Dear Members and Constituents,
“Why am I here?”, “How did it all begin?”, “What’s the best donut?” These are the big questions. If the answers were obvious and incontrovertible, the list would be comprised of other questions. Given the complexity, lack of hard evidence and subjectivity involved, it’s no surprise we don’t all agree on an answer (often, we don’t even have one). Over-simplification and false trade-offs only make matters worse. Case-in-point: the debate over science vs. religion. C’mon, really? Can’t they both be right? Science deals in the natural; religion in the super-natural. Two complementary –not contradictory—realms. With so many moving parts, it’s tempting to make a false assumption, cling to easy answers and avoid the topic. Once you’ve discarded the truth as a likely possibility, all you’re left with is a thick broth of wrong answers to stew in. It’s no wonder these questions have been around so long (some longer than others, after all, donuts were only invented in 1847).
Whatever your views, I think we can all agree debate in these areas can sometimes get circular. Speaking of circular, this week marks the beginning of a new Friday Donut Club rotation. There are four dozen circular pastries awaiting you at my desk. What better way to re-energize body, mind and, dare I say, spirit than with a donut, courtesy of Julian Kiss (donut boy).
Happy Friday!
“Why am I here?”, “How did it all begin?”, “What’s the best donut?” These are the big questions. If the answers were obvious and incontrovertible, the list would be comprised of other questions. Given the complexity, lack of hard evidence and subjectivity involved, it’s no surprise we don’t all agree on an answer (often, we don’t even have one). Over-simplification and false trade-offs only make matters worse. Case-in-point: the debate over science vs. religion. C’mon, really? Can’t they both be right? Science deals in the natural; religion in the super-natural. Two complementary –not contradictory—realms. With so many moving parts, it’s tempting to make a false assumption, cling to easy answers and avoid the topic. Once you’ve discarded the truth as a likely possibility, all you’re left with is a thick broth of wrong answers to stew in. It’s no wonder these questions have been around so long (some longer than others, after all, donuts were only invented in 1847).
Whatever your views, I think we can all agree debate in these areas can sometimes get circular. Speaking of circular, this week marks the beginning of a new Friday Donut Club rotation. There are four dozen circular pastries awaiting you at my desk. What better way to re-energize body, mind and, dare I say, spirit than with a donut, courtesy of Julian Kiss (donut boy).
Happy Friday!
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