The Winter of Our Discontent

Quote of the Day:
"Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up in the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments."
~ John Steinbeck ~

Gardens are instructive. I think they provide a miniature view into the of the inner workings of Creation. The Universe appears to be composed of two complimentary aspects which are constantly providing alternating points of view. Expansion and contraction, flexion and extension, creation and entropy all compromise the fundamental properties of the god / universe.

It may seem rather strange that such a spectacle is not readily and easily understood.

I have been thinking about creation, god and the universe. It appears that there is a lot to learn. What I have finally understood, however, is that these two aspects of god or the universe are constantly being flung in our collective faces. Maybe these ideas are difficult to grasp because they are so close, so normal and such an intricate part of everyday life. Sometimes the obvious eludes us. We can't see past the barriers we have constructed and accepted as the 'truth.'

The shift has been provoked by new learning of old concepts. Remembering and understanding are two different projects. In the first all you do is regurgitate the facts, theories or ideas. In the second, you begin to apply what has been learned after the initial learning and integrate the whole idea together. Sometimes, you can even See it in action.

There is a situation presently in progress which points to the expansion and contraction of ideas. The libraries in Salinas California may close for lack of funding. If learning and knowledge qualify as expansion closing a library looks like an act of contractility to me.

SALINAS – Trying to avert a literary dark age in John Steinbeck's hometown, dozens of authors, activists and celebrities will read for 24 hours straight in front of one of the city's public libraries set to close because of a budget shortfall.

Although the read-in isn't a fund-raiser, it's expected to help increase contributions to an effort that would keep the libraries open on a part-time basis through December. That drive is now less than $100,000 shy of its $500,000 goal. Library supporters also are working on a tax measure that would keep the libraries open beyond this year.

If its libraries close, Salinas, with a population of more than 150,000, would become the most populous U.S. city without a public library.

City officials said they had no other choice but to close the libraries because of a drop in sales tax revenue and the transfer of local property tax money to the state. In fiscal 2004-2005, $4.5 million will go to Sacramento, and the library budget is about $3 million.

"One could conclude if we weren't transferring money to the state, we'd have our libraries open," City Manager Dave Mora said.

In November, voters rejected a half-cent increase in the sales tax to preserve city services."

I wonder what the 'Terminator' thinks about this. Maybe reading and learning are for 'girly girls?' In a choice between city services and libraries, basic needs always win.

It appears we are about to enter the Winter of Our Discontent.

Culture Current Events Society