Book review – Human kind

Historian Rutger Bregman’s studies have shown that right from the time of the ancient Greeks the great thinkers like Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Luther, Nietzsche, and Freud have doctrined that humans are innately selfish. A negative outlook which permeated Christianity from its early days Augustine writing: ’no one is free from sin’. 

Bregman’s book is about a radical idea – it sets out to prove that most people, deep down, are pretty decent. The question he asks is : are we humans more inclined to be good or evil? He set about carefully studying history for examples one way or another. 

It is not until reaching the 1700s that Bregman could find a philosopher who shared his positive view of human nature, the French Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.  By then Bregman already had strong evidence to back Rousseau’s contentions.

This generously long (470 pages) book records in interesting detail actual events through the ages to support his view. Many of these had been ‘hushed up’ at the time as they didn’t serve the current leaders aims.  Along with these are descriptions of the results of numerous current experiments carried out by university researchers, plus the writings of more recent philosophers.  … Continue Reading

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Jane Lenting

Growing up in Christchurch Jane’s early years were rich in experiencing the wide-open spaces of the Canterbury hinterland. “My parents would take us camping in the holidays. I remember the sheep, the mountains, the rivers, and the freedom. It was idyllic.

Between 1961 and 68 we spent three 4-month periods in New Caledonia. My father was a dentist and as there was no dentist in Hienghène, he did pro bono work in the local community. We lived in tents and my schooling continued by correspondence.

Those times engendered my love for remote places, different lifestyles, and cultures.

Back in Christchurch, maths and science were my subjects of choice which led to an Electrical Engineering degree at Canterbury University.

On leaving university I applied to do Volunteer Service Abroad. My post was in Vanua Levu in Fiji, where I taught maths and physics. It was a Catholic Boarding School catering for both boys and girls.  There were few Europeans. The teaching was in English to a New Zealand syllabus.  In the holidays I would walk to see my students who lived in remote rural coastal villages.  It was humbling to see the parents so proud of their children’s progress.  … Continue Reading

Recycling days

Wednesday September 7th Glass

Wednesday September 14th Wheelie bin

Wednesday September 21th  Glass

Wednesday September 28th Wheelie bin 

From the CEO

Finally, spring is in the air and hopefully a spell of dry weather is ahead. 

There are a few happenings in Martinborough that shouldn’t go unacknowledged. Firstly, the Martinborough School 150^th anniversary this month, which is an amazing milestone. We wish all those who are taking a trip down memory lane a very pleasant visit.

Another piece of Martinborough history is the old Courthouse. A Council asset, the old building has become the headquarters of the local MenzShed and I can’t think of a better set of guardians. 

Recently, the group created a new workshop behind the courthouse to allow for bigger projects and work that is better suited to being outside the old building. Although they’re already a sizable group, the extra room means there’s room for more members.

We also want to commend the Martinborough Pump Track Project, a community-led project which is now fundraising to build a visionary facility in Considine Park. Council will work with the project as it proceeds. … Continue Reading