Progress - For Good Or Ill?

"Progress always involves risks; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base." ~Frederick Wilcox

First off, let me share that I am only writing this as a response to a blog post by a good friend. So before you continue with this post, it's probably a good idea to check out his post here.

I took a lot of classes in college and as expected, many of them were monotonous, boring and in terms of my career, also pointless. But there were those few classes that stood out. One of them was Spanish 343: Advanced Conversation and Composition. And the reason it stands out has nothing to do with the Spanish language but instead with this concept of "is progress good or bad?"

Well, after reading Jeff's post, it brought back memories of that class and the countless hours we spent in the classroom talking (in Spanish) about that concept. I will say, I do agree with much of what Jeff says. I mean, who can argue that pollution, nuclear bombs and overpopulation are good things? I know I could if I had a gun to my head or a debate to win but I'd be lying to myself.

But for as much as I agree that progress brings bad, I agree more that it brings good. Let me explain.

I am a big believer in progress being a good thing. I disagree that with the sentiment that "if you're not moving forward, you're moving backward". In my mind, there's a middle ground there where one can just be stagnant. And that's where I think we all end up if we don't make progress. We just live in this world that refuses to take chances. We believe in the endless possibilities but don't pursue them. We do the same things over and over even though there are better or more efficient ways to conquer even the simplest tasks. That's not a world I want to live in.

Just think. In the past 40-50 years, we've made amazing discoveries in medicine that have extended and/or improved the quality of life. Every day (I think/hope/pray), we are making progress in finding cures for incurable diseases such as AIDS and cancer. Every day, we are working on new machines that can detect and diagnose diseases earlier than ever before. Doctors have been around for centuries but thanks to the great work of many who refused to be stagnant, their work is not necessarily easier as Jeff's opening quote might suggest, but it's gotten better.

And Jeff also brings up how social ineptitude has been a byproduct of progress. In some ways, I do agree. Technology has brought about a whole new way of interacting with others and for some, it is the more preferred way. But again, where would be without this? Let's be serious. People are still interacting with each other face to face all the time. Whether that be at school, work, or just out and about in their daily lives.

So does all this new technology "diminish the effectiveness of our daily interactions"? I doubt it. Of all things, I think it enhances it because there is more interaction in general. Like Jeff said, we can connect with hundreds and thousands of people now. People from different backgrounds with different beliefs and values. How can this not be a good thing?

And Jeff's suggestion about how effective can typed words on a computer screen be is off base in my mind too. As a writer and avid reader himself, I figured he would appreciate writing of any kind but apparently if it's not face-to-face, it's not a positive thing. Words on paper or screen are effective and sometimes, even more effective than face-to-face interaction. And since people are bound to have that human interaction in their daily lives, I think Jeff is being a bit harsh in his assessment. Yes, the facial expressions, pitch/tone, and hand gestures are important but hey, isn't electronic communication better than no communication at all?

I also think the "over-reliance" argument is a bit off. So all the computers in the world shut down? God help us all, understood. But think of where we would be without the technological advances that we have seen? Instead of immediately bashing how America would freak out about it, think of the horrible situations we would be in now without them. Important communications would be that much slower. Our safety as a nation would be compromised. Any advances we have made in medicine probably do not happen. I could go on and on.

I could bring up more arguments about how progress is a good thing but I'll stop there. I understand we are a lazier generation. Why? I'm not exactly sure. But I refuse to blame it solely on the progress that been made because the progress that's been made was by those who obviously were not lazy, but instead wanted change and were willing to take risks. Again, instead of seeing progress as a way making things "easier", how about seeing it as a way of making things "better".

Jeff finishes his post with a nugget to ponder: "Because there's something to keep in mind about progress…if two people who are walking come upon a fork in the road and head the same direction, only to discover that to be the wrong direction, isn’t the one who turns around first more progressive?" Well, if you ask me (which no one did), without progress, those two people are still standing at that fork. And what good is that for anyone?

MLK Day: More Than Just A Day Off

August 28th, 1963. A day that will forever be remembered for the day Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to deliver one of the most inspirational speeches in American history. Of course, I wasn't alive at the time but every MLK Day, I make it a point to listen to the entire speech and imagine being there on that August day. Thinking about how I would swell with pride to see so many people, Blacks and Whites, gathered on the Mall, all with a common belief: for all American citizens to be equal.

46 years later, Dr. King's dream is still not fully realized, as there is still racism, sexism and more -isms still alive today. But that's not to say strides have not been made. Amendments have been passed. Schools have been integrated. And yes, a man of color has been elected to the highest office in the land. So yes, strides have been made, but there is still work to do.

Now, I know most of you have this January 19th free of work and/or school. But instead of thinking of this day as a day off, think of it as a day ON. That's right. Make it a day to do something for somebody such as volunteering. Make it a day to donate to your favorite charity. Make it a day to better yourself in some way.

So just one day before we swear in the first Black President of the United States, remember to take this day to remember and reflect upon the words and the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. He was not just a hero for minorities, but a hero for all Americans.

And do yourself a favor. Take 10 minutes out of your day and watch the complete "I have a dream" speech. Trust me, it will give you chills.



Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone!

The LOST Chronicles: Season 3

This is a post that could've (and should've) been done a month ago but I got busy with holiday season and all. That and I tend to get lazy about things that aren't mandatory. Just ask me about my college career.

(NOTE: As I write this, I am halfway through Season 4. But I will write this as if I have not seen any episodes from Season 4 yet. I think I did a fairly good job. I finish Season 4 and will be caught up on the show completely by Thursday.)

So anyways, LOST: Season 3 did not disappoint me in the end. Just like Seasons 1 and 2, I was confused every episode but also entertained in most. Here are my thoughts.

Season 2 ended with way too many storylines for my liking. Had Jack and his crew caught by the Others, Sayid and his crew stationed somewhere. And Locke and his crew blown away by the hatch. Thankfully, the first few shows answered the questions fairly quickly.

Now, I had a friend tell me that the first few episodes of Season 3 didn't really provide much of a direction because the creators didn't know when the show would end. But once they agreed on ending in Season 6, it would pick up. That friends was right.

For about 8-10 episodes, the story was moving really slow. There were way too many Jack-Juliet encounters that just kept me frustrated. Ben, who is a compelling character, was stuck on a bed thanks to surgery. Characters were spread all over so if an episode was about Jack, Kate, and Sawyer, there was little about the island crew and vice versa. One of the things I like about the show is that it kept things moving in every locale. But it was moving really, really slow.

Desmond would save Charlie's life. And I love Charlie and all, but I mean, either kill him off or stop with this whole teasing thing. Just wasting my time. Same goes for Jack's decision to finally do Ben's surgery. It took 6 episodes! Episodes such as Tricia Tanaka is dead (Hurley finding the van) were funny but didn't advance the story. Stranger in a Strange Land (Jack's Thailand trip) was just downright boring.

It wasn't until about episode 13, The Man From Tallahassee, when I really got into Season 13. And no surprise, it's because it was a story revolving around Locke. His flashbacks are still the best and his actions on the island are the most intriguing. By time we got to One of Us (Juliet coming to the camp), the season was going full speed. That's because Ben was healthy, Kate was not trying to save Jack (he came back to camp), and Locke's position in the whole thing was in question.

Next thing you know, we have Juliet trying to win over the camp by saving Claire's life and helping Sun's pregnancy, Sawyer killing Locke's "father" (great episode - maybe the best), and Naomi crashing onto the island telling them that Flight 815 was found with no survivors. It was non-stop information and action every minute, unlike the worthless (yet amusing) sex scenes between Sawyer and Kate. I mean, this is LOST, not Big Brother.

Learning about Ben's childhood and the Dharma initiative was helpful in answering some questions while also confusing me more. And the following episode with Charlie's Greatest Hits just kept me wanting more. Unfortunately, there was only the two-part finale left and like the 6 or so episodes before, the action never stopped. Charlie and Desmond work to block the signal while also not getting killed, though we know Charlie will die somehow. Locke is still unable to figure out. And Jack and the rest of the peeps are dragging Ben in the jungle to be "saved" thanks to Naomi's folks.

And right when I think I have the show figured out, the flashbacks turn into flash-forwards. YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! As if I couldn't be any more lost, they are now going to make me have to figure out from now on if we are talking about the future or the past. And by the way the season ends, it left me with a headache and a real urge to know what the heck happened to not only Jack and Kate, but the people who didn't leave the island with them. But let me digress...

You see, I didn't want to get that excited about this show but the final 8-10 episodes that just that. It really hooked me in like no other scripted drama has. I've tried with others but this is the first one where it really keeps getting better instead of running out of ideas and becoming dull. That's really refreshing for TV these days, where the life of a good show seems to be 2-3 seasons, if that (ex. Arrested Development, Love Monkey, The Mole).

As far as come quick character analyisis, sad to see Mr. Eko die. Like Locke, he made people think, something many of these people fail to do before they act (Kate, in particular). Also, saddens me to know Charlie is going. Desmond is still the man, as is Sayid, who stays my favorite person on the show. Locke is still the most interesting and I say the more flashbacks/forwards with him, the better.

Kate still bugs the hell outta me. Seriously, she doesn't listen or think. And her flashbacks prove that even more. Sawyer is still hilarious and in fact, more bearable to watch now cause he's a bit less brash around everyone. Juliet really complicates things and that's fine with me. Not 100% sold on her yet. Hurley is Hurley.

Jack is still a terrible leader. Wears his heart on his sleeve which works great in football. Not so much on an island with people who look to you to be rational and not so emotional. And Ben, talk about a con-man. I feel like he's lying every time he talks but so far, he's been pretty darn truthful. I hate the way he looks (bug-eyes creep me out) but he is a great character and I'm glad to see they didn't kill him off for some reason. He keeps me guessing and Jack, Locke, and pretty much everyone on their toes.

So all in all, Season 3 had its downs and then ups. But by the way Season 3 ended, I know Season 4 is gonna be really, really good.