A blog that explores life and society. Mostly pieces on business, economics, arts and other interests. A place to showcase activities and explore ideas.
You can order through my Etsy shop, The Wooded Pathway, or just send me a message here and I’ll ship it directly to you. A black or white cardboard mat frame is available if you’d like. Price is $40 with shipping included. I do this mainly for fun, and whenever I make a sale, I usually give most of the proceeds away. Its a hobby.
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| The Northern Beach 8X10' |
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| Watering bulbs |
If this plan works, I’ll accomplish a couple of things:
Grow food with less effort
Find a way to water the plants even when I’m not around.
I guess in some ways just enjoy the process.
Scapegoating is the act of blaming others for one’s shortcomings. It can occur on an individual level or be directed at entire groups. Examining scapegoating is important because it affects both relationships and society at large, carrying social and economic consequences. When hate or corruption influences decision-making, the outcomes are generally poor. It is difficult to achieve peak performance if only part of a society’s human capital is engaged.
Society functions best when people share common values and see one another as equals. Sometimes these values are codified in social contracts, artifacts, or oaths. However, when people are dehumanized or when systems protect blatant mistreatment, society might continue to just limp along. Encouraging a shared sense of identity and purpose helps draw in broader social and economic participation.
Consider the piece below. You will notice that some individuals and groups are mistreated, and these injustices reverberate through decisions and institutional outcomes. A society thrives when those who view all people as part of the same human family are elevated—these tend to be the “best and brightest.” Conversely, division weakens institutions and diminishes collective potential.
Scapegoating of ethnic minorities: Experimental evidenceOn Friday, I went to the reception for the More Than a Uniform Exhibit at the Bonifast Fine Art Center. The crowd streamed in to view the artwork and learn more about their community. A gentleman I know is selling specialty urns made from Harley parts. He told me he puts many hours into making each one, which I thought was pretty cool.
There was live music, a few snacks, and lots of great conversation. Now, let’s see if I sell anything. The Bonifas Fine Art Center
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| You can't see it but the ship pictures is mine. I heard there was some interest in this one. |
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| Dont be cheap. Donate! |
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| The Harley Urn this guy did. |
If you’ve been following recent discussions, there has been growing exploration of the idea of a stronger independent middle—one that helps balance decision-making between both parties and promotes long-term outcomes. This doesn’t mean either party is entirely right or wrong, but polarization has increasingly shaped decision-making, often reducing debates to counterarguments. In turn, this polarization pressures legislators into straight-line party voting, since breaking from the party line can shorten a political career. That reality directly impacts how decisions are made.
According to a 2024 Gallup Poll, 43% of voters now identify as independent—and that share is growing. Gallop Poll Party Affiliation-2024 (There may be new polls out there.)
Let us consider three ideas (There are likely many more and many more positive and negative thoughts on the idea):
1. Reducing Partisan Dynamics
If 15% or more of the electorate—and a portion of elected officials—were truly independent, could this help balance partisan dynamics? Rather than relying heavily on party mandates and sometimes special interest influence, political strategies would need to account for the independent voter’s perspective. This could influence institutional development and decision-making by centering the needs of the “tipping middle.”.
2. Focus on Domestic Issues
Would a stronger independent presence push greater attention toward domestic issues and promote strategic neutrality of perspective for long-term outcomes? While arguments can be made both ways, one possibility is that independents—based on their more flexible worldview—might be more inclined to prioritize issues closer to home. Maybe-maybe not but seems more likely.
3. Greater Exchange of Ideas
Healthy societies, organizations, and institutions benefit from a free exchange of ideas, a principle often connected to debates over freedom of speech. Yet, we know that public opinion increasingly shapes everything from the right to speak ones mind to reasonable expectations of employment. Independents could play an important role in safeguarding open dialogue, protecting rights/freedoms, encouraging diverse perspectives, and influencing decision-making in constructive ways.
This is a philosophical discussion on whether a third party like The Hypothetical Feather Party would have a positive or negative impact on society. It is ok to bring forward alternatives, disregard, etc. as long as you took the minute out of your busy daily schedule to think about it. That is the point of the exercise.
Systems are built to support the essential purposes of society and to ensure a level playing field. Yet there has been a growing decline in trust in justice—a troubling trend. Institutions play a critical role in shaping the economy, governance, and the overall health of society. Strengthening these institutions can foster human capital, drive economic growth, and improve social well-being. The Story of the Clan can help us envision what a justice default looks like and how to improve systems for greater effectiveness and trust.
The Story of the Clan
The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment that examines what happens when justice fails. In this scenario, bigotry, corruption, and toxic social networks erode the system’s functioning. With no safeguards or protections in place, justice defaults entirely. Reports of wrongdoing are ignored, even as more victims come forward. Higher ideals such as human rights, freedom of speech, and religious liberty are abandoned in favor of lower-order outcomes. Dehumanizing rumors, financial extortion, and systemic corruption are tolerated—justified by political, racial, religious, or social biases. Victims are left without recourse, seemingly by design.
(Remember this story is for exploring a philosophical idea. Take with a grain of salt. The ending of the learning story will be a positive one of positive community support and adaptation to a higher moral conscious.).
Room for Improvement
Stories like this highlight the need for improvement in our philosophical learning thought experiment. But improvement requires both willingness and desire, and when individuals or groups benefit from corruption, hate, or misconduct, they are unlikely to change course. This undermines not only the needs of society but also the work of the vast majority of honorable officials who serve with integrity and strive to help their communities thrive every day, day in and day out. They are our heroes and should be encouraged and supported.
Any system can improve. Neither the belief that a system can “do no wrong” nor that it is “always wrong” reflects reality. Real progress requires mature leadership—leaders who understand that rigid ideologies and one-sided approaches have done little good, often deepening polarization. It also gives wiggle room to corruption. What is needed are rational decision-makers who can distinguish right from wrong and uphold the true purpose of any system. Choosing wisely who we place in positions of authority is essential, as the long-term impact of those choices profound.
Looking Forward
It is useful to examine resources, such as polling or research groups, that investigate public trust. While one cannot speak to the credibility of every source, such perspectives help us consider whether improvements in institutional functioning might benefit both society and the economy. This requires a wide lens: examining insights from diverse backgrounds, community reports, and measurable impacts on society. Crime rates, for instance, remain a concern, and part of the problem may lie in how we think about and address these issues.
If we can build systems that are effective, honest, up to date, and community-oriented—while remaining true to our oaths and values—we will have accomplished something meaningful. Perhaps the impact socially and economically could create an upswing in societal engagement. The question remains: are we there yet? If we are that is fine but if we are not then how do we improve? Solving complex problems requires commitment to seeing the full problem and the full scope of potential solutions. Wait some time before coming to a conclusion.
*As a hypothetical, philosophical, theoretical thought experiment one can change around the pieces and come to any conclusion they so desire. The only goal is to take a minute and think about it. If you have done that at a deeper level, versus jumping to a ready made conclusion someone else offered, you did your part.
