Yesterday in Montréal I came across a number of cars blocking a residential street because several strangers had come to a full-stop to run and help an elderly man who had fallen on the slippery sidewalk. There were way more good Samaritans than necessary, but nevertheless there they all were, an instinctual desire to pile-on and help. I think we're ok. Happy Holidays Dan.
Another great post Dan! I've shared with with my Facebook community. Hope you and your family have a safe and restful break over the holidays and all the best for 2026.
Yes! I’ll never forget the time I posted about being sad I could not go to a museum exhibit in Russia and having two people go to the exhibit and photograph everything for me!
Wonderful holiday reflection. Reminded me of Paul Seabright's "In the Company of Strangers--A Natural History of Economic Life", one of the few books that, after reading it through for a first time, I knew I had to read again right away, and did. (Did the same thing with Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow".) Apologize if I'm telling you something you already know, but Seabright argues that what really sets humans apart is the ability to cooperate with individuals and groups we don't know, mostly without even knowing we're doing so. One key ingredient in the secret sauce of human cooperation is the very quality you describe in your post, the kindness of strangers. It is heartening to know that, as long as good people continue to outnumber bad ones by a decisive measure (which they do), we have a fighting chance to make do. And maybe even do better than that. Thank you.
We cooperate with all species of fauna and flora, we are not yet capable of it and we do not respect its superiority and we are doing everything to exterminate all living things and ourselves.
Dan, in the few brief encounters I had with you in a professional connection - I clerked the Senate’s Illegal Drugs Committee - and otherwise, your kind, thoughtful, intelligent demeanour did all the heavy lifting for you. It is easy to oblige someone who comes at their request openly, without a negative agenda.
great article. A keeper. I would add Quakers to your list of good people who give much back to society. Quietly too. Thank you Dan for your always thoughtful journalism. Best of hope to ALL of Us in 2026
I have begun ti wonder why soldiers fight. Why did no German soldiers in the 2nd world war just went across to the other side. I got that idea while watching the World At War serious a young SS soldier working a transport truck at Auschwitz and was one day shown by a friend how the gas chamber worked and was horrified and later when he was assigned to the task refused. But it never occurred to him to just leave. No doubt it wiuld have been hard but better than the alternative. How rarely this ever happens in any army in any war. Figurebthat oit and we may just have an end to war. Trump wants Greenland? Well you know where it is, go get it.
“The Amish are a highly cooperative society. So are Mormon communities. And Israeli kibbutzes. But so, too, was the vast and complex network of people that delivered the Holocaust.”
Many religious lineages speak of the existence of two impulses in humankind, one towards the good, and another towards the evil.
So it is unsurprising that any human activity — be that of the community, or of the individual — can be directed/bent towards either pole… and sometimes a mixture of the two…
Yesterday in Montréal I came across a number of cars blocking a residential street because several strangers had come to a full-stop to run and help an elderly man who had fallen on the slippery sidewalk. There were way more good Samaritans than necessary, but nevertheless there they all were, an instinctual desire to pile-on and help. I think we're ok. Happy Holidays Dan.
How inspiring! I feel uplifted….thank you.
Great post, Dan, as always. Merry Christmas to your family and best wishes for 2026.
Indeed. Thanks, Dan, for your great posts this year. Good luck with your projects in 2026 and beyor.
Another great post Dan! I've shared with with my Facebook community. Hope you and your family have a safe and restful break over the holidays and all the best for 2026.
Yes! I’ll never forget the time I posted about being sad I could not go to a museum exhibit in Russia and having two people go to the exhibit and photograph everything for me!
Wonderful holiday reflection. Reminded me of Paul Seabright's "In the Company of Strangers--A Natural History of Economic Life", one of the few books that, after reading it through for a first time, I knew I had to read again right away, and did. (Did the same thing with Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow".) Apologize if I'm telling you something you already know, but Seabright argues that what really sets humans apart is the ability to cooperate with individuals and groups we don't know, mostly without even knowing we're doing so. One key ingredient in the secret sauce of human cooperation is the very quality you describe in your post, the kindness of strangers. It is heartening to know that, as long as good people continue to outnumber bad ones by a decisive measure (which they do), we have a fighting chance to make do. And maybe even do better than that. Thank you.
Yuval Harari says the same in his excellent book Nexus. It's an evolutionary trait that apparently lead sapiens to outlast the neanderthals.
Thank you for this essay at this time of the year.
All the best to you and your loved ones in this Holiday season and into the coming year.
We cooperate with all species of fauna and flora, we are not yet capable of it and we do not respect its superiority and we are doing everything to exterminate all living things and ourselves.
Dan, in the few brief encounters I had with you in a professional connection - I clerked the Senate’s Illegal Drugs Committee - and otherwise, your kind, thoughtful, intelligent demeanour did all the heavy lifting for you. It is easy to oblige someone who comes at their request openly, without a negative agenda.
Happy holidays and a joyful New Year.
great article. A keeper. I would add Quakers to your list of good people who give much back to society. Quietly too. Thank you Dan for your always thoughtful journalism. Best of hope to ALL of Us in 2026
I have begun ti wonder why soldiers fight. Why did no German soldiers in the 2nd world war just went across to the other side. I got that idea while watching the World At War serious a young SS soldier working a transport truck at Auschwitz and was one day shown by a friend how the gas chamber worked and was horrified and later when he was assigned to the task refused. But it never occurred to him to just leave. No doubt it wiuld have been hard but better than the alternative. How rarely this ever happens in any army in any war. Figurebthat oit and we may just have an end to war. Trump wants Greenland? Well you know where it is, go get it.
have become our political parties and now hunt the opposition.
This former pack of hunters
“The Amish are a highly cooperative society. So are Mormon communities. And Israeli kibbutzes. But so, too, was the vast and complex network of people that delivered the Holocaust.”
Many religious lineages speak of the existence of two impulses in humankind, one towards the good, and another towards the evil.
So it is unsurprising that any human activity — be that of the community, or of the individual — can be directed/bent towards either pole… and sometimes a mixture of the two…
One of your best. Thank you for being such a gifted writer.