I feel like writing.

I suppose that blogs exist because people feel the need to express themselves in the written form.  People have kept journals, written letters, posted broadsides, expounded their philosophies, and generally written astronomical amounts of, well, everything, since someone somewhere figured out how to propagate information in the written form.

What drives us to this singularly human endeavor?  Are we so vain that we think everyone and their mother wants to know what we think? Or does it actually bring value to others and society?  Why do we care to immortalize our thoughts?  No offense, but I think that most people's thoughts are pretty much destined for the compost pile of history.  Hell, mine may very well be included in that group.  Still, that does not stop those of us who have this itch from making the attempt. 

Now I know a lot of folk reading this (OK, by that I mean the few people I have told of this blog and the few folk who randomly stumble across it) are going to say MEMES! We want to share our idea's because that is the nature of the beast!  Much like our genes, memes want to propagate and endure as long as they are better than the rest out in the meme-sphere where they compete.  So there, right?  I have answered my question and this post is pretty much done, right?

Maybe.

What is it that makes us want to share our ideas?  Why do better idea's seem to win the day?  I am not going to go into this in depth, but if you want to read a very, very insightful discussion regarding this topic, check out David Deutsche's book The Beginning of Infinity (thank you my good friend C. Dibble for sending me this book btw!).  I will admit, some of the book, especially regarding quantum theory and the like were at the limit of my understanding (maybe even beyond it), but his idea's on the nature of knowledge are very interesting and personally, spot on.  I especially enjoyed his discussion on the nature of memes and their different types.  Memes can either hold a society back or drive it forward.  For most of human history, the former have been prevalent.  It is only when we accept those that drive progress that we see the kind of progress that has really been the norm since the Renaissance.  Still, it is people, the building block of society, that must accept and perpetuate these ideas.  We are influenced by ideas, by memes; this does not mean we are entirely subjugated by them.

Take control of your life, and by extension, take control of the world.  It is a cliche, but no man is an island.  This does not merely mean that we are not impervious to the world around us, it also means that we have an impact.  Our actions have an influence on others to some degree or another.  Hopefully, this is positive in nature and leads to the betterment of society.  Ultimately, I believe in living a life that is most beneficial to MYSELF.  However, I know that this can be done in a way that makes the world better for others or worse.  If it manifests itself in a way that does not better others lives, then I have in all likelihood made things worse for my offspring, and thus, am undermining my own gene's future (hmmm, even I do not really know how I have meandered to this particular conclusion).  Still, I stand by what I say.  Short term thinking and actions rarely have a positive long term impact.  Only by first developing a code of values that looks beyond immediate gratification can we make our lives, and this world, a better place.

OK, enough pontificating.  Soon I must needs continue this last post's concept in more detail.  I will admit it leaves me in an untenable position regarding my strident beliefs as regards individualism, etc.  Still, I stand by what I have said.  I suppose a good way to sum this all up is that individualism is the most appropriate way to approach society.  Otherwise how else would we affect change?

"A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." ~ Bertrand de Jouvenel

Embarrasing...

So my home state of North Carolina has made headlines again.  This time it is not regarding the fuck-tard John Edwards...it is about something far worse.  It is about the close minded bigotry that my erstwhile home state fellows have decided to vote into law.  Actually, it is worse than that, they AMENDED THEIR GODDAMNED CONSTITUTION! 

Actually, that is not even the worst part.  Gay marriage (wrongly, in my opinion) was already illegal and unrecognized!  Regardless, this was not enough for enough people, and they felt they had to really drive their point home.  It is now, apparently, unconstitutional.  Whoop-de-doodle-do! 

OK, OK, breath Mr. Barley.  I know that within the next twenty years or so, this has no chance of not being repealed.  It seems even "evangelical" christians are not happy with the war waged on our LGBT friends and family.  Hmmm, maybe I proved my point when I said FRIENDS and FAMILY.  Do not forget your coworkers, and possibly your doctor, dentist, secretary, maid, employee, boss, CEO, CPA, etc, etc, etc. Personally, I am embarrassed.  Growing up in NC, I was lucky to be among people who valued independence, education, tolerance, and a plethora of values that were curbied the other day. 

I am not usually this up in arms about political developments.  Actually, that is not really true, but I am actually pretty positive when it comes to our country moving in generally accepting direction as regards social equality.  Still, the absurdity of this particular battle drives me mad! 

OK, I must end this.  My anger is driving any possibility of eloquence out the window.  I still am appalled at the misguided efforts going on around our country to tell people that they are not our equals.  This may not be the equal rights battles experienced in the 1960's, but it is quickly becoming the defining cultural battle of my generation.  Thankfully, I KNOW I am on the right side of history.

Good Night, and Good Luck.

Blah blah blah blogs

This will be short and sweet.  I have not written here in a long while.  I think my last post was way back when in October 2011.

It is not that I do not think what I have to say has little to no value.  Indeed, I think (hope may work better here...) that I am more clear-sighted and rational than most.  I cannot lie, I have my vices and issues, hell, that is what makes me human.  Still, a little detachment, a few moments of critical thinking and dare I say, empathy, would do this world a lot of good.

I will not for a second claim that I am a saint, but hot damn, it does not take much to rise above the ridiculousness of modern political, economical, etc, etc, etc discourse in today's world.  All I ask is that people actually take a moment and think about the other sides position.

We all have our moments.  I am judgmental, arrogant (quietly so, but that seems to offend people even more when they notice...), and harsh.  I like to think I hide these qualities well, and according to most people who spend a lot of time around me, I do (not perfectly, as certain people whom I trust have made evidently clear).  Still, I make it a point to LISTEN when others have constructive criticism.  It is hard, and unpleasant, but invaluable!  I have a deep and abiding belief that, quite honestly, I am probably a few steps above the herd.  Still, I am very, very, very far away from perfect and infallible...as is everyone else.

This knowledge of NOT being infallible is why I am such a huge fan of satire.  Indeed, I think satire is one of the saving graces of American society right now.  It is a sad state of affairs when a COMEDY show is the best source of new on television (oh John Stewart and The Daily Show, where would we be today without you?).  

Is their a point to this post?  Will I continue to write?  Yes, and maybe.

I consider the fact that I am just less than a month away from being 30 years old.  If you still have a decent (more than 5 years) amount of time before you hit this age, it is hard to explain.  If you have reached or surpassed this point (congratulations to all you old farts!).  If you are getting close...well, do yourself a favor and stop fucking around.  I am lucky that, despite all the many, many, many mistakes I have made, I am actually not doing too poorly.  I have a good professional managerial job with a company that I love.  I have a good staff and good co-workers.  I have discovered an avocation (well, developing one anyway) that is fun and that I hope to someday turn into a career.  Considering my vices, I am in good health and may actually be on track to improving said health.

So, the point to this post is that we make of life what we will.  Happiness follows being true to yourself, being open to the variegated paths and opportunities that this world provides, and not being a dipshit.  I don't care if you agree or not with others, listen.  It is amazing what you will hear.  Be prepared to change your perspective.  The Wright brothers did not invent the airplane by looking at the ground after all.

Good night, and good luck.

Values is a dirty word.

Today I caught myself viscerally reacting to this Gallup statistic.  I felt that this was good and right and damn those people who think the government should espouse values!  I should be the one to decide what I think is right and wrong and screw the government for trying to push me in this or that direction!

Indeed, I really do not think that the government should seek to force someone to believe in God, or tell me I can marry her and not him, or that this group deserves more rights than that one over there.  I do not believe that they should tell me if I can drink alcohol, smoke tobacco or marijuana, or that even though I happily do not commit murder and understand that it is a law that SHOULD BE FOLLOWED, they can do it and not only ignore the ethical arguments against premeditated killing, but refuse to show us their Constitutional reasoning (which is a double sham, given their obvious attempt to ignore the fact that they broke the law of the land and the fact that their reasoning is probably a pile of horseshit).  But that is a different story, and I end that rant now.

The real point of this monologue is the gut check I endured a few moments after I thought about my reaction to Gallup's poll.  I do not recant what I said moment ago, but still, I do believe that values exist, and that when we act and live according to positive values, our lives are happier and the world is better.  Damnit all, I often argue that a big problem today is the decline of values in today's society!  So where does this dichotomous view come from?

I think that when we hear the word values in public discourse today, we think gay marriage, Don't Ask, Don't Tell (and I know I am among quality folk when I say good riddance with that legal clap-trap), religion in schools, abortion, divorce...I could go on and on and on.  And yes, all of these involve values.  The way I live my life, the way you live your life, the way Sam on the corner spends her day and Mike at the grocery spends his is all tied to our values.

But when it comes down to it, what do I value most?  I would say freedom, or the ability to live my life as well as I am able, according to my abilities.  Now this freedom is composed of rights and responsibilities.  A key responsibility is recognizing the freedom of others, and respecting their right to live their life in a similar manner.  This is the basis for respect and courtesy.  Why do I get annoyed when someone does not treat me with respect?  Because they are violating the above responsibility; they are telling me I am not their equal. This is obviously a simplistic and superficial example of ethical action, but hey, if you think about it, acting decently isn't rocket science!

So given that, why should I concern myself with someone who lives a lifestyle that I would not choose to live?  I am happily heterosexual and dating men does not appeal to me in the least.  Regardless, if I have to choose between being friends with the friendly gay dude across the street or the straight asshole down the hall, I will pick the gay guy every time.  Reverse their attitudes, and reverse my decision. So even though some of our values are obviously different, there are some that outweigh others.

Decency and courtesy, a solid work ethic, tolerance, individuality, community spirit...these and more are values that have made our country great.  When we think of values and think of state coercion, of limiting others rights, we allow ourselves to lose an important battle.  If we reject the importance of them, and cede value based arguments to the side of the oppressors, we will get tyranny, from both the left and the right. Value freedom, and live it.  Do not sacrifice the moral high ground, and do not fall prey to the morass of subjective, relativistic, valueless thought that is the hall-mark of so many people and politicians. 

Once we forget that to value something is to hold it important, to cherish it and to fight for it, we can no longer strive for greatness.  If we can not strive for greatness, then we are doomed to triviality and tyranny.

Bigotry is Not Just Wrong, it is an Indication of Political Blindness

The other day I was in the gym, and I was amazed.  A couple of guys were chatting (by chatting I mean loudly pontificating) about immorality, social decline, etc.  One of them kept referring to "faggots" and how he was teaching his children that they were in no certain terms not one of "those people."  Then they moved on to discussing how America today was going down the same path as Rome, Persia, etc.  I ended up cutting my routine short because of how angry I was becoming, and because I did not feel like goading on some imbecilic neanderthals about not only their irrational bigotry but about how they were ignoring the causes of the United States current troubles and replacing them with petty prejudices that have no bearing on the current malaise that has engulfed this country

Now I actually agree that the American Empire is heading in the wrong direction, and I think that the comparison to Rome is actually quite true. We rely on force of arms to project our power and on an every larger military complex to maintain order.  We have an Imperium where we are dependent upon the outside world for a lifestyle that encourages superficiality, indolence, and that breeds a "bread and circuses" mentality among most citizens.  Entertainment has become many peoples sole focus, and currently over 40% of U.S. citizens receive some kind of payment from the federal government.  If there is a problem, let the government fix it!  We are in the act of abdicating our rights and our responsibilities, one televisions show and food stamp at a time.

Compounding this, it is today very difficult to have an educated discussion regarding difficult issues of any sort.  I briefly toyed with the idea of approaching the meat-heads in the gym and asking them to keep their conversation at a level that would not offend more open-minded individuals.  I decided against this mainly because I A) did not think they would be kindly disposed to my request, and B) was far too worn out to get into any kind of verbal or physical scuffle with people who were clearly far more muscle than intellect.  I am not especially proud of my retreat, but at least I made the decision consciously.  Today, many people are trained to avoid discussion of difficult topics.  If someone tries to discuss an issue intelligently and openly, they are often vilified, marginalized, or laughed at.  Juan Williams, formerly of NPR, discusses this trend in an interview with The Daily Bell.  When it is impossible to discuss difficult and important topics (and most if not all important issues of the day are difficult and polarizing) how can constructive solutions be found?  Conflict is avoided, the current course of events continues down the same path, and the best possible result is stagnation. 

Einstein and others stated that insanity is best defined as doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.  Today I look at the world, in particular the west, and see nothing but insanity.  Without the willingness to discuss difficult issues, without a willingness to be uncomfortable and to question established orthodoxy, I expect to see a continued malaise and degradation of living standards in the United States and beyond.  This has nothing to do with the fact that Sally and Amanda are lovers, or that Tim likes to be tied up, or that Veronica is a Wiccan.  It has everything to do with a refusal to look at why things are as they are, and to have meaningful discussions about why we are on our current path as well as what we can do to change our course.

Here's to Thinking!: My First Diatribe

I heard something today that really spoke to me.  Admittedly, it came from a reasonably random movie, Sucker Punch, but still, a statement worth thinking about.   “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” 

The way I look at it, most people do not really know what they believe.  They listen to TV pundits, they read op-ed pieces, and only listen to what FEELS good.  We don’t want to think about what we hear, or what is going on.  We want to feel good.  Honestly, there is nothing wrong with feeling good.  But when it takes the place of critical thinking, when it takes the place of knowing what is right, feeling good is not an acceptable substitute for being aware.

Sadly, being aware is often uncomfortable.  I will not lie; I often fall into this trap too.  I hear a persuasive argument that justifies my world-view, and I jump to accept it.  I WANT to accept it, because it offers an easy answer to what I want to believe.  But then, I think about it, and suddenly, there are a million inconsistencies in the argument.

I am not saying that I know it all.  No one does.  But I do think that people in general are naturally inclined to take the easy answer, especially when we don’t have to come up with it ourselves.  Regardless of whether you follow Fox or MSNBC, or CNN, take a moment, and think about the information that is provided. Remember, even our “impartial” news has an agenda. So stop, take a minute (well, 15) and look at other information and views.  Go beyond the mainstream and get a wider perspective.  Talk to people who think differently.  Truly, talk to them, and find out why they think as they do.  Do not turn it into a debate.  Approach these discussions with an open mind, and try and figure out WHY they think as they do.

Finally, to return to my original statement, know what you believe.  Spend some time to really ponder those beliefs critically.  We are trained to be superficial.  Don’t feel bad, but it is true, from our childhoods on it is an unavoidable fact of life for virtually everyone.  Please give some time to meditating on not only WHAT you believe, by why.  This is not an easy or quick process, but it really, truly, honestly is worth your time.  Indeed, if we value our freedom, we must spend time thinking in such an uncomfortable manner.  What do we value?  What is important?  I do not presume to speak for you, or anyone.  But without a truly thoughtful understanding of where we come from, we come from nowhere…think on it friends.

My first post: An Introduction

I was recently told by a dear friend that maybe I should start putting my thoughts on the web.  My guess is he is tired of getting the occasional ranting text, and would rather peruse my thoughts at his leisure.  Or maybe he genuinely believes that others would be moderately interested.  Perhaps he is just stroking my ego.  Regardless, I decided to give it a try. 

These last few years I have been ruminating on why I believe what I do.  Where did these convictions come from?  More importantly, I have seriously attempted to correct the numerous conflicting beliefs that I had developed over almost thirty years of modern life.  Cognitive dissonance is a fact of life for most of us, and I realized that I did not really have consistent personal convictions.  Based on what I say I value, where am I deluding myself?  Often times, I realize I needed to take off rose-colored spectacles.  Equally often, I asked myself why I was so pessimistic on an issue.

I have found this both exhilarating and painful.  It is not fun to realize that half the time you are being an idiot...

That is more than enough.  I don't know exactly what I will be writing as I move forward with this experiment.  As is often said, oftentimes it is the journey, and not the destination that is the reward.