Monthly Archives: April 2013

Normal Health and Happiness

Under natural conditions there are four ingredients that contribute to both our health and happiness for most humans.  These are: 1.  Nutritious diet 2.  Sufficient exercise 3.  Leisure 4.  Social networks Like most things in life these are interconnected.  For … Continue reading

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Normally Good

In the previous post I wrote about what is normally right …. the behaviors of a species that enhance survival under natural conditions.  What is normally good relates to what benefits most humans under natural conditions.  Right and good behaviors … Continue reading

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Normally Right

What a species normally needs to do to survive is right for that species.  It’s right for fish to swim and birds to fly.  It’s right for spiders to have their own web and for bees to have an elaborate … Continue reading

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Being Normal

Being normal can mean different things.  For example, not being an abnormal psychopath is a good thing, but so is not losing your identity by conforming to the norm.  I’ve been dwelling on the question of being normal under natural … Continue reading

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Injured Newlyweds touch hearts

Participants in the race and newlyweds, Jessica and Patrick Downes, injured in Boston Marathon attack, receive an outpouring of support as people open their hearts to help this young couple pay their medical expenses. (Read more via Boston Globe)

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Michael the Houseless

I mentioned previously that we are swapping home repairs for room and board with Michael.  Michael has a fascinating story which I don’t feel entitled to share.  He does share some of it himself on a web site for the … Continue reading

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Michael the Handyman

For the past three weeks we have taken in a “houseless” person who turns out to be quite a handyman.  I’d like to make several short posts about this, the first being this is an example of community economics at … Continue reading

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My Position on Gun Control Issues

A variety of passionate appeals both for and against gun control flood the Internet.  It’s time to lay my position out on this because:  1) I focus on community in general and this issue has a community component; and 2) … Continue reading

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Community Autonomy in Marion, Illinois

Autonomy enables a community to do what’s best for itself, often with greater success than with outside help.

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Community Expectations along the American Discovery Trail

Sure, people take the path of least resistance. Conservation of energy is a universal trait of living systems. Yet as an altruistic species we want to do our part to belong to others. We do people a favor when we … Continue reading

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