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31 December 2021
Istiqlál, 02 Sharaf (Honor), 178 B.E.
Seen
Magnolia buds in front of maple tree trunk
Done
Posted first draft of “The Changing Nature of Work and Time” to Global Rebirth on Micro.blog.
Logged writing time to Greener Acres Value Network Timebank
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
Death is always an occasion for grief, but should not be for gloom. Behind the clouds lies a dazzling beauty and celestial splendor beyond all description. One reason God conceals the glories of paradise is to help us enjoy the glories of this planet. Awareness of the immortal beauty of the hereafter would prevent us from pursuing our purpose here. Would it be possible to see the majestic splendor of the sun but live by the light of a candle? … 1
All sacred scriptures have testified to another life beyond this one, and little by little they have lifted the veil of mystery. Yet because of people’s lack of receptivity and readiness, God’s Messengers have kept many mysteries undisclosed. … 2
Bahá’ís believe that the prophecies pointing to the disclosure of new knowledge and truth have been fulfilled by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—the central figures of the Bahá’í Faith. … 3
The quotations offered here present convincing evidence of the fulfillment of the prophecies, of the outpouring of heavenly knowledge by God’s latest revelation to humankind. Many of the mysteries that had been kept secret for thousands of years are disclosed in Bahá’í scriptures with astonishing clarity.
This compilation also includes quotations from the scriptures of three other religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Since Bahá’ís acknowledge the divine origin of all great faiths they treat all sacred scriptures with the same reverence as their own. This compilation, perhaps the first of its kind, is the fruit of such a belief. The quotations clearly show the oneness of all faiths and their single source.
The order of the selections is from the most recent religion to the most ancient. This arrangement is helpful because as we go back in time the degree of clarity in sacred scriptures diminishes. By studying the Bahá’í references first, we are in a better position to understand the previous scriptures.
This book is not only about life after death but also life before death. The prime purpose of looking into the hereafter is to find and fulfill our purpose here. Bahá’u’lláh brings good news not only about our infinitely sublime and everlasting destiny in God’s “many mansions,” but also about our splendid future on this plane. 4
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
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The Changing Nature of Work and Time
Traditionally, we associate work with employment. This leads to a binary labeling of people—they are either employed or unemployed. Concern shifts to how to get the number of unemployed as close to zero as possible and thereby reach the ideal end state of “full employment.” It is not a problem to exclude those who are unemployable due to age, health, capability, etc. from the count. But if a person is deemed employable, yet is not, it must be due to some character flaw in that individual or attributed (by unfettered prejudice) to a group of people to which that person belongs (more labeling). Accordingly, there is a strong resistance to state-funded welfare programs that provide assistance to those who are determined to be able but unwilling to work.
As a consequence of the ongoing pandemic and a seemingly unrelenting wave of climate change induced natural disasters, many have been removed / displaced from traditional employment. Commensurately, a growing number are “working” from home in non-traditional roles as independent contractors and small business owners or unpaid providers of essential services such as childcare, healthcare, eldercare, home schooling, meal preparation, home care, etc. to family members and close friends who are unable to care for themselves. Under these conditions, the distinctions between “visible work” counted in traditional employment measures and “invisible work,” which is critical for a functional society but not officially counted, is increasingly blurred. In other words, a lot of “good people” are unemployed / underemployed which means we must have a REAL problem!
We have reached the point where the rigid association of work with employment, absent the traditional workplace, leaves a significant percentage of the population struggling to adjust to work in this context. Adding to the confusion, time as it relates to work has taken on a new meaning. When one is not in a conventional workplace setting, the time clock no longer determines when one “on the job” or “at work.” As a result, work done apart from the conventional workplace becomes asynchronous rather than confined to a tight schedule. There are fewer meetings with set agendas added to calendars well in advance to accommodate travel arrangements to physical locations. Instead, there is a marked increase in spontaneously initiated virtual gatherings as videos calls and chat sessions that focus on immediate issues.
Now that the pandemic has marginalized time clocks, the use of time is even less clear when one’s day is divided between paid work in the “home office” and unpaid work performed in close proximity. The blending of time “at work” and “at home” becomes a somewhat seamless interface as workers resolve to wear many hats and take on a wide range of responsibilities within the same space. The lines linking time allocation to task orientation blur. This raises basic questions about how to determine the value one delivers, the time one spends doing it, and the compensation one receives for the effort expended.
This complexity suggests that the “work” as we’ve traditionally defined it gets a major makeover. To help reframe work, GAVNet curator, Bill Fulkerson, proposes the term, “meaningful engagement,” which implies a certain degree of “fuzziness” as in the application of “fuzzy logic” to better understand human behavior in complex social systems. This approach has merit when considering how individuals live out their economic lives across a complex landscape of multiple workplaces in which to deliver value, multiple platforms for communications, and multiple currencies / mediums of exchange in which to be paid. And at the heart of this complexity is the basic issue that all one has to give is one’s time, 24 hours / day, for as many days as we are allowed. How do we make the exchange of one’s time for one’s survival and quality of life as efficient and effective as possible so that as many as can may benefit from what each has to offer?
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 31, 2021
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30 December 2021
Istijlál, 01 Sharaf (Honor), 178 B.E.
Seen
What happens when I overthink network / capillary organization structures: they’re everywhere!
“When all you have is a Hammer, everything looks like a Nail — The Einstellung Effect on Organisational Transformation” 1
Done
Posted summary of yesterday’s phone conversation with Bill Fulkerson in the “Done” section of Daily Log for 29 December 2021
Credited myself on Greener Acres Value Network Timebank for one hour preparing and posting today’s entry to Greener Acres Value Network News on WordPress. This included cross-posting to Micro.blog and Mastodon. Tomorrow, I will add credits for posting to Daily Log as well as research and writing activities.
Noted
Today, the Universal House of Justice published a major message addressed to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors as guidance in the global preparations being made for the launch of the Nine Year Plan at Ridván 2022. 2
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Another new YouTube posting!
Tab’s Galaxy on YouTube - ASMR Rhinestones on the Microphone
Quoted
Why should you be interested in My Bahá’í Faith? Because it is your Bahá’í Faith as well. Every major religion of the world is a chapter in God’s single, unfolding book of revelation. The Bahá’í Faith is simply the most recent chapter in that book—one that is especially suited for the needs of a maturing and rapidly changing world.
If you have ever had the feeling that religion should help you feel hopeful, clear-sighted and full of wonder rather than guilty, confused or superior, then walk with me as I introduce you the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. They will renew your faith in God, in humanity, and in the boundless love that flows between the two. 3
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- McCullen, Aidan. “When All You Have Is a Hammer, Everything Looks like a Nail — The Einstellung Effect On….” The Thursday Thought, 28 Dec. 2018, medium.com/thethursd… [return]
- Universal House of Justice “To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library, 30 Dec. 2021, www.bahai.org/library/a… [return]
- St Rain, Justice. My Bahá’í Faith: A Personal Tour of the Bahá’í Teachings. 2003. 1st Edition, Special Ideas, 2004, back cover. [return]
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 30, 2021
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29 December 2021
’Idál, 19 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Another gray day accented by golden giant foxtail …
Done
Added services to the writing / research / publishing category on Greener Acres Value Network Timebank in readiness for documenting time on blog posting, email correspondence, and social media participation.
Gained perspective in a conversation with GAVNet curator, Bill Fulkerson, about the changing nature of work. Traditionally, we associate work with employment. This leads to a binary labeling of people—they are either employed or unemployed. Concern shifts to how to get the number of unemployed as close to zero as possible and thereby reach the ideal end state of “full employment.” It is not a problem to exclude those who are unemployable due to age, health, capability, etc. from the count. But if a person is deemed employable, yet is not, it must be due to some character flaw in that individual or attributed (by unfettered prejudice) to a group of people to which that person belongs (more labeling). Accordingly, there is a strong resistance to state-funded welfare programs that provide assistance to those who are determined to be able but unwilling to work.
As a consequence of the ongoing pandemic and a seemingly unrelenting wave of natural disasters, many have been removed / displaced from traditional employment. Commensurately, a growing number are “working” from home in non-traditional roles as independent contractors and small business owners or unpaid providers of essential services such as childcare, healthcare, eldercare, home schooling, meal preparation, home care, etc. to family members and close friends who are unable to do so for themselves. Under these conditions, the distinctions between “visible work” counted in traditional employment measures and “invisible work,” which is critical for a functional society but not officially counted, is increasingly blurred. In other words, a lot of “good people” are unemployed / underemployed which means we must have a REAL problem!
Bill proposes the term, “meaningful engagement,” which implies a certain degree of “fuzziness” as in the application of “fuzzy logic” to better understand human behavior in complex social systems. This approach has merit when considering how individuals live out their economic lives across a complex landscape of multiple workplaces in which to deliver value, multiple platforms for communications, and multiple currencies / mediums of exchange in which to be paid. And at the heart of this complexity is the basic issue that all one has to give is one’s time, 24 hours / day, for as many days as we are allowed. How do we make the exchange of one’s time for one’s survival and quality of life as efficient and effective as possible so that as many as can may benefit from what each has to offer?
Outlined upcoming posting to Micro.blog about game plan for 2021.
Slowly, but slowly …
Noted
Joy is receiving a box of holiday goodies from the chef of the family …
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
A new YouTube posting by my granddaughter!
Tab’s Galaxy on YouTube | ASMR Tapping on glass objects
Quoted
At the time I met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in the spring of 1912, He was sixty-eight years of age. Of these, twelve years had been spent in exile with His spiritual as well as physical father, Bahá’u’lláh, in Baghdád, Constantinople, and Adrianople. Then forty years, to a day, in the Turkish prison-fortress of ‘Akká, ten miles from Mt. Carmel, on the coast of Palestine. Because of their staunch adherence to their faith in Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation of God, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with about seventy others, had sacrificed all that they had, preferring imprisonment and inward freedom with Him to outward freedom and spiritual bondage without Him. With the overthrow of the tyrannous reign of ‘Abdul-Hamid, by the Young Turk Party in 1908, this long exile and imprisonment ended and that voice and presence was free to prove to the world what He had so completely demonstrated, that the only prison is the prison of self.
To what marvelous inner life of the spirit could be ascribed, I asked myself, the fact that this man, born of a long line of Persian nobility, accustomed to every luxury until his eighth year; followed by a half-century of exile, torture, and prison-life, could emerge into the modern world of Paris, London, and New York and dominate every experience with a calm control of circumstance; a clarifying exposure of superficialities; a joyous love for all humanity, which never condemned but with forgiveness brought shame?
It is with the hope that, to a degree, the following pages may approach an answer to this question that they are offered to the reader. 1
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Ives, Howard Colby. Portals to Freedom. 1st Edition, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2012, 6. [return]
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 29, 2021
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28 December 2021
Fidál, 18 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Study in rain …
Done
Started prepping Greener Acres Value Network Timebank to document hours spent posting to websites, corresponding with colleagues, and “connecting the dots” in support of various projects during 2022.
Noted
Getting into character for The Witcher - Season X
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Tab’s Galaxy on YouTube | ASMR Tapping on glass objects
Quoted
When a new revelation is brought to humanity, it upsets the equilibrium of the old social order. It unites the hearts and minds of those who recognize it and thus forges a new community. From within that community must emerge a consciousness that can decipher and a capacity that can apply the new teachings in order to make the world a different place. How do we move from a world centered on materialism and self-gratification to one that is centered on the application of spiritual principle and service to humanity? How do we transcend dissension and destructive criticism to harvest the fruits of critical thought in a united search for truth? What is the nature of the process through which we understand the meaning of the Sacred Texts and put the teachings into practice so that we can contribute to the unfoldment of an ever-advancing civilization?
This book explores how, as Bahá’ís, we try to understand the Word of God as given to us in Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and how we act on our understanding to achieve His purpose. 1 …
Because the primary focus of this book is the exploration of how the Bahá’í world comes to understand Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching and translate them into action, it does not explore in depth the nature of the spiritual forces released by divine revelation and how they drive the community forward. In all of the processes concerning understanding and practice discussed in this book, the inherent spiritual nature of the activity is assumed. God exercises His will for the achievement of His purpose. No one can limit or fully rationalize the mysteries of the movement of His hand. In the work of the Faith, objectives can be achieved only when spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, fasting and bringing oneself to account each day are put into effect and the bounties of God are received. Nevertheless, these spiritual forces operate in a real not a magical way. It is attraction to God and the love of Bahá’u’lláh that gives us the strength to exercise control over our conduct, to properly apply divine principles and laws, to subdue the ego and work in harmony with others. And when we inevitably fail to meet the mark at a given stage of development. It is our love for Bahá’u’lláh that helps us forgive each other and forget the past, demonstrate tolerance and love, and pick ourselves up, heal our wounds and renew our collective efforts. Yet, as we labor in the path leading to divine civilization we cannot hold an overly simplistic view that spiritual forces will do all the work: that we pray and our wishes are granted; that we teach and “something happens” to create social change; that an Assembly decides and, because it is a divine institution, the correct outcome is guaranteed. 2
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 28, 2021
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27 December 2021
Kamál, 17 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Done
Weekly trip to ALDI which included picking up more butternut squash for pumpkin pie (see “Noted” below)
Email exchange with longtime colleague
Workflow refinements
Noted
Less than 48 hours after her first serving …
My granddaughter finished it ALL. I guess she likes my crustless pumpkin pie ;-)
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
On April 21, 1963, the momentous first International Bahá’í Convention yielded the long-awaited crown of the Bahá’í Administrative Order: the Universal House of Justice. This institution came into being at an unprecedented landmark in Bahá’í history known as the Most Great Jubilee, which, all at once, displayed the rich harvest of the Ten Year World Crusade inaugurated by the beloved Guardian of the Cause of God, Shoghi Effendi, in 1953; brought to an auspicious conclusion at the Bahá’í World Congress in London the dynamic ninth part of the spiritual evolution of man that began with the Adamic Cycle; and ushered mankind to the threshold of the tenth part of that divine process destined to culminate in the Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. … 1
Ever since its first reassuring message to the believers from the platform of the Jubilee celebration in London, the Universal House of Justice has been communicating its guidance to the Bahá’í world through letters and cablegrams. This volume contains major messages from April 1963 through October 1968, six months following the second election of the Universal House of Justice. Except for eight, these messages are addressed to all national spiritual assemblies or to the Bahá’ís of the world, in such terms as “Bahá’ís of the East and West,” “Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the world,” etc. … 2
These messages enunciate the Nine Year Plan, analyze its progress, and reflect the attention the Universal House of Justice has given to the development of the institutions of the Faith and individual believers to better equip them for the worldwide tasks of the Nine Year Plan. 3
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 27, 2021
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26 December 2021
Jamál, 16 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Sunrise
Waning Gibbous Moon - 56% Illumination
Done
Considering a 12-year investment in Evernote with nearly 16,000 notes organized into stacks, notebooks, tags, tasks, etc., I am reconciled to the inevitable that my use of it will end when I do. I have more tweaking to try so it plays nice with Ulysses, my writing app, but I want to believe it will get there.
Meanwhile Trello offers a visual timeline for my daily posts to Micro.blog and GAVNet on WordPress that makes it easy to search through the content regardless of which platform it’s on—and I don’t have to invest in premium features to do this.
Onward …
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
The purpose of this commentary is to bring together notes, observations and explanation that will help foster a better understanding of the tablet’s most basic messages. The commentary also includes explanations intended to help Christians understand how Bahá’ís generally interpret Scripture, particularly some well-known Bible prophecies.
It is of course presumptuous to write a commentary on the Lawh-i-Aqdas. Much of what is said can be no more than speculation about the Author’s intentions, and each reader may understand some aspects of it in a different way. Moreover, while the commentary may bring out some aspects suggested by the text, it is of course possible to miss the real substance while drawing attention to a minor theme. Some passages are certainly open to broader interpretation than could ever be fully expounded in one simple commentary. Readers should therefore not limit themselves to the explanations given or accept them without question. 1
The views expressed in this commentary do not represent an official Bahá’í understanding of the Lawh-i-Aqdas. In fact, it is one of the admirable teachings of the Bahá’í Faith that individual believers are free to interpret the sacred texts for themselves, although it is not permissible to insist that others must accept such a personal view as authoritative. Interpretation in the Bahá’í community is encouraged in a spirit of tolerance for the views of others, and mindful that to cause dissension or disunity is the antithesis of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. 2 3
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Sours, Michael W. A Study of Baháʾuʾlláh’s Tablet to the Christians. 1st Edition, Oneworld, 1990, 11-12. [return]
- Ibid. [return]
“A clear distinction is made in our Faith between authoritative interpretation and the interpretation or understanding that each individual arrives at for himself from his study of its teachings. While the former is confined to the Guardian, the latter, according to the guidance given to us by the Guardian himself, should by no means be suppressed. In fact such individual interpretation is considered the fruit of man’s rational power and conducive to a better understanding of the teachings, provided that no disputes or arguments arise among the friends and the individual himself understands and makes it clear that his views are merely his own.”
Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “The Universal House of Justice.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Feb. 2021, https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/universal-house-of-justice-compilation/5#519655466.
[return]
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 26, 2021
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25 December 2021
Jalál, 15 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Santa came bearing rain and warm temps …
… so much for a White Christmas in these parts!
Done
Setup workflows for Trello to WordPress in support of daily postings to GAVNet and Ulysses to Trello in support of Daily Log postings to Micro.blog. These are in lieu of workflows using Evernote, which didn’t work as well. Next up: tasks—but that’s for tomorrow. All work and no play …
Noted
My sister is spending the holidays with her son and his family for the first time ever …
I don’t think I need to ask if she’s having a great time!
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
Publisher’s Preface
Release the Sun retells in vivid detail many of the events associated with the brief yet dramatic ministry of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran. Though the book has been available to English-speaking members of the Bahá’í Faith for some forty-five years, it was not widely available to the general public. Now, for the first time since the book’s release in 1957, in this new, completely reedited edition, Bahá’í Publishing makes Release the Sun accessible to the general public. 1
Preface To The First Edition
This book, Release the Sun gives the early history of the Bahá’í Faith up through the hour of the martyrdom of its Herald, the Báb. …
This attempt to bring just such an account the life of the Báb to the attention of the world. This same story has been set down in everlasting language for the scholar in The Dawn-Breakers, written by Nabíl-i-A’zam, and in God Passes By, written by Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.
Release the Sun does not present all of the drama of this epic, not does it give, word for word, the exciting stories told during those memorable days. It merely offers a simplified version of a story too long neglected and overlooked by man in his search for peace of mind and satisfaction of soul. 2
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 25, 2021
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24 December 2021
Istiqlál, 14 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Done
Posted “Pioneer in a Virtual World: How to Teach the Machine”
Celebrated Christmas Eve with family - YAY!
The crustless pumpkin pie was a hit, especially with our 2 ½ year-old granddaughter—3 pieces and a “thumbs-up”— that’s the ultimate seal of approval!
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Ice Bubbles
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
This book is an attempt to confine within one volume all the most important teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and the chief facts of Bahá’í history. Since the task is an impossible one, no apology for failure is needed. Much that is important has been omitted; the arrangement of what has been included will not suit all tastes; abstruse matters have been over-simplified and simple matters made abstruse; in fact, the book has all the faults that any book of this kind is bound to have.
It has been written by a Bahá’í, who has not pretended to be anything else; that is to say, he has not filled the book with ‘might’s’ and ‘maybe’s’ to convey a suspended judgment more suited to the reader than the writer of such a book. The author’s mind is made up; he is a Bahá’í; there is nothing objective in presenting the Bahá’í Teaching as though he were not one.
Should any non-Bahá’í reader think some statement of the author’s too dogmatic or too confident, he is invited to insert before it the words ‘Bahá’ís believe.’ The author has himself done so from time to time as a reminder that everything in the book is intended to express Bahá’í belief, but constant repetition of the phrase would be tedious; for the most part it is to be understood.
No attempt has been made to plumb the hidden depths of the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh. That is a task for future generations of Bahá’ís; in this book no more is attempted than to present words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on every important topic; to outline briefly the history of the Central Figures of the Faith and still more briefly that of the Bahá’í Community; and to present the vision of the Faith conveyed to Bahá’ís by its Guardian. 1
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Ferraby, John. All Things Made New: A Comprehensive Outline of the Bahá’í Faith. Third Indian Edition, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997, 9. [return]
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Pioneer in a Virtual World: How to Teach the Machine
Billions of people worldwide belong to and participate in social media platforms. It’s the online version of the “oneness of humanity”!
Artificial intelligence continues unabated to “mine” and learn from the data people generate on those platforms thereby growing in capacity, capability, pervasiveness, and sheer savviness on the way towards singularity. In effect, our online behaviors “teach” the machine.
The debate about when the machine reaches singularity, if at all, is irrelevant. The point is that it will have an increasing influence on our behaviors as it learns more with each passing day, hour, minute. So the real question is WHAT are we teaching the machine? And I submit if we aren’t careful, we’ll instill in it the same organizing principles that undergird those very systems and structures that increasingly do not serve us very well. This will make artificial intelligence—perhaps the most powerful tool humanity has ever created—an impedance rather than a partner as we make our way along the path toward a shared future as a global human family.
We have an opportunity to “teach the machine” to apply more inclusive organizing principles, e.g., oneness of humanity; everyone’s interconnected to everyone else; what one does affects everyone else, etc., in the development of its algorithms. And teaching the machine to do that begins with the manner in which we participate on the platforms and generate the data the machine will mine and learn from. The more we apply such inclusive principles when publicly interacting among ourselves or anyone else on these platforms–regardless of published purpose and membership roster–the more we’re influencing the development of the machine in ways that come to our aide as we transition to globally inclusive systems and structures that respect the collective well-being of humanity.
The pandemic has prompted greater usage of online communications. Mainstream social platforms are now populated by literally millions of adherents of a wildly diverse range of causes, cares, and concerns who voice their opinions and perspectives, join groups of like-minded folks, represent businesses that trade in preferred products and services, and advance organizations of all types that they feel will further their agendas. It’s amazing, albeit, a bit unsettling at times, how new activities get underway at the drop of a hat and precipitate myriad interconnections through “likes,” emojis, followers, shared content, comments, strings, cross-posting, etc. As these digital landscapes unfold, new territories open up just waiting to be explored and fresh opportunities to make a difference surface ready to be pursued.
I consider what we are doing by such online behavior as akin to being pioneers in a virtual world. And for many, it means leaving the relative “physical world” comfort of face-to-face gatherings and paper correspondence and venturing forth into the unknown realm of bits and bytes. As we encourage ourselves to get more and more involved online, we can reach wider and more diverse audiences, leverage our content and resources, demonstrate through our behavior what differentiates the emerging world order from the one that currently does not serve us well, if at all, and most importantly, teach essential organizing principles to myriad others—human and, I submit, machine alike.
My participation in Micro.blog and Mastodon among others constitutes my response to what I interpret as a global call for “virtual pioneers.” Put into the context of my personal faith: I aspire to teach people about the Bahá’í Faith through sharing my experiences as a Bahá’í, train the machine on the application of Bahá’í principles, and witness the travails of the global rebirth underway—one prompted by unity, love, and justice in a virtual sense and one that shines a light on the spiritual reality that lay ahead.
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 24, 2021
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23 December 2021
Istijlál, 13 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Sunrise Skies
Done
Note to self: one 4 ½ - 5 pound butternut squash + tasty, (low-calorie and fat-free — NOT!) ingredients = two (hopefully delicious) crustless pumpkin pies.
The verdict will be reached tomorrow!
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
This book focuses on those processes which are at work in the Age of Transition and which are propelling humanity towards the Lesser Peace. It explores the meaning of the tumult of our times in light of mankind’s ordained destiny, the nature of the choices placed before this generation, the consequences of those choices, and the remaining challenges facing us before teaching the Lesser Peace. Its purpose is to assist the Bahá’ís to understand both the causes and the benefits of the turmoil and suffering of this Age of Frustration so that we many participate in our society-building efforts and avoid the despair and hopelessness suffered by those who are unaware of the fruits which will be borne at the end of this period of world-embracing tribulations.
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Lee, Kathy. Prelude to the Lesser Peace. 1st Edition, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1989, 1. [return]
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 23, 2021
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22 December 2021
’Idál, 12 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
Waning Gibbous Moon
Done
Went on walk with granddaughter - clear but chilly!
Experimented with Evernote and Apple Mail workflows
Revised 21 December 2021 post
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
Making peace happens so often in so many ways, we barely notice it. Rarely do you find it on television or in the newspaper, It happens when a mother tucks her children into bed for the night, when a teacher helps young people to put their emotions into words, or a neighbor seeks out a neighbor to talk through a disagreement. Making peace is so common that it is nearly invisible.
What does make headlines is violence. It is not surprising that this is so. Violence is shocking, and people want to understand it. But with so much violence on television, in movies, and in video games, many of us succumb to what communications scholar George Gerbner calls “the mean world syndrome.” This syndrome results from being bombarded with stories about selfishness, violence, and dishonesty. Our fears and distrust grow stronger while our esteem for others weakens, and the world seems predominantly a mean and violent place.
The mean world syndrome is, of course, self-fulfilling. The meaner the world, the more you have to keep yourself and your family protected from it, and the less you’ll get to know neighbors, especially those who look, talk, or act differently than you. The more you fear violence, the more attention you focus on defending yourself or even taking preemptive action. … 1
Like many people, we at Yes! magazine and the Positive Futures Network have been struggling with how to respond to these times of fear and violence. This book contains articles from back issues of Yes! suggesting creative and compassionate alternatives. Making peace is far too important to be left to political leaders. … It is also a collection of visionary ideas about the nature of this moment in the evolution of human society—ways the United States can move beyond acting as the world’s empire, ways to express our longings for peace and make those longings into a practical reality.
Holding out for peace is not naïve. There are real reasons to be fearful. The stories in this volume show, however, that the arts and sciences of peacemaking already exist and are available to be used and developed. They have the audacity to suggest that, not only can we make the world a bit less mean, we can actually create a world that looks to peace making, not violence, as the way to a future. 2
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 22, 2021
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21 December 2021
Fidál, 11 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Happy Winter Solstice!
Seen
Seashells from Florida!
Warm memories on a cold day …
Done
Set up workflows between Evernote and Ulysses - next step: Shortcuts!
Noted
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
This book is not a “comprehensive” nor an “official” coverage of the Congress and Holy Year. Rather, it is a book of the personal testimonies of the Holy Year’s participants, providing a taste of the Holy Year—a delicious taste.
The objectives in publishing such a book are several:
- To bring Bahá’ís of the various communities around the world into closer touch with each other—through the sharing of these experiences—in our collective thoughts and hearts.
- To reveal a glimpse of the underlying Power of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, which we know exists, and which we know was present at the Congress, with actual examples of how that Power was manifested. The testimonies convey the thrills, joys, hardships, and wonders that characterized this historic occasion of possibly one of the most diverse gatherings of this magnitude in recorded history, celebrating the unity of humankind.
- To bring to life for future generations the Bahá’ís of the Holy Year, just as the Tuesday evening Youth Movement Forum theatrical performance at the World Congress brought to life the dawn-breakers and pioneers to us, today’s generation. The Youth Movement Forum taught us what it means to be Bahá’í. We need that. This book illustrates the meaning of being a Bahá’í in this day, a day which will be looked back upon in the future as a pivotal turning point in humankind’s history.
I pursued my vision for the book with vigor and prayed for assistance. From Bahá’ís around the world, I received dreams and visions; stories, accounts and experiences; poems, feelings and impressions of the Bahá’í World Congress and Holy Year. This is their story. 1
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Kafes, J. Michael. In the Eyes of His Beloved Servants: The Second Bahá’í World Congress and Holy Year. 1st Edition, J Michael Kafes Publications, 1994, xi-xii. [return]
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Daily Bookmarks to Greener Acres Value Network (GAVNet) News for December 21, 2021
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20 December 2021
Kamál, 10 Masá’il (Questions), 178 B.E.
Seen
My sister’s Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has been blooming for several weeks, now. The colors certainly can get one into the spirit of the season!
Done
Updated the OS on my mid-2012 MacBook Pro as far as it can be with Catalina.
Admitted that I am probably going to stay in an Apple / Google universe for the long haul. So, I removed Backup and Sync, which Google no longer supports, and downloaded and installed Google Drive on the Pro as well as the iMac. Now, ALL my files are accessible on either computer and backed up to an external drive as well as on cloud servers. Should have done this some time ago, but procrastinated. I was lucky.
Noted
Here are the steps Astral Prospector took when he started to craft his very first ever miniature over the weekend!
See the finished product at …
Astral Prospecting on Instagram and Astral Prospecting on Facebook
Looking forward to seeing how his mastery of this medium unfolds!
Marc Bosserman on Instagram Marc Bosserman on Facebook, and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube
Quoted
Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on spiritual reality cover a broad range of subjects. These include the nature of the human being, the journey of the soul, the spiritual life, the relationship between the physical and spiritual reality, the progress of the soul and the means for humanity’s spiritual education. This volume can only provide a sampling of the many passages from the Bahá’í writings that address these important themes. The aim is to present an introduction to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on spiritual reality; the interested reader is encouraged to investigate further, through a more detailed study of the Bahá’í writings, Bahá’u’lláh’s offering to quench the spiritual thirst of humanity.
For ease of reference, this book is divided into five parts, each divided further into sections. Within each section, extracts from the Bahá’í writings are shared to illustrate the topic. The passages are numbered; references are provided in the back of the book to enable the reader to find the extract in the original text. A brief commentary introduces each part of the book.
“Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words,” is Bahá’u’lláh’s invitation to all humanity, “that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.” 1 He encourages ”every seeker to bestir himself and strive to attain the shores of the ocean” so that he may reap the benefits “in proportion to the eagerness of his search and the efforts he hath exerted.” 2 In these teachings Bahá’u’lláh offers a new and renewed understanding of self, of society, and human purpose. 3
My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. 1952. Translated by Shoghi Effendi, Revised Edition, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1971, 136. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/4#538672141. [return]
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. 1952. Translated by Shoghi Effendi, Revised Edition, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1971, 326. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#820091057. [return]
- Lample, Paul, editor. Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Reality. 1st Edition, Palabra Publications, 1996, vii-viii. [return]
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