brucethecollie

I'm trying to wrap my head around that. What if a humanitarian considers the healthy maintenance of the environment as important only for the sake of humans? Can they then be a humanitarian and environmentalist based on their motivations? Or must it be all or nothing? I agree with what mellomama posted. I personally buy local and humanely raised organic meat/chicken/eggs/fish. To be honest, I don't do it for the environment, I do it because those sources provide better nutrition and are less likely to carry bacteria that can make my family and I sick. From a nutritional standpoint, I think it's inhumane to assume that humans can do just fine without any animal products the way so many vegans do. We evolved alongside the practice of eating animals, people from some areas more so than others. It would have been unfair for my parents to raise me strictly vegan for the sake of being humane towards animals-because what about me and my body's needs? Anyway, so true about the free market aspect (something I still don't think of right away I'm afraid). Subsidizing of foods by the government has not only thrown balance off but potentially hurt so many people's health in the meantime. MagnumPI thanks for sharing that video- AMAZING stuff!

Hi, Someone shared this video with me. It basically states that the greatest harm to the environment comes from the consumption of animals and the water and power it takes to keep them. I was wondering if anyone had seen this and what you all thought. I have been reading the citations but would like guidance on the issue because I'm new here and not sure how info like this-if substantiated, matters or not in the grand scheme of things and from an ethical point of view. Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTBC91L-x0&feature=youtu.be&list=PLmIqdlomtuStUIWj3h-RzdXx8z6Ex5gyS

I've heard our drug war has, is there any truth to that? I ask because I don't have the answer.

I think you've struck some gold here. I got into philosophy through peaceful parenting first. Years later I saw the strong correlation between the typical style of parenting and the same forceful actions of the state and it seemed we were just raising children to be bullies and enforcers of arbitrary rules. I'm in a facebook group for people who do whole life unschooling which is very much peaceful parenting and there are 10,000 or so members. Most are mothers. Many of those mothers have a ton of smart philosophical questions. So I'd say that is a big eye opener for women and something that will signal an alarm for them to be interested in hearing more about.

You might like to check this one out: http://www.naturalchild.org/ and http://www.attachmentparenting.org/

Oh man, I've felt that since I joined this forum and started listening to Stefan's videos. What is important, I think, is that I'm aware of it and instead of getting upset, I use logic to settle my adrenaline back down. I"m from the "girl power!" and "girls rule and boys drool!" generation. Just another way I realize I've been brainwashed you know? It's not a death sentence though, many women I talk to realize what has been fed to us and we are pushing back. Something that really opened up my eyes was having a son. I was forced to empathize with a male in the most extreme way of a parent who wants all good things for their child and is seeing the world through his eyes (as much as possible). I think it's good to just keep moving forward versus running away from the resistance these feelings bring up. Also, some humility and some inward thinking and the best thing-honesty with oneself. I truly believe in "once you know better, do better" and don't look back.

Someone recently opened up my eyes to how being a female had only to do with the different hormones and the ability to menstruate, be pregnant, lactate, and have menopause. And that other things associated with femininity are cultural things. Supposedly, makeup, wigs, high heels, and the color pink were first used by men. Blue was a feminine color. Correct me if I'm wrong, a historian friend told me that but I haven't done research myself. Women shaving, wearing dresses, curling their hair is a cultural norm and a gender norm. I know some women who catch a lot of flack because they choose not to demonstrate femininity and I've met straight men who demonstrate much of it. All of these people are straight. Within women and men there are variable levels of all the hormones we share. I need to find research I saw once on everyone's estrogen going up in the US and other modern countries. And testosterone deficiency in men on the rise, too. Soy is in a lot of processed modern foods and diet foods and it mimics estrogen. Cows milk has been called out as doing that, as well. Many men on the typical American diet have been demonstrating lower testosterone levels. I can only imagine how that might be influencing the masses and the way they view issues and respond to them. That has been my concern and is such a good point...last week a friend told me he is transgender and explained all the feminine things he liked which convinced him of it. But those things, as you stated, aren't innately feminine. But how to support someone in this scenario? I'm just going with it.

I can certainly see this as a distraction for someone trying to focus on how different foods affect their energy levels. Coffee tends to give people a type of energy that feels anxious and jittery. Ever felt tired and caffeinated? It's not a good combination. A little coffee is pretty good for some but others don't feel too well on it though our culture has really made coffee tempting and addicting (cappuccino anyone?) We want to feel calm and have energy for what we need to do. Most people can stand to have less coffee, I think.

My deepest sympathies, Mutilated Man. I'm very sorry to hear of what you've been dealing with. Heartbreaking, really. I can't believe it is so common. And when I've spoken out about it people rush to each others defense and gang up on me like I'm cruel or something. It's overwhelming...

My uncle used to work in law enforcement in Venezuela. He says people are constantly disappearing. He has contacts who claim bodies are just being dumped in the ocean every day-by the government.

Just read what was shared written by Lily Goldberg. Thought it was pretty gross. Yeah, I'd call her gross. I don't think most women feel that way? Or I hope not...

Does anyone out there let their child choose what they wish to learn?

Those with the means are fleeing or have fled. I was born in Venezuela and my parents and grandparents grew up there. My dad was very aware of and unhappy about the government and corruption he saw getting worse all around him. When I was born, a family friend was murdered and the government covered it up and for my parents that was like the last straw. He and my mom saved up all their money and moved to the US with myself as a toddler and my mom in her 3rd trimester of pregnancy. It was an easier process for them because my dad was born in the US while my grandfather was taking some courses for a few months at a Miami University so he was born with citizenship and could claim my mom and I in the Visa process. People in Venezuela with proven Spanish heritage are getting asylum in Spain. Many of my family members have left and are living in Canada, the US, and Europe. Many wish they had left before it was too late. Most of my family is trapped and in dire situations. None of my family supported Chavez and the increasing socialism but they are all stuck with it now. Signs Venezuela was giving off 30 years ago are seemingly parallel to what we are seeing in the US. Not good.

This is interesting...something I've never read about. And your final question- I met a scientist at a medical conference that posed the same question and suspected that it really was possible. Others in the group who were listening to his talk walked out. Sigh...why are questions so scary? Yeah, that all makes a lot of sense. I do notice most women just voting as their husbands or fathers do. I happen to be the political motivator in my family (maybe because my husband was raised in rural Mexico by women) and it is challenging in our community-especially homeschooling. I am sure I'm seen as extreme My defense is to come bearing cookies. Usually helps. I totally agree that pregnancy isn't largely debilitating. Even if it was for me (physically speaking). If someone feels trapped while pregnant then they should not have become pregnant to begin with. Many feminists I've heard thoughts from are aware of male disposability and feel embedded patriarchy (according to them the ideas that, girls need to look pretty, boys need to be tough) in society is equally a disservice to men and women. I often wonder how to reach them. I feel that they are somewhat close to getting to the root of things...that principles, respect for truth, and personal responsibility are the routes to a society where people don't feel oppressed. I get the impression that many men wonder why women do what they do (the negative stuff) and I think we are mostly brainwashing our children. My daughter has been told by random people in public "girls rule and boys drool" to which she was like "huh...?" And my son has been told "ladies first" to which he once replied "why?" A man told him, "Well, because girls are smaller and more delicate." My son said, "My sister is bigger than me and really strong." The man said, "Clearly, she is older than you though." My son, getting frustrated said, "We are twins! And I was born a minute before her." So then the man continues..."Oh, well, one day you will be bigger and stronger." so my son says "You don't know that...and my sister lets me go first all the time, she doesn't care!" The man gave up and walked away. Then human nature kicks in with my daughter who is like, "So mom...are girls supposed to go first? I would like to always be first..." So we have a long talk and what I see in both my 6 year olds is confusion. They understand what I'm saying but they have this seed of doubt because how can mom be right and all these other people in society be wrong? It feels like a lot to be up against. I don't tell my son "don't bother your sister". I tell my daughter "talk to your brother about it" or "step away from the game if you don't like how it's going." So she either argues with him until they reach an agreement or she stops playing with him and they resume playing when they feel like it. It's more peaceful, nobody is whining, she learns she is not a victim, and he isn't shamed or made to feel that he is at fault for doing something she doesn't like. We've been raising kids with a certain mentality for so long I can see why the adults are struggling the way they are. The culture for girls is toxic from the beginning. It's the same for boys. And it manifests in modern society...and it serves no one. The women who take advantage of men don't see it as clearly taking advantage of men because they are miserable and have been taught things through filters that blind them to truth. I hope I'm teaching my kids how to see truth and to stand up for themselves because only then will we have more men and women who choose their actions wisely and maintain personal responsibility and don't enable the dilutions of any group.

Just wanted to share this article I thought made interesting points most of you here are surely well aware of: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/ To me, this is in the same vein as all the brainwashing about how it's ok to deal with your issues by assuming support from others. Not even assuming, it's forcing others to help you with your issues. So at college, where you've got people near peak energy levels and they are being trained to force the world around them to bow to their needs and whims. Ugh. It extends to the smallest things, too. For example, I have type 1 diabetes and blog about it online-sharing what I know to work for me. There is a huge movement where people with diabetes don't want to be called diabetics because their disease doesn't define them and it's offensive and blah blah blah. It's tiring because it's arbitrary and it's a personal preference being put on others as a shameful offense. I can't refer to myself as a diabetic without other people jumping down my throat. This stuff is rampant. This article opened my eyes to how bad it is in colleges around the country. Someone shared with me an article (I can't find it) where a speaker came to talk about something at a college and for those students that felt triggered there was a room they could go to with people they could speak to and also a table with bubbles, play-doh, crayons, markers...Can you imagine? Young adults that get upset at a word that triggers a sad or traumatic memory and they are helping them deal with it by putting them in a room with puppies? I was left speechless.

A while back I heard someone say that few women were anarchists because they were on the whole, stupid. I rolled my eyes at that because I was curious as to why there did seem to be less women than men in anarchists, libertarian, and anti-statist groups, and a vague generalization didn't answer my question. Many people agreed with this man, by the way. No one offered real insight. So I came here, lol. If you have any thoughts as to why this is, would you mind sharing? I have a few regarding the way our society and it's gender norms function and where pop culture stands and how it influences the majority...I grew up talking to girl friends mostly about boys, makeup, clothes, and people and talking to guy friends mostly about ideas, politics, sports, history, and science. I enjoyed my talks with boys much more than girls-though I did like being friendly and familial with girls and we could bond well over things pertaining only to females. I probably have to give my dad much of the credit. He talked to me and my 4 other siblings about all the same things. Many of my girl friends had dads that would pat their head, tell them they were pretty, and then talk things over with their brothers. From a young age I had regular long talks with my dad about philosophy, morality, astronomy, physics, religion, and so on. I wonder how much that had to do with my being easily inclined to listen to a group that seemingly consists of more of one gender than the other. Well, that and being taught critical thinking. My husband actually taught me it doesn't matter where a good idea comes from if it is sound. But, ideas have to be let in and mulled over to have a chance. I have seen the reactions of women groomed to feminism regarding anarchism or anything questioning government and it seems to me many are trained to be quick to dismiss learning more due to a vacuous comment from an individual (like the one that said all women are stupid). Anyway, I'm new to this and trying to connect dots (my mind is all over the place) and your insights will be greatly appreciated. I'm very much interested.

Great stuff. I'm all for this cause. I started by arguing with the nurse who scoffed at me when I told them my son would be left intact. (I had already written a note to the hospital and given all my nurses a copy but this one didn't like it and thought she might sway me). Anyway, I think it's great to speak from experience. The more people hear about it, the more wheels will turn. I grew up thinking it was normal (circumcision) even though my dad and three brothers are all intact. My experience or observation is that many men aren't aware that disadvantages and harm have been dealt to them in this way. Without awareness there is certainly no anger and no cause to support. We are at informative stages. Anyway, thanks for sharing

Thought this was interesting, it's a quote from someone who identifies as transgender: "Gender norms are the issue. There is nothing wrong with a male who wants to wear makeup, high heels, dresses, etc. or a woman who wants to wear a suit and tie. The issue is the belief that somehow reassigning their genitals will make them the opposite sex (I'm transgender and even I believe that is complete dilusion). The problem is society tells us if you want to wear dresses and a skirt and makeup then you must be female. So people in the transgender community feel they have to transition to one or the other binary in order to fit it, once again coming back to the issue that gender norms are the real issue most transgender people face. There is an extremely small minority that are actually transsexual (believe they are in the wrong body). Transgender is just gender nonconforming. Nothing wrong with that. Also to note, not all transgender people get surgery to deal with their dysphoria. For some it's just wearing the "opposite" clothes, or hormones which has been shown to ease the dysphoria. The belief that in order to transition you need to get fully functioning genitals removed is bs."

In nature. I love the forest in my backyard, the beach, the dessert, and I love relaxing at night with my telescope and a glass of wine. It always centers me, even if bugs are annoying. And at home with my kids and husband when everyone is peaceful and connected. That one is a real treat since growing up, home was usually not very peaceful.

I studied holistic nutrition at an NYC based school. Something I learned from there as well as through my experience health coaching is that an ideal food for one person isn't so for another. So for example, my husband can eat a steak and feel great afterwards whereas that always puts me to sleep. I get energy from chicken and he doesn't. Most people have noticed how diametrically opposed nutrition study outcomes turn out to be. It's another sign (aside from personal observation) that points to the possibility that something can be one man's food and another man's poison. I read a book called The Metabolic Diet, which was interesting because the author believes that people generally fall into three types: carb type, protein type, and mixed type. The carb type doesn't exclude protein, the protein type doesn't exclude carbs-so one has to read about what is meant by these types because their names are misleading. Anyway, I found that when I excluded all forms of processed or refined foods from my diet, my health improved considerably. I tweaked my energy levels and health by then trying to figure out which foods suited me best. If you don't have any blood sugar issues and you are sleepy or sluggish after a meal, you did it wrong. It may be that you ate too much or had the wrong type of foods for you personally-even if the foods you ate are healthy and natural. But don't take my word for it. You could start a food journal. Try to stick to whole foods and then jot down what your energy levels are after eating. Let your feelings of wellness after eating be your guide. If you eat a lot of processed foods I'd start just swapping those out little by little, first. If you aren't exercising, the key is to decide that no matter what, you will and then like Nike says, "just do it"-even if it's just walking 30 minutes a day. In a year the combination of any attention to both diet and exercise have the potential to make a big difference. Good luck.

I recommend the documentary called Jesus Camp. It shines light on the disservice done to children indoctrinated with religion.

They call it excessive, others might say psychotic....

I think "help the poor" is indeed an ambiguous statement. In my own experience helping the poor has been anything from taking clothes to a family whose house burned down to buying a homeless man a sandwich to volunteer teaching people with diabetes how to manage it. One is temporarily poor, one is completely out, and the others are in need of life saving information. The state definitely makes it harder for people do help others in the way they might want to.

Great feedback from both of you, I will pass it on. Thank you!

Thanks very much, you all! Mellomama, in regards to the sleep, I think it's mostly the excitement and the processing I'm doing. I've rarely had trouble going to sleep so I hope talking with others about all this stuff will help me. It kind of feels like my thoughts have nowhere to go so they are bouncing around in my head. Any tips anyone has on sleep would be welcome