Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Morality is a village.


 I am a member of a society with well defined moral and ethical standards that are accepted, internalized, and enforced by all members of that society. These moral and ethical standards have been developed to facilitate safe productive living in a global, pluralistic, interdependent society. Although they are a distributed resource, in that there is no single entity or guy in a fancy dress telling us what to do, they are nevertheless strongly maintained by law, custom, and personal interaction. Even a minor transgression will be confronted, by anything from a raised eyebrow, a social media troll, to a lawsuit. The reasonable Gods in this society have adopted these ethical and moral structures and overlaid a gloss of their particular theological tenets.

 It is no accident that the village or parish is the basic unit of human society. Our monkeysphere is about 150-200 people whose behavior we can affect with the subtle social cues (the raised eyebrow, frown, or quick smile ) to say that behavior is or is not in accordance with the morals of the society. That is, what our common moral tendencies tell us is right. The morality of the village is pretty well solidified by Fulghum's Kindergarten but is malleable with difficulty at any age.

 Morality is universal. How we treat each other defines the morality of all human interactions.   Nodding to a stranger on the street is a moral interaction. As is giving a person a wide berth on the sidewalk. It is actions like these that define "my society."  Moral absolutism and moral relativism are both mistaken arguments.   Common moral tendencies have nothing at all to do with don't do this or that to another unknown human (which is my argument with the moral sense tests.) The common moral tendencies are of the form do whatever is mandated by the (fairly local) society the individual is a part of.

 When God transgresses these standards, by for example by preaching hatred of minority groups that are respected members of the society, we will and indeed must call the God wrong. And we will be right to do so. A dysfunctional God gets no free pass in a reasonable society simply because someone has faith in Herm. Even a supernatural omnipotent alpha humanoid has to wipe Herm feet when coming in out of the mud, say "thank you for your hospitality" to Herm host, even if that host is a hated minority, and generally comply with the host's society's moral standards.  The Christian God the Son would probably fit in quite nicely. His Father would be better off staying out there in the supernatural ether called Hell.

As one moves beyond ones parish or village, it becomes necessary to choose among the society values including the morals of the various societies one comes in contact with. One's job will have one set, church another, and school still another set.  In the complex intertwined societies of the modern world it becomes necessary to be aware of the local moral structure so you don't violate it inadvertently. One may violate it intentionally or ignore it, but one must know why and how to cover up if necessary. From there it is an easy step for a thoughtful person to choose common moral structures "Love thy neighbor..." "Do unto others..." and less common ones that may be necessary for one's self respect as defined by one's chosen society, which ultimetely comes down to the monkeysphere one choses.  This may be a village or a church or ones "friends" on social media.


 Where these groups are local, isolated and stable almost anything can be moral, witch burning, infanticide, child sacrifice, killing everybody in the next village except the virgins. As a social group whether a church, a political movement, a corporation, or a social media cult, grows beyond a monkeysphere much the same thing happens.  The leader(s) becomes isolated from the group culture, and imposes herm personal morality or lack thereof on the group by charisma, fear, or example. 

Libdem, Capitalism and Politics

 Libdem is the right answer and capitalism doesn’t need to go.  The real problem with any political system is pay to play politics. Heinlein suggested that politicians pay for campaigns out of their own pockets. Probably OK in his time of relative income equality but not workable now.  Andrew Wang’s 100 annual “democracy dollars” might work if they could only be spent on political campaigns. But in any event political contributions of any form exceeding $XK must be made felonious. X being a small number.  But until the DNC and the RNC get out of bed it will never happen.

Monday, August 21, 2023

Blood Drive FAQs


WHY SOULD I DONATE BLOOD? 
  • You save several lives. 
  • You get a short nap.
  • You get a free lunch. 
  • You learn needles aren't scary.  ---  Where is the downside? 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY DONATION?
  • After the mandatory 15 minute R&R at the canteen (the free lunch) even first time donors are usually able to return to normal activities with no problems. Take a bottle of water and some energy food from the canteen and administer liberally. 
  • A sudden loss of blood occasionally causes a stimulation of the brain that can cause light-headedness or an endorphin high depending on the person.  If light-headed, water and rest with head low usually solves the problem. If it lasts for more than a few minutes send for help from the donation center. 
  • People will ask about the Coban wrap on your elbow.  Tell them that you just saved a few lives and that they can too with a wave at the drive table.
HOW LONG DOES A DONATION TAKE?
  • The actual donation takes 5-10 minutes normally.   
  • Preparation and paperwork is about a half hour.  
  • Save time in the donation process by filling out the eligibility questionaire (when available) on your mobile device on the day you plan to donate.
  • The 15 minute free lunch makes an hour a good bet.  Double Red and apheresis take longer.
CAN I DONATE? 
RECENT ELIGIBILITY CHANGES.

  • Tattoos, acupuncture and piercings: no deferral in many states for licensed single use facilities.  One year otherwise.
  • Medically controlled diabetes and high blood pressure: generally no deferral. 
  • MSM - Men who have had sex with other men and partners: No deferral.  Eligibility for all genders based on recent behavior.
  • MAD COWS - Military and residents in UK late 80s and certain others in Europe at that time are no longer deferred

LEGALESE 
  • If you have been told by a blood collection agency or other medical professional not to donate blood,  get clearance from that professional before scheduling an appointment.  Some changes in eligibility have been noted above.