Read the Ox-bow Incident when I was 14 for a Jr. High school report, it made a big impact on me. Thought me to not "get along and go along with bullies and influencers". A very good lesson for all who live in Iowa. If we had followed some of these lessons, we may not be in the mess we are in now with such atrocities as Iowa's water quality, air pollution, horrible land use policies and the rampant destruction of our natural areas. The bullies in the Iowa House, Iowa Senate and Iowa Executive Branch of State Government are leading us down the slippery path of an unlivable environment. No wonder why Iowa's young people get their education and leave adding to the brain drain. Let's not talk about the fact that Iowa has one of the highest cancer rates in the nation, per capita. Yes, getting along and going along with horrible leadership in Iowa is as far from "Iowa Nice" as we can get.
Thanks, Chris, for your comments. You once again know how to use analogies to highlight the simple truth that bites us in the rear each and every time. Best to you, Bill. (And the old black and white movie isn't bad to watch either!)
Thanks for sharing this Chris! "Group think" and the "courage of evil" are certainly very relevant and timely topics. Somewhere back in my early childhood, one of my elders offered this wisdom: "Wrong is wrong, no matter how many may try to convince you it is right". It helped guide my career in science and in a science directed career - looking for facts - and objective, evidence-driven truth. I know that your work and passion are likewise guided. It can be a long and difficult path to walk, when going along to get along is so much easier and often the norm.
I agree with this. The end is just right: “everybody thinks Graves is so great because he never published his failures.” I admire someone with that kind of self-awareness and the courage to trust it.”
Read the Ox-bow Incident when I was 14 for a Jr. High school report, it made a big impact on me. Thought me to not "get along and go along with bullies and influencers". A very good lesson for all who live in Iowa. If we had followed some of these lessons, we may not be in the mess we are in now with such atrocities as Iowa's water quality, air pollution, horrible land use policies and the rampant destruction of our natural areas. The bullies in the Iowa House, Iowa Senate and Iowa Executive Branch of State Government are leading us down the slippery path of an unlivable environment. No wonder why Iowa's young people get their education and leave adding to the brain drain. Let's not talk about the fact that Iowa has one of the highest cancer rates in the nation, per capita. Yes, getting along and going along with horrible leadership in Iowa is as far from "Iowa Nice" as we can get.
Thanks, Chris, for your comments. You once again know how to use analogies to highlight the simple truth that bites us in the rear each and every time. Best to you, Bill. (And the old black and white movie isn't bad to watch either!)
Yes I will have to check out the movie!
Thanks for sharing this Chris! "Group think" and the "courage of evil" are certainly very relevant and timely topics. Somewhere back in my early childhood, one of my elders offered this wisdom: "Wrong is wrong, no matter how many may try to convince you it is right". It helped guide my career in science and in a science directed career - looking for facts - and objective, evidence-driven truth. I know that your work and passion are likewise guided. It can be a long and difficult path to walk, when going along to get along is so much easier and often the norm.
Great read. The theme was often Twain’s as well—the sanctimonious mob. Plays out again and again.
much to ponder here.
I agree with this. The end is just right: “everybody thinks Graves is so great because he never published his failures.” I admire someone with that kind of self-awareness and the courage to trust it.”