We (humans) are all too often emphasizing that we are superior to the other “real” animals because we have a consciousness. Yet people often say, when I mention that I eat vegetarian food, that animals also eat other animals. That is true, but here we do equate humans with other animals. Humans are the onlyContinue reading “Vegetarianism”
Author Archives: idealisttoreality
Quotes (on idealism) to think about
“Scratch any cynic and you will find a disappointed idealist.” – George Carlin “…After all, the chief business of the American people is business. They are profoundly concerned with producing, buying, selling, investing and prospering in the world. I am strongly of the opinion that the great majority of people will always find these areContinue reading “Quotes (on idealism) to think about”
Sylvia Plath: poetry with the intensity of her soul
While I was reading “Jij zegt het” from Connie Palmen, I became interested in one of the main characters, named Sylvia Plath. She intrigued me and I became curious in her own life story. I searched her on Google and came across “The Bell Jar”, her only novel, mostly autobiographical. Despite the fact that itContinue reading “Sylvia Plath: poetry with the intensity of her soul”
Amnesty International: because all human have rights
Amnesty International is an organization that fights for compliance with human rights around the whole world. Active since 1977, this association is already gone through many years of petitions, letter writing campaigns, protests and trying to raise awareness. And this commitment pays off, one third of the actions result in an (immediate) release of anContinue reading “Amnesty International: because all human have rights”
Because some people apparently have no feelings
I want to talk today about people experiencing traumatic event after traumatic event. People who no longer have a house or property. People who lose loved ones overnight. People who have seen things that no one should ever see. People who have insufficient food and drink at their disposal. People who cross the road toContinue reading “Because some people apparently have no feelings”
Me, you and we: the power of empathy and support
Why are empathy, acceptance and support actually needed? Why does society have to invest in these standards and make them (back) important values? Many people do not feel supported in today’s society. People with a different culture, sexual orientation, etc. are almost routinely excluded due to the fact that their culture/behaviour is unknown to “normal”Continue reading “Me, you and we: the power of empathy and support”
What to do?
Want to know more about effective altruism? By this term we mean charity that maximizes the improvement of the circumstances of the targeted audience. Some websites: https://eavlaanderen.org/ https://app.effectivealtruism.org/donations/new/organizations Donate according to the principle of effective altruism? When you are looking for the most effective charities, I advise you to take an alternative on these websites:Continue reading “What to do?”
The human condition of searching for meaning
Meaning is something difficult. We, as human, see it as an important subject, but we create that importance by ourselves. It seems that searching for meaning is part of being human, that it’s in our DNA. Perhaps it is an evolutionary protection mechanism or just an accidental spur of our human intelligence or our consciousness.Continue reading “The human condition of searching for meaning”
To wonder
I often wonder how the society has become what she is today. I wonder about animals in clothes, whole organisations, the internet and how we could create this big clew of human influence. I sit in the bus while the world is passing by and suddenly everything that I always found normal, everything I didn’tContinue reading “To wonder”
Meaning of life and freedom
I don’t know if doubt about the meaning of life is the best situation we can find ourselves in. But I think life consists of doubt, nothing is certain, so we are in this situation. Yet this can be liveable because there is hope. Freedom is also an important offshoot of doubt and this canContinue reading “Meaning of life and freedom”
The Idealist 