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ISSN: 1530-5775
July 2009, Vol.11 #7


INDEX

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From the EDITOR

Guess what I heard...

I remember my 11th grade speech teacher telling the class that "Gossip is the lowest form of communication. Talking about people is coarse, about things is necessary, but talking about ideas is the only worthwhile pursuit." I agreed then, and still do in the abstract, but I think that gossip (talking about people) needs another look.

We like to talk about people; we interest us. Is that a character flaw? If so, it is one we all share. We talk about our concerns for other people, and though that might be contrived to have a higher value, it is gossip, too. We speculate and judge. I think all of that has its place and that it is a healthy place, a part of what makes us who we are as a species.

What are we really doing when we speculate on someone else's life; when we attribute a specific motive based on only the smallest hint from their behavior or history? What we are doing is empathizing. Empathy is something humans may own exclusive rights to, certainly we have honed the skill or characteristic to a high level of importance. The ability to empathize is considered a humanizing virtue, while gossip is considered a fault. Is it possible that our contempt for gossip is based on perceptions of class rather than value?

All of the characteristics of an average human being have been classified throughout our history as mean or coarse and civilized or genteel. When two Victoria gentlemen dueled over a "point of honor" (usually a woman) if was "character building", while lower class boys fighting over a girl were labeled "hooligans". Might gossip be the same kind of class division applied to words?

We speculate about our friends and neighbors; some of it constructively: in order to understand and help; some of it less constructively: to judge and, thus, to feel superior. We are a communal species and this talent for understanding is probably essential to our ability to function in groups. Understanding is important to us. We do not like our questions to be left unanswered, but in empathy we find the deepest connection to each other.

At the same time we embrace our connectedness, we see ourselves as separate from the group and the need to feel superior is a part of individuality. Humans are never one thing or another, we are always a complex mix of parts. So gossip has its place in making us who we are. But is gossip a worthy pursuit for a whole society?

It is interesting how when we endow our group identity, our culture, with the traits we need or can tolerate in individuals, it is destructive to that whole. I worry about a culture built on gossip and celebrity. It is easy enough to adjust our systems, communication and economics, to reflect these valued forms of behavior, but what do we lose when our lowest form of discussion—course or genteel doesn't come into it—when talk about people replaces talk about ideas?

I love a good "who-done-it" just as I can feel empowered by speculation on why my teenager felt compelled to be so self-destructive, or why my neighbor came home so late last night, or why my favorite celebrity might have chosen a certain role or wife or whatever, but when my information, the intense interest of my culture and my world, has shifted away from ideas to speculation I worry about the ideas that are not being developed, the future we are not building, and the rot that begins to grow where once I had a brain.


Once again...
In the spirit of communication this is information you should know:

 

LadybugLive, Audio, Webcasting, Web Casting


On NewVoices.com
  • Listen to Audio ShowsWhat's New? Independent Publishing
    A discussion with Annie Jennings

  • Listen to Audio ShowsPublicity Matters
    Annie Jennings and Stacy Amaral
    from www.anniejenningspr.com

  • Find out about the new LadybugPress publicity and marketing programs at

    Georgia Jones, Editor

     

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    READERS REFLECT At LadybugFlights we have always encouraged the participation of our readers. For that reason we have this space, a place where you can be heard. Nothing as formal as an article or a column... Just some venting, self-expression, or a chance to communicate what you are thinking on almost any topic. Send it to us and we will let you know if we can use it!

     

    Thanks so much, Georgia, for reprinting our Dollar a Week announcement! You are a good friend indeed.

    And congratulations on another fabulous issue. I especially like the main feature, Sufi Tears. What an extraordinary story!

    I may send a piece for Fiona's section one day. I was a day care mom for 15 years, so she rings some chimes for me.

    Peace and all good,

    Mary Liston Liepold, Ph.D.
    Communications Manager
    Peace X Peace
    703.350.4311
    www.peacexpeace.org

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    © LadybugBooks.com

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    Who makes this possible?

    Regular contributors to these pages include:

    Georgia Jones Georgia Jones, Editor:
    I love the fact that when you or I have something to say it can be said... no stuffy guy behind a desk or underpaid postal worker need be involved in delivering or processing what we say to each other or to the world.


    LynnAndrews

    Lynn Andrews:
    New York Times and internationally best-selling author of the Medicine Woman series of books, 19 books and workbooks chronicling her adventures and studies with the Sisterhood of the Shields, of whom she is now a full member. In between her continuing work with her teachers and her students, she is now working on her 20th book. You can learn more about Lynn at www.lynnandrews.com.


    BabyBug

    Amy Cipolla Barnes, BabyBug columnist:
    My professional writing career began with a very small column for Byroads.com as Ruby Mae and at Coffeehouse For Writers where I taught courses. I traveled Georgia's Highway 41 in a red convertible with big red hair and red fingernails. The pay was small but I got invaluable clips. I then discovered Ladybug.com as my creative poetry outlet. I have since written columns on topics ranging from stamp fraud to nostalgic radio, travel technology to date nights with small children. I still teach courses online for students around the world. My first book on hiking with your dog in Metro Atlanta is due out from Cruden Bay Books in 2003.

    In December 2001, I had my first child, Joel David. I learned to type one-handed while nursing. He can't read (yet) but he's calling mamamamama. My brief two-handed typing stint is over.


    Comics

    David Donar, cartoonist:
    I was born and raised in the Detroit area. I began my political cartooning career in college for the Eastern Echo at Eastern Michigan University. My first professional gig was at the Macomb Daily and then the Grosse Pointe News. My biggest influence was Draper Hill who was the Detroit News cartoonist from the 1970’s thru the 90’s. I am published in the Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year, by Charles Brooks. My cartoons are collected by the likes of Senator Carl Levin and in the Cartoon Library of Ohio State University. Aside from cartooning I am also an independent animator, and my work has been seen on MTV, PBS, IFC, Tech TV and festivals all over. You can see more by David Donar at http://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/.


    Irma

    Irma Hudson, Correspondent, Virtual World:
    Curiosity has always been an important trait of mine, which I developed into a degree in physics. Then I moved into meteorology. This was followed by a degree in motherhood, probably the most remarkable of my accomplishments. While working as a meteorologist, I moved naturally into the field of computers and am now a database programmer working with Microsoft Access. I am also a poet and writer. It is so much fun to play with words.


    Richard

    Richard Kuhns B.S.Ch.E. NGH Certified:
    Richard is a prominent figure in the field of hypnosis with his best selling hypnosis and stress management cds at www.dstressdoc.com and www.PanicBusters.com. His aim is to make it possible for anyone to manage emotional binge eating. For more information please visit BingeEatingEbook


    Fiona Lohrenz:
    Fiona has 10 years of experience running a day care renders her very capable of writing articles on all aspects of childcare. She also pours this knowledge into her child care website and has made a How to Start a Child Care Business DVD guide. She can be reached at her website..


    Fran Sbrocchi, Correspondent, Australia:
    I am Crone now, and the chronology stretches so far. Here, on the western edge of Australia it is easy to forget the great high banks of winter snow in the northern town where I was born, where summers were rich and hot and waving fields of wheat ripened against the rows of spruce and poplar. I teach now and then, spend hours at the computer reading and enjoying others’ work. We travel when we can and hope one day to meet each one of the Ladybugs.


    Beatrice Spreadmoore

    Beatrice Spreadmoore, Correspondent, Financial:
    I am just an average person with average luck and with an interest in achieving the American dream, to be rich. I am not what I appear to be, except through email, but that is the charm of all this. Remember the government supports the rich!


    Lane Willey Lane Willey (Ms. Elani):
    I grew up in rural Campbell, California. My writing interests started early with plays that were performed by neighborhood groups. As an elementary teacher I wrote stories and vignettes dealing with school related issues. I have written articles on children's rights and environmental and political concerns, and my first novel, The Invitation, relates to women who often dream of 'what if'. My second book, Fireflies in Baldwin has just been released. My husband and I enjoy living in the Sierra foothills and spending time with our twelve grandchildren. I am currently working on my next book.

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