(Shinrin-Yoku) Shinrin-Yoku, which in English you’ll hear called Forest Bathing, is a practice of immersion in nature, and in particular in the forest. As one can see from the name, the term originated in Japan where the practice is a part of the culture. Studies have shown actual physical benefits from forest bathing beyond the …
Author Archives: JackTReason
Why Isn’t Barack Obama White?
First let me say that this is a rhetorical question. I don’t expect anyone except me to answer this. And I am addressing this question primarily to white Americans, though I welcome anyone to read it. And for full disclosure, I am a white descendant of Colonial era European white people, as well as later …
The Leap
The leap refers to people mentally crossing the gap between what we can know and what we believe without knowing. What we can reason out to be true, versus what we must believe intuitively. All supernatural claims are leaps. In each case some assumption must be made that is outside of explanation within our natural …
Pepper
It’s in the shaker on your table next to the salt. Or maybe in a tall, wooden mill waiting to be ground onto a salad or into a dish. It is boringly commonplace, and often not even mentioned when people are listing the spices they use. Pepper. As everyone but me already knew, pepper (piper …
Things We Should Do before 2025
It is hard to express my concern for America in the coming years. The election of Donald Trump to a second term as President comes with enormous peril for many. Here are some thoughts about what we can and should do: First, we need to support those institutions, groups, and individuals who have the resources …
Old Or New Republican?
Old Or New Republican? I was canvassing for elections last weekend, and a man told me he was a Republican. I asked him which one, the old or new Republican? He got quite angry at the question, and called it sarcastic, along with a lot of other words that a paper wouldn’t print, before ordering …
Brains In His Caboose
On Tuesday evening of this week I went to see a local model railroad museum. It had come to my attention in a local online news article. No, I’m not a model railroader, but I do very much like model railroads, and railroads in general. And this makes for a nice diversion from staying home …
A 14th Amendment (Section 3) Prediction
And Remedy Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution bars anyone who has formerly taken an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection, or gave aid and comfort to anyone who did from ever holding public office in the future. This seems plainly to apply to Donald Trump, who …
Alien Skepticism
I do not believe that any intelligent life has ever visited Earth, nor has any such life directed devices or craft to do so. Though I do remain open to evidence to the contrary that could change my belief, should the evidence be sufficient. My reasons are simple: I consider the vastness of the galaxy …
I’m Sorry I Offended You
(The Modern Dodge) Twice this year I’ve heard that phrase directed to me. It came from two different people in two widely separated forums. Both times they were offered when I called out someone for an indefensible and disturbing statement they had made. I’ll get to the problem in a bit, but first I’ll briefly …