Sort of Prayer

Bored and because it's sheer fun, I elaborated on the initial lecture for media students in Dubrovnik, the closest that might be considered as recipients of scholarship in my native town.

For intro, and to stir up participation, the story of Johnson's On Bashfulness. For those not acquainted with this miniature gem, here. Next, different meanings of the word 'critical;' emphasis on critical thinking each journalist should develop, followed by the importance of inadvertent rifts opened in any produced 'text' - i.e. the talk of ourselves in any talk we talk. Finally, a warning in direction of the realm of values.

This last bit I find most troublesome. Is there any consensus on values that is not hot air? Pedagogues, as I recall, have for example darling bits on respect for pupils' personalities but will make idiots of them any day. What is truly important? The bullshit on free exchange of goods and migration of individuals?

This, I think, actually cannot be proclaimed. Glory to lawyers, but this is something you will be able to feel.

Just the other day, I learned of the 'futuristic' estimates of psychiatric health for Europe 2070, which claim 25% of lives would end in suicide. A grim prognosis.

It will embarassingly turn out I am devout, but here is my answer, that I actually had on my pin-up cork portion of the hall wall, an 'open' quote by Hans Küng:

"What can we know? Why is there anything at all? Why not nothing? What ought we to do? Why and to whom are we finally responsible? What may we hope? Why are we here? What is it all about? And, finally, what will give us courage for life and what courage for death?"