What I got rid of today.

Atheist philosophy.

Today, I RID this book by Dan Dennett, about the dangers of religion. His view is that religion is a natural phenomenon, that had an evolutionary role…but that part of our evolution is now over.

An interesting take, to say the least. When I attended a Jesuit university, one of my philosophy instructors (a priest), asked us to think about evolution as something God had created. Sort of an operating system for all life. That was his way of sidestepping the perceived discrepancies.

Dennett takes the other approach. That our evolutionary system created God. A belief that allowed us to socialize, moralize, and otherwise behave in ways that benefited the overall system.

Lord I love a good debate…

Seems a bit dated already.

Today, I’m thinking a bit about media as I RID this book about the collision of old and new media.

When I started this project, I decided to blog about it for 3 reasons:

1) It would keep me honest. The social pressure would make me complete it, if it got hard. (And it has.)

2) I wanted a record of it for the future. The insights gleaned, the items and their memories, etc. I wanted a way to go back and recollect the emotional gains, if I needed to.

3) I thought many people would find this to be an interesting project. (And it seems that it has been, for some.)

So…today, I stumbled across this article.

And this quote, which I find to be directly contrary to what I’ve learned in the RID project….

“For example, you shouldn’t have the same thing posted to your Facebook page that you tweet…Come up with different content for each avenue as best as you can.”

Frankly, I couldn’t disagree more. In my case, the RID project has allowed me to focus on the essence of who I am, and what I believe. I have little interest in driving traffic, or “helping retweeters.”

I am who I am. On this blog. On Facebook. In my tweets. And…in real life.

In my case, my social media project has allowed me to relish the time OFFline, to be concerned about my real presence, and…to live life.

I’m not saying this is how everyone should feel. In fact, that’s the point…NO one but you decide what right rule applies.

Maybe you want to be a different person in every media.

That’s just not the choice I’ve made.

Middlin'.

Today, I RID this book about the “middle mind” — a book that purports to show why middle America is lowing in intelligence.

I’m proud of my Midwestern roots — they gave me a grounding in values and substance that I think I benefitted from.

But, I must admit, I’m definitely an urban dweller now – I need the culture, stimulation and general energy I get from living in a big city.

So, I RID this book today in hopes the Internet and digitization of media can be the equalizer it purports to be — bringing culture, thought, and new ideas to those who…in the past, wouldn’t have been exposed to that kind of stimulation.

Bullseye.

Today, I RID this book about Target’s path to success.

I take inspiration from this story. The younger among my readers won’t remember the days when Target was known as a downscale retailer.

By using a smart strategy centered around good design and a great shopping experience, Target not only bounced back…but thrived.

Inspiration for all of us who are looking towards brighter horizons, professionally AND personally.

Believe it or not, it exists.

One of the most aggravating parts of being an atheist is when people try to claim that religion is the only thing that keeps us moral.

It’s just not true. In fact, I know some atheists who have the highest moral center I know.

So, today I RID this book (which I read in an atheist book club) in hopes that it might open someone’s eyes to the fact that belief in God is not necessary to be a good person. On earth.

And we’ll leave the rest of the debate to another day.

Ch - Ch - Ch - ...

Today, I get RID of one of a GREAT series of books.

The authors pose big questions, and let the community answer them. The results are then published in great books.

This one is called “This will change everything,” and it’s a book where people contribute their answers to the question. Big answers abound, from genetics to global warming, to personal computing, etc.

Had a “this will change everything day” yesterday — as news of my new job broke in the media.

It was so great receiving congratulations from so many of you via Facebook, LinkedIn, and the like.

Suffice it to say, social media is changing everything.

(Now if we could just harness that power somehow.)

The realities of where we are.

Today, as I RID this book about how technology is  changing us…I’m thinking about how much technology has changed my morning rituals.

Blogging after breakfast.

iPad use (checking my daily news sites) after that.

I’ve never been someone who enjoys having the TV on in the morning…I need my quiet time too much. But, I wonder if my use of computer and iPad in the morning isn’t creating something too “noisy” on a daily basis…?

Maybe something to try out on August 1st – the first day AFTER the RID project is finished.

(Which I’m starting to see quite clearly now….I’m in the homestretch.)