Posts by Cemil Alyanak
Answer the question!
I want to see an interview — actually I would even pay to see an interview — in which the interviewee answers the question. Of course, I am referring to the US presidential elections. Why do they robotically answer questions — actually, not answer questions — by defaulting directly to talking points? No matter what…
Read MoreContinental divide
On a mass scale, social media has revolutionized how governments interact with their population and vice-versa. The 24/7 TV news cycle has also changed our relationship. Technology has also affected our individual relationships.
Read MoreAdvice, you say?
This is one of those déjà vu moments: I’m certain I’ve complained about this before. The ‘this’ is advice. People often come to us, in life, asking for advice. They consider us wise in one way or another about one topic or another. So what do we do? We evaluate their need, factor in realities…
Read MoreIs the center dead?
I would like to believe that there is an alternate Universe where the lead species works in its own interest. I would like to believe that in this Universe, people of different opinion sit down to find compromise. I would like to believe that there is a time and place, somewhere in our future, where…
Read MoreWisconsin is not Colorado
Saturday we were witness to another horrible shooting in the USA. A gunman walked into a Wisconsin Sikh Temple and shot seven people dead. This is clearly news. However, in the eyes of the media it seems to be less news than the Colorado shooting of a few weeks ago. So where is the dividing…
Read MoreIdealism vs. bunker food
As I listen to various politicians present their vision for the future, an image comes to mind, that of an all-you-can-eat buffet vs. food in a WWII bunker. Much of the political rhetoric revolves around ideal visions of the future. Communists defend the ideals of Marx and others. Socialists have their heros. Capitalists praise deregulated…
Read MoreNot ready for prime time!?
Let’s take defense as an example. Who is at the head of defense in the United States? You have at the top of the mountain, the President. Few presidents are trained military officers. Next down you have the Secretary of Defense. Same thing, few SoDs are trained military officers. The same thing applies in agriculture,…
Read MoreIt's not about winning
America is in the throws of its quadrennial presidential campaign. And, as it has been for two hundred years, one camp is all about winning. It’s not about winning in the winning of the votes sense, it’s winning in the ‘we shall prevail because we believe in the winning spirit.’ This is a critical century.…
Read MoreThe Art of Accommodation
I’m listening to a song called “Money, money”. I’m also thinking about the great ongoing debate in both the US and Europe. The current divide is about — correct me if I’m wrong — individual liberties vs. solidarity. Some call it capitalism vs. socialism. Others make it into a difference between freedom and oppression. I…
Read MoreSmart is great
I think we can all agree that smart thinking is needed to solve our world’s problems. In a world of crisis, however, it is sometimes difficult to believe that smart thinking gets the upper hand. It’s sometimes easier to believe that great ideas get buried under the weight of administrative bottlenecks, political priorities or funding…
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