Diane Albanese’s Musings

On the beach lessons are being learned. Just because there are no classroom walls to surround children in the summer does not mean that learning stops. Parents are the first teachers anyway and so much of what children learn, what they absorb, and what they become is because of what they observe.

Consider this quote from James W. Frick. “Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money.” Children are keenly aware of what takes priority in the family budget. Families struggle through tough times and sometimes difficult decisions must be made to modify college entrance or put off making repairs to the house because a child needs medical attention, books for school or braces. If mom and dad continue to make sacrifices so that the family can spend a day at the beach, go to Funland and have Grotto’s Pizza, then those memories and awareness becomes intuitive learning.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov said, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Parents teach by example. “Don’t kick the sand, pick up your trash and play nice,” are common commands uttered countless times on out summer beaches but more importantly are parents whose words are sparse but actions are consistently appropriate. Showing appreciation for the marine environment, consideration toward other people and a deep commitment to preservation of community resources are all action items. As children grow and eventually become independent they can articulate these beliefs through their own words and actions.

Just recently a group of Cape kids were together on the beach and discussing how important is was to keep the beaches clean. The urgency and indignation in their voices suggested that even though they had gone away to college and returned home for the summer, they were aware of the need for living a mindful existence within our community and preserving these spaces for generations to come. For this time, the beaches belong to them and they are assuming responsible authority. This is the passing of the baton onto a new generation of caretakers, our children. And by the way, they really get it.

How well do we listen to children? One of our most precious resources is time. How much time is given to read a book, plant a garden, cook a meal or make a bird house? By doing things we enjoy, we model balance in our lives. By driving gently and holding doors for the elderly we model kindness. Awareness of others and attention to each other even on vacation is teaching holistically.

Acta Non Verba means “Act, don’t speak.” We must get beyond words. Words actually get in the way. On the beach a young mother showed her daughter that horseshoe crabs are not at all harmful as she gently placed the crab in the surf. A father scooped his daughter and took her to the edge of the bay showing her how to skip stones. A grandmother walked and picked up shells to sharing them with her grandsons. She also carried a bag for debris and the walk turned into a something much more than a walk: an unexpected lesson that was barely visible to the naked eye.

July was not even over yet when the comment started. It is the comment that I despise: the comment that makes the hair on the back of my neck rise up in protest and inspires in me feelings of resentment and even malice. People in stores and restaurants start saying the same dreaded thing – Gee Diane, isn’t it about time to think about going back to school?

NO!

It’s not time to start thinking about going back to school, I reply warmly with a wry smile on my lips. Would you tell a farmer to start thinking about plowing and planting in January? Would you tell a Santa Claus to think about Christmas in August? Well PLEASE do not suggest that I need to “think about” going back to school in July.

Besides, we go back late this year and who knows what we will do with the mandatory furlough days and I am still working my summer job and the state fair is still in full swing and the children haven’t annoyed their parents enough and I haven’t seen the new Harry Potter yet and my summer reading pile of books is still formidable and the college kids are in the restaurants right now toiling away for tips and the Jolly Trolley is running full speed and between Cape May and Lewes the ferries chug along and the tomatoes and basil just started coming round and the ocean just warmed up and there are beautiful sunsets at the Cape and King’s Ice Cream is so packed with people and the beach chairs and umbrellas are almost rented out completely and there is so much boardwalk to walk and concerts in the Milton and Lewes parks and crabs to pick and friends to see.

The corn is not that high yet, is it? The cantaloupes are just coming in along with the Silver Queen corn that tastes just like sweetness personified. The crape myrtle just started to blossom out. The weather just got humid and soupy and summery sweat urges me to commit my body to the reckless act of plunging quickly into the bay.

The pictures that I took on my woods walk are waiting for me to copy to use as a story starter and wouldn’t it be great if I could somehow use the new book I am reading about a boy soldier in Sierra Leone as a passage that I can read to my students to get them to reconsider the value of their own reading experience. What if the Harry Potter movie turns out to be so valuable that I can use it as a device to explain the terms of literature and the process of narration? Then there is the technology that I am experimenting with: blogs, wikis and RSS feeds. It had occurred to me that there is such value in it because my students are so naturally tech savvy and ready to embrace so much more content using tools they already know.

Yes, I know that this column is filled with run-on sentences, for heaven’s sake, I am an English teacher but lately I am evaluating the role of structure and grammar as it relates to today’s world and today’s students. What will I do? How will I proceed?

Time to start thinking about school? When did I ever stop?

Packing my bags right now for an exciting five day stint in Washington DC with my fellow techies at the National Educational Computing Conference, NECC.  This is my second NECC conference: I attended two years ago in  Atlanta and learned so much.

Looking forward to meeting Sue Waters of Edublog fame. She has a practical advice blog that has saved my teaching skin many times. My students all have Edublogs and we are quite familiar with this format so I am thrilled James let her come to NECC. Nothing like a Face to Face to enhance our teaching.

Next I am looking forward to being inspired. I want to be a sponge absorbing information, but also a sprinkler who shares my classroom experiences with others. By the end of the conference I should reach saturation!  Can’t wait to get wet.

If you think your summer should be devoid of science then think again! An innocent trip to the amusement park can open up all kinds of possibilities to discover the laws of physics. Consider the roller coaster which is driven almost exclusively by inertial, gravitational and centripetal forces. The fundamentals are all there!

The roller coaster was first patented in 1885 by LaMarcus Adna Thompson. It was a railroad system that consisted of a track that rises and falls sometimes with loops that briefly turn the rider upside down. Most roller coasters have multiple cars with passengers sitting in a seat in some type of restraining device. Some roller coasters allow the riders to dangle from bucket seats therefore extending the thrill by having limbs free to the open air.

In 1959 Disney created a new type of roller coaster that used tubular steel track and the Matterhorn Bobsleds was born. The advantage was that the tubular steel could be bent in any direction and designers went crazy configuring loops, corkscrews and other wild machinations.

Today most roller coasters are made of steel but because some people prefer the old wooden roller coaster ride and some are still being constructed. Wikipedia states that the steel coasters are known for their smooth ride and often convoluted shapes that frequently turn riders upside-down via inversions. Wooden coasters are typically renowned by enthusiasts for their rougher ride and “air time” produced by negative G-forces when the train reaches the top of hills along the ride. There are also hybrid roller coasters that combine a steel structure with wood tracks, or a wood structure with steel tracks.

Wikipedia goes on to explain that “modern roller coasters take on many different forms. Some designs take their cue from how the rider is positioned to experience the ride. Traditionally, riders sit facing forward in the coaster car, while newer coaster designs have ignored this tradition in the quest for building more exciting, unique ride experiences. Variations such as the stand-up roller coaster and the flying roller coaster position the rider in different ways to provide different experiences. Stand-up coasters involve cars that have the riders in a standing position (though still heavily strapped in). Flying coasters have the riders hanging below the track face-down with their chests and feet strapped in. Vekoma “Flying Dutchman” coasters have the riders starting out sitting above the track, then they fully recline so that the riders are looking at the sky. Eventually, they twist into the “flying” position. B&M flying coasters have the riders hanging below the track like in an inverted (hanging) coaster. To go into the flight position, the section of the car where the riders’ feet are is raised to the track. That way, they start in the flight position. In addition to changing rider viewpoint, some roller coaster designs also focus on track styles to make the ride fresh and different from other coasters.”

People disagree but here are the most popular and perhaps the top three roller coasters in the world.

Kingda Ka is a roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey, USA. At its opening on May 21, 2005, it became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, claiming the title from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. The train is launched by a hydraulic launch mechanism to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main top hat tower reaching a height of 456 feet (139.5 m). Due to aviation safety concerns, the tower is equipped with three dual strobes: two mid-way up, and one on the top.

The Steel Dragon 2000 is a roller coaster at Nagashima Spa Land Amusement Park in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Built by Morgan Manufacturing, this gigacoaster opened, appropriately, in 2000 – “The Year of the Dragon” in the Far East. It debuted only months after Millennium Force and surpassed the Cedar Point coaster as the world’s tallest complete-circuit coaster. It also set a record for longest track length – 8133 feet, 2 inches (2479 m), which it currently holds.

The Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and was built by Intamin AG. The fourteenth roller coaster built at the park, its royal blue track stands 310 feet (95 m) tall at its highest point. The coaster overlooks Lake Erie. When it was built in 2000, it was briefly the tallest complete circuit roller coaster in the world.

Some of the coolest science lessons can be learned in the summer at the state park. Cape Henlopen State Park is a local treasure and a place where many locals hang out not just to go to the beach, but to take advantage of the many trails, activities and views available.

One of the coolest things to do is to track the osprey in the park on the osprey-cam at http://www.destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen/osprey.asp. The nest is monitored by volunteers and the live feed can be accessed on the net.

The Seaside Nature Center is the right place to bring guests to learn about the coastal environment and get a little wet at the Touch Tank which is stocked with local marine life that is safe to handle. There are fish tanks with native fish and a friendly park guide to help answer your questions.

This park offers camps for children. Just call 645-6852 for availability.

Seastars Camp for 4 to 5 year-olds

August 17 – 21 9 a.m. – Noon $90 per camper

About the Program: Fins and Feathers: Learn about Cape Henlopen’s animals that

live by the shore. Participants will gain an appreciation for Cape’s natural treasures

through hands-on activities including seining, hiking, beachcombing, nature crafts and games. Limited to 12 campers.

Minnows Camp for 5 to 6 year-olds

August 10 – 14 1 – 4 p.m. $90 per camper

About the Program: Feeding Frenzy: Find out what animals eat and are eaten in cape

Henlopen and learn how they do it. Participants will gain an appreciation for Cape’s

natural treasures through hands-on activities including seining, hiking, beachcombing, nature crafts and games.

Minnows Camp for 5 to 6 year-olds

August 10 – 14 9 a.m. – Noon $90 per camper

About the Program: Feeding Frenzy: Find out what animals eat and are eaten in cape

Henlopen and learn how they do it. Participants will gain an appreciation for Cape’s

natural treasures through hands-on activities including seining, hiking, beachcombing,

nature crafts and games. Limited to 12 campers.

Dolphins Camp for 6 to 7 year-olds

August 3 – 7 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. $165 per camper

About the Program: The Animal Experience: Experience Cape Henlopen through the eyes of an animal and learn the delicate balance of animals and nature. Participants will gain an appreciation for Cape’s natural treasures through hands-on activities including seining and shell identification.

Families will enjoy the programs that the Cape Henlopen State Park nature center’s personnel offer. Here are a few suggestions. Call for more dates and classes.

Mud Flat Exploration on August 1 at 1 pm. Explore the Delaware Bay at low tide, looking for funky worms, cool clams, crusty crabs, bully snails and other marine creatures exposed by the tide. Wear old shoes that can get wet and muddy. Participation is limited to 20. Pre-registration required. $2 per person.

Geocache the Cape on August 1 at 11 am. Learn how to explore the park in this new-age treasure hunt. Join in a guided scavenger hunt using GPS units to seek out natural and historical aspects of Cape Henlopen. See the bulletin boards or call the nature center for this week’s theme. Participation limited to 15. Pre-registration required. $2 per person

Fire Power on August 1 from 2 to 3:30 pm. Tour Fort Miles and see the artillery pieces that protected our coast during World War II. Discover where and why different guns were placed, participate in a gun drill, and discover why Cape Henlopen was so heavily fortified. Participation limited to 20. Pre-registration required. $5 per adult and $2.50 per child

The Cape region is blessed with great libraries and good knowledgeable librarians! From Bethany, through Rehoboth, Lewes, Milton, Selbyville, Georgetown, Millsboro and Frankford there is a complete network of experts ready to help you and your family find the right books. Just in time for summer reading, these libraries most likely have all of the Newbery Medal winners and they can be reserved.

Not familiar with the Newbery Medal? The seal is a badge of honor worn by distinguished books that have earned this honor from the American Library Association in honor of a British bookseller, John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The following is an account of the latest winner from the ALA site.

The 2009 Newbery Medal winner is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean, and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books.

A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens.

“A child named Nobody, an assassin, a graveyard and the dead are the perfect combination in this deliciously creepy tale, which is sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting and sometimes surprising,” said Newbery Committee Chair Rose V. Treviño.

The 2009 Newbery Honor books follow.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)

Underneath the canopy of the loblolly pines, amid the pulsating sounds of the swamp, there lies a tale. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. Appelt’s lyrical storytelling heightens the distinguished characteristics of this work.

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Comapny)

The Surrender Tree utilizes compelling free verse in alternating voices to lyrically tell the story of Cuba’s three wars for independence from Spain. Combining real-life characters (such as legendary healer Rosa La Bayamesa) with imagined individuals, Engle focuses on Rosa’s struggle to save everyone–black, white, Cuban, Spanish, friend or enemy.

Savvy by Ingrid Law (Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC

This rich first-person narrative draws readers into a wild bus ride, winding through the countryside on a journey of self-discovery for Mibs Beaumont and her companions. Newcomer Law weaves a magical tall tale, using vivid language and lively personalities, all bouncing their way to a warm, satisfying conclusion.

After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers)

This tightly woven novel looks back on two years in a New York City neighborhood, where life changes for two 11-year-olds when a new girl joins their game of double Dutch. Bonded by Tupac’s music, the three girls explore the lure of freedom and build a friendship that redefines their own identities.

Summer is the perfect time for families to pull out a good book and read together. Be sure to pack a big bag of books from the library to take wherever you go. It has been discovered that reading to young children is one of the most important things that can be done to stimulate their growth in school. When they hear language they expand their vocabulary and understanding of semantics and structure. Besides, everyone loves to hear a good tale.

What to read? Librarians know best so here are their recommendations for the hottest books of the summer according to the American Library Association.

The Caldecott Medal originated to honor the nineteenth century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Each year the ALA gives these awards to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children.

The 2009 Medal Winner is The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson (Houghton Mifflin Company).

The ALA describes this book: richly detailed black-and-white scratchboard illustrations expand this timeless bedtime verse, offering reassurance to young children that there is always light in the darkness. Krommes’ elegant line, illuminated with touches of golden watercolor, evoke the warmth and comfort of home and family, as well as the joys of exploring the wider world.

The 2009 Caldecott Honor Books are listed here with annotations from the ALA.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, written and illustrated by Marla Frazee (Harcourt, Inc.)

In lively, detailed, subtly retro cartoons, Frazee gently pokes fun at adult expectations and captures the unbounded joy of two friends experiencing a parent-free summer adventure.

How I Learned Geography, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar Straus Giroux)

Recounting memories of his family’s flight from the Warsaw Blitz and his years as a refugee during World War II, Shulevitz employs watercolor and ink to depict a boy liberated from his dreary existence through flights of fancy inspired by the map his father buys in the village market.

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)

Sweet’s mixed-media collage and primitive watercolors flow seamlessly with Bryant’s prose to reveal the important bits and pieces of Williams’ ordinary, yet extraordinary, life as a doctor and poet.

Another award that will make you want to run to your library or local bookstore is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award that is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.   The winner(s), recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading, receives a bronze medal.  Ted Geisel is also known as Dr. Seuss.

The 2008 Medal winner is There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems (Hyperion)

Honor books include

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter)
Hello, Bumblebee Bat, written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Charlesbridge)
Jazz Baby, written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Harcourt)
Vulture View, written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt).

Enjoy summer reading and know that you are helping your child develop healthy habits for years to come.

Maybe July 4^th is unlike any other holiday. It’s as if the calendar pauses in the middle of the year and we are in summer and we are at the beach and we can all stop and play.

Families are together again. July 4^th is the time for picnics and barbeques, family reunions and vacations together. Just a big pause from the hectic, ridiculous pace of life and a time to stop work for at least a weekend. A time to rest, relax, refresh with the kids, aunt and uncles and grandparents. Time to play.

This is the time of year that badminton and croquet sets emerge from dusty garage shelves. Lawns are dotted with colorful mallets that are meant to hit wooden balls through strategically placed hoops.

Croquet is played competitively and in the official game one side takes the black and blue balls and the other takes the yellow and red. In the United States there are specific rules for the game of croquet including variations that include mondo croquet, extreme croquet and bicycle croquet. This game is widely believed to be viciously competitive according to a Wikipedia article but when playing with children hopefully everyone will behave!

Badminton is a court game that lacks the rigor or dignity of tennis. It is played competitively but most people are recreational players either on turf or at the beach. This simple game allows totally unskilled people to hit a birdie, also known as a shuttlecock from side to side over a net. This can be played as singles or doubles with the object being never to let the shuttlecock hit the ground.

Another recently popular sport is beach tennis. This game takes the fast pace of tennis and combines it with the sun, sea and sand of the beach. It is played competitively also but most of the time non-athletes of all ages can be seen using tennis racquets to volley a slightly depressurized tennis ball back and forth over a net without letting it bounce on the sand. Points are scored when your opponent hits the ball outside the lines or you fail to lob it back.

Beach volleyball has enjoyed a significant rise in popularity and can be seen being played up and down the Rehoboth coastline. At the highest level, beach volleyball is an art form. Who can forget the Olympic teams that competed last summer in Bejing? Such agility, grace and teamwork! But beach volleyball can also be a fabulous multigenerational game that includes children, teens and adults. The Rehoboth Recreation department has nets set up for everyone to enjoy.

Many stores along the boardwalk sell paddles for paddle ball. The tiny black rubber ball is tossed back and forth by hitting it with a paddle. This game is especially good for families because it requires little skill and keeps active children engaged in for hours.

Cape Henlopen is lacrosse country. Just consider the Cape Henlopen women’s team and their shiny new State Championship trophy! In order for my list of games to be complete, I must mention that I have observed many girls and boys with lacrosse sticks in their hands at the beach tossing around a lacrosse ball. Maybe they will invent beach lacrosse? Maybe that is why Cape lacrosse players are so fierce!

Getting a tan, playing some games, having some fun together: that’s what a holiday is all about.

We are beach people. Those teachers who are lucky enough to live in or near a resort coastal town probably got there because of the beach. We have off in the summers (if you don’t count the summer jobs, summer coursework and summer tutoring) and we like the beach. Well, scratch that. We love the beach. Truth be told, I love the beach. Me. I admit it! It is a serious and sustained love affair that has been going on for decades. I am smitten.

Like most people I meet who visit here, I have fond memories of being a child at the beach. My father, mother, grandfather and grandmother would pack a picnic lunch of salami sandwiches on white bread, chips and fruit. We had a small cooler with fruit punch drinks which we drank out of Tupperware plastic cups. My Papa would carry a large heavy beach umbrella in green with an orange strip made with a wooden pole. We had beach blankets, old bedspreads, that were kept just for the sand and after we spread them out we would anchor them with our flip flops.

Flip flops probably cost about 29 cents and they all looked alike except for the colors and sizes: mine were yellow and rubbery. The center strap took some getting used to between my toes but it meant that summer was here and that was such a good thing. The other piece of necessary apparel was a pair of white sunglasses which my sister Denise loved to wear. I have a picture of her with her nose scrunched up and her sunglasses on. We didn’t know anything much about UV rays or the harmful effects of the sun. We just knew that we looked good in sunglasses in the summer, so we wore them with panache.

There were beach rules. One rule was never to get sand on the blanket and when we did get sand on it we had to go shake it out far away from the other beach people so as not to disturb them. We learned sand etiquette early and to this day I smile watching others instruct their children about how to conduct themselves at the beach.

The other important rule was never to throw sand. It is unthinkable that in a fit of sisterly mischief, I would pick up a handful of sand and sling it at her. Absolutely forbidden! Believe me when I tell you that my parents did not have to remind us often because we would not be allowed to come back to the beach if we didn’t learn the simple rules. So we were fast learners.

I can remember holding my father’s hand and sticking my toes in the ocean as waves crashed just beyond us: such powerful waves and such breathtaking refreshment. Holding onto dad’s hand and learning to understand the forces of nature. With each wave that I jumped, I became more confident of my ability to swim and enjoy the salt water, learning that the world can be a big, scary as the ocean but that ocean can also be a wonderful place to float and relax. Just depends upon skill and perspective.

JK Rowling was asked to speak at a Harvard graduation 2008. She went to great lengths to describe two conditions that she believes to be essential for the survival of the human spirit. The first was failure or more succinctly, how to deal with failure. That topic was explored here two weeks ago. The other topic is the importance of imagination. In this essay, Rowling stresses that imagination is the basis of our interconnectedness. The following is an excerpt from her speech.

“Now you might think that I chose my second theme, the importance of imagination, because of the part it played in rebuilding my life, but that is not wholly so. Though I personally will defend the value of bedtime stories to my last gasp, I have learned to value imagination in a much broader sense. Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.

One of the greatest formative experiences of my life preceded Harry Potter, though it informed much of what I subsequently wrote in those books. This revelation came in the form of one of my earliest day jobs. Though I was sloping off to write stories during my lunch hours, I paid the rent in my early 20s by working at the African research department at Amnesty International’s headquarters in London.

There in my little office I read hastily scribbled letters smuggled out of totalitarian regimes by men and women who were risking imprisonment to inform the outside world of what was happening to them. I saw photographs of those who had disappeared without trace, sent to Amnesty by their desperate families and friends. I read the testimony of torture victims and saw pictures of their injuries. I opened handwritten, eye-witness accounts of summary trials and executions, of kidnappings and rapes.

Every day of my working week in my early 20s I was reminded how incredibly fortunate I was, to live in a country with a democratically elected government, where legal representation and a public trial were the rights of everyone.

Every day, I saw more evidence about the evils humankind will inflict on their fellow humans, to gain or maintain power. I began to have nightmares, literal nightmares, about some of the things I saw, heard, and read.

And yet I also learned more about human goodness at Amnesty International than I had ever known before.

Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places.

Of course, this is a power, like my brand of fictional magic, that is morally neutral. One might use such an ability to manipulate, or control, just as much as to understand or sympathize.

And many prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all. They choose to remain comfortably within the bounds of their own experience, never troubling to wonder how it would feel to have been born other than they are. They can refuse to hear screams or to peer inside cages; they can close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they can refuse to know.

I might be tempted to envy people who can live that way, except that I do not think they have any fewer nightmares than I do. Choosing to live in narrow spaces leads to a form of mental agoraphobia, and that brings its own terrors. I think the willfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid.

What is more, those who choose not to empathize enable real monsters. For without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves, we collude with it, through our own apathy.

One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people’s lives simply by existing.”