Consider the Holocaust. — Questioner

What do you think is more beneficial, if we had to choose, teaching young people about the Holocaust or teaching them, for example, about the efforts being made to include diverse cultures from around the world? I understand your point and why, but I believe that this way of educating by revisiting horrors is not the most effective way to create a change in mindset. Peace out!

The sad truth is that new celebrations are at the present are advanced by commercial interests and by consumption. — ssu

We definitely need to repell celebrations of that type

understand the urge some have to memorialize events (such as wars) they have a connection to, but that isn't for me. We also seem to be living in an era where every second day is set aside for some banal celebration, a pseudo event, which to me feel tokenistic and superfluous. Tomorrow, for instance, is International Mountain Day... — Tom Storm

It's true, we have many mundane anniversaries and important dates. What I'm referring to is that we need to think about the children and young people who are more impressionable, and give them dates that make them realize that harmony is the solution to many of our problems.

@ToothyMaw Thank you for your kind words.

I believe reducing complex geopolitical issues to simplistic 'us vs. them' dichotomies can be misleading and ignores the nuances of international relations. It's essential to consider the multifaceted nature of global conflicts and the various stakeholders involved, don't you think?

. Oh, say, photography, radio, the airplane, the auto, x-rays, discoveries in science, great artistic achievements, agricultural achievements, etc.
20h — BC

Thank you for the welcome! I really appreciate your idea of focusing on achievements as a valuable teaching tool for our kids. Additionally, I think it's wonderful to celebrate meaningful holidays like Thanksgiving, emphasizing their true significance and values rather than just their commercial aspects. It's a great way to instill a sense of gratitude, appreciation, and social responsibility in our children.

I don't have the answer, but this might help:

Article 1 of the UN Charter:

- "The purposes of the United Nations are... to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples..."

Self-determination is something that some nations seem to appreciate differently.

Individuals have the right to choose what they want to know and not. Revealing the truth without their consent would be an infringement on their autonomy. Ignorance, in many cases, can be a blessing.

Indeed, it is. However, I'm not a Buddhist scholar, so I can't make definitive assertions. To the best of my understanding, attachment - whether to family, things or oneself - binds one to what Buddhists call the illusion (Maya). Yet, enjoying family, surroundings and beings without attachment is a form of Nirvana. Being aware in the present moment is key.

AI doesn't pose a threat. We must understand that the threat to our continuity is historically ourselves. We should decentralize AI technology and allow it to develop in a free environment. We must believe that for every one person planning to misuse AI, there are ten already working on productive and beneficial ways to utilize it. We don't fear AI; we fear what we're capable of doing with it. Therefore, AI awareness needs to be incorporated into classrooms and offices, and ethical agreements must be reached.

I hardly doubt that family values exist in Buddhism, as this leads to creating concepts in our minds. However, there are some core values that can apply to family - such as understanding that the pain family causes is a consequence of our attachment to ideas. I don't believe family is necessary for happiness, but I advocate for the family institution since it's the primordial link in the broader social fabric.

From the standpoint of Buddhism, love would be the act of mindfulness—the inner peace and interconnectedness we reach when we momentarily touch Nirvana. In a more mundane sense, loving kindness in our thoughts, words, and deeds is a consequence of love. I would say it's not necessary to "know" the person or thing that receives love; simply being aware makes it possible to express and share this mind state.

I find comfort in soft determinism. As for what is ultimately true, that's something beyond our comprehension. Or worse, it's subjective and vulnerable to personal opinion. Soft determinism suggests that:
Our choices are influenced by prior causes, yet we still possess agency.
Free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive.
Human decisions are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including environment, genetics, and experience.
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Compassion is the embodiment of love. Through mutual understanding, we cultivate the willingness to connect and love unconditionally. When we show compassion to others, we also nurture ourselves. Ultimately, isn't the union of consciousness – where boundaries dissolve and we recognize our shared humanity – the true essence of love?