Humanist Thought of the Week

Self Pleasure vs. Spanking the Monkey

Last week I meant to talk about this but got sidetracked through a variety of interruptions. Anyhoo, I was at a Humanist picnic last week. And we Humanists don’t consider any topic taboo. So, naturally we started talking about masturbation. I happen to really like that word, but another woman said she hated it because “It’s so dirty.” She prefers ‘self love’ or ‘self pleasure’ as a positive expression of a natural human behavior. The lone guy present said, “What’s wrong with ‘spanking the monkey?’” Personally, I don’t think we should get caught up on terms when talking about something so intimate. Some people like it dirtier then others. Others prefer a gentler touch. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter because, when it comes to masturbation, the only person we need to please is ourselves.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Obviously, today is my birthday. I feel like I’m in a pretty good place in my life. It took a while to get here though. Unlike most people my age, I actually enjoy knowing that I am a year older. It beats the alternative. So what do I want for my birthday? Honestly? For my book to be a huge success. So in honor of my birthday, please go buy my book, The Humanist Approach to Happiness. Thanks!

Happy Passover

This week is Passover. One of my favorite holidays. I’ll celebrate anything as long as there is a party and food involved. And Passover not only includes food, but 4 cups of wine as well. Plus, it’s a celebration of freedom. Not just for Jews escaping Egypt, but for everyone. One of the reasons I like the holiday is because it calls on us to rededicate ourselves to the cause of freedom. We are reminded that as long as someone is held in slavery, we all are. And since slavery is still a problem in the world, it may be a good time for all of us to commit ourselves to ending it.

Respect My Authoritay!

Got an email from an extreme individualist the other day. All I could think was that extreme individualism is just as stupid as extreme authoritarianism. While Humanism does emphasize individual autonomy, That doesn’t make us anti-authority. What is needed is a balance between the two. Admittedly, finding the right balance is hard But it is much better then blinding choosing an extreme to avoid thinking about the nuances. In this matter I refer to the authority of John Stuart Mill “In the conduct of human beings towards one another, it is necessary that general rules should for the most part be observed, in order that people know what to expect; but in each person’s own concerns, his spontaneity is entitled to free exercise.” “All errors which he is likely to commit against advice and warning are far outweighed by the evil of allowing others to constrain him to what they deem his good.” When balancing authoritarianism and individualism, Humanists prefer to err on the side of individualism.

A Fair Future for our Progeny

I received a copy of the Humanist Society of Silicon Valley’s newsletter this week. It included an Affirmation of Humanism that I just had to share. It says, Our Values: Freedom, reason, and tolerance. Our Goals: A humane society now, and a fair future for our progeny. Our Style: Integrity, laughter at oneself, and goodwill to others. I like that it is simple and succinct. My favorite part is that they used the word “progeny.” Sure, most people would have opted for “kids,” but they went with the more biblically classic “progeny.” And for that - I give them this week’s Humanist geek award. Because for all our attempts to simplify our message - we just can’t help ourselves. I hope our future progeny appreciates our sense of humor.