Wednesday, December 04, 2024

I am still roiled by America’s election results and the President-elect’s nominees for key leadership roles. I will become a turtle, withdrawing into my shell and focusing on the physically nearby. I will let the world turn as it may and hope for minimally noticeable impacts where I live, here in mountainous Central Oregon.

I’ve been taking more time to sit quietly and read books–a related topic because all are authored by Richard Dawkins. Dawkins is a prominent British evolutionary biologist and ethologist who’s made significant contributions to science. He has unique, learned, and outspoken views on the meaning of life.

I discovered Dawkins recently, for the first time, by following a newspaper suggestion and reading his latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead (subtitled A Darwinian Reverie). Dawkins’ perspectives awed me. I obtained several of his previous books, finding his views consistent. His research and learning are built upon Darwin’s theories and provide logical and reasonable ways to comprehend the living world.

Reading Dawkins has me rethinking and reconsidering the meanings of reality and life. His work melds well with my lifetime of learning. Going forward (while inside my turtle shell and somewhat insulated from the larger political and social affairs), I will continue reading Dawkins and reworking how I might wish to view current and future events.

Another note on coffee beans: I’m enjoying some El Salvadorian coffee this morning.

Dear Friends: Dawkins is very woke and not everybody’s cup of tea. Diana