Interesting and thought provoking... While I fundamentally disagree with some of the early premises, I enjoyed your take on these subject. Hopefully there will more such thoughts from you!
Hi, Patrick. Your writing on the topic of horrible leadership was interesting and insightful. However, you cited an author who said that there was a time when Man had no sense or awareness of such things as death; that the "wall" between right and left brain functions was solidly in place, and that any "communication" between the right brain and the person was perceived as the voice of gods.
I do not believe that Man was ever unaware of death. It occurred around him on a daily basis, and while perhaps not fully grasping the causes, he certainly perceived that death meant the end of any actions (other than decay) on the part of the deceased, whether another man or an animal. Death was all too obvious and frequent for Man to either ignore, or to claim ignorance of its ultimate meaning. As for perceiving communication from the right brain as "messages from the gods", Man first would have had to invent gods (or at least the concept thereof), and that's not a left brain function.
The challenge is that all leaders have been/are/always will be "human", and thus fallible and prey to the foibles of the species. Some have been less horrible than others, but none have been without their faults. I don't know if we can describe the level of their "horribleness" to the distinction of left brain-right brain function and inter-self communication. :-)
While I've read The Odyssey and The Iliad, I've never heard them "parsed" the way you did it. Quite impressive...
Very thought provoking. Excellent read. It is incredible how narrow minded we get in our own lives and culture. I recently had the privilege to travel to Guatemala. It is so eye opening seeing other parts of the world and it inspires humility in me. I love their way of life, so much less hurried and so surrounded by nature as even their houses all have large outdoor spaces inside. I think my little problems are bad sometimes, but boy do I have it easy. Not trying to stir the pot here, but I just can't help but mention one leader I know of who got it right. He's the one I follow. His name is Jesus. He taught that leaders should be servants.
John 13:12–15
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."
Never ceases to amaze me how ill-followed and poorly represented those stories often are in organized religion. I read the Bible and commentary on it, quite often. It makes me like the Bible more and religion less.
My favorite gag for overly pious people. Christian leadership symposium final exam: Using only 12 fisherman and a whore, go forth and change the course of history forever.
Interesting and thought provoking... While I fundamentally disagree with some of the early premises, I enjoyed your take on these subject. Hopefully there will more such thoughts from you!
I take that as high praise. If you want to share your disagreement, I am interested. Just reply to the email for a private exchange.
Hi, Patrick. Your writing on the topic of horrible leadership was interesting and insightful. However, you cited an author who said that there was a time when Man had no sense or awareness of such things as death; that the "wall" between right and left brain functions was solidly in place, and that any "communication" between the right brain and the person was perceived as the voice of gods.
I do not believe that Man was ever unaware of death. It occurred around him on a daily basis, and while perhaps not fully grasping the causes, he certainly perceived that death meant the end of any actions (other than decay) on the part of the deceased, whether another man or an animal. Death was all too obvious and frequent for Man to either ignore, or to claim ignorance of its ultimate meaning. As for perceiving communication from the right brain as "messages from the gods", Man first would have had to invent gods (or at least the concept thereof), and that's not a left brain function.
Just a few rambling thoughts...
Damn. I was hoping you were going to point me to an incredible leader that I had overlooked.
The challenge is that all leaders have been/are/always will be "human", and thus fallible and prey to the foibles of the species. Some have been less horrible than others, but none have been without their faults. I don't know if we can describe the level of their "horribleness" to the distinction of left brain-right brain function and inter-self communication. :-)
While I've read The Odyssey and The Iliad, I've never heard them "parsed" the way you did it. Quite impressive...
As if on cue... https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/opinion/america-presidents-old-age.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Very thought provoking. Excellent read. It is incredible how narrow minded we get in our own lives and culture. I recently had the privilege to travel to Guatemala. It is so eye opening seeing other parts of the world and it inspires humility in me. I love their way of life, so much less hurried and so surrounded by nature as even their houses all have large outdoor spaces inside. I think my little problems are bad sometimes, but boy do I have it easy. Not trying to stir the pot here, but I just can't help but mention one leader I know of who got it right. He's the one I follow. His name is Jesus. He taught that leaders should be servants.
John 13:12–15
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."
Never ceases to amaze me how ill-followed and poorly represented those stories often are in organized religion. I read the Bible and commentary on it, quite often. It makes me like the Bible more and religion less.
My favorite gag for overly pious people. Christian leadership symposium final exam: Using only 12 fisherman and a whore, go forth and change the course of history forever.