Author Archives for David Loughry

The predictability of humans

Humans are fairly predictable in the following sense: we are usually doing things, or trying to do things, that prove we’re not apes. Even though we are apes, we would hate being mistaken for one! So we adorn ourselves with things, experiences, friends, accomplishments, and ideas. And we often prefer doing these things over actually working together to solve real problems. That’s what I often find so funny. Yet I often do it too!

I’m Watching Guns, Germs and Steel on Netflix

Jared Diamond wants to know what created such massive differences in power between civilizations.

So far, it seems to be a pretty persuasive argument, that geography helped create compelling competitive advantages for some groups of people, that continued to compound. Well, I guess geography plus germs.

But I’m afraid it’s not going to ask what I think is a more interesting question: Why don’t people treat each other better? Or perhaps more productively, under what conditions do people treat each other better?

I’ll probably write a bit more after I finish watching the series.

Finished it. I would recommend this series.

Diamond repeatedly says he began this work over 30 years ago. That strikes a chord with me. I began work on proximity thinking over 35 years ago.

The difference of course is, that no one understands my work yet. And no one supports my work. And no one believes in me.

That’s why I’ve been working on ways to put the ideas into action. Pretty much all my projects, and my art, relate to proximity thinking in one way or another.

Variety Log

Today: Was an extra on a TV show shooting on location in Marina del Rey. Played a commercial fisherman. Saw pelicans and seagulls and crabs and fish and sea lions. Saw yachts and tugboats and fishing boats. We wrapped around 4:30 PM. Took nap in car. Then went for a run around the marina. At sunset. Ran 2.66 miles. Discovered a new place to run and new running paths. Heard sea lions barking. Saw orange full moon rising above the marina. Still no health insurance. Still poor as dirt. But I didn’t live like it today.