ascribed to politicians or something suitably amorphous like “ the system ” or “ the establishment .” Cursing these convenient creatures may bring some fleeting psychological relief which tends to be not very long lasting . The energy spent in blaming others would be better used in trying to dig oneself out of one ’ s own difficult predicaments .

Often the surest way to make a bad situation worse is to do nothing when adversity occurs . If you really believe that the powers-that-be are intrinsically blind or hostile to your interests , it logically follows that it is futile to do anything about your own case because they will only crush you again at the first opportunity . Fatalism goes with bitterness , a condition that distinguishes chronic losers . The theory that one ’ s fate is beyond one ’ s control provides a good excuse for inaction and indolence . Since adversity has a way of regenerating itself , the chief effect of a fatalistic attitude is to open the door to more trouble . When bitterness is allowed to feed the psyche of the fatalistic individual , the ground becomes fertile for destroying relationships or for more violent behaviours , either to others or oneself . Edward Jerosch , an Isreali criminologist , wrote prior to his own demise at the hands of a terrorist in 1988 , that “ fatalism is food for those who would try to manipulate others by using brutal force .” ( Consider the events of early January in France …) Those who feel sorry for themselves are prone to pursue habits that temporarily blot out reality , but , in the end , undermine their physical and mental health .

To the Editor : In his essay in the winter issue of news & views , Paul Boisvert elegantly sidestepped the facile ( and inaccurate !) triteness of “ Whatever doesn ’ t kill you makes you stronger .” Boisvert rightly points out that adversity provides a proving ground upon which personal growth is possible .

Adversity is , by its very nature , difficult to endure . With the death of a loved one , or the loss of a secure income , it is difficult to ask , “ Hmmm . What can I learn from this ?” Yet , as we emerge from the blackness of such difficulties , we re-enter the world with new perspectives that make us different from what we were .

This is the age of the ‘ helicopter ’ parent . These are parents who , in their wish to insulate their children from any adversity , would put the lie to Boisvert ’ s comments . These are the parents who create the dangerous traffic-jam around schools driving their children to class rather than walking with them . These are the parents who will not ( or , perhaps , cannot ) say ‘ no ’ to handing a smartphone to a ten-year old . These are the parents who blame the teacher for low grades , rather than find the courage to enforce good study habits .

As a result , it is now the style to deprive children of both adversity and the learning that derives from it . ‘ Self-esteem ’ is the watchword for children ; and since adversity can be pretty tough on self-esteem , let adversity never exist for a child . There should never be a zero given in school . Let us eliminate anything but a participation ribbon in sports . Get rid of essays on standardized tests since they are hard to mark , and may require more thought than a lazy student is able to give .

And if you agree with any of those statements , you really need to read Vonnegut ’ s “ Harrison Bergeron .”

Sincerely ,

Elihu ( Ed ) MacBride news & views SUMMER 2015 | 9