NAVIGATION

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GEIFN | MIXING | Media | February 2025

 [Edited extract from public address]

Best wishes for less Suffering, more Happiness with Good Health and Time to Enjoy it. Welcome to Gregorian Calendar Year 2025.

Sharing a timely aspiration:
"Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.”
Albert Einstein, German-born theoretical physicist (1879-1955 CE)

If having no reason to celebrate this month, here are 3 prepared earlier:


Here we explore the concept of Impermanence, otherwise known as Change.

When European explorers first came across 'the other' in far away places, they returned home to report:

  • There are some funny looking people over the horizon
  • They talk funny
  • For a people facing adversity, they seem to be curiously happy.
  • The people experience all sorts of trials and deprivations in daily life with a patience that defies belief.

If time is short, save the email for later. Come back when the time is right.

Remember: information may contain misunderstandings, deliberate omissions and complete fabrications. Accept nothing blindly. Test for usefulness: if useful keep; adapt for personal circumstances if necessary; or if unuseful discard. Be your own guiding light.

Read on intrepid Mixers, and let's see what is to discover this edition. Subscribers decide if anything is useful.


Topics

  1. Guest Sings
  2. Street Jives
  3. Wisdom Reconciles
  4. Media Writes
  5. TED Talks
  6. Music Challenges
  7. Acknowledgments


1. Guest Sings

Approx 5 min presentation

 

2. Street Jives

Approx 2 min presentation

 

3. Wisdom Reconciles

 

4. Media Writes

Approx 5 min reads

Intro
Michelle Brasier explores childhood, individuality and growth when "Teen acne, too tall, too loud: I was that weird kid who wanted to make people laugh” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Richard Glover explores intimate relationships, noble professions and unintended consequences in "What’s the worst profession when it comes to choosing a partner?” via The Age

Alexandra Middleton explores housing, assisting first home owners and team work in "How Madison, 23, and Isabelle, 19, just bought a house” via The Brisbane Times


Intra
Benjamin Law talks dicey topics Death, Bodies and Politics with Melissa Lucashenko who says "‘Never again’: after writing each book” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Jo Pybus explores gathering, travelling and journey reflecting how "I was surprised by what brought me joy in 2024. But I have the evidence” via The Age

Markus Zusak explores childhood, teamwork and passion recalling when "It was 60 bucks with glassed-in fins and my mum gave me half …” via The Sydney Morning Herald


Inter
Cameron Bayley explores relationship, distance and contact in "Want to strengthen long-distance friendships? Try these five tips” via The Age

Lauren Ironmonger explores passion, patience and possibility in "‘Hobbies are like dating’: How to find one and be happier in 2025” via The Brisbane Times

Matt Richtel explores childhood, curiosity and responsible accessibility in "How to talk to your teenager about pornography, according to experts” via The Sydney Morning Herald


Multi
Pat Sheil explores leading gender, pioneering science and sharing discovery reviewing reasons why "This book should be required reading for every science student” via The Age

Carolyn Webb explores gender, income and story telling in "Fortune hunting: The extraordinary story of a pioneering 1800s crime writer – and her thieving son” via The Brisbane Times

Visual Stories Team and Eliza Sum explore birth, qualities and timing in "Enter the year of the ‘little dragon’: What your Chinese zodiac means” via The Age


All
Richard Sima explores life, balance and joy in "Seven simple habits you can start today to improve brain health” via The Age

Saul McLeod explores a psychological theory of needs, wants and motivations with "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs” via ResearchGate

Ann McGrath explores history, documentation and beneficial change with why "We should all know this story of the documents that changed Australia” via The Brisbane Times


Togather
Jacqueline Nesi explores perception, preoccupation and presence in "Seven things to add or subtract for happiness, according to science” via WA Today

Tim Biggs explores communication, technology and evolution in "The museum where grandparents can get their tech cred back” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Tiarney Miekus explores history, revelatory and reflection showcasing "The exhibitions you won’t want to miss in 2025” via The Age


Nobly
Lisa Drought explores youth, influence and gathering in real life when “I went to a nightclub and what I found about a generation of young men surprised me” via The Sydney Morning Herald

Carolyn Webb explores neighbourliness, charitable activity and support as "Carport food charity boss 'gobsmacked' by white knight's $120k lifeline” via The Age

Peter Ryan explores affliction, dedication and aspiration revealing "How a family chat convinced Neale Daniher to accept nation’s top gong” via The Sydney Morning Herald

  

5. TED Talks

5-20 min presentations

6. Music Challenges

Approx 30 min presentation + reflection times

If desired, a short selection of publicly available material on a chosen theme for personal reflection. 

For best results, sit comfortably with a straight back, have headphones in a shared space, after each clicked link, allow a little reflection with your personally-held view before clicking on the next link.

Get ready to Reflect!
Choose your playing level:
Be introduced at 1.
Be soothed at 2-4.
Be shocked at 5.
Be inspired at 6.
Fuller illumination 1-6.
You be the judge. Or not.

Cryptic Clue:
What can peaceful coexistence look, sound and taste like?
        1. Inspire
        2. Perspire
        3. Collaborate
        4. Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
        5. Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
        6. Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
        This challenge is discussing reflection, motivate, moderate, respect, listening, dialogue & interact.


        discussing
        [diss’kuh’sing]
        From late Middle English (in the sense = dispel, disperse, also examine by argument); from Latin discuss- = dashed to pieces, investigated; from the verb discutere, from dis- = apart + quatere = shake.

        verb
        • talk about (something) with a person or people. Ie, we were discussing this topic yesterday. Ie, they were discussing where to go for a picnic.
        • talk or write about (a topic) in detail, taking into account different issues or ideas. Ie, in Chapter Six, different specialists will be discussing problems that arise in applying Darwin's ideas.

        reflection
        [reh’fleck’shon]
        From late Middle English: from Old French reflexion or late Latin reflexio(n-), from Latin reflex- = bent back, from the verb reflectere + -ion = a suffix forming nouns denoting verbal action (ie, communion, rebellion) or denoting a resulting state or product (ie, oblivion, opinion).
        noun 
        1. the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it. Ie, the reflection of light. 
          • an amount of light, heat, or sound that is reflected by a body or surface. Ie, the reflections from the street lamps gave them just enough light. 
          • an image seen in a mirror or shiny surface. Ie, the actor surveyed their reflection in the mirror. 
          • a thing that is a consequence of or arises from something else. Ie, a healthy skin is a reflection of good health in general. 
          • a thing bringing discredit to someone or something. Ie, it was a sad reflection on society that because of a birth affliction the individual was picked on. 
        2. serious thought or consideration. Ie, they don't get much time for reflection. 
          • an idea about something, especially one that is written down or expressed. Ie, reflections on human destiny and art. 
        3. (Mathematics) the conceptual operation of inverting a system or event with respect to a plane, each element being transferred perpendicularly through the plane to a point the same distance the other side of it.

        motivating
        [moh’tih’vay’ting]
        From 
        1. a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way. Ie, escape can be a strong motivating factor for travel. 
        2. desire or willingness to do something; enthusiasm. Ie, keeping staff up to date maintains interest and inspiration. 
        3. (South African) a set of facts and arguments used in support of a proposal. Ie, the motivating proposal is submitted for consideration. 

        listening
        [liss’eh’ning]
        From Old English of Germanic origin hlysnan = pay attention to.

        verb
        1. give one's attention to a sound. Ie, evidently the audience was not listening. Ie, if I've had a stressful day I love to chill out and listen to music.
        2. take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request. Ie, the boss told the new recruit over and over again, but the recruit wouldn't listen. Ie, policymakers should listen to popular opinion.
        3. (listen for or listen out for) make an effort to hear something; be alert and ready to hear something. Ie, they listened for sounds coming from the baby's room.
        4. [in imperative] used to urge someone to pay attention to what one is going to say. Ie, listen, a different approach is called for.
        noun
        • an act of listening to something. Ie, these speakers are usually wise, compassionate and generous in speech, so their podcasts are definitely worth a listen.

        moderate
        [mod’er’ret] adjective/noun 
        [mod’er’rayte] verb
        From late Middle English: from Latin moderat- = reduced, controlled, from the verb moderare = related to modest.

        adjective
        1. average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree. Ie, we walked at a moderate pace.
        2. (of a person, party, or policy) not radical or excessively pro-business or socially progressive. Ie, a moderate reform program.
        noun
        • a person who holds moderate views, especially in politics. Ie, an unlikely alliance of radicals and moderates.
        verb
        1. make or become less extreme, intense, rigorous, or violent. Ie, I shall not moderate my criticism. Ie, the weather has moderated considerably.
        2. (British English) review (examination papers, results, or candidates) in relation to an agreed standard so as to ensure consistency of marking. Ie, the dependability of an examining system rests on those who set, moderate, and mark the papers.
        3. (Academic and ecclesiastical contexts) preside over (a deliberative body) or at (a debate). Ie, a panel moderated by a Harvard University law professor.
          • (especially in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland) act as a moderator; preside: it is the Presbytery that moderates.
        4. monitor (an online forum or social media platform) for inappropriate or offensive content.
        5. (Physics) retard (neutrons) with a moderator. Ie, the neutrons causing fission are not moderated but react at high energies.

        respect
        [ree'speckt]
        From late Middle English: from Latin respectus, from the verb respicere = look back at, regard, from re- = back, intensifying force, concentrate + specere = look at.
        1. holding a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Ie, the director had a lot of respect for the actor. 
        2. receiving the state of being admired or respected. Ie, their first chance in over fifteen years to regain respect in the business. 
        3. giving of a person's polite greetings. Ie, pass my respects to your Mother. 
        4. acknowlegment used to express the speaker's approval of someone or something. Ie, respect to the Artist for a mesmerising set.
        5. missing due-regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. Ie, it is the province of the old to lament the young people's lack of respect for their parents. 
        6. a particular subject, aspect, point, or detail. Ie, the government's record in this respect has room for improvement. 
        7. have due regard for (someone's feelings, wishes, or rights). Ie, I respected their right to have alternative views. 
        8. avoid harming or interfering with. Ie, it is incumbent upon all hill users to respect the environment. 
        9. agree to recognize and abide by (a legal requirement). Ie, the government and its ministers are bound to respect the ordinary law. 

        dialogue
        [die’ah’log]
        From Old English dialogas (plural), from Latin from Greek dialogos, from dia = through + logos = word; compare with Greek dialegesthai = converse with; subsequently reinforced by Old French dialoge.

        noun
        1. a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film. Ie, the book consisted of a series of dialogues. Ie, passages of dialogue.
        2. a discussion or series of discussions between two or more people or groups, especially one directed towards exploration of a particular subject or resolution of a problem. Ie, the USA would enter into a direct dialogue with Vietnam. Ie, interfaith dialogue.
        verb
        • take part in a conversation or discussion to resolve a problem. Ie, the leader stated that there would be dialogue until peace prevailed.
        • (Literature) provide a dialogue for a film or play.

        interact
        [in’ter’ackt]
        From from Old French entre- or Latin inter = between, among, mutually, reciprocally + late Middle English: from Latin actus = event, thing done, act- = done, from the verb agere, reinforced by the French noun acte.

        verb
        • act in such a way as to have an effect on each other. Ie, all the stages in the process interact. 
          • communicate or be involved directly. Ie, the users interact directly with the library. Ie, people who interact daily.
        [Practice]

        Optional
        -- Chant Mantrastyle

        Why? Why not?
        Start today. 
        As the case may be.
        Or not.



        7. Acknowledgments

        Reconciliation
        Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.

        Invitation to Support Content Creators
        The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.

        Caretaker Disclosure
        Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.

        This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy) or bodhicitta (Sanskrit = Awakening Consciousness). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.

        It is not personal, it is just the way things are.

        Jane Hutcheon, contemporary Hong Kong born Australian journalist & author