tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25202054138643358322024-02-08T02:50:36.936-08:00MenTis SenTenTiaDedicated to the philosophy of Being!?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-83784588537540039722016-11-06T21:55:00.000-08:002016-11-06T21:55:50.741-08:00Is the News Media Honourable!?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:14.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I often</b> wonder at the senselessness of the whole news media
scenario. I mean, what does it mean when the news media advocate the hosting of
truthful and transparent public debates or, it is the public interest? According
to whose truth? Define transparent? Public Interest?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, as they are part of the whole capitalist for-profit
business amalgam, I can fully understand why they say what they say – having a
curious voyeuristic and engaging public ensures a steady flow of income.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, do we, as the paying public, not deserve proper news,
devoid of sensationalism, covert editorial agendas and journalistic vitriol?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess that the above questions answer themselves but that
does not change the realities at hand viz. of the way the news media paints a
picture or expands on a story line by using innuendo, by associative insinuation
and by the use of flowery adjectives? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem as I perceive it stems from the power base that
the news media have guaranteed for themselves by making freedom of the media
and expression part of a country’s constitution and thus, a reality that cannot
be touched or done away with ease.., and ensuring them of a long fiduciary
future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What other private institution can claim that they have institutionalized
protection as part of the Countries constitution?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I guess when
all is said and done, especially in a democracy; it all comes down to the
exercise of one’s choice: that is to say to form one’s educated (hopefully)
opinion or to reject what is being published as just another ho-hum viewpoint? <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the end,
neither option brings anyone closer to the actual truth behind the public
narrative.<br />
<br />
It is said that we the public deserve what we get for fickleness and general
distrust rules human nature - Instead of seeing a political narrative for what
it is and questioning it thoroughly, we the public rely on others, whom we
perceive to have honourable clout, to do the dissemination of information on
our behalf.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Maybe the
solution lies by the public insisting on the news being proclaimed without the
use of adjectives!?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
hashtagmustfall#</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-15793186484792736642012-09-19T06:12:00.000-07:002012-09-19T06:12:31.272-07:00The Truth Shall Set You Free<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our media rich world, the truth is no longer a sacred
entity but rather a sellable precept. And by sellable it is meant that the
truth is malleable and pliable enough to attract flies and dung beetles to it
in swarms and hordes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We the people mostly live by our understanding of that much
maligned word. It is that understanding that makes whatever is being sold by
the media, a living sensational entity that can incite rage, rabble-rouse, and
excite the masses to the point of anarchy. This anarchy, in turn, of course,
will be vilified and morally opposed by the same media pundits i.e. moral
indignation. This self-proclaimed moral indignation is such a beautiful and
attractive concept that we buy into it with open ears and minds without
question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somewhere at the centre of the whole caboodle lies the
truth; or rather, a version of the truth that is so veiled in euphemisms,
rhetoric and commonplace platitudes that it is no longer recognizable but the
truth nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And given that our understanding of the truth is skewed in
one bias or another, the propagation of what is real becomes easy to manipulate
and concoct. Point in question: Take any news report and read the attached
public commentaries. It is said that the truth is stranger than fiction, well,
the a foregoing will highlight that quickly enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that the political fraternity is far behind their
sensationalist media brethren. As a matter of fact, it is postulated that the
media learnt their trade by watching and listening to the political society at
large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether we the people will ever know the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, is up for grabs. We need to learn to
constantly question what we hear and read, to understand that what we are
bombarded with is at best plausible fact, and to search for corroborating
evidence amongst the maelstrom of out-there information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The one infallible truthiness is that “Television is the
first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and
entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what
people do want” - Clive Barnes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And therein lays the rub of it all!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-53982186447642450742012-01-09T05:25:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:53:50.974-08:00Let's Revolt: The system is brokenWhile listening to the musical Les Misérables for the umpteenth time, my mind ran wild contemplating the pros-and-cons behind the revolutionary mindset so prevalent in our modern times.<br /><br />Historically, revolution, although heavily romanticised, has mainly meant the exchanging of one set of flawed values for another set of flawed values. And this is not forgetting the loss-of-life (the ultimate sacrifice) and incarceration (causal consequence) associated with this accepted ‘noble’ mindset.<br /><br />Needless to say, I found myself at odds with the whole causality of insurrections.<br /><br />In a democracy, compromise is a given. As a matter of fact, it is not only a given but a necessity. So much so, that in a democracy very little would work if it were not for the mores of compromise: compromise is the understanding that most viewpoints are postulations on perceived rationalisations and personal experiences, thus the quest for a negotiated deal (middle ground, win-win scenarios, etc) is the primary mover of all thing democratic.<br /><br />Revolution on the other hand, is the diametrical opposite of democracy. Revolutionary tenets or emotive aphorisms (catchy sound-bytes) rely on democratic philosophies to propagate its drives and ambitions. In revolution there is no compromise. It is an all or nothing attitude using the human emotion of ‘hope’ (a better tomorrow) as its key driver.<br /><br />Yet, life in itself is all about change and change dynamics. Progress relies on change. Evolution relies on change. Cognitive ascension relies on change. The list is endless and ever changing: as Heraclitus so aptly stated: Nothing endures but change.<br /><br />The natural propensity of life to change has brought with it limitless avenues of development and evolvement. If it were not for change, the human animal would still be roaming the earth as hunter-gatherers rather than the technological wizards it is today. Space exploration, mathematics, communications and medical advancements, would be mythological ideologies or superstitious maxims were it not for change.<br /><br />The positives of change cannot be ignored. “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” ~ King Whitney Jr.<br /><br />But therein ends the lesson. Modern change where human nature is concerned has not always been for the better or for-the-good-of-all. Wars, political indifference, ideological cleansing and the pursuit of self-centered insensitivity have intensified, and are mostly driven along by ‘technology’ and greed i.e. The internet came to life as a first world evolution, a boon to the quest for information, a decentralization of human demographics and a noble depiction of the human spirit. Today, that dream is littered with disinformation, plagiarized articles, Trojan type viruses, degradation information, and pirated entertainment clips. One has to check and verify every piece of online-information just to ensure that what is being portrayed and or displayed in correct and safe to use.<br /><br />It is this very change-ethics that has me perplexed: One, change is a requirement to human development and two, that chance is not always good.<br /><br />Does one accept a bad action as long as the end-product delivers on an ideal quickly? Does one wage peaceful war (non-threatening, sit-around-the-table engagements, etc) on a moral standing knowing that the desired outcome will take years to achieve? Is collateral damage i.e. loss of human life, destruction of property, causal incarceration, etc, an acceptable risk on the path to achieving an ideological outcome? Is long-term suffering acceptable in the struggle to a peaceful negotiated change? In the end, are there any guarantees in life?<br /><br />Over the past while, there have been many violent uprisings that have led to a ‘regime’ change. The human fallout in the process has been high and damage to property just as heavy. The final results have shown that the means to an end did not deliver the expected results for the people are generally not happy, and life did not return to the ‘new’ normal. Dissidence rules, inequality rules and criminality rules. Even the ‘new’ rulers are not enjoying the projected peaceful after effects.<br /><br />Not that I am a true believer in the whole democracy-is-great ethos, for in my experience, if it is a capitalist based democracy, it delivers to the few while keeping the rest in a state of ‘hungry’ ignorance. If it is a socialist based democracy, it proposes to deliver to the many whilst keeping the few in ‘blinkered’ ignorance.<br /><br />The problem is that violence is not endemic to insurrections: “Politics presupposes violence. Violence, or the threat of it, is one of the principal concerns that motivates people to form societies in which government is entrusted to a central authority – the state. And it is for this reason that the state claims a ‘monopoly on the legitimate use of violence’ – an exclusive right to exercise force against external enemies and its own citizens, when they break the rules.” Ben Dupré.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Let’s not forget that the state is all-pervasive: we are born and die in its embrace, and it extends into every aspect of our lives. And being of human construct, it is susceptible to corruption, greed and power quibbles.</span><br /><br />In returning to my original thoughts on the futility of revolutions, I find myself in agreement with Hannah Arendt (Political Theorist) when she said that “The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative on the day after the revolution.” Karl Marx himself was reluctant to draw up blueprints for post-revolution societies: it is not our task to write recipes for the kitchens of the future.<br /><br />Yes, many regimes and despots have been brought to their knees by the force of the ‘annoyed’ masses but, was it all worth it: the death, the beatings, the bloodshed, and the incarcerations? Are the post-revolution living conditions better than the original pre-revolution conditions? Were the changes significant enough to make the vile displays of human nature at its worse acceptable?<br /><br />Although I am against the whole violence mindset in all its forms, I cannot discard the studied tendencies of the human propensity to solve problems by force. Round-table talking has only served as a ‘deflectionary’ pacifier and not as a solution.<br /><br />Thus, alas, my turmoil on the whole revolution as an end to a means continues. To my mind the ideal of a better-life-for-all (what an emotive beautiful aphorism, so fitting of our modern sound-byte loving society) will remain elusive for years to come.<br /><br />In the meanwhile I’ll continue to enjoy the music of Les Misérables to its fullest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-5029728547484011932011-11-08T00:32:00.000-08:002011-11-08T00:33:51.289-08:00Money: Is it fait accompli?It is done, finished, dusted. Or that is what is the seemingly future of capitalism is heading towards.<br /><br />With so much debt being accumulated by the worlds governments, the future of money as we know it, is staring down a bleak future. I mean, why else would the worlds leading economies spend much money on hiring spin doctors (marketing drives, public motivational initiatives, yes-you-can propagandas,) who make use of emotive euphemisms encouraging us to tighten our belts (for our own good of course,) until the present-day depressive economic cycle is overcome and put to bed?<br /><br />We, the people, are encouraged on a daily basis to save, to be frugal and to service our debts responsibly. We are also told that the world is facing an economic double-dip recession and that we must remain positive until such times as our leaders have debated, discussed and argued a viable solution that will ensure our future prosperity and affluence; all for our own good of course!?<br /><br />I for one become paranoid when governmental types start pushing blame onto us ‘wicked’ people (wastage, lack of frugality, irresponsible spending, not saving, etc) for the monetary problems being experienced around the world. Not only do I become paranoid but also extremely cagey of verbiage and clever manipulation of words by leaders, politicos and corporate chiefs, when they expound the evils and consequences of the ‘debt’ crisis, for it mostly becomes our doing and our responsibility to fix.<br /><br />Caveat: there is a reason why the rich get richer and the poor poorer!?<br /><br />As Bertrand Russell so aptly stated “advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.”<br /><br />The one solution is to learn to read between the lines and not be sucked in by the propaganda of deflected blame and implied guilt. <br /><br />The problem is that we have become so reliant on money in all its glory that changes to capitalism does not sit well with us. We are locked and loaded into the barrel chamber of capitalism. The only way out is by pulling the trigger of change. Yes!?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-68405963891459754042011-10-24T00:13:00.000-07:002011-10-24T00:19:42.187-07:00Climate Change versus EmploymentClimate change is not a new phenomenon. It is a weather condition that has been hapening in cycles over the past millennia; and by all accounts, the next cycle has been 50 thousand years in the making.<br /><br />The bottom line is that climate change is a natural ecological event that is going to happen irrespective of humanity’s effort to stave it off; stave being the operative word.<br /><br />Global-warming is another kettle of fish altogether: besides it being a natural ecological occurrence that takes place every-so years, it is also an occurrence that is aggravated by human consumption and industrial activity.<br /><br />On the natural side, volcanic activity, solar radiation and the earth’s cyclic movement through the Universe, et al, all play a role in keeping the environmental scales in fine equilibrium, or not.<br /><br />On the human side, industrial growth, human green-house gas generation and fossil fuel usage all contribute to upsetting the fragile balance that encompasses the environment, atmosphere and the way the eco system deals with these eventualities.<br /><br />Although the Industrial Age is lauded and praised for much of the technological development that is being experienced today, it has brought with it unforeseen (maybe) side-effects; side-effects that have malignantly contributed to the many environmental problem and human enslavement being experienced today.<br /><br />Yes, medically, technologically and financially, humanity finds itself riding the waves of success and development (although the last one is debatable.) Humanity is at an all time high: lofty life-spans, healthy bank balances and prosperity. And now that the ‘east’ has caught up and surpassed western developments, life has accelerated to the next level faster than anticipated.<br /><br />Humanity has become technologically and information hungry. It has huge wants-and-needs that are being met by extravagant usage of natural recourses and over capitalisation of available real estate, all drawing upon the human propensity for avarice to drive those wants-and-needs along.<br /><br />The main challenge facing modern Governments is employment: how to create avenues that help foster employment versus creating avenues that produce profits, thus keeping the economic status-quo fresh, is the quandary? It may be argued that other systemic life issues are of more importance but without employment, the system will consume itself to the overall detriment of humanity – the money energy cycle needs to be maintained.<br /><br />To my mind, all the talk of climate change and or global warming will come to naught if the employment factor is not fixed. A hungry person does not care about the environment. A dejected unemployed person does not care about the environment. As a matter of fact, both types of people are more given to fits of pack-rage and destructive tendencies than those that are gainfully employed.<br /><br />The South African Minister of Energy Affairs recently stated that renewable energy initiatives will cut employment as renewable-energy power generating plants, besides being more energy efficient, are also human real-estate efficient e.g. wind farms require less human-power to keep the equipment operational than that of a coal fired power station. Solar farms face the same employment dilemma.<br /><br />With the growth in the human population expected to reach nine billion by the year 2030 (by recent extrapolations,) the employment quandary increases with each passing year. A prospect that is going to place even greater stresses on the environment due to the logarithmic growth in energy demand, food requirements, and other natural resources. A prospect that is neither positive nor captivating for the coming generations of humans.<br /><br />I am of the opinion that the existing democratic (or whatever other forms of Government there are around the world) and capitalistic energies are in dire need of an overall. These energies worked well during the birth of the Industrialisation age to about 20 years ago. Since then, they have been faltering and overwhelming humanity at a dizzying pace of consumption. Changes to both systemic energies will not be easy, but the alternatives are worse.<br /><br />Carl Sagan once said that if humanity can survive past its puberty stage (speaking of human development in the greater scheme-of-time,) the future will be humanity’s oyster. Unfortunately, very little positivity is pointing in that direction. <br /><br />“The needs and wants of the people need to be addressed and pacified. Workable solutions have to be constructed in such a way that either gainful employment is generally guaranteed or alternatively, that a new means of income generation is implemented i.e. doing away with the traditional capitalist way of doing things.” ~ Global Warming: A Growing Woe<br /><br />But of course, it is always easier to talk about the positives of life and to talk about climate change when one is gainfully employed!?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-86022081927288860672011-09-20T03:14:00.000-07:002011-09-20T03:16:06.424-07:00Menial Work is DignifiedThe below mentioned piece of counsel was caught transversing the ethereal space of the internet at the speed of light. <br /><br />It relates to a point by point speech purportedly made by the multi-billionaire Bill Gates to a bunch of high school kids. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created (and continues to create) a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.<br /><br />The 11 Reality Checks are:<br /><br /><br />Reality 1:<br />Life is not fair - get used to it!<br /><br />Reality 2:<br />The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.<br /><br />Reality 3:<br />You will NOT make vast amounts of money right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a company car until you earn both.<br /><br />Reality 4:<br />If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.<br /><br />Reality 5:<br />Menial work is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for menial work: they called it opportunity.<br /><br />Reality 6:<br />If you mess up, it’s not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.<br /><br />Reality 7:<br />Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.<br /><br />Reality 8:<br />Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.<br /><br />Reality 9:<br />Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.<br /><br />Reality 10:<br />Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to go to the office.<br /><br />Reality 11:<br />Be nice to people. Chances are you'll end up working for one.<br /><br /><br />Interesting reality checks that are not in keeping with the new-age mentality of positive self esteem and constructive approbation. Yet, all real and glaringly hard.<br /><br />To my mind, the stated reality checks should be read by all who perceive the democratic processes as being one where ‘take take take’ is the rule of thumb.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-2255815854870407232011-07-07T04:56:00.000-07:002011-07-07T05:00:00.599-07:00Global Warming: A Growing WoeI am of the opinion that the whole so called global warming/climate change issue is too complex a subject to just apportion blame willy-nilly onto the veritable human being, especially as no real workable solutions are put forward by the activists and pundits of global warming/climate change theories.<br /><br />We live in a self perpetuated and accepted way of life that puts much emphasis on finances and wealth. We mostly all work for a living because of that culture: Those that sponge of the system are looked upon as just that; spongers (why don’t you get a job, you lazy good-for-nothing so-and-so.)<br /><br />The accepted capitalist system is devoid of emotion and empathy: two human qualities that make life liveable and mostly comfortable. We are becoming automaton of technology and convenience while overlooking the consequences of those actions (I have money, why should I care.) Anyway there are enough charities to contribute too to pacify that nagging conscience.<br /><br />I am also of the opinion that the capitalist system as we know it is long overdue for a makeover. The fact that the living-wage gap (rich vs. poor) is getting larger by the moment, is enough of an indication that all is not well in the land of finances.<br /><br />Add to the above equation an emotional subject such as global warming/climate change and a calamity is created at the forefront of the human perception and psyche. The situation is mostly aggravated by the fact that traditional means of incomes are threatened by the call for closure/minimalisation of factories, manufacturing plants and energy utilities – oil is bad, coal is bad, CO² is bad, methane is bad, flatulence is bad, meat is bad, mercury is bad, sugar is bad, cholesterol is bad, obesity is bad, paper is bad, planes are bad, motor vehicles are bad, smoking is bad, fertiliser is bad, et al.<br /><br />The above-mentioned commodities supply a large percentage of workers with employment/wages on a global basis. <br /><br />The call for cleaner and renewable energy utilities is adding to this woe for most of the proposed renewable energy generating theories require little human intervention and hands-on skills (not labour intensive); and are expensive to boot.<br /> <br />Developed countries are being asked to provide assistance (money) to developing countries so that they too can implement ‘earth saving’ initiatives. This in itself is seemingly the-proper-thing-to-do, but the underlying catch is that it’s the tax-payers living in the developed countries that will have to foot this noble expense. It must be said that altruism and charity, although seemingly noble, do not fix the underlying problem(s). <br /><br />So yes, global warming and climate change is a reality of life on earth. It has been for countless of centuries and nothing we do will stave off that inevitably. And yes, our contribution to that ‘inevitably’ can also be counted and measured. And yes, many proposals have been put forward by pundits and activists alike – some more aggressively than others, to what needs and must be done to put off that ‘inevitably.’<br /><br />What most do not want to take-in is that the problem is not that simple to solve. Those that are at the forefront of the war for change, are mostly gainfully employed or living of the welfare of others, or living on some plot of land (usually wrongly occupied or left behind as an inheritance) growing their own meagre crops feeding themselves and their offspring: close to nature, so to speak.<br /><br />What most also do not take in is that there are factors outside the control of the veritable human being viz. Volcanic eruptions, solar flare-ups, earth’s passage through the galaxy/universe, moving tectonic plates, etc, that add to the ‘inevitably’ equation.<br /><br />The ‘legacy’ issue also plays an emotive role in the whole cry for survival i.e. what of the future of my children, what about the poor animals, etc.<br /><br />And then there is technology; another detractor. <br /><br />Technology has provided a portion of the human race with tools that have made the acquisition of knowledge easier and cheaper. Technology has also provided a portion of the human race with powers that were previously not easily enacted i.e. freedom of expression (good and bad,) global empathy (good and bad,) power to circumvent despotism, cyber anarchy, etc.<br /><br />Technology has also provided a portion of the human race with feelings on invincibility and immortality i.e. blogs will live long after one has expired, I can say what I like to whom I like without fear of physical consequence, the power of anonymity, governmental/corporate feel-good marketing campaigns, etc.<br /><br />And not forgetting the power that technology has granted the giants of human-thought-manipulation i.e. the media, the swaying of public opinion, bending of outcomes to suit a given objective, popularising a certain way of life, sensationalising a happening for the sake of profit, etc.<br /><br />I have over the past years made it my business to follow the reasoning behind the global warming malady by reading, watching, researching and pensively thinking about the issue at hand (from both sides of the spectrum.) I have also, in view of the few points mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, tried to formulate an opinion that encompasses the problem as a whole, without going off the activist deep-end.<br /><br />My take on the problems facing the required ‘global warming’ mindset change always comes back to one glaring point: economics. What happens to the petrol industry workers when the petrol plants are done away with? What happens to the meat farmers when people minimalise eating meat? What happens to the livestock when people discontinue feeding on them? What happens to the pilots when people minimise flying? What happens to the motor vehicle industry workers when motor vehicle manufacture is minimised or done away with?<br /><br />Thus in essence, solve the economics of living and the problem at hand is minimised!<br /><br />Although the predicament of the human-inflicted global warming danger is a growing one, being self-centred and antagonistic in forcing people to change their sceptical fearful mindsets will not change the internal motivational drives of the human being.<br /><br /> The needs and wants of the people need to be addressed and pacified. Workable solutions have to be constructed in such a way that either alternative gainful employment is generally guaranteed or, that a new means of income generation is devised i.e. doing away with the traditional capitalist way of doing business.<br /><br />Irrespective of what is said and done, my overriding opinion is that the inevitable will happen and that no amount of political posturing and or activist will and or new-age bluster will change that ‘inevitably.’<br /><br />It is the now-or-later scenario that remains on the table.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-17143346349328462302011-06-09T23:52:00.000-07:002011-06-09T23:58:10.163-07:00What is in your tog-bag?Modern life is about the accumulation of material goods which translates into the precept of being well-off or of being seen as someone of means. In other words: material possessions, lots of them.<br /><br />The challenge with the precept in question is that it is a precept rather than a tangible event. It relies on the visual appearance rather than the actual state of affairs. The challenge also relies on others falling for the illusion rather than accepting the actual reality.<br /><br />The theory behind ‘what is in your tog bag’ is about unpacking the so-called tog bag until one is freed up from all the self-imposed material constraints that limit one’s ability to live and function as a human being.<br /><br />The theory also relies on one’s ability to step-away from being a wage-slave; which is quite contrary to that which the fiduciary system calls for. What the theory does not call for is irresponsible reactive action while in the pursuit of unpacking the proverbial ‘tog bag.’<br /><br />The ability to step-away from being a wage slave implies a pro-active action that will gradually lead to one being able to step-away from being caught up in a world where material possessions and living-the-high-life illusion reigns supreme.<br /><br />Thus walking away from one’s self imposed fiduciary responsibilities is not what the theory calls for. Quite the contrary. One needs to step-away from the real world without the worry that debt-hounds will eventually rob one of the sought-after freedoms.<br /><br />The first step towards understanding the ‘what is in your tog bag’ theory is to visualise an empty ‘tog bag’ lying on the floor full of emptiness. This visualisation process is an important one as the picture of an empty ‘tog bag’ must be fully understood and felt by the mind. If the visualisation process is executed correctly, one must be able to touch and smell the empty ‘tog bag’ lying on the floor.<br /><br />The ensuing steps revolve around picking up the ‘tog bag’ and beginning to slowly start filling it with ‘stuff’ that one uses on a daily basis i.e. toothpaste, toothbrush, clothes, shoes, wallet, briefcase, etc. Feeling the weight of the ‘tog bag’ increasing becomes the paramount sensation in the continuing visualisation process.<br /><br />Once all the ‘stuff’ that one uses on a daily basis are packed, one can progress to filling the ‘tog bag’ with electrical utensils i.e. kettle, microwave oven, coffee percolator, etc. Once all the utensils have been packed in the ‘tog bag,’ start filling it up with the rest of the possessions one has in the home i.e. bed, bed linen, desks, couches, TV, computers, etc.<br /><br />When all these have been packed in the ‘tog bag,’ one can now place the last remaining items in the ‘tog bag’ i.e. car, bicycle, gym equipment, workshop tools, garden tools and equipment, etc.<br /><br />Finally one can add the ‘home’ to the bag. <br /><br />It must be ensured that after each step, the incremental weight increase is felt by the mind’s eye. Even if one understands that one cannot lift said bag from the floor, ensure that the exertion required is felt to its fullest extent. Again, the sensation of weight to the mind’s eye is of paramount importance.<br /><br />To the final sensation, start asking the question: What can I do without and still retain the lifestyle that I want to live? Do not rush this step. Think about it carefully over the span of a few days, all-the-while recalling the weight-sensation of the full ‘tog bag’ every time the question is asked (recalled.) <br /><br />Once one is comfortable with the realistic answer, visualise the items being removed from the ‘tog bag’ and the sensation of relief evident from the reduction in weight of the ‘tog bag.’ Feel this sensation to its fullest extent. Again, the relief must be felt by the mind’s eye.<br /><br />The items in question must at first only be those items that are dragging one down or are of unnecessary bulk.<br /><br />Once the items have been identified and accepted by the mind from amongst all the rationale imposed on the question asked, bit-by-bit, one can start implementing a physical plan-of-action with the view to getting rid of said items or reducing the obligatory debt associated with said items i.e. credit card debt, unused gym equipment, etc.<br /><br />It must be emphasised that throughout the continuing process, the sensation of ‘weight’ must be visualised and fully felt by the mind’s eye. This includes the ‘relief’ felt when items are removed from the ‘tog bag.’<br /><br />The whole exercise uses left vs. right brain activation processes as the means to achieving a goal. Being able to just positively think about overcoming a problem does not instinctively instigate the required actions for lightening of one’s material life burden.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-31894490213383148702011-02-08T01:10:00.000-08:002011-02-08T01:13:18.781-08:00The Poor be Damned!?The other day while listening to another well-meaning politician sprout foibles on the eradication of poverty, I was struck by the lack of solutions in his speech. This phenomenon is common whenever politicians or people get-together to source solutions to an ever-present, and growing, social ailment.<br /><br />This lack of presentable solutions is more of an ill than the whole poverty paradox. Poverty is solvable. The problem arises mostly from the reality that solutions are money based and that in itself, will require a mindset change by the way many think about money.<br /><br />Money or even the mention thereof is a taboo in most languages. Yes, most will talk freely about other peoples money, but their own is a guarded secret. <br /><br />Many, when confronted by poverty, will jump on the get-a-job horse. Others will look the other way. Some will put some pennies into the begging-tin and drive off in a rush. Few will attempt to come up with short term solutions (meals-on-wheels, shelters, charity drives, etc) but find themselves alone in the fight-to-eradicate-poverty.<br /><br />There have been many workable solutions put forward by thinking individuals on changing the way society views and thinks about money:<br /><br />1) The National Dividend. This was invented by engineer C. H. Douglas and has been revived by Ezra Pound and designer Buckminster Fuller. The basic idea is that every citizen should be declared a shareholder in the nation, and should receive dividends on the Gross National Product for the year.<br /><br />2) The Guaranteed Annual Income. This has been encouraged by economist Robert Theobald and others. The government would simply establish an income level above the poverty line and guarantee that no citizen would receive less. This plan would cost the government less than the present welfare systems, with all its bureaucratic red tape and redundancy factors.<br /><br />3) The Negative Income Tax. This was first devised by Nobel economist Milton Friedman. The Negative Income Tax would establish a minimum income for every citizen; anyone whose income fell below that level would receive the amount necessary to bring them up to that standard. Again this would cost "the government" less than the present welfare systems. It would also dispense with the last tinge of humiliation associated with government "charity," since when you cashed a check from IRS nobody would know if it was supplementary income or a refund.<br /><br />My take on the whole eradication of poverty is a simple one. <br /><br />In South Africa we have a Lotto entity that pays out huge amounts of money in a given year (In excess of 50 Million Rand.) With an estimated population of 50 million persons, a conservative disbursement of 250 thousand Rand per person would elevate all to a liveable economic level and rid the SA society of the terms poverty, poor and the-poor-of-the-poor in an instant<br /><br />.<br />From the outset, my avaricious money-based common-sense screamed louder than a wailing ambulance siren: the rich would get richer, many would stop working thus creating economic chaos, employers would loose their power over their remaining employees, politicians would not be happy, inflation would shoot sky high, the money markets would suffer, what about the work ethic (did not the ancients say that one needs to work to acquire wealth,) how would the disbursement work, who would oversee the disbursement process, etc, etc, etc.<br /><br />On the other hand, would people not revert to doing what they enjoy doing, would not their creative potential rise to the fore collectively, etc?<br /><br />As the global situation stands, the human race future looks bleak. To survive longer than its nose, it needs to elevate itself above clichés of old, do away with wage slavery, embrace humanity and move forward to a co-operative mind-set for the good of all.<br /><br />Alas, I feel that humanity will remain doomed.<br /><br />(with thanks to Robert Anton Wilson)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-31873630608866919692011-01-12T04:28:00.000-08:002011-01-12T04:29:20.747-08:00Online Shopping: The New Cup of TeaDuring the past holiday season, my fancy took me to surfing online shopping sites. A form of consumerism that is becoming popular in leaps and bounds. <br /><br />All at once I could view, compare and critique items across a wide spectrum of commodities and articles and suppliers; all from the security of my home PC. It was like entering a new world. One where fancies, likes and imagination could be satisfied on the spot. Of course, the money issue did put a damper on the googly eyed adventure. In essence, a reality very much like the traditional way of shopping; except for the armchair bit.<br /><br />In between the hours spent online, I kept thinking as to the popularity of the medium at hand: Is the South African populace in tune with this medium? Which population demographic finds this electronic shopping experience attractive? What is popular? What about the legal paperwork? Probability of scam attacks and phishing expeditions? <br /><br />To the first and second question, in speaking to friends and acquaintances, I derived that generally middle to high income households have shopped online: be it tickets to a movie, to a motor car. Most also tried their hand at grocery shopping. Thus the appeal is there.<br /><br />What was fascinating is how members of the lower income demographic made use of internet cafes (the least of all secure sites) to carry out their order of business (The numbers in question were few but growing.)<br /><br />The interesting bit came in the guise of some using the information at hand to do comparisons, then going to a physical shop to purchase the selected item in question. Fear of Credit Card information theft and of the faceless entity behind the online façade were the greatest deterrents to actually buying online; specially when substantial payment had to be made (I use one dedicated credit card with low limits to transact across the world wide web.)<br /><br />Thus more questions came to mind: What would make the online experience more palatable and attractive? What would make the existing system more secure? What would quell the fears a consumer has about shopping online? What impact would the incoming consumer protection act have on the online shopping fraternity (would online service providers have to be RICA’ed or FICA’ed?) Would this action put to the inherent consumer fear of shopping online? Would a ‘comment box’ assist the consumer in voicing their opinions on the service, articles, etc? <br /><br />The one avenue I found in my searches relates to the commonality of after-sales support more so than the offering of an online shopping portal. In the whole, retail companies offer online after-sales support structures: An operator will contact a consumer after a certain lapse in time to find out about the satisfaction perception. If positive, then all is well, if negative, then how can they assist!? <br /><br />The above process tends to mostly placate and pacify consumers to the inferred ethos that the company cares. <br /><br />As a whole, those that can, make use of online shopping to buy low to mid-priced items. The caution factor kicks in where huge payments have to be made. Here the consumer will go to the physical shop and pay there.<br /><br />The lower income groups use the net more for comparison and availability purposes rather than outright online buying. The picture with the lower income groups is that the mindset is changing as the costs of internet hosting are dropping. The advent of intelligent mobile phones is also helping to change the mindset.<br /><br />Personally I found the whole exercise insightful and calming: the threats are there, but with a small amount of internet savvy, threats can be managed and overcome.<br /><br />Will I continue to buy online? Yes! Sensibly so.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-24500863363585176432010-08-19T13:40:00.000-07:002010-08-19T13:41:57.562-07:00I Am In Love With Me (or why narcissists always rise to positions of power?)In this world of new age philosophies, gobbledegook optimism, politically correct challenges, the glass is half full euphemisms and there-are-no-problems syndrome, Narcissism rules supreme.<br /><br />What used to be viewed as a non-curable character flaw is now viewed as something to strive for or to live by. The media live by it, marketing strives on it and the corporate spaces abound with it. The megalomaniac philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates, called it ‘tough love.’ <br /><br />During the sixties, the ‘I’ philosophy raised its ugly head in the shape of a smiley face. All the sudden it was not on to think of family or society as a comforting safe space. The ‘I’ was elevated beyond all hereto known values. Suddenly it was cool to claim; I am worth it, it is my life, what is in it for me, I am numero uno, greed is king, et al.<br /><br />It is understood that human beings are social creatures that require frequent validation of their self worth. Social interactions usually take care of this need through normal everyday dialogue, debate, interchange of ideas, creative processes and the like.<br /><br />Unfortunately, these so called normal processes, do not suffice in a narcissist world. The need to be superior is the primary force; a force that involves the covering up of feelings (a sign of weakness) while fostering feelings of self-importance and self-appeasement (a sign of grandiosity.) In other words, I am, I can…when I was …, I, I, I.<br /><br />The plus side of narcissism is that it is an energetic, motivated, assertive and competitive condition. All who suffer from narcissism are individuals (a very important asset) who value creativity, who strive to always improve on themselves and who constantly view mistakes as non-entities. They also value intellectual performance above all else.<br /><br />No that bad, one would think. The down side is that a narcissist will internalise failure to the extent of hostility towards others who are perceived to be their betters and thus will externalise blame on all negative events.<br /><br />In other words, a narcissist will rationalise or rewrite history in their favour: “ They freely transform failures into successes, and construct lengthy and intricate rationalisations that inflate their self-worth or justify what they believe is their right.” Dr Theodore Milton. Dr. Roger Davis further pointed out that narcissists, “remember the past as they would have wanted it to occur, not as it actually happened.”<br /><br />When confronted, narcissist will overtly express themselves in a self-justificating rage, character assassination and projection or deflection e.g. you are just envious.<br /><br />They also exhibit traits such as; self-focus in interpersonal exchanges, difficulty with empathy, hypersensitivity to any perceived insults, a vulnerability to shame rather than guilt, subtle but persistent bragging, expert claims to most things, denials of remorse and gratitude, etc, etc. <br /><br />All in all, not a nice condition at all.<br /><br /><br /><br />Yet, this is what is being projected and inferred as to what one must aspire to. <br /><br />The sixties ‘smiley face’ was an icon to the art of positive thought given the wars that were being fought at the time, and the impact they were having on society at large. Narcissism was never the intended outcome. <br /><br />But as usual, the human condition will rise to the occasion and turn all good intentions to hell.<br /><br />Food for Thought: The strange thing about narcissism is that it needs enablers to feed its need for attention and feeling of superiority. One craves power the other, security.<br /><br />For me, give me a juicy portion of t-bone and chips, crème brûlée, and all is well with me.<br /><br />Mwah!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-1200185889529065652009-03-06T23:57:00.000-08:002009-03-07T00:00:28.735-08:00Healthy IgnoranceIf a high intelligence quotient as an ideal equates to the ultimate desire, then the ‘majority’ have much to aspire to. In statistical circles, 2% of the population (exceptionals) have IQ levels of 120 points or more while the ‘minorities’ (100 to 120 IQ points) account for around 15% of the population leaving the ‘mediocre’ and ‘majorities’ to account for the rest. <br /><br />Putting the whole IQ world in perspective is a tricky exercise, but one which I believe to be of vital importance if one is to understand how the world of IQ levels is perceived. It is supposed that persons with IQ levels below 20 IQ points cannot be toilet trained while those with around 40 IQ points, although they may be able to attain grade 4 by ages 18, cannot look after themselves, and those with IQ points of 70 and lower cannot differentiate between right or wrong. <br /><br />The ‘mediocre’ (90 to 100 IQ points) fare no better. Although they can do all the above with closed-eyes proficiency, they are not University material, their reading material is, at best, news stories (the reading of Editorials not included,) popular magazines and novels. Their morality is formed around executing what Authorities expects from them; be it work, religious, governmental or scholastic. <br /><br />It must be understood that an IQ result is a statistically derived number which indicates relative and comparative abilities that can be used to obtain academic skills and knowledge. An individual has many specific mental abilities of which some can be measured accurately while others can only be used as indicators (or predictors) of academic abilities. <br /><br />(Note: An IQ test does not measure most kinds of human abilities such as musical talent, artistic flair, emotional stability, physical co-ordination, or spiritual level.)<br /><br />Thus it is left to the ‘minorities’ --<br /><br />Actually, the ‘minority’ prospects are rather gloomy. Research at a Swedish University has scantly indicated that ‘minorities’ tend to suffer from one or other form of physiological malady when exposed to prolonged periods in the company of mediocrity. The results were obtained by randomly questioning ill people whose IQ levels fell within the prescribed range, specially those in corporate environments, as to what brought on the infirmity. All persons questioned replied that prior to the attack, or closely thereafter, they had to endure some or other act of stupidity by one of their fellow work mates; who were subsequently tested and found to have IQ levels below 100 IQ points.<br /><br />-- and the ‘exceptionals’ to rule the roost, as these are individuals that can reason abstractly, postulate logic and solve what-if situations: exactly what is expected from leaders, politicians and decision makers!?<br /><br />If the world is indeed ruled by the ‘brilliant,’ why is it in such a mess? Surely the intellectually superior can, by way of reason, foresee the outcome of a given action? And maybe they too suffer, like everyone else, from attacks of megalomania, from desires of grandeur and from blatant power mongery. <br /><br />Consider; (all below mentioned are claimed to have an IQ above 100 points)<br /><br />Hitler; an intelligent man who used reason as a means. Yet, his noble pursuits lost their benevolence as his insolence grew. Why should he who gained knowledge through reading implement a draconian rule like book-burning? Surely his common sense should have kicked in and told him that he was being a fool? Why the abnormal abhorrence of a people when intelligence, through reason, dictates that, in life, its not about absolutes but temperance? <br /><br />Sister Theresa; a well-to-do woman who revelled in altruist pursuits. There was nothing that this women would not do for others; as long as their suffering met with her expectations. <br /><br />Einstein; a confirmed logical thinker of high acclaim. Yet he believed in God; a subject that has no logical substance except through the eyes of faith. And his domestic life left a lot to be desired; just ask his wife’s. <br /><br />Margaret Thatcher; highly respected for her powers of rationale and astuteness in negotiations. Yet she had no qualms about condemning (indirectly) a portion of the British population to death (starvation, exposure, war, etc) just because her pride could not be blackmailed.<br /><br />What about persons who head reputable institutions, that are loved by their employees and partners alike, that are known for their powers of reason while behind closed doors, abuse their loved ones, and comit other atrocities. <br /><br />What about a less known factor that most shakers-and-movers sufferer from one or other form of schizophrenia - Not a duality of character but of psychotic mania.<br /><br />In the world of politics, we are all equal, but by all reasoning, an exaggerated misnomer:<br /><br />Fact; In the world of IQ testing, we are not equal. <br /><br />Fact; In the world of anthropomorphic measurements, we are not equal: That verbal inabilities are vast. That musculature variations are many. Even our powers of reason are dissimilar; and the list goes on.<br /><br />Given all of the a foregoing reckonings, are IQ results of any use to anyone or to life in general?<br /><br />As a means to an end, let me simplify the inadequacies of IQ testing by means of a true story: There was a murder case where this person, with an IQ below 70 points, could not be executed for his crime as he was deemed not to be able to distinguish between right or wrong, yet, because of his shrewd dedication in the pursuit of justice, the jury ruled that he was intelligent enough to die.<br /><br />But it must be bliss to live in ignorance. It is postulated that higher intelligence may not be favoured by selection. The history of life on earth, contests the claim that ‘it is better to be smart than to be stupid,’ at least judging by biological success: beetles and bacteria, for example, are far more successful than primates in these terms, and that is generally true of creatures that fill a specific niche or can undergo rapid genetic change.<br /><br />Intelligence versus inanity will remain a bone of contention with much time being dedicated by pundits in the pursuit of answers. In the end, what will it all mean? I do believe that, in the greater scheme of things, not much. Life will continue its ineffable journey with us as passengers, whether we like it or not.<br /><br />Healthy ignorance must be bliss, as no time is wasted on profound thought processes, in life analysis, or in elucidation. Life is lived as it comes and the rest will take care of itself; what joy, what bliss…what a waste.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-15540884006422733282008-12-31T05:24:00.001-08:002008-12-31T05:24:54.218-08:002009 and BeyondUsually at this time of the year, I tend to take a step backwards to gaze upon life in all its glory and craziness. <br /><br /> I once read that not a shred of evidence exists in favour of the idea that life is serious. A tenet that, after much thought, compelled me to re-think my priorities and concerns. And given all the pessimism permeating our air-waves, printed media and the populace in general, a tenet that has helped me develop an optimistic view of life, but an optimism that remains grounded in reality and hard-learnt life experiences – whether one sees a half-full glass or a half-empty glass, one still only gets a half glass of whatever. <br /><br />Overall, 2008 was a year of note. It was a year where many opportunities came-a-knocking, where many initiatives were completed to their logical conclusions and where many disappointments were contended with. It was also a year where many lessons were learnt, where problems were faced, where frustrations were tempered and where challenges were defeated. <br /><br />When all is said and done, here I stand, knowing that irrespective of what was thrown my way by the machinations of life, I surmounted all obstacles standing tall…and with a smile on my face.<br /><br />As for 2009, who knows, but given my record at surmounting impossible odds, I am confident that the future will find me at the helm of my life, pedal to the metal.<br /><br />Here’s to a kick-ass 2009 and beyond.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-77427982187145147102008-06-17T10:59:00.000-07:002008-06-17T11:01:10.922-07:00Avarice and the Human PsycheAvarice, the one defining human trait that continues to defy reason and understanding. It is, above all other frailties, the single most destructive force ever conjured by creatures of intellect. And it never fails to deliver. <br /><br />But avarice does not work alone. It shares the same haunts as covetousness and patriotism. It sleeps with propaganda and altruism. It gives power to greed, war-mongering and bigotry. It is a beast of burden that serves unconditionally and omni-potently. It is omnipresent and resolute. It lives cosily encased in contrived rationale and statistical ambiguities. Winning at all costs, its endearing mantra. <br /><br />In the Technocratic world, avarice regulates human governance with an iron fist - By subtly playing to one’s guilt about being selfish and or being self-absorbed i.e. perceived peer pressure, technocrats maintain their much sought after mass control. Control of the environment will also ensure that freedom-of-choice is controllably managed.<br /><br />Generals, in much the same way as Technocrats, achieve similar end-results from the available troop-mass. The only difference are the methods employed: army life existing in a more restrictive atmosphere means that mind-washing techniques are used with subtle impunity i.e. for the good of national security.<br /><br />At work, in the hands of clever manipulators, it works wonders at keeping the paid-for throngs under control. Implied fear being the most commonly used tool in work circumstances i.e. you’re not a team player, others are happy with the situation, not pulling your weight, possible downsizing in the offing, etc.<br /><br />Capitalism is its great advocator. Capitalism survives on greed and in ‘keeping up with the Jones’s.’ And greed begets greed begets greed begets greed. An unending voracious cycle that does not care for individuals, masses, religious backgrounds, upbringings or caste. A true vice.<br /><br />Over the years, many ‘ocracies’ and ‘isms’ have being devised, all with noble intentions and doable goals, only to be deposed soon after its birth - nothing laced with avarice is noble or just, for it serves its own purposes, its own agendas, its own meritocracy. <br /><br />So, where to from here? Is there an Achilles heel to all this, or is the light at the end of the tunnel that of an oncoming train? In reality, it’s the latter that bears fruit: while the human psyche exists, so too will its propensity for avarice. Irrespective of how it is rationalised, the human spirit will always be self-serving and self-justifying.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-14153474499091830932008-04-22T00:11:00.000-07:002008-04-22T00:12:21.150-07:00Why Can't Life be SimpleWhy can’t life be simple? It just seems that the harder one tries to simplify things, the more complicated life becomes. And believe you me, I’ve tried and tried only to meet with disastrous consequences, that bear no relationship to what has gone before.<br /><br />Being a proponent of ‘what is’ denotes that I should have a deeper understanding of the inner working of life, the universe and everything else (apologies to Douglas Adams,) but invariably, it turns out that I do not. <br /><br />Being worse than a cat when it comes to the pursuit of comfort, I spend much time in evaluating what is non-sense and inconsequential. I also spend effort in searching for ways to do tasks simpler and with the least amount of effort. And in creating an environment where I reign supreme. But like they say in the classics: bah humbug!<br /><br />Everyday I wake up to a new sunrise full of expectations that all will run according to plan, only to find that its all for nought – an eventuality will interfere, direct and command what was a peaceful existence - it appears that personal ideals are not deserving and should be disrupted and thrown out of tilt.<br /><br />Now the above may sound far fetched and out of synch with what the rest of the world are busy with, but considering that death is the ultimate judge, does it not stand to reason that living life is more important than just living, and that all else is just conversation?<br /><br />Have people forgotten what it is like to be human?<br /><br />Have we become so caught up in the pursuit of opinions and in the pursuit of being right, that life has lost all meaning. Do we really believe that something or someone ethereal will save us from the undeniable fact that death lurks and that eventually, it will consume all corporeal existence.<br /><br />We have devised belief systems that provide well rationalised answers to questions of mystery, to questions of wonderment and to inquiries of bafflement, yet, in-between all the brouhaha of information, we remain frail pathetic humans. The only difference is that we suffer from dementia of ‘there must be more to life’ rather than looking at ourselves and realising that power is within each one of us and that collectively, we can achieve whatever we set out minds to.<br /><br />Our relationships have become tainted with postulated dreams of romance, have become tainted with conjured visions of a what a soul mate is and have become tainted with viewpoints that subvert what it means to be human. We like to be told that we are exceptional, we like to be told that we are good looking and we like that others see us for what we are. Yet we run around blaspheming the good names of others, we run around gossiping about the doings of others and we run around passing judgment on what others deem to be normal<br /><br />Life is not personal, it is aloof, unemotional and damn frustrating. It is not an anomaly that purports to support life in all its guises. It is what it is. It is an ever changing condition that has allowed species to develop and then to die off without any rational reason. It is a condition that allowed a species to develop congealed grey matter into monstrous complex creatures that kill, maim and destroys one another for the sake of an opinion, territory and just for just.<br /><br />Life also does not care for the individual, it is not so devised and it does not operate in that way. The death or life of an individual does not life make. Yet, it is all we crave: the will to be ourselves, the vehemence to be different to others, the glorification of self.<br />But knowing that life will be life is not enough. Humans need more. They need acceptance, they need the human touch and they need the assertion that a life has not been in vain. They also need diplomacy for anything else is deemed as abhorrent. <br /><br />And then there are emotions: a bunch of irrational deep down unexplainable feelings that are bundled together in a flesh-and-bone upright walking-talking Homo Sapiens. They mean nothing at the best of times and at the worst of times, they get in the way of what should be a clear logical explanation to existence. Yet, one can hate them or love them, the fact remains that they are a reality of life and will continue to be so long after the surcease of breath. <br /><br />The expectations behind the veil of life are cumbersome at best. They are mostly construed, connived and full of rationalized good will and intentions. Yet they pale into insignificance when confronted by vanity, emotions and simplicity.<br /><br />In the end, maybe its all about denial. A condition that transcends all cultural barriers, gender backgrounds and social standings. A condition that affects all and spares none. The great aunt to vanity, and the main culprit behind bigotry, elitism and the human suffering.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-86658672914418755762008-04-09T08:57:00.000-07:002008-04-09T08:59:00.946-07:00Out of the Mouth of Babes"All kids are born: self-centred, solipsistic little sewage machines who would happily snatch the last sliver of your will to live for half a teaspoon of prune puree. <br /><br />Children are not born pure and good and then become tainted by their environment, as victims of sentiment will have you believe. Actually, they’re born malicious little douche bags, who’s parents must then teach to become respectable members of society" - Chris McEvoyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-11032558778722610602008-03-18T13:11:00.000-07:002008-03-18T13:13:25.840-07:00Of Angels and Demons: A Da Vincian free-for-allIn view of all the paranoia, commotion and sensationalism surrounding a certain modern-day conspirational work-of-fiction, the tomes of retorts that have followed, and the movie that it spawned, I say let the people have what they want. I say lets wipe the slate clean, lets abolish all known religious ethos and holy tenets, and go back to a time when humanity ruled, when nature was the supreme educator, when the genders knew their rightful places and the infatuation with a God like entity was but a faint glimmer in a far away imagination.<br /><br />Yet I cannot but ask a few Da Vincian type questions pertaining to the whole can of worms: If it is widely accepted that a God like entity exists, why the obsession on changing what is? If all holy writings are inspired of God, when did the message change? When did God become democratic? Is God real? The whole illogicality reminds me of a certain statement by Voltaire: "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." This was of course said before certain Eastern Religions became the headlined scourge of mankind.<br /><br />The interesting issue at this juncture lies in the fact that, as much as people want to do away with prescriptive religion, as much as they need to worship something. Wendy Kaminer in her work Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials wrote, “Ours is an evangelical culture. So many people convinced that they’ve been saved by Jesus, cured by homeopathy or the laying on of hands, abducted by aliens or protected by angels seek public acknowledgement that their convictions are true. Imbued with messianic fervour, or simply seeking ‘validation,’ they are not content to hoard the truth; they are compelled to share it and convert the unenlightened, relying on the force of their own intense emotions. Generally, the only proof offered for a fantastic belief is the passion it inspires.”<br /><br />Given the above, I feel that something is amiss for Religion has never been about the rights of the people (It is not democratic.) Religion does not have the keys to salvation (God is the supreme Judge.) Religion also does not have the answers to mankind’s woes (It can only comfort and support - All are born sinners thus must suffer the woes of their actions): did not Karl Marx assert that Religion is the opiate of the people?<br /><br />Personally, I find the whole obsession interesting and laughable, for here is a work-of-fiction being hailed as the best thing since sliced bread. The interesting portion stems from the fact that it is people with set believe-structures that are the ardent pursuers of said literary work - Is the disappointment in structured religion that evident, or are the religious followers easily sidetracked by plausible assertions and postulations? The fun thing is that Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists and Enlightened-thinkers are having a good giggle at the whole gum-shoot (not to mention the Author who is coining a pretty penny.) <br /><br />What irks me no end, are the actions by religious leaders who will voice their opinions elatedly and arrogantly in the face of popular acceptance. Shouldn’t they rather be looking inwards and investigating why the people are so easily diverted from a supposedly path to salvation? Surely something is amiss with their teachings, dogmas and assertions? The down side the aforementioned conjecture is that, in life, human beings are generally known to be fickle, therefore in need of guidance and support when making decisions on matters of faith. <br /><br />It is a well known fact that humans have a propensity towards conspiracies, cover-ups and obscure cults. Robert Anton Wilson in Everything is Under Control, asserts that “ We live in an age in which humans distrust other humans more than ever before.” He further states that “ Men and Women indeed become strange when seeking gods…they become even stranger when seeking devils.”<br />Thus, it is fair to state that people do not believe in conspiracies for logical or scientific reasons, but for emotional reasons; it’s the not knowing what comes next that drives the whole caboose. The one question that answers all questions must surely be: Do you trust your Government? The ensuing answer will undoubtedly provide a likewise rationale reason to the paranoia that surrounds The Da Vinci Code. <br /><br />In asserting that Dan Brown did a brilliant job in researching the material for his Novel is stating the obvious. Its even more obvious that he was aware that conspiracies are gobbled up vigorously by the masses at large; especially where it concerns secular religion. For that he deserve an applause and a congratulations on a job well done. <br /><br />In the meanwhile, I will find solace in a chalice of well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon and leave all Grail quests to the sacred feminine.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-75959654203050614252008-03-16T14:08:00.000-07:002008-03-16T14:10:16.825-07:00The Power of the Written WordI finally sat down to watch a ‘Ronge’ critiqued movie by the title of Freedom Writers. A frank story about a young idealistic teacher, played by Hilary Swank, who started off her teaching career at an experimental volunteer-integration high school situated in a much racially maligned area of America (Long Beach.) <br /><br />The story is not new and it does end in true American tradition of happy-endings. But the refreshing part is that it highlights what the world is about and what can be achieved if people learn to accept responsibility for their own actions. <br /><br />The story mostly tries to disentangle some of the intricacies of racial tensions, of abject bigotry by those who should know better and the awkwardness of the establishment in dealing with matters of race, quality of life and what is – Bureaucracy, veiled objections riding the skirts of good-intentions, divorce, self-worth and of doing what has been done before because it is comfortable to do so.<br /><br />The story also attempts to unravel the age old paradox of ‘worshiping two gods,’ choice and the causality of both actions.<br /><br />Personally I felt moved by the movie for its frankness of subject. It never tries to be what it is not. It rather focuses on the trials and tribulations of young teenage kids who, through no choice of their own, have to live in areas where open warfare is common, where racial wars are fought for no rhyme or reason other than skin colour, and where the consequences of living in a world where nationalism (family) is used as a tool of subterfuge. <br /><br />The kick for me came at the conclusion where I realised that the movie was based on a true story of a teacher (Erin Gruwell) who pushed her students past their perceived abilities, never judged them for whom they were, and used her intellect to push past red-tape, negative experiences and personal hardships.<br /><br />The slight negative was when the Holocaust was used as a simile to what was happening to the kids: the Anne Frank Diaries was one of the books that the kids had to read.<br /><br />In the end, the movie was all about Democracy, its effects and perceived entitlements e.g. freedom without responsibility does not work. The movie also showed up that westernised Pollyanna euphemisms mean nothing to other national groups. <br /><br />As a reminder to the insanity of life, the movie worked wonders. As a reminder to the power of the human spirit; frailties and all, the movie worked wonders. As a reminder to the fact that the paternalistic axiom of ‘for the good of all’ is a polished emblem of mumbo-jumbo, the movie worked wonders. And as a reminder that to overcome our present destructive situation we, the people, need to stand together, the movie worked wonders. <br /><br />The high point of the movie was the big picture inference to the power of the written word, for it is a medium that remains as a testimony to existence long after the candle of life has been blown out. <br /><br />*The ‘Freedom Writers Diaries’ was published in 1999*Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-19825578999697322632008-03-09T04:00:00.000-07:002008-03-09T04:01:44.269-07:00Atheism does not Negate Spiritual BeliefIs it not amusing how all debates, blogs and or discussions on religion (whether new age, esoteric or traditional) all revolve around circular reasonings!? And the more an explanation to a given position is proffered, the more extensively monologous the whole debacle becomes.<br /><br />The one interesting supposition that struck a chord with me of late, is the use of the term atheism as meaning non-believer. I mean, in philosophical terms and by their very nature, they are two miles-apart ideologies.<br /><br />The dictionary defines atheism as: disbelief in the existence of a god or gods (Oxford). <br /><br />The word ‘disbelief,’ as used in the definition, does not imply non-belief but rather a choice not to believe in something due to some or other reason – inability or refusal to accept something is true or real (Oxford.) This precept is not to be confused with agnosticism: a person who believes that it is not possible to know whether or not God exists (Oxford.) One relates to choice, the other to lack of ‘empirical’ proof or substantiation. <br /><br />Enter on stage, the non-believer. Here is a sentiate that does not believe in anything esoteric, new age, religious or even remotely spiritual. A being that accepts as true the power of the human animal, with all its imperfections, grand-narratives and mysteries. A being that understands and pursues secular cognitive reason as its primary source of wisdom and understanding. <br /><br />The commonality to any non-believer lies in the deduction that everything humans do, they do out of their own volition and not because of some unexplainable pretext that requires faith (to believe without reason) to make it all plausible – why must unexplainable phenomena be attributed to something ethereal just because it is, given present understandings or knowledge, …unexplainable. <br /><br />As can be deduced, atheism is a rather different approach to the world of the non-believer – even Richard Dawkins believes in something, just not in the concept of a god: “Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakeable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.”<br /><br />Experience tells me that, irrespective of what anyone says or relates concerning religious tenets and dogmas, the debate will continue ad infinitum. To a non-believer, given all the trouble, toil and strife saturating planet earth, all ponderings on where-we-come-from, life-out-there, god and spirituality, is a senseless waste of time.<br /><br />Maybe we just came to be, to create the one thing that nature could not: Plastic!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-42699869246416227212007-12-16T11:47:00.001-08:002007-12-16T11:47:38.824-08:00Is Freedom of Speech even DebatableWhy is it that we are so adept at proclaiming freedom-of-speech while, back at the ranch, running it down when that freedom asserts an ideal opposed to our own way of thinking? If reason be what makes us human, why the inconsistency? And maybe the fault is mine for “How ridiculous and what a stranger he is who is surprised at anything which happens in life.” – Marcus Aurelius<br /><br />Democracy is about freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom of actions; of course all tempered by liberal doses of moderation i.e. consideration for the wellbeing of others, consideration for the beliefs of others, consideration for the lives of others. As a matter of fact, consideration and moderation, besides the aforementioned freedoms, are the prime words by which democracy was devised (reminds me of the age old inconsistency: Look but don’t touch, Touch but don’t bite, Bite but don’t swallow…)<br /><br />To the lob-sided equation, human-rights (human rights refers to the concept of human beings as having universal rights, or status, regardless of legal jurisdiction, and likewise other localizing <br />factors, such as ethnicity and nationality,) was added as a condiment. These rights and freedoms likewise include the rights to due process, private ownership of property, privacy, and equality before the law, and freedoms of speech, assembly and religion. (In liberal democracies, such as that found in South Africa, these rights are generally constitutionally guaranteed.)<br /><br />In contrast, Conflict, by characterization, refers to any quarrel between persons, regions, national districts or world powers. Conflict further refers to mental-states of unreasonableness, of stroppiness and of perverseness: arrogance, avarice, despotism, bigotry, absolutism. Qualities that not only subverts the human spirit but also relegates it to the annals of depravity - Ayn Rand in her gothic work entitled ‘Anthem’ expounded on what a world ruled by oppressive ideologies would be like: in one instance, she elucidates the arrogance of the ruling elite when it discards electricity in favour of candles for the concept was not developed by the masses for the good of the masses. <br /><br />When Emmanuel Kant was asked to characterize Enlightenment (defined as the insistence on intellectual autonomy, a rejection of tradition and authority as the infallible sources of truth, a loathing for bigotry and persecution, a commitment to free inquiry, a belief that knowledge is indeed power,) his vigour and clarity rose to the occasion: “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity.” Unlike his other long-winded works of philosophy, this was direct, to the point and sacrosanct.<br /><br />In simple words, it is decisive forbearance towards all things that challenge and seemingly subvert ideals long held as truths, that determines enlightenment. Not an impossibility or a stretch of the imagination but a tortuous request nonetheless, for the general human propensity towards self-emulation will, if not checked, rise to the top: usually under the guises of nationalism, patriotism and eloquently-worded self-centred crowd-pleasing despotic monologues.<br /><br />Therefore, as with enlightenment, freedom-of-speech, being a sub-set of enlightenment, must be conceived as an attitude in which the critique of what we are, be accepted as an historical analysis of the limits that are imposed on us, and a testing with the prospect of going beyond them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To all intents and purposes, there should be no debate pertaining to whether or not freedom-of-speech should ever be sacrificed, irrespective of circumstances i.e. noble intentions - history is full of noble intentions that did nothing but to propagate the will of those who proclaimed those very intentions. <br /><br />Its for the above reasons that freedom-of-speech should be encouraged and cultivated at all levels of human interactions. It should never be allowed to wane or to be repressed irrespective of how much it condemns or criticises. It must be allowed to assert conjectures, contentions and what-ifs. It must be given free reign, for only then can life evolve beyond its self imposed immaturity - the world used to be considered flat. It was only by the covert persistence (an unfortunate system-induced malaise of the time) of a few heretics that the truth was eventually revealed. <br /><br />Dare to speak. Dare to know!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-36970161955100330212007-12-13T08:06:00.000-08:002007-12-13T08:08:20.085-08:00Expedition FacebookOver the past while, my exploratory excursions have taken me into a world known as Facebook. A virtual meeting place of friends, acquaintances and of like-minded hopefuls. A world where banalities and make-believe are tendered as gospel, where friends rediscover each other; and where discussion threads are viewed as the alma mater of free speech.<br /><br />Must admit that my travels through Facebook have been interesting and stimulating. Yet, it remains a cold and impersonal medium. One that panders friendship but delivers pretence, abject derision and emptiness.<br /><br />When travelling amongst the numerous ‘discussion threads,’ one will run across racism, sex, presidential candidates, sex, conspiracies, sex, philosophies and more sex. Some threads carry emotional baggage from lonely hearts who want solace and possibly a shoulder to cry on. Other threads are filled with good intentions, but are continuously jacked (a Facebook term for hijacking/taking over) by users who see the whole issue as irrelevant, thus an object of ridicule.<br /><br />Amongst some of the trivialities of Facebook is the ability to create an awesome individualist profile that can be linked to all friends and individuals. This profile can include items such as rate-me, how-sexy-am-I, how-alike-are-we and plagiarised famous quotes.<br /><br />There is also one section that allows users to describe themselves. At face value, there is nothing wrong in the idea, but it’s the varied but similar descriptions that are interesting. The majority of users claim description like what-you-see-is-what-you-get, an-individual-that-loves-life, the real-cerebral-icon and say-it-like-it-is person.<br /><br />Interestingly, in amongst the maelstrom of likeness and characters, some have taken to imitating others in the hope of creating consternation and so called fun e.g. South African Minister of Health.<br /> <br />The above notwithstanding, I find Facebook an enthralling study into the human psyche. In my wanderings through Facebook space, I have read how the Facebook population feels about the death-sentence, abortions, religion and the next presidential candidate. To my dismay, I have also learnt that size-does-matter, that one’s abilities on the dance floor relates to how one performs in bed and that any thread is open to being jacked, taken ‘off’ course and insulted.<br /><br />The South African Network statistics page presents some facts that left me wondering as to the honesty of all who partake of Facebook: Firstly, most users class themselves as non-religious. This surprised me the most considering the discussions being tendered on subjects of abortion, love, sex before marriage and the death penalty. Secondly, most users rate themselves as not having a political identity or even affiliation, yet, once again, the verbiage being openly sprouted contradicts that statistic. Thirdly, being single is proffered as the title most go by – only six percent are married.<br /><br />The other attention-grabbing statistic relates to the gender usage: 45% male and 40% female.<br /> <br />To my mind, what makes Facebook so derisive remains seated in the fact that there is no accountability or responsibility for actions or insurgent contradictions to social harmony. It is as if hiding behind one’s avatar (a graphic representation of one’s likeness) renders one omnipotent and immortal. Similarly for those who hide behind public personages: it’s as if they know that verification is difficult and downright improbable. <br /><br />Myself I have found Facebook a good diversion for those periods in time when running-away seems most attractive and when there is nothing else on TV. I have also found it a valuable pool of information where it pertains to the gathering of human thoughts, human actions and human tendencies.<br /><br />At the end of my explorations, I believe that I will continue to use the medium on offer. As long as I apply thoughtful restrictive measures, it is a fine medium. But like all things human; it is what it is.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-43504144267793423792007-08-16T03:15:00.000-07:002007-08-16T03:17:23.248-07:00Armageddon, Apocalypse or an Incontinent Truth?Are we facing a melt-down of gigantic proportions? And I’m not talking about the usual gumph of global-warming, save-the-planet and other woe-paranoia (all the usual suspects that tend to occupy much time in media spewings and other human interactions.) What is at hand will have a greater impact on the everyday decisions of your average jack-and-jill, for it impacts on the corporeal.<br /><br />A report by Ruthie Ackerman of the Sentinel Management Group states that “When money market funds, which are typically thought of as ‘safe,’ show strain, investors worry that the credit problems have begun to spread to the broader market.” Ruthie further attests: “As the Federal Reserve and foreign central banks funnel money into their respective markets to squelch liquidity issues, problems such as Sentinel’s continue to arise, unnerving investors who are left to wonder how deep the tentacles of the subprime fallout reach.”<br /><br />It must be noted that the above report followed on the heels of the $64 billion bailout of the U.S stock market by the Federal Reserve.<br /><br />Further to the above, Peter Dunay of Leeb Capital Management, goes on to say “As the European Central bank and other financial banks continue to add additional funds investors get concerned that they’ll have to do more and that the problem is bigger than currently though.”<br /><br />Sarel Oberholster of CCPT, in his e-newsletter asserts: “I have warned over the weekend that economic conditions have become perilous. I have described the economic problems in “The Strategist” but in short, interest rates dropped too much and people borrowed too much easy money all over the world. The debts are now falling apart as people are unable to pay on a large scale. It is causing a sort of “run on the banks” similar to that which happened before the crash of 1929. In our modern world the “run” is on investment funds and hedge funds.”<br /><br />Now if the above does not put the fear of god into one’s financial perspective, then nothing barring a ground zero nuclear explosion will. <br /><br />It is understood that the powers that be cannot afford to have the masses running around in a state of panic, withdrawing vast amounts of hard currency, causing greater pandemonium and consternation. That is why huge amounts of money are spent by the powers that be on ‘happy’ propaganda which is designed to keep the populous happy, content and under control; all under the paternalist rite of ‘for your own good.’ <br /><br />Having said that, it is by no means asserted that keeping a positive outlook is bad. Life in all its guises needs to be lived, and lived it shall be. But a little wariness will go a long way to fortifying one’s resolve when the financial walls do come tumbling down.<br /><br />What is worrying about the stated economic situation is that it affects the tangible, unlike the emotional inconvenient truths that might affect the globe in years to come. Going hungry and or loosing a home and or a mode of transport and and, is not only detrimental to one’s mental health, but also very debilitating i.e. loss of self-esteem and self-worth. <br /><br />I know that for years, the financial markets have suffered major upheavals and many disconcerting storms, which have all been circumvented by nifty footwork on the part of the banks, governments and other financial institutions. The quandary being that mostly the problems have been overcome by throwing money at it. Now reason dictates that sooner or later the seemingly endless pot of money will run dry for there are only so many resources available on the globe. What then?<br /><br />The situation is dire but, for the moment, manageable; hopefully.<br /> <br />In view of the above, the desire for ‘wanton’ buying, should be more circumspect, more penny wise, more prudent. Getting rid of debt (more like minimising it if one is up to ones eyebrows in debt) should take top priority when considering future financial options. Not that any of the aforementioned will help if the bottom falls out of the market.<br /><br />Then again, living off the bank’s money might just be the way to go!?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-636974838719849672007-08-03T11:54:00.000-07:002007-08-03T11:56:27.289-07:00Blogging. Freedom of Expression or Just another Fashion Statement?In between Women’s Rights, Bra Straps, How to tell that a Lady has feelings for you, to Wear or not to Wear Pants, Zimbabwe and other angst ridden articles occupying much space on the internet, there is very little of value for one to sink one’s teeth into. I understand that blogging and or Citizen Reporting is all about giving voice to the masses, making them feel involved, wanted and empowered. <br /><br />There is an advert on the goggle box that advertises an easy-too-use goo, that supposedly simplifies one’s cooking, while the well-coiffured housewife prattles on how blogging has brought meaning to her veiled-downtrodden life.<br /><br />The subject of blogging was thrown into disarray a while back by a certain article written by a well known media personality, which led to many how-dare-you blogs and the birth of a Blog site in reverence to said well known Media personality.<br /><br />Many a sci-fi writer has elucidated the future as a place filled with most citizens running around trying to film or record life-as-it-happens, all putting their slant on happening, in the hope that the media moguls will buy the information from them.<br /><br />What is worrying about this behaviourship is the tendency by the majority to judge life through the pretext of civilisation; a concept that was only introduced by a French philosopher during the 18th century. This pretext uses the assumption that having the capabilities of reason, animalistic instincts should be trashed for the sake of presupposed higher ethics and morals. The Human Rights Charter is predominantly based on the philosophy of civilised living.<br /><br />Now while civilised living might be a praiseworthy aspiration (a derivative of having an emotional brain,) it is in no way a true representation of what human beings are all about. Self interest is the way of human and as such, having the freedom to express at will, other forms of wanton and self-aggrandizement will rise to the top.<br /><br />“Its as if the human animal does not know what to do with it’s perception of freedom that it relegates itself to commonplace arguments for the sake of affirmation, reason and entitlements.” – Bite Size Expressions<br /><br />Which brings me back to blogging. A veritable art form that uses the human capacity for self-interest to propagate itself. For now, it seems to be working, yet, I cannot but wonder if its not all a case of … the more things change, the more they stay the same!? <br /><br />EndsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-10484602905491968922007-01-05T07:10:00.001-08:002007-03-13T05:42:19.077-07:00Impeach Bush, Why?Much under the treatise of fate or predestination or omnipotence relies on the fact that life has been preordained and will happen accordingly.<br /><br />But there is more, for a belief in fate or omnipotence also predisposes as belief in an after-life. An occurrence that underscores the esoteric ability to take a peek into what the future holds. A proclivity that even most non-believers will relish when the opportunity lends itself. And the results from such séances/readings/treatments are mostly similar: They all allay the human fear of the unknown by supposedly shedding light on the dark recesses of the future.<br /><br />Fortunately, there are inconsistencies that highlights the fact that all is not so. In Astrology the words ‘the stars impel, they don’t compel’ are used interchangeably. In secular religion, Allah knows all, except when God does not then ‘he/she/it moves in mysterious ways.’ In mysticism, all predictions/readings are only recommendations and their outcomes dependent on how strong the protagonist believes in their truthiness.<br /><br />The issue with human actions being preordained lies in the question of culpability and responsibility. If life if predestined, then nothing humans do is by natural intent. Even suicide would have been written as an event to take place at its allotted time. And in predestination there are no grey areas; it is or it is not. I mean, who would have replaced Judas Iscariot if he decided against betraying Jesus? <br /><br />True freedom-of-choice implies the ability to use gathered knowledge, tested experiences and over-time moulded wisdom in deciding what course of action to take in a given situation. But having the ability to ask for numinous advice in making decisions predisposes a prescribed future and thus not freedom-of-choice. Therefore predestination cannot coexist with free-will for both conditions oppose each other in the possible strongest terms – If George W bush's life is preordained, then he cannot be judged for he is only acting out his destiny.<br /><br />Secularly speaking, I find it rather unsettling that one’s life is regulated by unseen forces that manifest themselves in a number of differing energies or belief systems. I find solace in the fact that true free-will allows me the pleasure to be in control of my life and liable for my own actions; or inactions. I need to know that justice will be meted out, that others too, are responsible for their actions and that Governments will sooner or later have to give an account-of-their-actions to the people that elected them. <br /><br />If predestination is allowed into the equation, the above scenario fuzzes into a logical nightmare.<br /><br />In the end, the whole predestination problem revolves around the human propensity for not wanting to believe or accept that one is alone in the vast universe. Its as if our elevated thought processes, when confronted with many of life’s unexplainables, will comfortingly rationalise well constructed answers that give meaning and purpose to existence. And, of course, having the soothing thought that there is more to life after death adds much to settling the feelings of anxiety – As Nietzche so aptly put it: “In the consciousness of the truth he has perceived, man now sees everywhere only the awfulness or the absurdity of existence and loathing seizes him.”<br /><br />I for one will to continue to exercise free-will without he intervention of predestination or fate. But if it is proved not to be so, I will rest easy knowing that I was only acting as per my preordained destiny; thus absolved from all culpability.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2520205413864335832.post-89068225682000933412006-12-11T03:17:00.000-08:002006-12-11T09:01:00.696-08:00The Case for the Homo ErectiMuch has been said and written about the development of the human species, but little on how to solve the human conflict within the beast. Its as if the human animal, developed brain and all, is afraid to confront itself and what it actually is. And since the invention of the political correctness syndrome, life for the homo sapiens has gone from livable to chaos in a matter of an instant - Nothing is sacred but that which is held sacred by the masses. The Homo Sapiens is the only species on mother earth that can promote and exterminate itself all in one smooth action.<br /><br />Studies indicate that the human animal is still very much a beast within; the primitive fight-or-flight reflex, the survival of the fittest, the propensity to commit atrocities, the testosterone machismo, the estrogen insecurities, etc. As much as what the human animal denies it, as much as what it reverts back to instincts.<br /><br />The rational powers of intellect that are characterized in the human animal is what separates it from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is postulated that it’s this very intellect that causes the human animal untold suffering. The fact that “something’s are true whether we believe them or not” becomes a bone of contention during human interactions: Dialogues are actually monologues as mindsets are seldom changed during so-called discussions. Its is usually ‘compromise’ that wins the day - An entente cordiale.<br /><br />(Socrates discovered that skillful dialogue could elicit or awaken the dormant wisdom within each human being, but Socrates also died (executed as a matter of fact) for the right to seek, the right to awaken his fellow Athenians to their ignorance. A human enigma by any standards.)<br /><br />The age of equality between the sexes has also brought untold injustices upon the human animal. Never has there been a subject filled with more controversy and capriciousness as that of equality of the sexes. Equality does not exist in nature. Each sex has its role to play and the game is played accordingly: The male bird will find himself at odds over his mates reluctance to accept his toils but, in the end, he does succeed. The female will settle down to rear their progeny in total acceptance. Our developed brains will reason that such perversities are taboo in the scheme of human interactions, but in the end, the need to pro-create wins hands down.<br /><br />The art of civilization is another past-time that has amused humans for eons, especially those in power. Civilization attempts to create conditions that will render peaceful human interaction a possibility. It achieves this by rules, laws and legislation. The strange phenomenon is that true freedom has ever been achieved by legislation: Someone, somewhere, will always put itself before the rest, thus creating conflict which then requires the services of fallible human-law-enforcers to uphold by the application of, usually, outdated legislation. The human psyche of self-interest does not care for laws and rules of others. It wants and it needs!<br /><br />(As a matter of interest; the word ‘civilization’ only entered our language during the 18th century.)<br /><br />Religion is another problematic invention of the human animal: It is unthinkable that humans, with their elevated intellectual powers, came into existence through the evolution of a single cell organism that lived in a just-right primordial soup. There has to be something higher, more powerful and more intelligent – an omnipotent being. Both paradoxes, religion and evolution, are viewed by many as opposing religions or dogmas. The common denominator is that both concepts cannot be proven, one way or another, beyond a shadow of a doubt.<br /><br />(An interesting note is that Religious fanaticism has robbed the human species by around eight hundred years of intellectual and technological development.)<br /><br />And then there is death, the great equalizer. A condition that is revered by many but despised by all. And when it comes knocking, all hell breaks loose – usually by apportioning blame on some poor sod or condition. Yet, it’s the destiny of every single living organism. Again the problem seems to stem from having a developed brain: It is unthinkable that one spends much of one’s life learning and gathering information just to be buried in a wooden box (or some other preferred means of funeralism.) Animals do not suffer the same malady. They live and die without regrets. For a species that is afraid of death, the human animal is a great warmonger (maybe bringer of death is more apt.) It does not need boundaries or disputes to go to war. It simply just creates problems by using clever disguised words, rationale and spin doctoring. The rest is history.<br /><br />A great thinker once said that if the human species can learn to grow past its “puberty” stage, the future would then be a long and prosperous one. This was said in light of the fact that, in the scheme of things, the human species is exactly at the same developmental stage as that of a pubescence child; and not forgetting the hormonal imbalances.<br /><br />Is there a case to be said for the Homo Erecti? Will its capacity for love, compassion and rational thought elevate it above all negative conjectures, or will it be ruled by self-interest?<br /><br />Progress (like development) demands that forward motion take place, not stagnant rhetoric, where one evil is replace with another. Doing what others have done before in the belief that one can do it better, is not progress: it is blind arrogance (or is it ignorance.) It is like building sand castles on the beach; the end of the day it is still only sand.<br /><br />At least the sex is great.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00604923555126776194noreply@blogger.com0