Good morning Bob.

Recent surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans believe in free-will; i.e., they believe that Man has a will which is not determined, not coerced, one which acts independently of antecedent psychological and physiological conditions.

 

Your literary assignment, should you decide to accept it, is to, in one hundred and fifty words or less, discredit the concept of free-will. Bob, show it to be the absurdity that it is. Show that the human will does not act independently of the aforementioned conditions.

 

Of course, should you decide to accept the mission, the Secretary will not only deny any knowledge of your activities, but, by the nature of his position, will be forced to move against you. He will have no choice but to attempt to discredit you.

 

This letter will self-erase in five seconds. The mission is an impossible one; good luck Bob.

 

 

Baseball and Tibet

 

Tibet has not produced a single major league baseball player. This fact cannot be interpreted to mean that the Tibetans lack the physical and mental ability necessary to play the game well. Nor should it be seen as reflecting a dislike of baseball on the part of the Tibetans.

 

Baseball is, for the most part, unknown in Tibet. And where it is known, it is not encouraged. No steps have been initiated which might offer adequate instruction and training. Research studies have shown there are no little leagues, no legion or Babe Ruth play, and not one pro scout has ever gone to Tibet to recruit talent.

 

It must be recognized that being a pro baseball player is not to be numbered among the genuine choices available to the Tibetans. The conditions prerequisite to such a choice are not present.