What was I saying about archetypes?
Friday, January 28, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The Limits of Science
Science will never be able to prove or disprove *anything* that is
supernatural. "Supernatural" means "above or outside of nature," and
science can deal only with the realm of cause and effect that is nature.
It deals in consistent and repeated observations of nature, theories
concerning the patterns of those observations, and replicable
experimentation. If something--God or ghosts or the Force or the human
spirit--is supernatural it is, by definition, outside the realm of
science and science cannot say anything, positive or negative, about it.
supernatural. "Supernatural" means "above or outside of nature," and
science can deal only with the realm of cause and effect that is nature.
It deals in consistent and repeated observations of nature, theories
concerning the patterns of those observations, and replicable
experimentation. If something--God or ghosts or the Force or the human
spirit--is supernatural it is, by definition, outside the realm of
science and science cannot say anything, positive or negative, about it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Archetypes
Take a look at this site on archetypes. Fascinating how the same story elements keep cropping up again and again throughout mythology and popular fiction.
Who was it that was raised by step parents, but always felt like they didn't belong. Around puberty they suddenly found out the truth about their true destiny and were ushered into a world where they could achieve that destiny. Am I talking about King Arthur? Cinderella? Neo from The Matrix? Luke Skywalker? Harry Potter? Hercules? Can you think of others?
Who was it that was raised by step parents, but always felt like they didn't belong. Around puberty they suddenly found out the truth about their true destiny and were ushered into a world where they could achieve that destiny. Am I talking about King Arthur? Cinderella? Neo from The Matrix? Luke Skywalker? Harry Potter? Hercules? Can you think of others?
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
To avoid pitfalls, "follow the yellow brick road." Model yourself on someone who did it right rather than trying not to do it wrong.
Concentrate on Changing Myself Rather Than Others
I am finding that the more time I spend about thinking about how others have wronged me, or about what they *should* be like, or about how they will get their comeuppance, the more unhappy I am. The more time I spend concentrating on what I am doing *right now*, the happier and more satisfied I am.
God Gives Me What I Want
I think that God generally gives me what I truly want. The trick is in wanting what I should. If God knows all things and truly loves me, then I can make sure I want the right things by wanting what He wants. My ultimate happiness is directly tied to this.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Most people tend to delude themselves into thinking that freedom comes from doing what feels good or what fosters comfort and ease. The truth is that people who subordinate reason to their feelings of the moment are actually slaves of their own desires and aversions. They are ill prepared to act effectively and nobly when unexpected challenges occur, as they inevitably will. --Epictetus
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Cynic's Are Always SO Negative
Upon reading some of my posts, my buddy felt that I was being "a bit cynical." Always helps to hear things through someone else's nose, and I can definitely see where he's coming from. Nevertheless, "just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."
Cynicism isn't my aim or my general stance. I'm grasping for lucid thinking about human nature, and my rose-colored glasses have recently been busted, although I'm sure it's all for the best.
That doesn't mean I'm cynical about life and existence in general (note the previous posts on stars, and sand, and BIG). I think life, and the Universe, and God, and ... everything! ... are absolutely, jaw-droppingly, amazing!
People are amazing and wonderful too, or can be. But they're very hard to admire when they're rifling through your wallet and stomping on your heart.
I can't believe he thinks I was being cynical.
Cynicism isn't my aim or my general stance. I'm grasping for lucid thinking about human nature, and my rose-colored glasses have recently been busted, although I'm sure it's all for the best.
That doesn't mean I'm cynical about life and existence in general (note the previous posts on stars, and sand, and BIG). I think life, and the Universe, and God, and ... everything! ... are absolutely, jaw-droppingly, amazing!
People are amazing and wonderful too, or can be. But they're very hard to admire when they're rifling through your wallet and stomping on your heart.
I can't believe he thinks I was being cynical.
Astronomers count the stars
Astronomers in Australia say there are 10 times more stars in the
visible Universe than all the grains of sand on the world's beaches and
deserts.
visible Universe than all the grains of sand on the world's beaches and
deserts.
Talk Isn't Cheap and People Usually Put Themselves First
Some say, "Talk is cheap." That is incorrect. Talk is very costly.
It costs us when we take others at their word and they break their
word. It costs us when we give our word and then have to make good.
It especially costs us when we give your word and fail to make good.
I read once that people can be divided into three categories;
(1) Those who seek their own interests, even at your expense, while
concealing their intentions,
(2) Those who seek their own interests, even at your expense, and make
no secret of it,
(3) And those who don't set out to put their interests above yours,
but will given the right circumstances.
In general, I find this to be true. The exceptions to this are so few
and far between that we can act as if they don't exist. However, we
shouldn't hold this against people...it's probably true of us as well
in regards to our interactions with most people.
That means, the only people you can trust in this regard are those
whose own self interest coincides with yours (often relatives) and
those who have a track record of living by right principals even when
it is very costly to them.
It costs us when we take others at their word and they break their
word. It costs us when we give our word and then have to make good.
It especially costs us when we give your word and fail to make good.
I read once that people can be divided into three categories;
(1) Those who seek their own interests, even at your expense, while
concealing their intentions,
(2) Those who seek their own interests, even at your expense, and make
no secret of it,
(3) And those who don't set out to put their interests above yours,
but will given the right circumstances.
In general, I find this to be true. The exceptions to this are so few
and far between that we can act as if they don't exist. However, we
shouldn't hold this against people...it's probably true of us as well
in regards to our interactions with most people.
That means, the only people you can trust in this regard are those
whose own self interest coincides with yours (often relatives) and
those who have a track record of living by right principals even when
it is very costly to them.
Friday, January 14, 2005
A Challenge for the Materialist
If you believe that there is no supernatural creative force, that all
which exists is the result of random chance and time, then I issue a
challenge to you. Flip a coin. Heads, you stick with your current
views. Tails, you become a rabid religious fundamentalist. It is no
more or less valid a way to decide your view than any other.
Ultimately, your view doesn't matter anyway, if you hold to your
philosophy.
which exists is the result of random chance and time, then I issue a
challenge to you. Flip a coin. Heads, you stick with your current
views. Tails, you become a rabid religious fundamentalist. It is no
more or less valid a way to decide your view than any other.
Ultimately, your view doesn't matter anyway, if you hold to your
philosophy.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Who do you love?
Why do you love the people you do? Come up with a list if you like.
What are the reasons you love one person more than another.
Here are some possibilities...
--physical relatedness
--similar values
--attractiveness
--long association
Add your own, but take a close look. You will find that there are some
people you love who don't have some of these, or have less of these than
others who you don't love. For example, you may have a brother
(physical relatedness) who does not share your values that you
nevertheless love with all your heart, and another sibling or parent
with similar values that you don't care for as much. Many people adopt
babies who have none of the qualities we would consider love-worthy, yet
they love them nonetheless.
What this tells me is that we love who we choose to love, and usually
don't spend time justifying the emotion. If love is a choice, often
arbitrary and capricious, then is anyone really more worthy of love than
anyone else? If so, how do you know? Is this true in your own life?
If there is a God who created us all then wouldn't God's choice of who
to love be a better criteria than any we could come up with? Then we
should love others equally, without reservation. All men are my
brothers.
Yes, but spend those most time on those within our sphere of influence;
those whom we have the greatest ability to affect. God has also given
us a responsibility to spend more time and effort on some rather than
others; spouses, children, parents, etc.
What are the reasons you love one person more than another.
Here are some possibilities...
--physical relatedness
--similar values
--attractiveness
--long association
Add your own, but take a close look. You will find that there are some
people you love who don't have some of these, or have less of these than
others who you don't love. For example, you may have a brother
(physical relatedness) who does not share your values that you
nevertheless love with all your heart, and another sibling or parent
with similar values that you don't care for as much. Many people adopt
babies who have none of the qualities we would consider love-worthy, yet
they love them nonetheless.
What this tells me is that we love who we choose to love, and usually
don't spend time justifying the emotion. If love is a choice, often
arbitrary and capricious, then is anyone really more worthy of love than
anyone else? If so, how do you know? Is this true in your own life?
If there is a God who created us all then wouldn't God's choice of who
to love be a better criteria than any we could come up with? Then we
should love others equally, without reservation. All men are my
brothers.
Yes, but spend those most time on those within our sphere of influence;
those whom we have the greatest ability to affect. God has also given
us a responsibility to spend more time and effort on some rather than
others; spouses, children, parents, etc.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Infinite Universes...Infinite Idiots
A theory has been proposed to explain the existence of life in our
universe in light of the hard-edged math that finds it's existence
improbable in the extreme, given the age and size of our universe. The
theory indicates there are an infinite number of universes and therefore
an infinite number of chances for life to exist. One universe was bound
to exist that harbors life as we know it.
If the number of universes is really infinite then this doesn't go far
enough. Infinite isn't just a big number. It's an unending number.
Therefore there must be an infinite number of universes where life
evolved. There must be an infinite number of universes identical to
ours. There must be an infinite number of universes identical to ours
except for the position of one item. And so on. Therefore, there must
be an infinite number of universes in which we are all exactly alike
except that the persons proposing the infinite universe theory are
idiots masquerading as enlightened scientists.
How do we know we aren't in that universe?
universe in light of the hard-edged math that finds it's existence
improbable in the extreme, given the age and size of our universe. The
theory indicates there are an infinite number of universes and therefore
an infinite number of chances for life to exist. One universe was bound
to exist that harbors life as we know it.
If the number of universes is really infinite then this doesn't go far
enough. Infinite isn't just a big number. It's an unending number.
Therefore there must be an infinite number of universes where life
evolved. There must be an infinite number of universes identical to
ours. There must be an infinite number of universes identical to ours
except for the position of one item. And so on. Therefore, there must
be an infinite number of universes in which we are all exactly alike
except that the persons proposing the infinite universe theory are
idiots masquerading as enlightened scientists.
How do we know we aren't in that universe?
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Am I a Dog, Professor Pavlov?
Do you respond to pleasures and pains which come from outside your Self? Then you behave as an animal and should not wonder that you are led around as a bull by his nose.
As Epictetus notes,
and again,
Do not allow things outside of you to affect you willy-nilly, but evaluate the environment and circumstances of life from inside yourself, with wisdom and clear thinking, so that you will not be at the mercy of others, of the outside environment, or even of the hormones and nerve impulses of your own body. This is how animals live and you are not only an animal.
But the vehicle of your soul, for a time, is an animal--the "human" part of "human being." The part that is You is the "being." Let the being control it's animal vehicle as a fine horsemen does his mount. At times that he deems right and proper he may allow his steed to feed and sleep and play and procreate; yet it is always he who decides when and where and for how long. But when there is a task to be done, the mount must respond to the master promptly and perfectly.
But take care. As a being you rarely react to the environment as it truly is; rather, you react to your opinion of the environment. You react to more than a pain in your chest, for example. You also react to your opinion of what that pain represents. Is it a heart attack or indigestion? How long will the pain last? Am I being punished for some imagined misdeed? Did I overindulge in spicy food? Do I suspect the pain will soon go away or that, if not treated promptly, I am in mortal danger? Your actions and anxiety hinge on your assessment. The environment provides only information. Let the rational being calmly and clearly assess the information and choose a course of action. If you let the animal choose you will act like an animal.
Sometimes, however, letting the animal act may be best. This is especially true where split-second decisions about physical dangers are involved. Reflexes are there for a reason. But do not let reflexes and blind responses rule when it is not appropriate.
As Epictetus notes,
Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.
and again,
No man is free who is not master of himself.
Do not allow things outside of you to affect you willy-nilly, but evaluate the environment and circumstances of life from inside yourself, with wisdom and clear thinking, so that you will not be at the mercy of others, of the outside environment, or even of the hormones and nerve impulses of your own body. This is how animals live and you are not only an animal.
But the vehicle of your soul, for a time, is an animal--the "human" part of "human being." The part that is You is the "being." Let the being control it's animal vehicle as a fine horsemen does his mount. At times that he deems right and proper he may allow his steed to feed and sleep and play and procreate; yet it is always he who decides when and where and for how long. But when there is a task to be done, the mount must respond to the master promptly and perfectly.
But take care. As a being you rarely react to the environment as it truly is; rather, you react to your opinion of the environment. You react to more than a pain in your chest, for example. You also react to your opinion of what that pain represents. Is it a heart attack or indigestion? How long will the pain last? Am I being punished for some imagined misdeed? Did I overindulge in spicy food? Do I suspect the pain will soon go away or that, if not treated promptly, I am in mortal danger? Your actions and anxiety hinge on your assessment. The environment provides only information. Let the rational being calmly and clearly assess the information and choose a course of action. If you let the animal choose you will act like an animal.
Sometimes, however, letting the animal act may be best. This is especially true where split-second decisions about physical dangers are involved. Reflexes are there for a reason. But do not let reflexes and blind responses rule when it is not appropriate.
The Measure of a Man
This is off the Yahoo Buzz Index and lists the most common searches (leaders) and the most increased searches (movers). What a fascinating look at who we are. This is what we are most interested in. Disaster, fame, wealth, entertainment...
The measure of a man is the worth of the things he cares about.
--Marcus Aurelius
As a man thinketh, so is he.
--The Bible
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| Leaders |
| Movers | |||||||
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| Rank |
| Prev. | Subject (Days on Chart) | Score |
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move | |
| 1 | - | 1 | Tsunami (9) | -474 | 813 |
| 1 | Andrea Yates | Breakout! |
| 2 |  | 21 | Jennifer Lopez (73) | +232 | 304 |
| 2 | California Earthquakes | 1164.22% |
| 3 |  | 2 | Ashlee Simpson (73) | -113 | 256 |
| 3 | Thinksecret | 551.99% |
| 4 | | 3 | Delta Air (14) | -146 | 131 |
| 4 | Wickedly Perfect | 538.02% |
| 5 | | 4 | Britney Spears (894) | -103 | 129 |
| 5 | Marianne Leone | 496.55% |
| 6 | | 9 | Lindsay Lohan (73) | -7 | 92 |
| 6 | Taps Ghost Hunters | 444.84% |
| 7 | | 11 | Internal Revenue Service (14) | 0 | 91 |
| 7 | Anna Benson | 434.98% |
| 8 | | 5 | Paris Hilton (73) | -64 | 85 |
| 8 | Caltech | 416.74% |
| 9 | | 13 | PlayStation 2 (49) | -3 | 70 |
| 9 | Taps | 375.24% |
| 10 | | 45 | Earthquakes (9) | +26 | 66 |
| 10 | Barbara Boxer | 358.95% |
| 11 | | 18 | NBA (51) | -1 | 64 |
| 11 | Jennifer Lopez | 325.94% |
| 12 | | 19 | NFL (105) | 0 | 64 |
| 12 | Emergency Closings | 320.55% |
| 13 | | 17 | WWE (73) | -3 | 63 |
| 13 | C-reactive Protein | 297.95% |
| 14 | | 16 | Usher (73) | -8 | 63 |
| 14 | Rolex Watches | 285.56% |
| 15 | | 10 | Jessica Simpson (73) | -40 | 60 |
| 15 | Celebrity Big Brother | 264.96% |
| 16 | | 23 | Oprah Winfrey (14) | +4 | 60 |
| 16 | Lipsync.us | 252.84% |
| 17 | | 22 | Drudge Report (14) | -2 | 57 |
| 17 | Mercedes Championship | 250.77% |
| 18 | | 98 | The O.C. (8) | +32 | 57 |
| 18 | Reggie White | 247.53% |
| 19 | | 57 | White Noise (4) | +19 | 54 |
| 19 | Life As We Know It | 247.49% |
| 20 | | 8 | Harry Potter (73) | -50 | 53 |
| 20 | Gavin Newsom | 243.62% |
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Robbed of a Turkey's Destiny
Once upon a time the egg of a bald eagle found it's
way into the nest of a wild turkey. His adopted
relations, being turkeys and none too bright, didn't
give his strange appearance much thought, although his
brothers and sisters did make fun of his oddness from
time to time. The little eagle felt like an outsider.
Alone. Different.
Still, the young eagle loved his turkey mother and
brothers and sisters. More than anything, he admired
his father and his uncles. What handsome birds they
were with their brilliant red wattles and impressive
fans of tail feathers. He spent hours, in the summer
shade daydreaming about how fine it would be when he
too would spend his days strutting among the oaks and
hickories, chest puffed wide, gobbling with pride. No
one would make fun of him then. He would belong!
The young eagle's first winter shrouded the forest in icy
white. Yet the eagle felt a furnace in his belly as he grew and
changed. He watched his turkey brothers swell and
plump. How impressive they were becoming! He must be
changing in similar ways.
Spring came, green and live. The eagle heard the
cracking of the river ice. He rushed down to the bank, anxious
to see his reflection in the water.
No! It can't be! Instead of the bald, wrinkled red
head and wattles he had dreamed of he saw a pale head
and yellow beak! There in the river's mirror was a
long and streamlined body rather than the round, full
chest he longed for. He had huge, sharp talons where
he expected feet made for strutting through the dirt
and leaves. Worst of all, his tail was thin and weak.
He could not fan it out at all!
"I've been robbed! Robbed!" He ran screaming through
the forest with an un-gobble-like shrill. "I've been
robbed of my destiny!"
The eagle spent the rest of his days trudging sadly
through the undergrowth and shadows, pecking at stale
seeds hid beneath the molder of fallen leaves. He had
been robbed of his true destiny. Such a huge
disappointment.
THE END
Question: Who robbed the eagle?
way into the nest of a wild turkey. His adopted
relations, being turkeys and none too bright, didn't
give his strange appearance much thought, although his
brothers and sisters did make fun of his oddness from
time to time. The little eagle felt like an outsider.
Alone. Different.
Still, the young eagle loved his turkey mother and
brothers and sisters. More than anything, he admired
his father and his uncles. What handsome birds they
were with their brilliant red wattles and impressive
fans of tail feathers. He spent hours, in the summer
shade daydreaming about how fine it would be when he
too would spend his days strutting among the oaks and
hickories, chest puffed wide, gobbling with pride. No
one would make fun of him then. He would belong!
The young eagle's first winter shrouded the forest in icy
white. Yet the eagle felt a furnace in his belly as he grew and
changed. He watched his turkey brothers swell and
plump. How impressive they were becoming! He must be
changing in similar ways.
Spring came, green and live. The eagle heard the
cracking of the river ice. He rushed down to the bank, anxious
to see his reflection in the water.
No! It can't be! Instead of the bald, wrinkled red
head and wattles he had dreamed of he saw a pale head
and yellow beak! There in the river's mirror was a
long and streamlined body rather than the round, full
chest he longed for. He had huge, sharp talons where
he expected feet made for strutting through the dirt
and leaves. Worst of all, his tail was thin and weak.
He could not fan it out at all!
"I've been robbed! Robbed!" He ran screaming through
the forest with an un-gobble-like shrill. "I've been
robbed of my destiny!"
The eagle spent the rest of his days trudging sadly
through the undergrowth and shadows, pecking at stale
seeds hid beneath the molder of fallen leaves. He had
been robbed of his true destiny. Such a huge
disappointment.
THE END
Question: Who robbed the eagle?
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