FaithQuest Revisited

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Giving Away the Future

By

Dan R. Dick

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This is another invitation to join a discussion tomorrow evening (November 18 @7:30EST/6:30CST) based on Ezra Klein’s and Derek Thompson’s Abundance (no, you don’t need to have read the book to join the discussion) on Zoom: FaithQuest Book Club

Most sociologists agree that there are a few essential building blocks to a strong, safe, secure, and just future: education, environment, employment, economic justice defined by food security, shelter, health care, due process under the law, and freedom from oppression. The more we invest in research and development, medical innovation, affordable housing/food/medicine/transportation/education, environmental sustainability, and livable wages, the better off we all will be. And not just taking a provincial, but a global worldview. So, how are we doing as a country on those things today? World leader a couple years ago; now dropped out of the top ten in all of these metrics. Klein and Thompson make a compelling argument for our need to take the lead in all of these extremely doable, incredibly reasonable, and rationally sensible areas.

For our conversation tomorrow and your personal consideration today:

  1. The authors conjecture, “To have the future we want, we need to build and invent more of what we need.” How do you feel about this statement?
  2. The authors state that we have more than enough of everything we need to do whatever we want, but that politics determine what is possible. Food, shelter, health care, employment shortages are intentionally created rather than determined by supply. How do you feel about this idea?
  3. The authors state that we should not provide support based on what people deserve, but on our capacity to extend care and provide needed resources. What are your thoughts on this?
  4. The authors indicate that we are held captive by a myth of supply and demand economics. They believe we possess every necessary resource in abundance, and that investment in needed areas is the key to abundance in the future. They claim that politics have undermined the integrity of basic economic principles. How do you respond?
  5. The authors promote the idea that technology and research are the keys to an abundant, fair, and just society. As we view the pioneering edge of AI (artificial intelligence) and the hegemony of technocrats, are there concerns we should have about viewing tech and research as the keys to the future?
  6. How would you grade our current leadership in the following areas? (A,B,C,D,F)
  • Education
  • Environmental protection
  • Employment and income support
  • Food security
  • Health care
  • Affordable housing
  • Economic Justice
  • Due process under the law
  • Affordable and safe transportation

Bottom line? Where can we do better? How do we commit to a healthy and sustainable future? What does our Christian faith have to do with any of these things? Hope to see some of you tomorrow night!

2 responses to “Giving Away the Future”

  1. Dan R. Dick Avatar
    Dan R. Dick

    Thanks for these thoughts, Dave. In many ways, dialogue and communication are two things I miss most. My Barbara and I are great partners and love talking to each other, but having other outlets is important, too, and I find I miss the generative creativity of conversation, even with people with whom I disagree. It is really nice to have your perspective as well!

    Blessings, Dan

    Reply
  2. legendarytheorist40686a8a39 Avatar
    legendarytheorist40686a8a39

    Well, i didn’t have a good address for you, so here is a copy of what i sent.

    Shalom!

    Don’t know if this address is still good.

    Wanted to thank you for your recent item–and most all others!

    Found this just now on 1440: The Joy of Doing Nothing in Retirement – WSJ https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/retirement-rest-do-nothing-benefits-90d52ff4?st=LkbULu&mod=1440&user_id=684d945a298f4bcd630a1ccf

    i have shared your wondering about retirement. i still have questions about how to be retired–and i’ve been retired for 18 years! Maybe i’ve found something like balance between thinking about “working” or “being useful” and “retirement,” but maybe i’m kidding myself. There is some freedom in choosing what to do (as a part of being part of a congregation) and still not overdoing it (though my wife would differ). i confess to being anxious when these chosen activities gang up on me.

    Barb and i sing in the choir and put out and fold up the quilt for the children’s time (kind of a long story). We are more or less in charge of a twice-monthly soup and study event for a small group of us. i edit an occasional (currently on issue 59 of this year) newsletter for Prairie Point neighbors. i’m flattered by those few who say they can’t get along without it, but i have to wonder….

    We also facilitate a monthly group of several residents who deal in political and environmental concerns. And–at the request of the choir director, i’m kind of the “choir chaplain,” expected to share wise words (brief, of course) and a prayer after choir practice. Again, i’m not so sure, since there are at least four retired pastors in the choir.

    i’m so glad you had a rewarding time in Oregon! Going out when one’s parish is on the way upward and onward sure beats going out when the parish is declining! Barb and i were lucky enough to find a UCC congregation that for the most part is doing what i wanted UM congregations to do.

    These things bring me satisfaction (too much, maybe?) and may take the “privilege” away from others who could do these things.

    i don’t think grief is what i experience in this retirement life, but i do occasionally think a sermon here or there would be nice. i do find myself moved to write a reflection on this or that, and sometimes such a think turns into an item in the neighborhood newsletter. i don’t devour books the way you have and do, but i do spend a LOT of time on my laptop and fancy myself as learning good stuff across various sources and disciplines. No guarantees, though.

    In short, i believe i can identify with some of your feelings, and i look forward to your further words on insights from earlier years and what advice you offer for those coming along, by God’s grace, behind you…and me.

    Shalom! dave

    “If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.”

    Reply

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