand box
(although blockhead not by choice)
This is where I play.
I resisted creating a website for a long time, since I couldn't decide what I might do with it once I
created it. But then I just went and did it.
It is for me, providing me a place to dabble and play as well as collect previous dabblings and
playings. And, I must candidly admit, to introduce my book.
It, the website, is a rather private place as very few know of its existence, and even those who do
are not particularly interested in visiting it; so it is seldom visited, except by me. That makes it
something like a secret garden - but a garden with a sand box.
If that sounds a bit strange to any stray visitor who might stumble in, that's all right. I suspect I
would consider it strange as well, nor is it the only strange thing about me, but we needn't go
there.
I have been criticized by my agent for lacking focus and "being all over the map." Actually he
declined to become my agent for that very reason. But I have claimed him anyway. It seems
appropriate, as anyone who happens upon my secret garden will quickly discern.
(although blockhead not by choice)
This is where I play.
I resisted creating a website for a long time, since I couldn't decide what I might do with it once I
created it. But then I just went and did it.
It is for me, providing me a place to dabble and play as well as collect previous dabblings and
playings. And, I must candidly admit, to introduce my book.
It, the website, is a rather private place as very few know of its existence, and even those who do
are not particularly interested in visiting it; so it is seldom visited, except by me. That makes it
something like a secret garden - but a garden with a sand box.
If that sounds a bit strange to any stray visitor who might stumble in, that's all right. I suspect I
would consider it strange as well, nor is it the only strange thing about me, but we needn't go
there.
I have been criticized by my agent for lacking focus and "being all over the map." Actually he
declined to become my agent for that very reason. But I have claimed him anyway. It seems
appropriate, as anyone who happens upon my secret garden will quickly discern.
Dr. Samuel Johnson: "No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." |
and
THE SAND BOX
THE SAND BOX
Lest We Forget!
Sorry about that. Some things just will not go away, and
although I said I was sorry I didn't really mean it and I have
no intention of really apologizing. Check me out and you
will see why, or don't and just take my word for it.
I am, after all, a soldier. That just does not go away.
although I said I was sorry I didn't really mean it and I have
no intention of really apologizing. Check me out and you
will see why, or don't and just take my word for it.
I am, after all, a soldier. That just does not go away.
Creativity and the Urge Therefore
While I am at it I shall add one thing - about
me, and therefore about this site:
I have discovered something about
myself, and it is the reason I have embarked
upon a Website. I have a strong need to be
creative. I have tried several venues, and
prefer writing. As you might note, it has little
to do with a broad successful theater, else I
would have dropped it some time ago. I want
to create, and this is one way, a satisfying
way for me that I can do it. So, it exists mostly
for me - and regardless of what Doctor
Johnson said - it gives me pleasure.
Weird? Sure. I told you so.
But as I have said, you are most welcome
to join me.
While I am at it I shall add one thing - about
me, and therefore about this site:
I have discovered something about
myself, and it is the reason I have embarked
upon a Website. I have a strong need to be
creative. I have tried several venues, and
prefer writing. As you might note, it has little
to do with a broad successful theater, else I
would have dropped it some time ago. I want
to create, and this is one way, a satisfying
way for me that I can do it. So, it exists mostly
for me - and regardless of what Doctor
Johnson said - it gives me pleasure.
Weird? Sure. I told you so.
But as I have said, you are most welcome
to join me.
But, you might suggest, that does not explain what my objective is within the material in this website.
So what is it?
I have thought about that, and I would contend that it is to encourage the reader to think for him/her self. Perhaps that
is the ultimate meaning of "Middle Ground" - think for yourself - but with reason; know why you lean the way you do,
and do not just lap up whatever some propagandist feeds you.
I have attempted to stay away from politics per se, that is I have tried to stay away from preaching politics. My
persuasion, however, probably comes out loud and clear. But which candidate? Choose for yourself - for the right
reasons. And if you don't know, learn!
That requires knowing - or learning - about your culture; your government, how it came to be, what it entails, its
objectives - and where it failed to do what it intended to do.
Do you want another form? Understand what you are seeking. What we must deprecate is lack of principles, though
we all suffer from the same. Do you think that by changing the way we choose our leaders their principles will
improve? History would suggest otherwise.
So be careful what you wish for. But more explicitly, know what you wish for - and why.
That is my objective - for me as well as you. As I have stated, I write to understand; I would hope you read (if you do) to
understand. Not to accept blindly; what do I know? Only what I have experienced, what I have read and what I have
gleaned from what I have read, some of which I am trying to share herein. Think for yourselves - but with the wisdom
of those that have thought before you. Weigh my thoughts, their insights and any inherent conclusions; challenge
them; disagree with them. But when you suggest your own, justify them with other than emotion.
That is what our culture has encouraged - though it is questionable whether it continues to do so. Keep what we have
had alive. Make it work. Read, listen, learn and think.
So what is it?
I have thought about that, and I would contend that it is to encourage the reader to think for him/her self. Perhaps that
is the ultimate meaning of "Middle Ground" - think for yourself - but with reason; know why you lean the way you do,
and do not just lap up whatever some propagandist feeds you.
I have attempted to stay away from politics per se, that is I have tried to stay away from preaching politics. My
persuasion, however, probably comes out loud and clear. But which candidate? Choose for yourself - for the right
reasons. And if you don't know, learn!
That requires knowing - or learning - about your culture; your government, how it came to be, what it entails, its
objectives - and where it failed to do what it intended to do.
Do you want another form? Understand what you are seeking. What we must deprecate is lack of principles, though
we all suffer from the same. Do you think that by changing the way we choose our leaders their principles will
improve? History would suggest otherwise.
So be careful what you wish for. But more explicitly, know what you wish for - and why.
That is my objective - for me as well as you. As I have stated, I write to understand; I would hope you read (if you do) to
understand. Not to accept blindly; what do I know? Only what I have experienced, what I have read and what I have
gleaned from what I have read, some of which I am trying to share herein. Think for yourselves - but with the wisdom
of those that have thought before you. Weigh my thoughts, their insights and any inherent conclusions; challenge
them; disagree with them. But when you suggest your own, justify them with other than emotion.
That is what our culture has encouraged - though it is questionable whether it continues to do so. Keep what we have
had alive. Make it work. Read, listen, learn and think.
jerry betts
My Canvas
Yes, that is the analogy. This is my canvas, upon which I attempt to create something unique. Beautiful? Not
hardly. Incredible? Definitely not. Maybe not even particularly good - but useful, for me. What after all is
creativity? Is it something one does to please others? If it pleases others, that's nice, but it's not why one
engages in it; one creates because one derives satisfaction from creating. So be it.
In my case the creativity lies on two levels. Actually three. The lowest level is the poem, essay or even
paragraph that expresses my feelings, opinions or just ideas. The second level is a group of Webpages that
includes groupings of many things, usually, that are intended to convey a broader concept. The Middle Ground is
the concept that comprises its main purpose; but that has expanded, although from that basic core viewpoint. At
the highest - or broadest level - the concept represents a creative challenge for me, particularly as it expands, and
is the Website itself, representing an entire philosophical outlook.
I call it a work in process, and it is for me, as it challenges me to think about it, expand on it and embellish it.
So why on a Website? It is more accessible, easier to change and modify, and more fun than it was when parts
of it occupied files and notebooks not easily viewable. I am not trying to change the world; I am trying to
understand it, and where it is and might be going. But I have to admit there is yet another reason for putting it on
line, and that is to share it - to encourage others who might stumble upon it to think beyond the immediate and
into the realm of just what is happening to us. Change is inevitable, but confusing when it's happening to us, and
far less than clear. But we can influence it, and will, ultimately, because the pendulum, swinging one way today,
will eventually swing back the other way. But how?
There are many who think and study about this, and offer their opinions, opinions that vary and conflict. Some
are frankly narrow, stupid, selfish and self-serving; but many are well thought out and provocative. We need to be
seeking those opinions and thinking upon them, for ultimately change is less likely to come from on high than
from down in the bowels of our culture, our cultures. It is incumbent upon us (though most ignore the
incumbency) to join in - and contribute as we are able. That is not to suggest that I have the answers; but I do
offer a number of really impressive sources, from which I have derived many of my ideas, questions, and
opinions. Join me, any wayward stumbler, and give it a little bit of your attention.
Yes, that is the analogy. This is my canvas, upon which I attempt to create something unique. Beautiful? Not
hardly. Incredible? Definitely not. Maybe not even particularly good - but useful, for me. What after all is
creativity? Is it something one does to please others? If it pleases others, that's nice, but it's not why one
engages in it; one creates because one derives satisfaction from creating. So be it.
In my case the creativity lies on two levels. Actually three. The lowest level is the poem, essay or even
paragraph that expresses my feelings, opinions or just ideas. The second level is a group of Webpages that
includes groupings of many things, usually, that are intended to convey a broader concept. The Middle Ground is
the concept that comprises its main purpose; but that has expanded, although from that basic core viewpoint. At
the highest - or broadest level - the concept represents a creative challenge for me, particularly as it expands, and
is the Website itself, representing an entire philosophical outlook.
I call it a work in process, and it is for me, as it challenges me to think about it, expand on it and embellish it.
So why on a Website? It is more accessible, easier to change and modify, and more fun than it was when parts
of it occupied files and notebooks not easily viewable. I am not trying to change the world; I am trying to
understand it, and where it is and might be going. But I have to admit there is yet another reason for putting it on
line, and that is to share it - to encourage others who might stumble upon it to think beyond the immediate and
into the realm of just what is happening to us. Change is inevitable, but confusing when it's happening to us, and
far less than clear. But we can influence it, and will, ultimately, because the pendulum, swinging one way today,
will eventually swing back the other way. But how?
There are many who think and study about this, and offer their opinions, opinions that vary and conflict. Some
are frankly narrow, stupid, selfish and self-serving; but many are well thought out and provocative. We need to be
seeking those opinions and thinking upon them, for ultimately change is less likely to come from on high than
from down in the bowels of our culture, our cultures. It is incumbent upon us (though most ignore the
incumbency) to join in - and contribute as we are able. That is not to suggest that I have the answers; but I do
offer a number of really impressive sources, from which I have derived many of my ideas, questions, and
opinions. Join me, any wayward stumbler, and give it a little bit of your attention.
