Broke Down Spirit » The Bucket http://www.brokedownspirit.com Blessed are the poor in spirit... Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:28:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Through the lens of giftedness http://www.brokedownspirit.com/2009/07/through-the-lens-of-giftedness/ http://www.brokedownspirit.com/2009/07/through-the-lens-of-giftedness/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:40:30 +0000 Broken Too http://www.brokedownspirit.com/?p=218 Through the lens of giftedness… <<< Click to download file (Word .doc)

Abstract

Gifted people are driven by a force that is greater than the norm and the effects are not only experienced in positive results, but permeates every facets of a person’s life in childhood and adulthood. Parents and teachers of gifted children require a different approach in order to help the gifted child become fully self-realized.

An article by Linda Kreger Silverman, PhD. [Almost fourteen pages of single-spaced text. Worth the read if you or someone you care about struggles with the issue of giftedness.]


]]> http://www.brokedownspirit.com/2009/07/through-the-lens-of-giftedness/feed/ 2 A Theory of Civilization (Philip Atkinson) http://www.brokedownspirit.com/2009/02/a-theory-of-civilization-philip-atkinson/ http://www.brokedownspirit.com/2009/02/a-theory-of-civilization-philip-atkinson/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:24:41 +0000 Broken Too http://www.brokedownspirit.com/?p=39 Check out these tables. They comprise a graphical summary of information from A Theory of Civilization by Philip Atkinson. I find his A Study of Our Decline particularly insightful.

Two Kinds Of Understanding
Unselfish (Sane) Selfish (Insane)
Others are more important than self Nothing is more important than self.
Self-Restraint Inspired by the needs of others for their dignity, peace, property, and lives. Self-Restraint Enforced only by convenience—the reaction of others.
Truth Essential for self-restraint to recognise when it is needed. This imposes a constraint on the impact of fear and fancy upon observation, and enforces a sober view of events. Truth Irrelevant convenience dictates all restraints, and without this private sense of restraint observations become readily distorted by the influence of fear and fancy.
Clear Right And Wrong While the individual may fail to always do right, the result will be private feelings of guilt and shame; a knowledge of doing wrong. No Right And Wrong just good and bad results for self. Shame and guilt only exist in the pleas of individuals discovered in crime.
Competent Armed with truth, inspired by duty, and powered by resolve realises pursuit of achievements regardless of private sacrifice. Incompetent Indifference to truth, irresolute and uninspired, prevents any worthwhile achievement except in boasts or excuses.


Impact Of The Nature Of Public Understanding On The Community
Unselfish Selfish
Ordered Development Of Manners, Customs, And Laws: A fixed set of values allows us to learn from experiences and so establish and regularly enhance a code of living for the benefit of all. Chaotic Destruction Of Manners, Customs, And Laws: Convenience determines what is good , just or true, and this varies depending upon who, where and when, which prevents the adoption of any clear fixed code, and undermines any existing such codes, to the detriment of all.
Powerful Competent, Resolute and Sure allows the community to recognise and overcome its problems. Impotent Incompetent, Irresolute and Deluded Prevents the community from recognising or resolving its problems.


The Institution Of Marriage
Once (circa 1800) stabilised and empowered the community Now (circa 2000) destabilises the organisation, and dissipates the energy, of the community
Placing private whim second to community needs demanded a Lifetime of :

• Fidelity and loyalty
• Toleration of others
• Obedience from wife and children
• Responsibility and dedication from husband

So

a. Channeling sexual energy into work and vitalizing the community.
b. Setting clear roles and responsibilities for the two genders so every-one knows what is expected of them.
c. Establishing the notions of:

• Authority—unquestioning obedience to the father, with this relationship being instruction on the future relationship between the community and the citizen.
• Nurturing—the care shown to all family members by the mother.
• The importance of the group—with the family being more important than any single member.
Placing private whim ahead of communal needs through easy divorce discards the need for:

• Fidelity and loyalty
• Toleration
• Obedience
• Responsibility and dedication

So

a. Dissipating sexual energy and enervating the community.
b. Confusing the roles and responsibilities for the two genders, creating uncertainty about duties and behaviour.
c. Discarding the notion of:

• Authority— as there is none exercised without question, and this relationship becomes the instruction on the future relationship between the community and the citizen.
• Nurturing—the adults are only together out of self-interest.
• The importance of the group— with everyone showing only a selfish concern.



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