Jonestown Kool Aid and Grandpa’s Trash Bins
Table of contents for The Practice of Having an Open Mind
Before I start this post I just want to give a link to a couple people who have asked me what makes up blog value these days in my opinion. I’ve actually written a series on it you can find here. Okay, now for the post …
I remember a few years ago hearing the son of the criminally insane Jim Jones discussing the mass suicides at Jonestown. The son had been away when it took place and after he returned, he learned the title of this post was the truth for him. Every family member and friend was killed and he had to call in to report the tragedy. His life changed after that with what would be a continuous string of experiences where he learned just how wrong he had been for so long. He chose to have an open mind, lucky for him.
Today teaching eighteen 8th graders I had an experience that opened my mind way up. Let me share it with you. I was explaining to the open-minded young adults about the word “pattern” with regards to sentences. I used an example from my youth (I like doing that and it often helps the lesson go better). I told them about my grandpa’s (now passed) cabinets that held his trash cans. They looked sort of like this table:
| Keep
stash |
America
your |
beautiful
trash |
As a child I read it up and down probably because I was short then: “Keep stash, America your, beautiful trash.” That’s what my brother and I always though it was. Well, you can imagine my shock and sort of glee to find out I had been reading it wrong for decades! The student pointed out that if you read left to right is says: “Keep America beautiful, stash your trash.” Wow. I was humbled.
Another tip in keeping an open mind is that you probably think many things are true that are not. Strive to see things the way others see them and you will have a more open mind as a result. And last, remember this question from the title:
What if all You “Knew” was Wrong?
Embrace that thought and be less ordinary.
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An Educator's Life
wrote,
Jonestown Kool Aid and Grandpa’s Trash Bins
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
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Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Bobbie Dawn
wrote,
Okay, so just something odd – My partner is Guyanese in decent (his parents were born there) and that whole awful event happened in Guyana. Also – he and his family are extremely open-minded, although I would not necessarily characterize the culture of Guyana as more or less open than any other. It is a country that is typical of the west-Indies and post-colonial wreckage. I have it on good authority, however, that Guyana is an un-plucked jewel and perhaps it should remain that way.
Anyway… just my own tangent from your post. Great!
Bobbie Dawns last blog post..Why scientists should spend more time trying to communicate with everyone else on the planet: Article 3
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Damien Riley
wrote,
Bobbie: Thanks for that. Odd coincidence 2b sure. I wonder why they picked that country? Probably a morbid thing to post but I thought it clarified how people get really close minded. Thanks for your nice words.
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Jessica The Rock Chi
wrote,
I love the trash can story! It’s funny how kid’s minds work sometimes and how those things like that actually stick with us so solidly until it’s pointed out that we’re wrong.
Then, of course, you have to have a V8 and slap yourself on the forehead! LOL
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Katelyn
wrote,
It’s great when you learn things from children (”out of the mouth of babes”). The best lesson here is that everyone sees things differently, if we try to view the world from their standpoint, we’ll learn something. GREAT way to live your life!!
My little brother (11) is brilliant, I just love listening to his sense of humor and the off the wall things he says. He teaches me so many things just from his young point of view.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Damien Riley
wrote,
I loved that commercial!
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Damien Riley
wrote,
Great comment katelyn, thank you.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am