I am glad to see you all again. This was the first time I experienced this period as a real vacation. Elections finally over, clocks in sync again, the delivery of my second poetry collection, a day to commemorate the death of my wife with family. All is normal again
and yet I am going to do something unusual. I am going to tell you that next Thursday there will be no lecture. The reason: for the first time in maybe more than 40 years I am going to attend a lecture that evening.
There will be two speakers and the themes of the lectures are those which we have discussed here dozens of times already. I am curious to learn what these two university professors have to say about the subjects.
The first speaker is Mariska Kret, a professor of comparative psychology and affective neuroscience at Leiden University. In February 2024, she received the first Mercator Sapiens Stimulus, a prize from the KHMW to stimulate innovative scientific research.
In her lecture "Emotion and reason in interaction. Evolutionary drivers of our social behavior", she discusses expressions of emotion in humans and great apes.
Because just like humans, primates see what is going on in others and respond to this. Emotional expressions of others influence their social behavior
and sometimes even help in entering into romantic relationships. If we can better interpret each other's emotions, this can contribute to stronger social connections. I hope she'll tell me about the latest research in this field.
The second speaker is Jan Willem Duyvendak, professor of Sociology at the University of Amsterdam and Director of the Netherlands Institute of Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS).
Duyvendak is mainly concerned with the change in the welfare state and with diversity and inclusion and nativism. His lecture "The Inability to Tolerate Differences. Ghost Gaps,
Feeling at Home and Decreasing Tolerance" is about the growing inability of people to deal with differences.
Not because those differences have become greater (because they haven't) but because people are less able to deal with them.
What interests me is why are people less able to deal with differences too. I personally have some ideas about the answer. One possible answer is the effects of social media.
Just imagine, you are a totally unimportant number 13 in a dozen people at a computer screen and on Twitter or Facebook. Of course, you think of yourself as being important with clear opinions about everything.
No matter how controversial those opinions are, you dump them on social media. And then comes the reward. People react to them. You dismiss the negative reactions as stupid and backward and the positive ones are honey for your Ego.
And if you do this long and often enough, you create your own bubble of your own rightness and you lose the feeling that you actually need to substantiate your opinions with good facts and arguments.
I am really curious to learn how this professor will explain the reason(s) why people have become more intolerant and polarized.
So, for you all, Thursday is again an extra day off...and I'll see you next Tuesday, so I can tell you what I have learned.
Thank you for your attention again...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
[13:09] Feeling at Home and Decreasing Tolerance" is about the growing inability of people to deal with differences.
[13:09]
[13:09] Sookie Hart (sookicatalina): That sounds really interesting...both speakers
[13:09] Max Chatnoir: They're doing both at the same event?
[13:09] herman Bergson: yes ! :-)
[13:09] Max Chatnoir: Wow!
[13:09] Not because those differences have become greater (because they haven't) but because people are less able to deal with them.
[13:09]
[13:10] What interests me is why are people less able to deal with differences too. I personally have some ideas about the answer. One possible answer is the effects of social media.
[13:10]
[13:10] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) whispers: right
[13:10] Just imagine, you are a totally unimportant number 13 in a dozen people at a computer screen and on Twitter or Facebook. Of course, you think of yourself as being important with clear opinions about everything.
[13:10]
[13:10] No matter how controversial those opinions are, you dump them on social media. And then comes the reward. People react to them. You dismiss the negative reactions as stupid and backward and the positive ones are honey for your Ego.
[13:10]
[13:10] bergfrau Apfelbaum: that sounds interesting, Herman
[13:11] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:11] And if you do this long and often enough, you create your own bubble of your own rightness and you lose the feeling that you actually need to substantiate your opinions with good facts and arguments.
[13:11]
[13:11] bergfrau Apfelbaum: maybe you can find new SL users there for your great philosophy class :-)
[13:11] Max Chatnoir: Oh, good idea, Bergie!
[13:12] herman Bergson: This lecture is in RL
[13:12] I am really curious to learn how this professor will explain the reason(s) why people have become more intolerant and polarized.
[13:12]
[13:12] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) whispers: may i put in that friday is IDRAC in sl
[13:12] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) whispers: https://virtualability.org/idrac-2024/
[13:12] So, for you all, Thursday is again an extra day off...and I'll see you next Tuesday, so I can tell you what I have learned.
[13:12]
[13:12] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is going on about AI
[13:13] Thank you for your attention again...
[13:13] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): if anyone is interested I can give the landmark
[13:13] herman Bergson: Wow...lot is going on now :-)
[13:13] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:13] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): always
[13:13] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): seems so yes
[13:13] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:14] herman Bergson: Commercials during my lecture !!! Wow....5that is new :-))
[13:14] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:14] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:14] bergfrau Apfelbaum: @ herman Bergson: This lecture is in RL: we are all from the RL .-)))
[13:14] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and it will be streamed
[13:14] herman Bergson: But what are you talkig anout Gemma, what is it?
[13:14] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): check out the link
[13:15] herman Bergson: ok, I will :-)
[13:15] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): virtual ability presents this conference in world every year
[13:15] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ty fort the link
[13:15] herman Bergson: I sacrifice an SL lecture for an RL lecture, Bergie :-))
[13:15] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and it is all centered on aI possibilities for disabled
[13:15] herman Bergson: As Sooki said...It might be veryinteresting
[13:15] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in rl
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it always is
[13:16] herman Bergson: I have to take the bus to Haarlem
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you can look at all the scenery on the way
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is nice
[13:16] herman Bergson smiles
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bus is good
[13:16] herman Bergson: It will be dark Gemma :-)
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh darn
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:17] herman Bergson: `Lecture is at 8 PM
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:17] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): is thre a bus back?
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): stay overnight
[13:17] herman Bergson: I never go out in the evenings....first time since centuries :-)
[13:17] Max Chatnoir: We will be looking forward to hearing all about it!
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): get a hotel room
[13:17] herman Bergson: No no...is a 30-minute ride
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): don't want you out roaming in the dark!
[13:18] herman Bergson: :-)
[13:18] herman Bergson: I'll be armed and dangerous :-)))
[13:18] bergfrau Apfelbaum: lol Gemma
[13:18] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol
[13:19] herman Bergson: But all in all....a mini-adventure for me :-)
[13:19] bergfrau Apfelbaum: lol Herman! with a butter knife?
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): great
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe the beginning for more
[13:19] bergfrau Apfelbaum: you can also take a taxi, rich man:-)
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): haha
[13:19] herman Bergson: Who knows :-)
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:20] herman Bergson: But this lecture is once per two years :-)
[13:20] herman Bergson: so plenty of time to recover
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well there may be others inbetween
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): from other places
[13:21] herman Bergson: Going out and leaving the house is a healthy thing to do, indeed
[13:21] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yes
[13:21] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): you're going alone or with friends?
[13:22] herman Bergson: I go alone and have dinner before the lecture at my daughter's home in Haarlem :-)
[13:22] Max Chatnoir: Will there be a discussion after the presentation?
[13:22] herman Bergson: So...gonna be cozy too
[13:22] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ツ
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ood
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): perfect
[13:22] herman Bergson: I don't know Max
[13:23] herman Bergson: But if so I will ask the psychology prof what progress is made in the field
[13:23] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it's always nice if you can discus with other people
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaah
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:24] bergfrau Apfelbaum: mhm:-)
[13:24] herman Bergson: It is better than yelling nonsense in Twitter
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true true
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh so true
[13:24] bergfrau Apfelbaum: what is twitter?
[13:24] bergfrau Apfelbaum: Lol
[13:24] herman Bergson: X now
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): social media that is not very social now
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and owned by Musk
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): who is buying the president
[13:25] herman Bergson: his private swamp
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the new president
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and a place that a certain president will soon fill with sewage again
[13:25] bergfrau Apfelbaum: grins .. i know that but i don't like social media
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): trie, and also those 2 are best friends
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i dont like it much
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the uber-rich ones
[13:25] bergfrau Apfelbaum: i just use whatsapp
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): rarely visit it
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (shudders)
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): tried it sometime but i mostly use fb
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cause all my friends and events ect are there
[13:26] herman Bergson: I have dropped my interest in American politics....have made myself just a passive observer...
[13:26] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): can narcists have friends?
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): stopped that too years ago
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): where we post things like our dance events and other things or just the saturday fika together
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): mirrors of themselves beertje ... yes
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the group system is very useful on FB
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that's true
[13:27] herman Bergson: Now I follow the "Let's see what will happen"principle :-)
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): with popcorn and lay back Herman?
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess that's all we can do for now
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Ari gave an excellent talk on that way of thinking that helped me a lot last Saturday
[13:27] herman Bergson: Exactly, Beertje :-))
[13:28] Max Chatnoir: Oh, I"m sorry I missed that. Was it recorded?
[13:28] herman Bergson: And since a week or so I amuse myself with the Quest 3 VR viewer device :-)
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nice
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STTrRr1ksCE
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): after the commercials
[13:29] herman Bergson: Who is Ari, Gemma?
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: Thanks, Gemma!
[13:29] herman Bergson: Aristotle?
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): this man on MSNBC
[13:29] herman Bergson: Melber
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Velshi
[13:29] herman Bergson: Ari Melber
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok, not familiar
[13:29] herman Bergson: Veshi...he is better
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): excellent commentator
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:30] herman Bergson: he is
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i like his thinking
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ill check
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki
[13:30] herman Bergson: yes me too....I'll gonna watch him
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): good
[13:31] herman Bergson: We are still on high alert, I see :-)
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): after this outcome we need to be i think
[13:32] herman Bergson: Oh...by the way....one remark about the elections....just one...
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:32] herman Bergson: American men never vote for a woman even if she is promissing and good :-)
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not yet anyway
[13:32] Max Chatnoir: So it seems.
[13:33] herman Bergson: That has been proven again this time :-)
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so far
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sadly seems so, woman or/and black no chanse despide what she stands for
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): tragic indeed
[13:33] bergfrau Apfelbaum: wappler
[13:33] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol Bergie
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahaha yes
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki
[13:34] herman Bergson: Well...after everything that has happened, they rather even vote for a criminal than for a woman
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its just ....
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what the!
[13:34] Max Chatnoir: That's a sobering thought!
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it sure is
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed!
[13:34] herman Bergson: I think a lot of men relate the the Grab the Pussy mentality...
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and most of all the charges will disappear
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): except from the historians
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): he belongs in a padded totallt soundproof cell, not in the white house
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): grab him by his balls..
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the evidence is stsggering, but americans dont think that way, its a cult!
[13:35] herman Bergson: No no Bejiita, there you are mistaken....
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sheesh
[13:35] herman Bergson: A country gets the president it votes for...that is democracy
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and it seems it is happening in other ways all over the world
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well that i true
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): is
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in other countries
[13:36] herman Bergson: You may not like the outcome, but that is your problem :-)
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Velshi talks about that too
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but it seems so manipulated everything in US like propaganda almost
[13:36] herman Bergson: So lean back and watch the show, Beertje will make popcorn
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yay
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess that is an option
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and i like popcirn
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yum!
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): with lot of butter
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or some nice seasoning3
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:37] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Bejiita gets a big butt again
[13:37] herman Bergson: So, that is settled then....
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahahaha
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:38] herman Bergson: I'll be to the lecture on Thursday evening and you may relax that evening :-)
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): great
[13:38] herman Bergson: And I hope I have something interesting to tell on Tuesday
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yum tnx!
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:39] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): komt deze lecture op youtube?
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:39] Max Chatnoir: I will look forward to it!
[13:39] herman Bergson: no idea
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ill look forward to that Herman!
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
[13:39] herman Bergson: Name is "Spaarne lezing"
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:41] herman Bergson: Well to check out the links Gemma gave us...
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:41] herman Bergson: So, thank you all again.
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:41] herman Bergson: Class dismissed....
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:41] Guestboook van tipjar stand: Gemma Cleanslate donated L$200. Thank you very much, it is much appreciated!
[13:41] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman and have a nice day thursday
[13:41] bergfrau Apfelbaum: https://khmw.nl/events/spaarnelezing-3/
[13:41] herman Bergson: Feel free to stay however :-)
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: Oh, thanks, Bergie!
[13:42] herman Bergson: Good to practice Dutch :-)
[13:42] bergfrau Apfelbaum: 🍎thank you Herman and class ♥
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ahhh borrel na afloop:))))
[13:42] herman Bergson: Really?
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa ok the name of the ectore is spaarne, did a translate
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: right mouse button and translate :-)
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): see you next tuesday I hope
[13:43] herman Bergson: Well, I had mt flue shot today :-)
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ineed to learn dutch a bit more
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh go to bed
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): rest
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki Herman
[13:43] herman Bergson: why that Gemma?
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye for now
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): a borrel helps
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Gemma
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): to avoid aches
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): c u soon
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: byebye Gemma
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: :-)
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] herman Bergson: I see :-)
