Science and superstition: which one?

With the pandemic, many things took place at the same time and I have been observing for some time a struggle between science and superstition, a word I am using here in its higher form, in the minds and decisions.

One of the reasons science should win this battle is that it relies on experiments and those take time, while superstition is only observation, which is fast but not entirely reliable. There is also a subtle reality: the hesitance by scientists to accept that which cannot be proved; in this way, scientists and those who believe in science close the doors for many people to try to believe in what they say.

I consider myself a man of science and I prefer to check things before believing them; that’s the main reason I am vaccinated and I believed in the invisible virus.

However, we shouldn’t dismiss superstitions so easily. After all, they come from a long lineage of culture, religion and tradition, and any aspect of that comes also from observation and experiments.

I am following a spiritual path and I also believe in things like soul and God, things that are very unscientific. They also come from observation and experiments, and I experience benefit all the way.

How to conciliate both sides?

One suggestion is that both sides should be a little more open to the other as both can complement each other.

Science people could at least accept not everything can be proved even though, they exist. Let’s say we talk about theories, so there could be a category, such as IDEAS that congregate all that takes place and cannot be easily (if ever) checked.

In the same way, those who believe in things that have been taught as per their culture, religion or traditions, could at least try to open their minds for science, by trying to understand statistics, theories, experiments, and many other things that characterize the scientific effort.

I do believe when we unite these two different and valid sides of human kind, humanity will have taken a high jump.

Why it is relevant to discover who you are

Identity is all. Most people don’t know that because their identities seem to be quite defined, but as times change and reality offers different possibilities, maybe it is a good time to reflect on a simple question: Who am I?

An example: in Brazil, my birthplace, when people ask me my surname, or last name, I respond Gimenez; but in Colombia and Spanish-speaking countries, I had to adopt my other surname (from my mother), Bulk, due to the way Spanish-speakers write full names. It does not look like a big thing, but just think if the American ex-president John Kennedy was called John Fitzgerald in Colombia…

An identity is more than a number or an identification card; it represents you: your culture, your way of seeing things, your thoughts, emotions and your style. If you misunderstand your identity, you will feel as if you have lost precious time of your life.

In times of high use of internet and social network, I invite you to ask yourself the question: Who am I? In a reflective mood, wait for the answer that will come from within and let yourself be guided by this real identity.

Don’t let yourself be guided by the several different superficial identities that are currently defining people…

Expatriates: is this a new species?

Sometime ago, I wanted to promote a program with expatriates. With WHAT???

Yes, expatriates… And it is not a new word, it has been in use at least from the 18th century, but it has got a peak in its use in the last few years, simply because there are too many of us.

Yes, I am an expatriate…

And we are not, as some people understood, a person without a country (easy to get confused for those who speak Spanish or Portuguese). Neither are we part of a different species… We are people, OK, but a good comparison would be trees without fixed roots or free birds.

Expatriates go to another country because they have a job to do – an important difference in relation to an immigrant, who is moving to stay; after the job, the expatriate individual goes back to their country or to another one, but the immigrant will stay there until the end.

Why am talking about this? Because I feel it is a very important challenge the world in general is ignoring, with thousands of people roaming the planet without roots…

Our human society is a tree society since we are prepared from childhood to have a family, a stable job, settle somewhere, etc. Uprooted humans (a possible replacement for expatriate?) go against that general education.

And that is wonderful! As an expatriate, I feel I pollinate the world by taking experiences, points of view and values from one place to another, challenging the status quo and proposing changes to the environment where I live or go.

I thank every place for their kindness, lessons or the space to grow and although I am aware one day I may have to go from this place, I know that place will stay in my heart, in my awareness and as part of my personality.

Can vegetarianism save the world?

From time to time, opposites don't attract each other. Out of the many possible styles, choices or human realities, being vegetarian and non-vegetarian has provoked massacres along history.

But time has changed and cultures too. Everyone is a little more tolerant nowadays and strict vegetarians are used to eat along with non-vegetarians and non-vegetarians accept easily their "weird" relatives or friends who seem to eat only lettuce. I personally remember that unforgettable moment when my mother prepared a GIGANTIC palmetto salad only for me...

So, perhaps now it is the time someone impartial can analyze and understand the impact of being vegetarian in the world, because I do feel a difference can be made there by choosing this lifestyle.

There is no doubt for me that to be vegetarian is healthier and cheaper, but that is my point of view. And with news of people eating horsemeat - after all, there is not that much cows anyway - I think some are really tempted to try. Most people would love to be vegetarian if it was easier to find places who cook that food well, or if they themselves know how to cook well - after all, we can't eat that much lettuce, right?

There is also the question of ethics and as science evolves to enable us know that animals also think and feel (old news for pets' owners), there is a final conclusion: what I am eating... oh, my God, it was thinking being!!!!!!

But what will really change people's minds and at least put the vegetarian choice as something more than an eccentricity is the news that vegetarianism can impact the world. Economy. Climate change. Life.

When that choice is there and it is clear that it is a good and powerful one, people can chose it in a more conscious way.

And that in itself is a big step for changing the world.

Living in a multicultural world

Culture defines most of our traits: what we like and what we don't like, what is good and what is bad, even what is right and what is wrong. What happens then when people from different backgrounds get together for creating a family, a project or living in the same neighborhood?

Clash! Conflict, at one level or another. To be honest, tolerance is not natural.

Most people I know who live in a different cultural context long to "go back home", a place where most of the people, if not all, share a similar religion, thought, like similar songs and eat similar food.

But most people I know in that situation are incapable to go back home, because even their home has become multicultural.

My personal experience living in that context is that this is a wonderful and unique learning experience. But, to prevent much suffering, there are a few things you can do:

• Understand if that is a permanent state or just a temporary one. If it is permanent, then go on reading the suggestions here; if it is temporary, just enjoy the moment, learn as much as possible and share as much as possible!
• See others' culture from their own point of view. Appreciate as much as possible their struggle to reach to this point in time and respect deeply the differences with your own perspective.
• Compromise - some of your cultural traits are easily to leave aside, at least when you are in this multicultural environment. In relation to other traits, which have become principles along the time and so you cannot sacrifice them, make agreements with the people around you, so they understand what you are doing and respect that, appreciating your culture.
• AVOID JOKES in relation to others' cultural habits.
• If someone jokes in relation to your cultural habits, smile and be flexible about that; it that hurt, approach the person later, when you are alone, and explain it.
• When there are things you are doing, or others are doing, which are turning into difficult situations, look for a mediator who is impartial, preferably someone who understands all the sides of the conflict.
• If it is still hurting - someone's comment, jokes around, the way people treat you - then, it is better to leave that environment. Look for a place where you feel safe, do a deep internal check in and learn whatever you have to learn, let go whatever you have to let go.

Hope that is helpful in this multicultural age!

Lost or loose thoughts?

• I couldn't avoid... BroxZoosCobra's twitters were the best! Full of humour, at the same time took me into a nice tour around New York. It is still going on. I think INTERNET has become a wonderful way to know people with talent - whomever is representing the cobra is a great comedian. (or, you believe it was the cobra itself?)
• Now I have the "modern" passport. Some people are calling it electronic passport, but it is the same one (two pages more...), about 3 times more expensive and with smaller letters. No complain, however.
• Did you know life is always preparing you for something? My mind world map consists of very few countries where I would love to live, visit a few times or tour around. Korea is not one of them - my thoughts have always been in its neighbour, Japan (all my feelings for its people!). Anyway, a few years back I've met Ruth, an English woman who lived 30 years in Korea. Few years later, I've met a couple from Cartagena, Colombia, whose son was studying or working in Korea. About 2 years ago, I've met a young woman who was living in Brazil, guess where she was from?? Well, now I am about to kick off my first work of the year, with a company whose CEO is... YES! KOREAN! Then, I had all these people who gave me fascinating hints about the culture and people there.
• In relation to the former entry, I was just checking a webpage, http://www.geert-hofstede.com/. Although very professional, they say there that Korean culture is basically the same as Latin culture. Wrong, fellows! I am Latin and, no, no comparison with Korean. So, yesterday, when I was checking again on the Principle of Uncertainty, it confirmed my theory: you alter whatever you were observing. By watching each culture, people from this company they "changed" their culture.

Well, take care, see you soon!!!