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.