Fishing with Gypsies for New Paradigms Over a Fresh Pot of Caffeinated Beer

Fresh perspectives will usually give us new insights into the plethora of problems that we face as a society. The various ways in which we choose to see an issue is proportional to the number of solutions that might be available for application to the problem. Humanity limits themselves when they stop dreaming, wondering, and thinking outside of the box. The reason for our hesitation, or inability, to step back and take a a different look at an issue may be that the problem is too complex, too difficult, or too personal.

In a recent article of Wired magazine several people were asked the question of where they were when inspiration struck. Interestingly enough most, if not all, that were questioned said that the epiphany came when they were no longer thinking about the issue and had found themselves in a place far removed from subject in question. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, was plowing a field when the even furrows gave him the idea projecting moving pictures line by line. Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, got the idea of quantum electrodynamics by watching somebody toss a wobbling plate in the air while in the Cornell cafeteria. J. K. Rowling, while stuck on a train between Manchester and London with no writing implements, worked out the whole concept of Harry Potter in her head (Wired April 2008 p:148).

In the book, Models of Teaching, the concept of synectics is introduced as a model for processing information. Synectics, developed by William J. Gordon, was originally introduced as a creative approach to problem solving. The basic concept is to help a subject think metaphorically about an issue without thinking directly about the issue itself. As previously mentioned, when we are too close to a subject we loose our ability to approach the issue clearly and creatively.

“When stuck, we have to back away from what appears to be logical thought and then return to see if we can redefine the problem and seek alternative solutions” (Joyce 159).

All of this is fascinating and provides us with a valuable tool for brainstorming, classroom interaction, and dealing with moral and ethical issues. But, what about the ability to engage a much larger group of individuals with the intent of bringing them to bear on the issues of social reform? We are actually engaged in this large scale synectics exercise each time we watch a movie, television program, or read a work of fiction. These forms of media generally take everyday issues and concepts and work them out metaphorically. When we discuss our favorite character and how they engaged a particular issue we are also working through the issue as well. We either agree or disagree with their resolution of the situation and by doing so we have also defined how we would probably resolve a similar issue in our own reality. In a recent interview Ron Moore, re-creator of Battlestar Galactica, commented on the handling of religious issues in his shows.

“You can deal with religion more aggressively in science fiction than you can in contemporary shows. You get a pass because everyone agrees it's not Christianity or Islam or any of those things that we're so freaked out about. Even though it is” (Wired June 2008 p:181).

Fresh perspectives abound all around us if we choose to engage them. The concept of synectics may be hard to grasp, or even explain, yet, it is already occurring in our daily lives. Each time we share a story or show a movie or television clip to support what we are teaching or the concept we are championing, we are engaged in synectics. We discover that we only need to practice the final phase of the process–comparison to the initial issue– because the prior phases have already been achieved through our daily interaction with popular media.

A Re-imagining Of Benedict's Rule Chapter One

It is well known that there are four kinds of worshipers. The first kind is that of the Faithful Attender, that is, those who live in accountability and under the teaching of a pastor.

The second kind is that of the Missionary and Discipler, those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long practice and the help of the body, have already learned to stand strong against the temptations of the world; and going forth from the rank of their fellow worshipers well trained for service in the world, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.

But a third and most vile class of worshipers is that of the Casual Attender, who with no experience to guide them, and no discipleship to try them as gold is tried in the fire; but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their actions, they clearly lie to God by their dangling crosses and witness bracelets. Hanging out in two's and three's, or even singly, without accountability, enclosed, not in the body, but in their own gathering. Their law is what they like to do, whatever makes them happy. Anything they believe and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden.

But the fourth class of worshiper is that called the Church-Hopper, who spend their entire lives going from one church to another, staying three or four months or a year at a time in different congregations. Always on the move they never settle down, they are slaves to their own wills and gross appetites, and are in every way worse than the Casual Attender. It is better to keep silent than to speak of all these and their disgraceful away of life.

Therefore, let us pass them by and, with the help of Christ, proceed to draw up a plan for the strong kind, the Faithful Attender.

Empty Spaces

Our lives are full of empty spaces.

Gaps and holes that we hunger to fill with meaning.

As children we expect our family and friends to fill these voids and occasionally some succeed. Sadly, in may cases, they fail us because they are also expecting reciprocal completeness through their children, family, and friends. And so this cycle of need continues. Partners, in many ways, represent the very relationship that can seemingly succeed in making us feel whole; hence the term “better half”. More likely than not, we will still have several significant areas that require other relationships for our completeness to take place. Some may find close friendships are the final touch that’s needed. Still, many will continue to seek and go from relationship to relationship, or even multiple relationships, striving to satisfy the hunger that gnaws within them.

We are told that God in Jesus Christ provides the true fulfilling that we seek and crave. But even more surprising is the mystery that we still need others to properly complete us. The people we are journeying with through living, loving, and learning, become the incarnate body of Christ. Through becoming part of this new body we find our purpose and the source of all things we have been desperate to have in our lives. We no longer see ourselves as the main body that needs the parts of others but that we are a part of something much larger, grander, and oh so magnificent.