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Practically Idealistic blog
 
The title for this blog originated with use of the term “practical idealist” in this 1996 opinion piece, which asked: “To what kind of work should a practical idealist aspire?” A century and a half earlier, Emerson, in his 1841 essay Circles, wrote: “There are degrees in idealism.  We learn first to play with it academically. . . .  Then we see in the heyday of youth and poetry that it may be true, that it is true in gleams and fragments.  Then, its countenance waxes stern and grand, and we see that it must be true.  It now shows itself ethical and practical.”  John Dewey and Mahatma Gandhi embraced practical idealism in the 20th century, as did UN Secretary General U Thant.  Al Gore invoked it in a 1998 speech. In the context of this blog, the term is meant to convey idealism tempered but not overwhelmed by realism: a search for the ideal on a path guided by common sense.
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Sunday, September 12, 2021

Son Defeats Dad, One-on-One

This is to record that my son beat me in one-on-basketball for the first time today, 11-9. I was a bit chagrined but more proud!  Complacency, size, and strength are no longer enough; this dad will have to bring more effort and skill to keep up with the younger generation!

8:42 pm edt 

Saturday, September 11, 2021

September 11, Twenty Years Later

Today's 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, during which I was on Manhattan's West 26th Street that day in 2001, resonated.

Some memories, for example of walking rapidly north with the smell of fire in the air amid a city shaken by shock and uncertainty, remain vivid.

On the tenth anniversary on September 11, 2011, I posted some reflections which are a further reminder.  Peace to all.

8:43 am edt 


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