After a discussion with mom and Caro last week at Emily's, I've been doing a lot of thinking about faith, hope, and god.
"The Architect" in the second edition of "The Matrix" trilogy said something like this to Neo:
"Hope, the quintessential human emotion; simultaneously the source of your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness."
At the time, this struck a chord. Lately, I've been around religion and have drawn some parallel conclusions.
At my uncle's funeral, lots of praying took place. Before he died, there were cards in his room from fellow church goers asking exactly what ailments he had so they could pray to god for specific cures (note that because I'm atheist, I don't capitalize the word "god" unless it begins a sentence) to said ailments.
At Jimmy and Annie's wedding, the pastor lady was non-stop with prayers. She was non-stop the night before at the rehearsal. All sorts of praying took place. As I gazed into the crowd at the church, I noted that many people were taking the praying seriously, with hands folded and eyes shut, looking down in serious thought, using their minds to communicate with god. From my viewpoint, this is utter foolishness; that someone could believe with all their heart that a supernatural being with all power is listening, despite evidence clearly showing otherwise (prayers are not answered, but this post will not argue god's existence).
My belief is that this stems from hope. Humans are the only animal on earth that knows they will die someday, and that there is nothing they can do about it. Sure, we can diet and exercise, visit the doctor regularly, and take our vitamins in the hope that it will make us live longer and healthier lives; knowing all along that at the end of the day, we're hardly cheating death, we're merely hoping to delay it's occurrence (notice the word hope was used several times there).
It is my belief that humans are the only animal to agonize about the past and worry about the future. We hardly live in the moment. If you observe a dog, they clearly live in the moment and it helps them deal with bad days or even bad beginnings in life! A dog can be rescued as a violent and reactionary animal from horrible conditions, and become a "normal" dog in just a few months' time because they are unable to agonize about their past or worry about the future.
Humans, on the other hand, worry so much about the future that they try and convince themselves and other members of the human race to believe that there is a separate, spiritually based life that is not on Earth; in other words, that we're going to live forever, even after our bodies perish. This "hope" for eternal life is what drives us to pray, sacrifice, and even fight/kill others who don't agree, to take up religion! We're willing, as a species, to use precious time and resources to honor imaginary beings, and we've done it for our entire history. We convince ourselves, in the deepest chasms of our minds, that these imaginary beings exist so we can cheat death and live forever. Talk about false hope! I almost feel sorry for religious people who sacrificed so much in life with the promise of "going to heaven," only to find that when they die, it all goes black and it's all over. If more people would accept that, I suspect the world would be a much different, and much better, place. We'd live in the moment more and take life much more seriously; there would certainly be no suicide bombers! We'd respect life so much more that I suspect lots of wars wouldn't even be fought. People would be more honest, and stop using religion and false hope as a source of motivation to the masses to commit atrocities. As Voltaire said: "If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities."
Since there is no way to convince 95% of the world's population that religion is an enormous waste of time, how about showing people the benefits of living in the moment from time to time? When you're doing something fun/enjoyable, savor the moment! Don't think about next week or last year, just enjoy living in the moment. Dogs and little kids do it all the time and seem to enjoy themselves while doing it. Also, it can help you shrug off disappointments or become over zealous over achievements.
I don't advocate never considering the past or contemplating your future. All I'm saying is, live in the moment from time to time. I bet you'll enjoy it, and "hope" you'll do it more and more often!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Into the great, multi colored yonder...
Big changes are all around us everyday, yet most folks don't seem to notice and/or care.
Lately, prices of many commodities have skyrocketed. "The Fed" pumped $600 million into the world economy last week, yet most people either haven't taken notice or haven't bothered to think it's important enough to comment on in conversation.
"The Fed" is really the world bank. The World Bank in Geneva is simply a loan shark to the third world. The Fed is what really controls the action. The G20 summit in Asia this week has our president and several others in his administration taking a beating from abroad for this influx of US dollars into the world economy, making exports from just about everywhere worth less, all the while making US exports worth MORE!
Look, I'm all for exporting to higher value. But does Fed Chairman Bernanke realize how his actions effect every day Americans at home? I know he does, but in from his big ass mansion, what does he care?
Gas went up, as did other petroleum related products.
Gold is insanely high right now. To all the people who sold their gold two years ago: neaner neaner neaner! Should have held it.
Next? Food prices will spike. Except for government subsidised corn derived products (like all meat, and most other stuff with corn based ingredients, like anything in a package haha). This will make the problems with the American food supply even worse, as more people will turn to horribly bad for you subsidized foods without even realizing they're buying government sponsored corn by the bushels into their homes. Why buy a head of romaine or a bag of baby carrots when you can get a double cheeseburger at McDonald's for the same price?
So, how do moves like these effect our future as average, everyday Americans? The truth is, no one really knows. Greenspan convinced us all that our houses were banks to borrow from, always safely increasing in value and a very secure investment, like long term mutual funds or related securities. We all know how that turned out.
Our current Fed chairmen has created a more cautious culture, and I'm happy for that, because this group of Americans, hardened by the BS of 2008 and 2009, are not going to just "play along" like they did for Greenspan.
Here's an example... Auto companies reported profits this quarter, and GM is even going to make an IPO! Guess what is going to happen if gas gets real high and food gets expensive? Americans will turn back to saving money, and the car companies will once again be in the hole. Their only hope is to be efficient manufacturing so they can turn a profit on smaller cars. I promise that instead of bitching about gas prices, Americans will either hold their current cars or purchase small ones. The SUVs that aren't fuel efficient (most of them) will just sit and rust away on a lot somewhere, and then sold at a huge discount later on to clear the lot for the next model year vehicles. Then, these fancy profits being made will plummet, and GM's brand new stock holders will sell out so fast the remaining holders will have lost all their money. (Psst: we all should have bought Ford stock in 2008. It's increased by magnitudes since hitting an all time low of around a dollar).
What about other changes in our world? Are people noticing?
If you should stumble upon this, tell me if you think people around you are noticing the same changes you are.
Lately, prices of many commodities have skyrocketed. "The Fed" pumped $600 million into the world economy last week, yet most people either haven't taken notice or haven't bothered to think it's important enough to comment on in conversation.
"The Fed" is really the world bank. The World Bank in Geneva is simply a loan shark to the third world. The Fed is what really controls the action. The G20 summit in Asia this week has our president and several others in his administration taking a beating from abroad for this influx of US dollars into the world economy, making exports from just about everywhere worth less, all the while making US exports worth MORE!
Look, I'm all for exporting to higher value. But does Fed Chairman Bernanke realize how his actions effect every day Americans at home? I know he does, but in from his big ass mansion, what does he care?
Gas went up, as did other petroleum related products.
Gold is insanely high right now. To all the people who sold their gold two years ago: neaner neaner neaner! Should have held it.
Next? Food prices will spike. Except for government subsidised corn derived products (like all meat, and most other stuff with corn based ingredients, like anything in a package haha). This will make the problems with the American food supply even worse, as more people will turn to horribly bad for you subsidized foods without even realizing they're buying government sponsored corn by the bushels into their homes. Why buy a head of romaine or a bag of baby carrots when you can get a double cheeseburger at McDonald's for the same price?
So, how do moves like these effect our future as average, everyday Americans? The truth is, no one really knows. Greenspan convinced us all that our houses were banks to borrow from, always safely increasing in value and a very secure investment, like long term mutual funds or related securities. We all know how that turned out.
Our current Fed chairmen has created a more cautious culture, and I'm happy for that, because this group of Americans, hardened by the BS of 2008 and 2009, are not going to just "play along" like they did for Greenspan.
Here's an example... Auto companies reported profits this quarter, and GM is even going to make an IPO! Guess what is going to happen if gas gets real high and food gets expensive? Americans will turn back to saving money, and the car companies will once again be in the hole. Their only hope is to be efficient manufacturing so they can turn a profit on smaller cars. I promise that instead of bitching about gas prices, Americans will either hold their current cars or purchase small ones. The SUVs that aren't fuel efficient (most of them) will just sit and rust away on a lot somewhere, and then sold at a huge discount later on to clear the lot for the next model year vehicles. Then, these fancy profits being made will plummet, and GM's brand new stock holders will sell out so fast the remaining holders will have lost all their money. (Psst: we all should have bought Ford stock in 2008. It's increased by magnitudes since hitting an all time low of around a dollar).
What about other changes in our world? Are people noticing?
If you should stumble upon this, tell me if you think people around you are noticing the same changes you are.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The language of...
Last weekend, my buddy got married to his long time girlfriend. Their son was happy about it, in a few years he'll be real happy about it.
It was a fun time, to be sure, I'd voluntarily be in another wedding if given the chance.
Saw lots of cool people do cool things. Who would have guessed that Sean and Katie were such aces on the camera? I would have liked it if Matters showed up, but such is life.
What I'm wondering about are grudges and animosity.
What's up with them and why do they exist? The cliche "why can't we all just get along?" often pops into my head. Until, that is, I lengthened one or I guess, didn't hear the apologist out. Of course, I have no clue if she was actually an apologist.
What was her deal? Was she jealous that Caro and I appeared to have a really great time while her and Johnners were hardly seen during the festivities that followed the ceremony? Did that prompt her to approach me, with Uncle emmm-Scotty, no less?
I suppose I'll never really know. I see her once or twice a year, at best, and never found her a particularly interesting person to talk with. I remember the first time I met her, we rode in the car to Jimmy's cabin slugging down beers and joking around. Then, I said something forceful, which I'm one to do, and didn't apologize for it. Then, over the years, I had to endure countless smart-assed remarks and rude comments directed straight at me whilst she chuckled her fat rolls up and down. I sat there and took it, out of respect for Johnners. Then, after I made a personal pact to tell her off, she seemed skittish and didn't approach me the next half dozen times I was forced into her presence.
So, what should I do? I think I'll talk to her next time, sort of "finish what I started" and move forward.
Here's my dialogue:
"Jaque, since the first day I ever met you four years ago, you've been a total asshole to me for no apparent reason other than my sometimes forceful personality. I never understood why you held some effed up personal grudge against me, nor do I care. I sat and took it due to my respect for your significant other, who obviously loves the hell out of you. I'm not apologizing, as I see no reason to; I've done nothing wrong in my opinion. Rather, this is a peace offering, and only that. I don't really want to be your personal friend, but if we're in the same place, I promise not to be a cold, distant asshole to you and no one else. I will actually say hi to you and if I'm feeling squirlly, I may even ask how you're doing and engage in brief periods of small-talk type conversation. That's where it ends, though. I've taken too much guff from you over the years and believe I've seen your true colors (fuck, another cliche, I'm on a friggin role here!), and have concluded that we're either miles apart in personality or mere millimeters apart. Either of which make for a good friendship match. That being said, let's shake on it never to be assholes to each other again. Practice tolerance, and I shall do the same. Good day to you, Jaque."
There, that should do it.
It was a fun time, to be sure, I'd voluntarily be in another wedding if given the chance.
Saw lots of cool people do cool things. Who would have guessed that Sean and Katie were such aces on the camera? I would have liked it if Matters showed up, but such is life.
What I'm wondering about are grudges and animosity.
What's up with them and why do they exist? The cliche "why can't we all just get along?" often pops into my head. Until, that is, I lengthened one or I guess, didn't hear the apologist out. Of course, I have no clue if she was actually an apologist.
What was her deal? Was she jealous that Caro and I appeared to have a really great time while her and Johnners were hardly seen during the festivities that followed the ceremony? Did that prompt her to approach me, with Uncle emmm-Scotty, no less?
I suppose I'll never really know. I see her once or twice a year, at best, and never found her a particularly interesting person to talk with. I remember the first time I met her, we rode in the car to Jimmy's cabin slugging down beers and joking around. Then, I said something forceful, which I'm one to do, and didn't apologize for it. Then, over the years, I had to endure countless smart-assed remarks and rude comments directed straight at me whilst she chuckled her fat rolls up and down. I sat there and took it, out of respect for Johnners. Then, after I made a personal pact to tell her off, she seemed skittish and didn't approach me the next half dozen times I was forced into her presence.
So, what should I do? I think I'll talk to her next time, sort of "finish what I started" and move forward.
Here's my dialogue:
"Jaque, since the first day I ever met you four years ago, you've been a total asshole to me for no apparent reason other than my sometimes forceful personality. I never understood why you held some effed up personal grudge against me, nor do I care. I sat and took it due to my respect for your significant other, who obviously loves the hell out of you. I'm not apologizing, as I see no reason to; I've done nothing wrong in my opinion. Rather, this is a peace offering, and only that. I don't really want to be your personal friend, but if we're in the same place, I promise not to be a cold, distant asshole to you and no one else. I will actually say hi to you and if I'm feeling squirlly, I may even ask how you're doing and engage in brief periods of small-talk type conversation. That's where it ends, though. I've taken too much guff from you over the years and believe I've seen your true colors (fuck, another cliche, I'm on a friggin role here!), and have concluded that we're either miles apart in personality or mere millimeters apart. Either of which make for a good friendship match. That being said, let's shake on it never to be assholes to each other again. Practice tolerance, and I shall do the same. Good day to you, Jaque."
There, that should do it.
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