Bullying: MLBAM shuts down Cubscast

Ok, I know there are bigger problems in the world.  I will warn you up front; this is not a post about political social problems.  If that is what you came here looking for, leave now while you can and go back to more serious blogs.

My wife says I have my head stuck in the sand when it comes to current events, and she is probably right.  But, I can tell you a lot about a few select topics.  The Chicago Cubs is one of them.  For six years I have been listening to a fan based podcast about the Cubs called Cubscast.  Three fans produced three episodes a week just talking about the Cubs like I do with my friends.  They made 657 shows!  Amazing.

Recently, Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) sent Cubscast a cease and desist letter. Because MLBAM is bigger than Cubscast (3 guys recording a conversation on Skype); Lou, Sheps and Sneetch decided to hang it up.  They could probably have beat this in court, but the bully sometimes prevents justice.  I was deeply saddened when I heard the last podcast.  These guys have been my traveling companions three times a week for 6 years. I will deeply miss them.

Since listening to Cubscast I have purchased countless cubs t-shirts, an authentic game jersey, hoodies, baseball caps, internet subscriptions, magazine subscriptions, iPhone and iPad apps and the list goes on. No more! I have vowed not to support Major League Baseball (MLB) licensed merchandise as much as is humanly possible.  Here is a letter I sent to the head honcho at MLBAM:

Mr. Gould,

I am writing to express my outrage at MLB Advanced Media's bullying of cubscast.com; forcing them to take their website down and cease their podcast. This high handed tyranny only adds insult to injury to things like blackouts of mlb.tv 200-500 away from the MLB team city, and double and triple dipping for internet access. There is no need to reply to this letter to explain why this was necessary. I want you to know from a fan of MLB, this move is not winning my support of MLB. Fan developed media like cubscast.com has encouraged me to attend more games, watch more Major League Baseball, and buy more licensed merchandise and media.  This move will provoke me and others to seek ways to support, as a protest, other products related to MLB that are not developed or licensed by MLB. I will find other ways to watch, listen and follow MLB that are not associated with mlb.com.

Sincerely,

Lon Marshall

Cedar Rapids, IA

Mr. Gould's email address is: matthew.gould@mlb.com if you want to know.

Besides the injustice here, is the business mistake that MLB is making.  I've seen this first hand with the University of Iowa's athletics marketing and media department.  It is hard to fathom how a large business does not understand what free advertising is and how to build support for your product instead of sucking the life out of it for fans.

There are some great cubs blog's out there outraged at the shut down of Cubscast.  Check out the story entitled Impermanent Waves for all the links, to read the Cubscast hosts goodbye letters, or listen for yourself.

Why I Like the Mennonites

I've always liked the Mennonites.  I have a childhood friend that came from the Anabaptist - Mennonite tradition that introduced me to their "peace and justice" ways.  I married someone who attended a Mennonite high school and has remained close to many of her classmates.  They have become my friends too.  A few years ago I read Brian McLaren's book, A Generous Orthodoxy where he speaks very highly of the Anabaptists.  I've heard him praise their orthodoxy and orthopraxy several times since.

I'm a Nazarene by blood. So is my wife, although she spent four years enjoying a community of four-part harmony. My friend Eric came to our Nazarene church with his parents when their Mennonite church closed. Brian McLaren says Mennonites emphasize personal commitment and the centrality of Jesus Christ.  These are two reasons Nazarenes and Mennonites get along. When you spend time with both groups you begin to sense other comfortable reasons as well.  McLaren groups the Anglican and Anabaptist theology together in his book.  Nazarenes claim a Wesleyan heritage. Wesley was Anglican.   I took one of those surveys on the internet that tells you which theologian you are most like.  I turned out to be most like Menno Simmons.  My Mennonite friend Holly turned out to be most like John Wesley.

In the last few years I have been intentionally identifying more with the emergent conversation.  Finding a community of faith, centered in Christ that affirms a generative dialogue is not easy.  I've done my best to read books, blogs, listen to podcasts, go to conferences.  Being part of this emergent cohort has been an effort to nurture my own soul.  Recently, through some decisions to move to a smaller community and have our children go to the Mennonite high school my wife did we have started attending a rural Mennonite church.  I don't know why we didn't do this sooner.  It has been a wonderful experience.  The community has been so welcoming.  It really feels like we have come home.

Last Sunday, I was amazed to see this young man walk to the pulpit in cargo shorts, untucked shirt, horn rimmed glasses, and goatee.  He told how he was part of a small community of 35-40 in St. Paul that had intentionally moved to a particular neighborhood to be part of a hurting world, together in worship and service.  He said they were in conversation with the Mennonite church and had joined the Central Plains Mennonite conference after learning about Mennonite theology from books like The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder.  I later learned this group had been birthed from an emergent church in the Twin Cities whose pastor I admire and have listened to via podcast.  This church is also in conversation with the Mennonites to see how they can support and encourage each other.


This just blew me away.  Here I was sitting in a rural church, in an established denomination, with people of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes - and the emergent church was coming to us?  All I've been hearing is that denominations are dying.  I even heard Brian McLaren compare denominations to the music industry's insistence on an old model of music distribution in an age of digital devices and downloads.  Who are these people of Peace and what is so attractive about them that a self described recovering evangelical would be drawn to become one of them?


I like the Mennonites because their theological tradition is built on what I would call classical Christian theology.  All the important stuff is there, the resurrection, Trinity, creation, Jesus.  They also practice moderation in life and belief.  They don't get too weird.  Phyllis Tickle, in her book The Great Emergence talks about some people wanting to remain within a denomination seeking to reform the Church from within.  I've heard terms like Presbymergents, Episcomergents, Methemergents (can i say that?), the Nazarene equivalent call themselves emergent Nazarenes (Nazimergents just doesn't work).  Fellow cohorters: Jim, Chris and Katie share this desire with me. The thing that strikes me about the Mennonites is the startling development of an emergent church seeking out a denomination, a tradition to join.


Something else I like about the Mennonites is their welcoming, hospitable attitude.  Yes, they have solid beliefs and know who they are and are not.  But, they do a really nice job of listening.  I once asked my friend John what they would do if someone in direct contrast to their confession of faith wanted to join their church.  He said, "we would have a discussion." This idea is refreshing. In a world where competition and control of power is supreme, a position of humility and curiosity is very attractive. This hospitality extends to everyone within and without.

Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Ephesians 2: 17-22 MSG


Also, the Mennonite's position on pacifism and Peace being vital to entering the Kingdom of God is compelling.  I must admit, I need to learn more about this.  I will tell you that their commitment to Peace is not just political rhetoric.  It is woven into their very fiber.  They exude Peace.  My experience has been that Mennonites are Peacemakers in every action, every relationship, every thought.  I recently watched the remake of "The Karate Kid" (which is really about Kung Fu).  Mr. Han says to young Dre Parker. “It lives in how we put on the jacket, how we take off the jacket.  It lives in how we treat people. Everything is kung fu.”


I like how the Mennonites view leadership and ministry.  They talk about a "shared responsibility", and making decisions in "the community".  They see everyone as a minister with gifts and abilities.  They view the "Pastor" as a resource, a "resident theologian" as such.  It is not his or her role to do ministry for the church.  It is the church's job. We actually chose to attend a church that is between pastors.  We never heard the previous "lead pastor" preach or even met him.  I was struck by this vibrant congregation in an historic building of both new and old components; the full range of ages and backgrounds worshiping together, serving together out in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road (I'm a city boy, so please forgive me). We were drawn by the community, the warm welcome, the openness to whatever God will do and the willingness to see it if it shows up.


One last thing I'd like to comment on about the Mennonites is their attention to God's creation.  I haven't delved too deep into this with them directly, but I observe a reverance for all. There seems to be a notion that this world matters.  Mennonites serve in the world versus pulling out of it.  This is very refreshing in light of the tendencies of some groups that are focused on getting out of here as fast as possible and on to a bodiless heaven somewhere else.  I enjoyed N.T Wright's books Surprised by Hope and After you Believe.  He does a wonderful job of explaining a biblical and common sense view of a Christian eschatology.  Jürgen Moltmann is the master theologian of this with his epic work, Theology of Hope.  I was taken by the words to a hymn we sung from the Mennonite hymnal recently:  "Here in this place, new light is streaming... Not in some heaven, light years away, but here in this place, the new light is shining; now is the Kingdom, now is the day."

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Here is a link to part 2: "Why I like the Mennonites: Warts and All"

What Makes Marriage Work?

My wife Julie and I celebrated our anniversary this past week. I know it's not 50, but I think 21 qualifies me to speak to the question of what it takes to make a successful marriage? We both agree that we have one. We like each other. We both feel loved and understood by the other.

Being a marriage therapist, I would have to say that the credential I am most proud of is the fact that I am still married to the same woman. Don't let someone feed you that line of crap, "You don't have to have cancer to be an oncologist", when it comes to marriage therapy.

One of my favorite questions to ask a couple that has been married a long time is, "What makes marriage work?" We have some friends that celebrated 65 years recently and we had the chance to ask them. Older people are very practical.  They usually say something like, "I did everything she asked me to.", or "I let him think he was in charge." Then they smile or wink.

Julie and I went out for dinner to commemorate our milestone. During our date we discussed this question. She said you need to understand marriage is not easy. You have to have a commitment to stay with it for the long haul, to work it out, to not give up. She thought that too many people give up too quickly; that more marriages than is necessary end in divorce. I think inherent in her statement is an optimism that things can be worked out. She tends to believe the best about me, that it will rise to the top - eventually ;)

Let me be clear. It is true what Jack Nicholson's neurotic character in "As Good as it Gets" said when it comes to my sentiments about Julie. "You make me want to be a better man". I would not be the same person today if it were not for her. She has truly been a gift to me, a grace that I do not deserve.

Recently, I heard a quote: "Doubt is not the opposite of faith, certainty is." One of, if not the most important thing I think makes marriage work is contained within this statement. I really believe it takes some faith to do marriage well. What I mean by that is I would rather be married than be right. Not everyone is this way. Take it from someone who has literally sat down with thousands of married couples over the years, some people would rather be right than be married.

There is no idea, no belief, no rationale, no concept or fact for that matter, that can come between Julie and me.  If she feels so strong about something that taking an opposing position would would cause irreparable damage, I will choose her. Now mind you, it has never come to this. I don't think it ever will. This is what the marriage researcher John Gottman calls "letting your partner influence you." I like to call it practicing the art of curiosity. It takes a great deal of faith to hold loosely to the things we believe in and trust the One who holds us and keeps us.

This little skill not only comes in handy in marriage, but with neighbors, in business, church, politics, and sports. Basically, it is a good social skill. And many would agree, if you have good people skills you will be successful in whatever you do.

You will notice I said, practicing...

24 Season Finale: Alternate Ending

I'm a big 24 fan.  It saddens me that it has come to an end.  In fact, I DVR'd the finale and have only seen the first half.  I don't even know how it turns out, yet.  Please, no spoilers.

I'm going to offer an alternate ending even before I know how it actually ends.  I'm pretty sure that it doesn't end like I'm going to suggest.

For those of you who have seen it, remember when President Hassan's widow, the now President of the IRK (mythical Arab nation) finds out about the deception of US President Allison Taylor and the Russian President's order to murder her husband?  What if Dalia Hassan (President Omar Hassan's widow) goes to the peace treaty signing willingly and publicly forgives the Russians for killing her husband and seeks peace in spite of the treachery that has happened?  Who would do something like that?  Crazy isn't it?

Just a thought...  If you want to watch the show check it out on hulu.

Fatherhood

I used to think being a parent was easy.  I'd come home and voices would be screaming, "Daddy!" Little feet would run to me and little bodies would cling to my legs.  That still happens some with the 7 year old, but it's fading quickly.  The 16 year old and 12 year old are just as likely to ignore me or worse, snarl.  I am realizing that they will soon be leaving.  I'm trying to soak in as much as I can.  It hasn't always been that way.  I can't believe I used to wish this phase or that would soon be over.

This fatherhood gig is getting harder.  I'm not as perfect as I used to be the older they get. Before, I could do no wrong.  Now, it seems that wrong is all I can do no matter how hard I try.  In their estimation, I don't know anything about what it means to be in high school or middle school.  I'm sure it has changed a lot. A while back I heard this song by Darius Rucker (remember Hootie and the Blowfish?). It makes me cry every time I hear it. There are not too many more summer vacations together.  I'm looking forward to this one more than ever.

Sound Teaching

A was talking with a young man this past week. He is 21. He was telling me about a new church he visited recently. It had a hip name, hip music, hip coffee, lots of young people attended this church. Actually, it was started by a more traditional church with older people, and less hip everything else. He said he liked the music and the people he met. He wasn't so sure about the preaching. He said he was told they had "Sound Teaching". He wasn't sure what that meant.

I was watching a video about a hip "Vacation Bible School Program." Similar situation, hip music, etc. The producers of the video said the program had "Sound Teaching". They were a little more explicit about what they meant when they said that. Basically, it means the kids would learn about Jesus and how he can become their personal savior so they can go to heaven. The program would also teach kids about "The Great Commission" found in Matthew 28:19, and their responsibility to share Jesus with others so those people can go to heaven.

I told a friend about this phrase, "Sound Teaching". He said it is sound because it sounds like what we have always heard. Now don't get me wrong. There is some truth in the ideas listed above. My problem with "Sound Teaching" is this is where it stops. We evangelicals have selective attention. There are hugh portions of the Bible that we ignore (not to mention all the portions we misunderstand). The "Sound Teaching" I've been hearing about seems a little thin and shallow.

In honor of "Sound Teaching" here are a couple of Johnny Cash songs to make you smile. Enjoy!

Song 1
Song 2

Big Brother Moves Into Town

I got my first speeding ticket in the mail. We have traffic cameras in Cedar Rapids now. If you break the law the camera knows all and a few days later you get the bill in the mail. I do need to better pay attention to my speed. I want to drive the speed limit. I do believe that we need to have laws. I have to draw the line if they say we are to have a micro chip inserted under our skin to monitor our behavior. It might make people drive slower, prevent accidents, and save lives. I'm sure it would be used with the highest integrity (only activated when we are doing wrong, otherwise our privacy would be protected). But there is something wrong about this picture. I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but my wife was able to put it into words for me. She said, "It's not American."

We had this social contract. Basically, we all understood that people wanted to do the right thing. People could be trusted. We were all working toward the pursuit of happiness together. The rules were stated, but for the most part we all knew that the vast majority wanted to follow them. It's not that way any longer. Now the basic assumption is that everyone can't be trusted. We are all guilty until proven innocent. We can't be trusted to do the right thing, so we need ubiquitous surveillance.

Two of my daughters experienced this in their respective schools recently. They were in places where they needed a formal permit (ie. hall pass). They had good reasons for being there, and verbal permission, but the authorities (ie. teachers) in charge would not listen to them. In both instances they were treated like trespassers; like the "bad kids". The Brave New World we live in: No one can be trusted, so everyone must be locked down, for our own safety.

Heavy Stuff

More than once I have watched "The Passion of the Christ" and "The Lord of the Rings" simultaneously, around Easter. I have made a conscious effort to watch The Passion, but the LOTR's was something I just had a hankering for. It may not have been a coincidence. Each time this has happened I am struck by how each movie (I am talking about the third LOTR movie, The Return of the King) is like the other. Especially what Jesus is doing with the Cross and what Frodo is doing with the Ring.

Themes that jump out at me are how both "characters" are sacrificial. Both characters are carrying something heavy and almost to much to bear. Both are climbing up a hill. Both have evil forces against them. Both are convinced that they must complete their mission for "all things to be made new".


Try it sometime. Watch both movies either one right after the other or going back and forth (this is what I did. I would watch part of one and come back to it later). See if you agree with what I am talking about.

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Five Things the University of Iowa Can Do to Resurrect the Men's Basketball Program

A friend once told me, "If you want to work on the farm go to Iowa State. If you want to own the farm go to the University of Iowa." We hawkeye fans can chuckle at that, but truthfully, these days, If you want to own the farm go to UNI. In my humble opinion, Iowa has not practiced good business theory when it comes to the men's basketball program. I do like their recent hire of Fran McCaffery and the style of play we can look forward to. However, in order for him to be successful, I believe the University will have to make some changes.

Care About the Customer
Ever notice how different it is dealing with a government run business compared to a privately held one? Compare, for example, the United States Postal Service with Fed Ex. When you speak with Fed Ex you get the feeling they want your business. Iowa needs to to care about their fans. The average fan can smell the bureaucracy the minute they step into the arena. Current policy regarding tickets pricing, internet media access, Iowa hawkeye merchandise, and special privileges for a select few put people off. Good Businesses take care of their customers. They make it easy for people to get in the store. They promote all the free advertising their customers want to give them. Here is the University in a nutshell: The day after the Orange bowl win this year, Fox was selling the game in it's entirety in High Definition as an iTunes download for $1.99. The University came out a few days after the game and said a DVD of the game was coming out in 2 weeks and would cost $15.00.

Care About the Experience
We have learned from Apple that success is related to the satisfaction of the user's experience. All of the successful college basketball programs have the students section in a prominent place right at court side. Many have said this needs to happen at Iowa. Why hasn't it? They need to make the television, radio, and internet media more accessible to everyone, stop charging for every service and realize they are selling enthusiasm and not internet subscriptions, t-shirts, or coffee mugs. Do this and the money will come. It's not called March Madness for nothing.

Care About the Employee
Good companies know the value of their employees. Word gets around that it's a good place to work and as a result others want to work there. After awhile the best employees are attracted. Logically, the best employees produce the best products. Taking care of the employee doesn't include wages alone, but benefits, facilities, resources, and respectful open and clear communication. I think at least 75% of the responsibility for a coach's success (or program for that matter) rests on the University. This metaphor extends to the respectful treatment of players as well.

Care About Integrity
An article came out a few years ago in Money magazine about the most successful companies of the last 30 years. The top commonality was integrity. Successful companies keep clean books, and their word. This is a good lesson for any organization.

Care About the Mission
Surprisingly, the most successful company of the last 30 years is Southwest Airlines. Think about how difficult it must be in that business with what has happened in the last decade. How they did it was by sticking to what they call their "market niche". Southwest Airlines has always stayed true to their mission. They have not branched out into other areas or worn themselves to thin. They have never forgot what the product is. Of course the University of Iowa is a school. Academics is the top priority. But when it comes to the basketball program, in the NCAA, Division I, Big 10, enthusiasm is the catalyst. The Mission: 15,500 enthusiastic fanatics.

Doogie Howser Journal

Remember when Doogie Houser would type on his computer at the end of an episode? He would give his opinion on all that had happened. There was usually a moral to learn. But it was not something he forced on his patients.

I can relate to that. I have always felt it was important to keep my loyalties to myself in the therapy office. I don't advertise my favorite sports teams, my political leanings, even my opinions for the most part. Can you imagine a Cardinal's fan finding out I bleed Cubbie blue? The Cubs do have a good chance to win it all this year!

That felt good, saying that. This blog thing is therapeutic. You have to practice what you facilitate. By the way, you may notice I'm an eternal optimist. It comes in handy for therapy and baseball .

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Pretending

Someone told me recently they don't like to pretend. They were referencing a relationship and the fact they were still resentful about past transgressions done to them. What was meant was they didn't like to treat this person kindly. Actually, they had treated the other kindly once and it had resulted in harmony and peace, but they didn't like that for some reason.

The semantics are not quite right here. This is not pretending. Pretending is all in the mind. It is imagining that something else is happening other than what actually is. Peace and harmony was really happening. What wasn't happening was forgiveness.

Sometimes, we would rather be right than kind. How we get to that point is complicated, but it probably involves hurt, disrespect, embarrassment, or other offensive adjectives. It is difficult to forgive. It is not practiced by the masses.

Personally, I love to pretend. Children are my favorite clients. They are so willing to forgive, to imagine, to be joyful. No wonder Jesus said we will need to become like a child to enter the Kingdom of God.

Others!

Several years ago, in another life, I was a minister in a church. I was asked, what many pastor's have probably been asked at one time or another, "Do you have another job during the week?". Any local church pastor will tell you this is a hilarious question. Being a pastor is one of the most stressful, and time intensive jobs you can have. The person asking the question has really not taken the time to consider the person they are talking to.

I have experienced a similar conversation with my clients in my counseling practice. I normally schedule sessions on the hour, one right after the other. As a matter of course, I meet with people 45-50 minutes, then take a few minutes to write notes, return phone calls, use the restroom, and prepare for the next session. I put this in writing as part of my informed consent material that every client is given when registering the first time they come in. This is a standard in the field.

From time to time I will get complaints from clients that they did not get their full time. When I ask them what they were expecting they tell me they thought they were entitled to a full hour. Of course I have to re-educate them and show them the document they signed.

My wife and I have developed a short hand communication with our children. When ever they seem to be a little self-absorbed and we want to remind them to notice a wider view of the world we will say, "Others!..." This is an attempt to get them to be aware of other people outside of their own bubble.

I am human. I need to use the bathroom occasionally. I need to transition from one session to another. I have a life and other responsibilities outside this one client. Sometimes, I wonder if they have lost sight of this. I would like to say, "Others!..." but I know that would not be wise.

Common Courtesy

Something happened today that is rare. A client that was not happy when she left last time came back and took my invitation to sit and talk about it. We worked it out and were able to go on with our work together. Most of the time people don't do that. It's too easy to end things these days. The common practice is to quit. It's much easier to do something easier. It's hard work to resolve a misunderstanding, or a conflict. I think our cultural practice of "Common Courtesy" has disappeared altogether. Most of the time when someone is unhappy they either cut off communication completely, or become belligerent.

I also see this in failure to honor commitments. I have a policy that clients are to call me 24 hours before a scheduled appointment if they need to cancel or they have to pay for it. Of course, I will not charge them if it is a real emergency. That could happen to me and I would have to call them and cancel. Amazingly, I have up to 25% of my scheduled clients no show or cancel at the last minute any given week; with no good reason better than they didn't want to. I think the tendency to do this is getting worse the longer I practice. I used to think it is the nature of the business I work in, but I'm not so sure anymore. I think it is a lack of common courtesy in the culture. A lot of people have never learned the art of empathy; putting yourself in the other's shoes.

It's certainly easy to end marriages these days. I hear stories every day of how people have stopped talking to their mother, father, siblings, in-laws, etc. It's easy to go to a different church where the programs meet your needs better or you haven't estranged yourself from the people there yet.

There are ways to cut people off electronically too. You can un-friend someone on Facebook, or un-follow someone on twitter. You can block someone's cell phone number so they can't text you or call you (fewer people are calling and prefer text - what's that?). You can even refuse to receive blocked phone numbers, so you can always know who is calling you (I think this is just cowardice).

Don't get me wrong. I really believe this is one of the greatest times to be alive. We are at a "hinge" in history. One of those great transition times. I'm an adventurous person and I relish change and new ideas. I just think the old idea of common courtesy is a good one and we shouldn't throw it out so quickly. I really appreciated my client today taking the time to do the hard thing. It was refreshing.

First Musings of a Therapist

I decided to start blogging. I have thoughts sometimes that I think I should write somewhere and then I forget about them. So here goes. Random thoughts from a family therapist. I also decided to change the title of my blog. Twenty years ago or so Robert Fulgum published a collection of short stories he entitled, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergaden". I have often mused that a great title for a book would be "All I Really Need to Forget I Learned in Graduate School". In the posts that follow, the logic of that thought may become apparent.

Sometimes I hear people say, "She has destructive behavior patterns", or "He is controlling", or "I think they have a mental disorder" as a way of justifying an end to a relationship or support for a decision they have made. While there may be something valid going on with the person they are talking about, this has become a signal for me about the person saying it. It signals to me this person is blind to the full picture.

All of us tend to look for external, or outside of ourselves causes to the things happening to us. I've noticed the people who seem to be the most successful in their lives, and relationships are able to see this as blame and avoid it because it is unproductive. I've noticed successful people focus on doing and thinking things that they have the ability to change, to influence, to control. I've noticed these people are happier too. I think that is because they feel empowered by the effect their actions are having. The hard part is taking a good look at ourselves. I think it is easier to look outward.

A big problem I see is that our culture has become fascinated with explanations. We love to ask, why? Blame has become a science. Explanations can be diagnosed, and then prescribed for and treated. I once heard a wise person tell me, "It is a mistake to look for an explanation when a description of what works will do."