So I have the TED talks on my feed and I found this fascinating talk on the psychological differences between liberals and conservatives. And just a note before we begin, yes this is an election year, but I must point out for the sake of this talk that liberal and conservative are not the same as democrat and republican.
The short version of this is that there are 5 psychological foundations for morality, “1) harm/care, 2) fairness/reciprocity (including issues of rights), 3) ingroup/loyalty, 4) authority/respect, and 5) purity/sanctity” (as described on the associated YourMorals.org website). And that the difference that their research has found indicates that those who are politically conservative value the latter 3 significantly more than liberals. Haidt doesn’t believe that one point of view is better than the other, but instead urges us to see beyond our own “moral matrix” and understand the value that the other side brings to the conversation.
For those of you who are interested in crafting movements/messages to make the world a better place, check out the video, and think about how the movements and messages you create are pitched. If we are going to make the entire world a better place, then we need to get the entire world involved.
Secondly, I’m curious about the psychological profiles of the people who read the blog. Go to YourMorals.org and take the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (it won’t take long I promise you). Come back and post your scores. Here are mine
But this is a rare case in which the potential accuracy of the rumor is beside the point. Whether or not Will Smith has actually yet been offered and/or has even been considered for the role is less important than the notion that Will Smith should be offered the role of Captain America … and let’s be perfectly clear, he should be offered the role of the Captain America.
You should read this article, it’s interesting. You know, the more I think about it, the more I agree that Will Smith should play Captain America. He can do action movies, he’s got charisma in spades, and he can actually act.
How about you? Do you think Will Smith should play Captain America?
One of the reasons, from a ministry perspective, why I think the work that we’re doing on campus is so important is that these are the students who will determine what the world looks like over the next 20, 30 or 50 years. It is important for our world that students graduate committed to serving humanity, to impeccable integrity and, although this is not what Patrick Awuah talks about, to serving God.
I think that Awuah is on the right path, and I wish that more schools in Jamaica would follow his lead.
I just gave a mini-talk on the vision of our InterVarsity chapter, and I was able to use a Muppet Babies stuffed toy to introduce it.
I’m a huge fan of the Jim Henson company, muppets and Kermit so it was fun to do. Here’s the quote that I used
Yeah, well, I’ve got a dream too. But it’s about singing and dancing and making people happy. That’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And, well, I’ve found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. And it kind of makes us like a family.
-Kermit
I keep remembering why I do this every time I step in front of the students. This dream of people reconciled to God and a world living in shalom is the kind of dream that gets better the more people I share it with. That’s why I keep writing these posts, and why I keep doing the ministry thing.
Edit: For more Kermit shenanigans, check out this link: Kermit Bale
