The Default Setting Is Love

by Thomas Dexter Kerr

The culture of freedom, democracy and human rights is
the heart of the revolution of our era creating an advanced
civilization, more intelligent, moral and beautiful.
This reality is beyond the vision of modern philosophy
based on the false premise that the default setting is hate
because humans are fundamentally separate and evolved to
compete against one another. But we aren’t and we didn’t.
It's an exciting and hopeful time to be alive.
Peace and prosperity are increasing as ever more people are
allowed, enabled, inspired to make more decisions in their
lives. People thinking more is good, right and beautiful
because our thoughts and feelings evolved to mix together
in the living thinking system that is all minds connected,
talents not concentrated but dispersed, every person
incompetent on their own, each and every one needed to
add variety to the whole, creating a category leap in
intelligence, grace and power far beyond what could evolve
to exist in any one beast, completely dependent on
everyone getting along, intelligence and morality joined in a
common endeavor.
Together our destiny is to wonder and speculate, create and
explore, seek truth and solve the riddles of the universe.
We all have a responsibility to engage with the wonder and
joy of life. Connections are everywhere, disconnection is
illusion, ever greater mixing lending context, depth and
meaning to the love enabling the human information
system to dominate existence with warmth and beauty.
So rise above superiority to live equal with all, awaken to
see the light in every pair of eyes, each one a unique
shining facet of the most intelligent entity ever to arise.

A story told in many pieces,
Poems with a preface

183 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2014

Reviews

[Charlotte Lance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but reading it was like trudging through mud. There’s little to no flow in the poetry. It’s a bit like a flow of consciousness but not executed properly. The further the book went along the further it seemed to get away from the main message of love being the default. The majority of poems seemed like filler and I completely agree with the other reviews saying there’s no heart to the poems. Not only that, but there’s no clear voice, it feels very hollow. I’ve given it two stars as the author has obviously put a lot of work into this but it’s just really poorly curated and executed.

[Chiku Okechukwu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally,

I think this is a solid read. It definitely has some gems that really resonate with me but most of the book I didn’t necessarily connect to or feel. I think this book was written fantastically, but I did not feel much emotion. With poetry, sometimes less is more and I would’ve like a more condense, emotionally filled title.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never like poetry. This is great tho.

[Allee Proctor · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were only a hand full of poems that were worth the read. Definitely more of a skimming book for me!

[Cory Tschinkel · Rating 1 out of 5]

one word: EDIT!