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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1996)
Creative hair Fuzziness plays big factor in genius equation Albert Einstein, Cookie Monster and Jerry Garcia: Each of these figures is associated with creative intelligence. And each carried out his day’s tasks after what must have been a haphazard effort with the comb. The theory, though outrageous and without scientific justification, holds that a correlation exists between genius and unruly hair. Yes, hair. Given the most obvious physical trait, we need only strive to understand the accompanying genius. And so, let us learn from these fuzzy-headed souls. What of genius? James Carse, professor of religion at NYU, said that, in the infinite scheme of things, “every birth is the birth of genius.” This might imply that, if the hair theory holds and every person was bom into his own genius, then we should each have some hint of scruffiness about us. After a careful scan of the university, I could verify that there aren’t many coiffures around that look as if they conduct obscure intellectual energies. And it seems that those with particularly messy hair have a general awareness of themselves. For example. Cookie Monster knows exactly what he wants and takes great pleasure in his self-knowledge, “AYYYYY COOOOKKKKIIEESSS!” And Cookie’s behavior could be explained by Einstein, who said of himself, “For the most part I do the thing which my own nature drives me to do.” I think genius entails knowl edge, possibly inspired, of the self. Webster’s defines genius as “an unusual natural intellectual capacity as indicated in original and creative activity.” E=MC2 is commonly regarded as Al’s great contribution to humankind. But his Theory of Relativity, without formal examination, tells us scant about the man or his spirit. Clearly his intellect and perception were extraor dinary. But he was aware of the Kelly Johnson “Einstein possessed a vision of what humanity could be. And his ideas regarding human potential have become increasingly relevant with time. ” universe within as well as the world he lived in. Einstein provided the theoretical means necessary for science to create advanced warfare. And he was careful to warn of potential dire conse quences. But his true genius lay in his awareness of science’s impact on the soul. Einstein possessed a vision of what humanity could be. And his ideas regarding human potential have become increasingly relevant with time. I’m convinced that he recognized the potential of technology to ennoble the masses in matters of the soul. And he knew this would not be realized during his lifetime. “Our time is rich in inventive minds, the inventions of which could facilitate our lives considerably,” Einstein said early in the century. He wrote this at a time when the world was just beginning to realize how efficient and speedy communica tion could result in greater freedom of information and thought. “We have learned to fly, and we are able to send messages and news without any difficulty over the entire world through electric waves.” The hair theory can best be proved by the example of Einstein’s human istic philosophy, which he arrived at as he lived by his nature’s calling. And the productivity of this intention shows itself in the lives of Garcia and Cookie. Cookie and Garcia were probably little interested in computers. C. Monster’s spirited endeavors involved cookies, mostly. And Garcia created music, ideas and a massive following. But each was allowed the time to cultivate his spirit through his life’s work. This freedom is what Einstein envisioned technology could provide the masses. “Man should not have to work for the achievement of the necessities of life to such an extent that he has neither time nor strength for personal activities,” he said. “Without such outward liberty, freedom of expression is useless for him. Advances in technology would provide the possibility of this kind of freedom if the problem of a reasonable division of labor were solved.” Part of Einstein’s genius was his extraordinary instinct about the way society was going. “We must build spiritual and scientific bridges linking the world.” Science has provided, with the development of and mass access to the Internet and instanta neous communication, the scientific bridges Einstein mentioned. With such bridges, each spirit may cross into new realms of discovery. So, the theory hinges on two dead men and a little blue character, all fuzzy by description. But their genius lives in a realm of creativity that we each can examine and leam from if our natures so desire. Johnson Is a senior English and news editorial major and a Dally Nebraskan col umnist. Priorities Balancing budget should help people first I m no political science major, but I like to think I know a few things about politics in America. I probably don’t, but I would at least like to think so. I guess that is why this whole budget “crisis” blows me away. Apparently, the budget story goes something like this: Both sides would like to balance the federal budget, but both have different agendas for doing so. The Republicans would like to cut federal spending on Medicare, welfare and other entitlement programs to the tune of $328 billion and give a large tax cut to the middle class. The Democrats feel that these cuts are too deep and that the tax break would place an unfair burden on the poor. With me so far? Balancing the budget is a good idea for several reasons, such as keeping interest rates down and setting the country in a good economic position for the future. Not everyone agrees, though. I read a columnist in a magazine who felt there should be no hurry because powers such as Germany and Japan will run larger deficits than the United States this year. It would seem to me that this would be the perfect time then, instead of a time when both those countries are in an economic heyday. Of course, Bill Clinton is fighting for the survival of welfare programs. I can’t help but think if he had followed through on his campaign promise of reforming the health care system, he would have a better leg to stand on when trying to get the rest of America to support his position. To be fair, I wouldn’t want to overlook the Republican responsibil ity in this mess. Judging by Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole’s statements, Jody Burke “We didn't send Mr. Dole, Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Clinton to Washington to do as they please and plan out their careers. They have a greater responsibility to the American people. ” they see this whole process as gaining the leverage they need to boot Clinton out of office. According to Connecti cut Representative Chris Shays, a close ally of Gingrich’s, “the Presi dent simply isn’t gojng to balance the budget, and so we take this to the November election.” On the other hand, there are many who feel that Dole is using the game to better his chances in November. They use his actions in getting the government shutdown resolved, an action that was highly unpopular with hard-core conserva tives like Gingrich, as an example. This kind of partisan politics is inexcusable. We didn’t send Mr. Dole, Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Clinton to Washington to do as they please and plan out their careers. They have a greater responsibility to the American people. I guess what gets me so mad is that we aren’t any closer to a solution than we were a few weeks ago. Both sides keep meeting, claiming huge differences, and that “the ball is in their court.” It makes me wonder if this isn’t just a big election ploy on the part of both parties. I am beginning to think it might be. At least the evidence points me in that direction. Who else really has a chance to run as the Republican nominee besides Dole? Is there anyone besides Clinton running for the Democrats? When it comes down to it, the country is being treated to a presidential race about six months early. The Republicans feel this is the issue they can win on. They feel they can pull enough moderate Democrats over so they can capture the White House. Clinton feels he can splinter the Republican power into factions, as Perot did for him in 1992 with this issue. In the end, they both are already sizing this issue up for the November election. And while we stand around debating the fact, the players themselves continuously position and reposition themselves. More meetings are scheduled for this week, but the impasse seem ingly will continue indefinitely. In just three weeks, Clinton and the White House are supposed to submit their fiscal budget requests for 1997, even though we don’t yet have a budget for this year. No matter the impetus for all the confusion, it wiH be the country who pays the price for the budget debacle. Burke Is a senior English major and a Dally Nebraskan columnist - t- _..... . 1 ^A JuPC PRESENTS I ^ /Ar aces 'v4^ >»7 HIGH V*> C0N£ERT \\^ Saturday • January 20, 1996 jj \\UNL East Campus Great Plains RoomJ \^^$2 for UNL Students, $5 for the Public 8 p.m.-12 a.m. T' I_FOR MORE INFORMATION,_I ■“^^^CONTACT UPC AT X^W^472-8146 - ' —---— Nebraska vs. Minnesota FRIDAY, January 19 7urn Nebraska vs. Iowa State SATURDAY, January20 1p.m. I General Admission - $2.00 UNL Students - FREE .; >i • v n ess set's