Category: Everything Else

Misc things that sprout in my mind

Everything Else3 Comments

This N’ That- Sunday Morning

RJ Walters

Laptops In The College Lecture Halls When I was in college in the 1960s it took me a few years to learn that taking strenuous notes during lectures was actually worse than just listening to what the professor was saying. One of the reasons behind that is that I most often couldn’t read my quickly scribbled note more than a week after the event. So, it was not a big surprise for me to learn that students who paid more attention to their laptops than what the professor was saying, actually got lower scores on their exams. But a growing … Continue reading This N’ That- Sunday Morning

Everything Else2 Comments

American Myths – American Exceptionalism

RJ Walters

For this Question Everything Friday I want to bring you another dangerous myth that is ingrained into our country. That is that we are so exceptional that you can’t be compared to any other country.  Here is my quote for the day about that. We can’t compare America to any other country! Especially not strange, dangerous countries like Scandinavia or France! We can’t? Why not? How else do you suppose that nations make progress — if not by learning from one another? Americans have been told that other places are “homogeneous”, so America can’t be compared to them — but “homogeneity” is not the … Continue reading American Myths – American Exceptionalism

Everything Else1 Comment

Between Fact and Belief…

RJ Walters

Since I have lived the largest part of my life as a scientist I have thoroughly come to believe that when facts clash seriously with beliefs then beliefs need to be modified. I know the current Oval Office occupant doesn’t believe in facts, to him everything he doubts must be fake news and sadly his loyal base blindly accepts that line.  That is one of the scariest things for me about these times. But that is not the main point of this post.  Here are some words to ponder: They are facts. Nothing more and nothing less. Just facts. It … Continue reading Between Fact and Belief…

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Seeing Them For Who They Are…

RJ Walters

For this “Seeking-Wisdom” post, I want to try and bust a few bubbles before diving into this category much further. We all must recognize that the inspirational figures in our lives are for the most part like all of us in that they are multifaceted. They have characteristics beyond those that inspire us.  For instance, Thomas Jefferson is one of my top sources of seeking wisdom. Even today, 200+ years after they were written,  his writing and insight simply astound me!  But then there is the fact that he was a slaveholder who likely fathered several children from his “visits” … Continue reading Seeing Them For Who They Are…

Everything Else1 Comment

Greenfield Village Re-visited…

RJ Walters

I wanted to visit Greenfield Village once more before we close out another year. This visit is a gallery that shows no evidence of the 21st century.  That is one thing I truly enjoy about Mackinac Island, no cars allowed). Nantucket is a great place to visit but it is kinda ruined by all the cars that have flooded the island.  Anyway, here is my version of Greenfield of the 20th century: Continue reading Greenfield Village Re-visited…

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Offering Hope Is A Hard Sell…

RJ Walters

I am bound and determined to not give up hope here on RJsCorner. I will just not let the current times and the occupant of the Oval Office and his cronies deprive me of hope.  But, offering hope is a hard sell, especially now.  I have seen so many of my blogging friends who have gotten totally negative about the world today. They, and sometimes I, just want to roll up in a cocoon and let the world pass by. Plainly speaking we are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and who can blame us!! Some seem to … Continue reading Offering Hope Is A Hard Sell…

Everything Else2 Comments

Time Just Flies By

RJ Walters

I don’t know how many times I have heard the expression in the title of this post. I don’t know how many times I have said it myself. I have always wondered why time seems to fly by now but in my youth a year seemed like an eternity.  It wasn’t until I got a glimpse of the short article below from the AARP Magazine that I came to maybe understand this time warp a little better. It’s interesting if I at least partially accept what the article says that the reason is stale experiences.  That is, as we get … Continue reading Time Just Flies By

Everything Else, Life On The Margins, Philosophy & Religion6 Comments

About Empathy

RJ Walters

I am convinced that, as a general rule, my Republican friends pretty much lack empathy to any degree. I know this could be “painting with a broad brush” type thing but hear me out. I find example after example of this fact in my daily life. Let me give you a few examples. I have a Republican friend who goes on and on about how all those people on welfare are freeloaders.  To him, they are just too lazy to go out and get a job.  I try to tell him that on the average most people are on welfare … Continue reading About Empathy

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Listening To Your Favourite Music…

RJ Walters

I know I have been more stressed out in the last 22 months than I probably have any time in my life. It is stressful to see the possible annihilation of our democracy unfold before your eyes.  It is pitiful to see the Oval Office occupied by a compulsive liar, cyberbullier, and narcissist. I couldn’t have imagined that possibility just a few years ago. I just can’t seem to be able to do much about my stress except to boycott every new source.  I have for the past couple months limited my contact to the political world to ten minutes … Continue reading Listening To Your Favourite Music…