I'll certainly second that motion. "In humor, the truth doth out."

So true. Never assume. Actually, never assume that someone else's parameters of control are what you assume them to be. Ask and clarify, as was needed with your eldest GD. What a horrible thing to have happen! Burn them at the stake! But then, that teacher had misconceptions of what his/her control parameters were--according to state, local, personal standards--so, who goes on the stake first, and what does that accomplish as a way to make changes so this mistake never happens again? It's never simple, is it? But I think asking about parameters of control for all concerned is a way to get information so a rational decision can be made. The problem is that lighting a fire is way more emotionally rewarding... We can only try.

Thanks, David, for sharing your situation. It is helpful in this pandemic to be somewhat naturally isolated and not be buried in the complexities of more of an urban lifestyle. It sounds like a good idea to continue at least some aspect of home-schooling since it seems to be working for you all at present, especially with the investment you already have in it. And time will tell, for sure. In one of my teaching positions in Alaska (the last five years), I worked in a school that only provided materials and guidance for home-schooled students and their parents. Some were successes for years, some managed to make it through one year OK and that was it, and some were complete disasters--roughly in proportions of a third each. The biggest challenge of my job wasn't the kids, but the parents: convincing them that they had to learn how to be teachers and helping them do that. So many just thought that tossing their kids a book would take care of the job. Well, you know how that would work out. Bravo to everyone in your family for doing their jobs!

Thanks for the thoughts, and I agree that our planet has so many fantastic species to appreciate. It makes me wonder what it is that drives us to ignore what is literally underfoot and instead focus on what might be out there in forbidding regions of space--at least, some of us, right? Probably somewhere in the genes, as most things are, directly or indirectly.

Good ruminating. Certainly, evolution as manifested through the base value of control in order to survive will be there. Beyond that, what other values might be helpful? As discussed in Unit IV of Control, I hold out some hope for ecological and conflict resolution concepts to make positive changes: basically, having a better understanding of our environments, physical and living, and doing better at decision-making regarding inevitable conflict. With decision-making in particular, seeking win-win rather than win-lose results (nonzero-sum vs zero-sum) would be a huge value shift for humanity, but holds much promise for survival--of all. Getting to that point? An unbelievable task, and would probably take a major change, as you suggest (catastrophe?) to motivate us "intelligent" ones to take meaningful action. I think that's what it will take, if even then.

Boy, ya got me, regarding moving into the future. How about all three: value, lifestyle, and physical trait? Let's see, all living beings change their physical traits for adaptation to the future. This, in turn, usually means a change in lifestyle--how they control food access, protection, reproduction, etc. So, we will follow what other life forms have done and will continue to do since we're part of them. Then we come to values, which imply some level of brain function that allows thinking about ourselves and thinking about what we do. We can only suppose that some other mammals on Earth, and some beings on other planets, are capable of that to some degree. But, we do know that humans can conceive of value and think up different ones as part of our cultures. Now, what will we do with that capacity to take action based on those values for adaption into the future? Well, that's the BIG question, isn't it? Disappointing at present but hopeful is where we are, I figure. How it all turns out will be "fun to ruminate on," as you stated, since our individual ability to effect much control over it all is quite limited--for us peons, in particular. The others in better positions of control? They seem to be struggling. Maybe it's time for the peons to give them a little more help. Revolution anyone? But then, we'd never agree on the type . . . because we'd never agree on the values. Anybody see a little circular motion in all this?

Thanks. I try, and do enjoy the attempt.