On the Importance of Empathy in the Game of Life

re: On the Importance of Empathy in the Game of Life

proatc — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:15:57 GMT

Empathy like this man, the oldest in the world, had for his family...

TOKYO (June 18) - At 111, the world's oldest man keeps a daily diary, drinks milk and stays away from alcohol and smoking.

"I don't want to die," Tomoji Tanabe told reporters Monday, while receiving a certificate from the Guinness World Records at a ceremony in southern Japan verifying him as the world's oldest male.

Tanabe, who lives in the southern city of Miyakonojo, took the title in January following the death of Puerto Rico's Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, who at 115 was also the oldest human. But Tanabe, born Sept. 18, 1895, was certified by Guinness only earlier this month, according to Kyodo News agency.

Tanade, a former city land surveyor, thanked his children and grandchildren for caring for him over the years and described Monday's event as "nothing special."

Coincidentally, the world's oldest person, a woman, is also Japanese. Yone Minagawa, 114, was born Jan. 4, 1893.

The number of Japanese living beyond 100 has almost quadrupled in the past 10 years, with the once-exclusive centenarian club expected to exceed 28,000 this year. Experts often attribute the longevity to a Japanese diet rich in vegetables and fish.

re: On the Importance of Empathy in the Game of Life

Bridestein — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:12:44 GMT

It seems almost everyone resents at least one other group of people. Red states, blue states, conservatives, liberals, Christians, pagans, gays , illegal immigrants, welfare recipients - just take a look around, there is someone to have a grudge against. (I'm trying to refrain from making a joke about vehement vegans)
Why such widespread intolerance? It's all part of an active campaign to keep us divided and conquered. Promote self-absorption and throw in lots of bright, shiny distractions for good measure and you've practically guaranteed a lack of empathy.

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

re: On the Importance of Empathy in the Game of Life

Russ Bianchi — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:21:48 GMT

I recommend two short reads on the subject:

OBLIGATION & THE BODY POLITIC by Joseph Tussman (who even looked like Socrates), a brilliant thinker at UC Berkeley, who coined the legal concept for the US Supreme Court: "clear and present danger".

SINCERITY & AUTHENTICITY by Lionel Trilling

Yes, in the ultimate analysis, it is indeed 'empathy' that unites us, instead of dividing us.

How all 6.2+ Billion, get there together, begins with the exchange in ideas, and understanding, hastened in paradigm shift, thanks to the INTERNET, and sites like www.mercola.com

We may not get there with you (live to see it), but I think it fair to say, that one day, such a wonderful goal, can and will, be accomplished.

What was the question to Jodi Foster's character in the movie CONTACT? "Want To Take A RIDE?"

;-)

Uncle Russ

re: On the Importance of Empathy in the Game of Life

Cacao — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:34:49 GMT

When a person has empathy towards another they understand and care. Empathy is a virtuous and charitable characteristic.

If everyone had empathy and allowed others the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience . . .

If everyone was honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in do good to all men, women and children . . .

Then we would have a perfect society where freedom would abound.

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Benjamin Franklin

Below is a link that seems to load much faster to the mentioned video.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/68