Morning Feature: Why Ask "Why?"

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Wednesday October 07, 2009 · 4:06 AM PDT

2009/10/07 · 04:06

I have long been interested in the question, "Why do people ask 'Why?' so much?" How much of it is a need to know? Is some of it idle chatter? Are people who incessantly ask 'Why?' insecure? Or are they intrusive? What are the intentions and motivations of people who ask 'Why?'?

Recently, in NCrissieB's series on information, she posted an important diaryabout the difference among Stenographers, Sages, and Seekers in the media. Crissie points out that the Seekers are the ones to get to the bottom of 'Why?'. Seekers search the facts, question experts, and do due diligence. True Seekers in the media often don't have the time nor the financial resources to get beyond the factual answers to 'Who, What, When and Where.'

The watered-down corporatist media cannot and will not answer the most important 'Why?' questions. In my opinion, we, as informed citizens, need to spend our valuable time rooting out the most urgent and relevant 'Why's'. It's human nature, I think, to ask non-productive 'Why?' questions. But we can become conscious as to which of our 'Why?' questions are just fluff, and which are the ones to which we truly seek answers.

kktlaw

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Tuesday September 15, 2009 · 4:07 AM PDT

2009/09/15 · 04:07

First off, let me emphasize that all Kossacks are cordially welcome to the Kula Krew! Last week, we had a couple of new commentators ask if they could celebrate the Krew's anniversary party since they were new to Morning Feature. The unanimous response, was, "Welcome to this wonderful, inspiring, funny, and intelligent virtual community!"

All are certainly welcome, and if you've never read or participated in Morning Feature, please join us. Our only "rule" is that participants are courteous and reasonable in their comments. There is nary an HR at Morning Feature, but plenty of mojo for all.

For a succinct background of how Morning Feature and the Kula Krew came to be, please read NCrissieB's diary from yesterday.

kktlaw

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Wednesday July 01, 2009 · 4:49 AM PDT

2009/07/01 · 04:49

This is kind of a light diary. I had planned to delve into the "Six Degrees of Separation", but found the concepts to go beyond the scope for one (or even several) diary(ies). I'll give a few links to this interesting field below.

We Krew, I've discovered, are some of the smartest, most civil, most progressive, most enlightened, and most decent people on earth, in my humble opinion. We certainly all have "Claims to Fame" even though those claims may not be famous in the most common definition of the word.

Here is one definition of fame: "Public reputation, renowned."

Alrighty then: We Blogistanis meet those standards. Since we are a small community, we're not expected to gain wide celebrity. BUT, we are, at least within DKos, seen in a positive light, and we know we possess skills and abilities beyond "average" people, i.e. Republicans. (Time to beat chests, yell HOORAY, buff fingernails on your chests, etc. WE are already there, TEH FAMOUS!!)

More chest-beating below the fold.

kktlaw

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Wednesday April 29, 2009 · 3:58 AM PDT

2009/04/29 · 03:58

First, thanks to NCrissieB for inviting me to host Morning Feature today. Appreciation to elropsych for valuable input in the field of Emotional Intelligence. And kudos to FarWestGirl for winning the "name that diary" contest. Donald Duck eggs, fresh OJ, and tea (not in the bags) for FWG.

We, the public, want our political people to be smart, and not just "book-smart." In this diary, I posit that there are three equally important dimensions of intelligence that we can assess and score in order to monitor, promote, or dismiss politicians and others in the political world. If we can learn to identify factors of Mental Intelligence (MI), Emotional Intelligence (EI), and Social Intelligence (SI), we will begin to speak in a congruent language to affect our own and others' opinions and votes.

I have been contemplating this idea of a Multi-Dimensional Ingelligence Quotient (MDIQ) for a long time. I would like to develop the idea into (possibly) a book or an online instrument somewhat similar in style (but very different in content) to Political Compass. I'm not looking to get rich from this, and would love to hear your contributions toward my efforts. You would be duly credited for your work.

kktlaw

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Tuesday March 31, 2009 · 3:52 AM PDT

2009/03/31 · 03:52

First, thanks so much to our dear NCrissieB for inviting me to be her guest diarist today. I hope Kula is doing great, wherever she is - KULA WE MISS YOU, and here's wishing all the Kula Krew a very happy Tuesday!

How much can a person accomplish in a little over two months? OK, exactly 70 days. When I say accomplish, I mean every step from creation, development, discussion, approval, and implementation. Maybe one big project at work. Maybe one novel, maybe. Part of a basketball season. Less than one quarter of a school year.

Our President has brought to implementation more life-changing programs for millions of Americans than could be listed in this diary. OK, he did not do this alone. But under his leadership, I don't believe there has ever been a President who has changed the scope of America (for the better) in such a short time. Yes, he really can walk and chew gum at the same time, much to the Repugs' chagrin.

kktlaw

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Saturday January 24, 2009 · 3:48 AM PST

2009/01/24 · 03:48

On Thursday evening, my beloved golden retriever, Midas, died. I knew to expect this, as he was fourteen years old, but it still came as a horrible, gut-wrenching, dazing shock. Then came the tears, which are only now beginning to abate. Many of you have been through this, and so have I years ago. No matter how old our poochies and pooties are, no matter what a sweet life they've lived, nothing can prepare us for their ultimate departing.

Midas would have turned fifteen on June 29. Other than some hearing loss and mild arthritis, he was not ill. He ate his dinner on Thursday, came to me for his usual after dinner hug, then lay down for his early evening nap. He just didn't wake up. He spared us the difficult decisions whether to undergo an expensive surgery, or whether, due to multiple health problems, to "put him down." He was that kind of dog - considerate, generous, and gracious.

Below, I have posted a few pictures of Midas. As many of you know, I became disabled in early 2008 due to serious injuries in an accident. I wasn't able to retrieve (excuse the pun) most of the pictures I cherish, but I have a few to share.

kktlaw

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Sunday January 11, 2009 · 4:38 AM PST

2009/01/11 · 04:38

On this cold January morning, I thought it might be kinda fun to share some of our most importunate pet peeves. Voicing pet peeves is a personal rant. Pet peeves are, by nature, annoying small irritations that, to an individual, seem big, but may not be perceived as important to most people.

Sometimes we know our pet peeves are frivolous, but we are attached to them nevertheless. We hang on to them, like an old dysfunctional friend. We know they bug us, but we really don't want to get rid of them. So we rant about them with a sense of pride. They belong to us and we don't want to lose them.

Pet peeves run the gamut from the common to the peculiar. It seems the most common current pet peeves revolve around the issues of cell phone manners, junk mail and spam e-mail, rudeness, and driving etiquette. Near-universal pet peeves, like Rod Blagogovich's hairstyle, may be better described as social commonalities. Very particular personal pet peeves, like disdain for snow on mountains, are best defined as peculiarities. We'll get to sharing our pet peeves in a moment. Just follow me below the fold!

kktlaw

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Saturday December 20, 2008 · 12:13 AM PST

2008/12/20 · 00:13

The following is difficult to share, as I still have some "pride" intact. But I am writing this to let you know how quickly poverty can strike. Five years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disorders run rampantly in both sides of my Swedish family. This one, though, took many months of tests, biopsies, and misdiagnoses to decipher.

Meanwhile, I was becoming sicker and sicker, with bouts of dizziness, fainting, overwhelming fatigue, and ongoing fever. The diagnosis, finally, was a gastrointestinal autoimmune disease. No cure, but somewhat managed by medications.

I have had many falls in the past five years because of the sudden dizziness and/or faintness that comes upon me with no warning. By 2006 I had broken a wrist and made a noticeable dent on my forehead by a face-forward fall out of the blue in a hotel hallway. It gets worse, but then way better, below the fold. So please follow me...

kktlaw

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Saturday December 06, 2008 · 7:04 AM PST

2008/12/06 · 07:04

The campaign season is winding down, so now it’s time to turn our attention to not only WHAT they say, but HOW they say it. In the diary title, the word "mispronounciation" is, of course, snark, but I’m sure you’ve heard people mispronounce "mispronunciation" in this way.

Some of my "favorite" mispronunciations are "eckcetera" for etcetera, and "irregardless" for regardless. "Prostrate" for prostate, "drownded" for drowned, and "snuck" for sneaked. "Lie-barry" for library, "duck" tape for duct tape, and "spaded" for spayed. "Illi-noiz" for the silent "s" in Illinois and "Dez Moinz" for the two silent "s’s" in Des Moines. "Febuary" for February, "artic" for arctic, and "track" home for tract home.

And, of course, "nuuk uu ler" for nuclear. How is that our POTUS (among others) continues to mispronounce this word when he hears it pronounced so often in his work, when it’s a sure bet others have tried to correct him, and when he sees the word, it isn’t spelled even close to how he pronounces it? Find out the reasons for mispronunciation below the fold.

RSS

Morning Feature: Why Ask "Why?"

Morning Feature: Welcome to the First Anniversary Kula Krew Celebration

Morning Feature: What's Your Claim to Fame?

Morning Feature: 3D IQ - How Smart Are Our Politicians?

Morning Feature: Obama's Programs Are Already Working plus Tuesday Kossascopes

Remembering My Best (Pooch) Friend

Let's Share Some Pet Peeves

From $350K per year to $0: How I am Living (Happily) on Welfare

“Mispronounciation” and Why People Do It