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Sanity Ignored … September 15, 2014

2014/09/14

As the world and its inhabitants decay into decadence and inevitable extinction, I watch. I really thought I would feel more sorrow at humanity’s demise. Even knowing that my own existence depended upon many of those degrading before my vision failed to raise the level of empathy within me. After watching, decade after decade, the gradual decline of the human condition my sense of caring has followed suit.

Humans have suffered much the same century upon century: fighting, dying, starving, killing. Sporadic cries for sanity go ignored, sometimes condemned. Some say there is no free will. Perhaps the continued carnage is testimony to that. Like automatons people war and rage. It just could be that the occasional sane cry is a spark of free will. The spark is fated always to be extinguished by the mob.

My thoughts of empathy and sympathy do go out to touch the innocents. No, not the human flotsam twisting in their agonies, I feel naught for them. My caring reaches those who lived before mankind came, the kingdom humans by far considered their inferior. The flora and fauna of this planet suffer so, through no fault of their own. Their habitats diminished, their water sources poisoned, many used to extinction by the “needs” of humankind. These “intelligent” apes behave as if worlds like this exist in abundance.

I seem like some lonely observer, watching this tragedy play out. Unable to affect a change of course or influence others to take action, watching helplessly as the calamity unfolds. Perhaps that is my role, I can fantasize, I am here to observe and report. At least, perhaps, through such a fantasy my feelings of frustration and helplessness can be side-stepped. How could I possibly be held accountable, should there be an accounting, when I have no role to play? That’s it. I am just an observer. I am recording the demise of a civilization. A demise caused by its own hand. Nothing more.
Sick of Humans… September 8, 2014

2014/09/07

Crude and rude people seem to be the majority among humans. Some even value their crude-rude behavior above all other behavior saying things like “ I value brute honesty no matter how hurtful and scathing.”

Honesty, it is true, is valuable in the daily dealings of human beings. If you buy a product you want to know its faults. In the pursuit of your daily life you need to know possible dangers. Honesty can provide safety.

The pursuit of honesty to the nth degree can be harmful. Brutal honesty can destroy the fragile dreams of a child. Self-confidence, once destroyed, may never recover. Alternatively, a well placed compliment or encouragement, neither the truth nor a lie, may spur the child to new heights of achievement. A clumsy hapless child may be molded into a wreck or a piece of art. Even a harmless fib (is that a micro-lie?) may allow a fragile ego to strengthen and become strong. Yet … there are those who insist that absolute frank and caustic honesty is the best path, regardless whether the child ends up needing psychiatric treatment, or chooses as many do, to end it all.

The problems of humanity are many fold. One thing I think that makes human beings such a miserable lot is the “me first” mentality. This can also be described as “I’ve got mine, the rest of you can just do without” syndrome. It is almost as if something has effected the base emotion of empathy. No one seems capable any more of putting themselves in other’s shoes to know how they feel about a situation.

A bum sits upon a street corner. He is obviously handicapped. Today people are more likely to tell the invalid to get a job rather than to drop a coin in his cup. “I’ve got mine, the rest of you can just do without!”

My idealistic faith in the goodness of humanity has taken a severe beating in the last few months. I search with strained eyes to see the goodness that continues to elude my gaze. Even that which claims to be good, has a smooth and friendly veneer of decency, upon examination has an ulterior goal. It does not pay to examine those of “godly” nature too closely. The altruistic claims of non-theists fall flat as well with minor scrutiny.

I am not unaffected by the greed and callousness I have seen. I, too, find it difficult to sympathize, to express empathy, for those “me first” and “I’ve got mine” sorts.

There seems to be social engineering taking place upon the population. This engineering is suppressing the empathetic instincts evolution has instilled in the human species. It seems to be bracing us for some coming calamity that might require the deaths of many. A feeling of “everyone for themselves” seems to be welling up within our species. Empathy will have to go if the population is to be culled. Many have spoken of just such a conspiracy scenario. Whether this is actually an orchestrated conspiracy, or just the natural reaction of an animal (humans are just animals, let’s admit) to over-population, we cannot be sure.
Paranoia … September 1, 2014

2014/08/31

“par·a·noi·a (pr-noi)
n.
1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.” – http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paranoia

“The symptoms of paranoia are diverse, but one of the most common is a strong distrust of other people. Often, paranoid people suspect that those around them are plotting against them and question the motives of others,m leading them to be tense, oversensitive, and confrontational. They are unable to relax around people because of this lack of trust and often are quick to take offense to others’ actions, which may make them uncomfortable at social functions. Other symptoms may include extreme stubbornness, perfectionism, and difficulty in expressing forgiveness, although these may also be signs of other mental disorders.” – http://www.wisegeekhealth.come/what-is-paranoia.htm

How many times does a person have to be burned, stabbed in the back, spat upon, before at least a measure of paranoia evolves? How long before you begin to adopt the X-Files warning to “Trust No One”?

When you read or hear that some certain group of people would like to see you, or your kind, dead or dying, at what point do you circle the wagons, or close the door and lock it securely?

“Not all are like that”, they cry in reassurance. Yet they fail to demonstrate that what is spoken is the truth … their actions betray them.

So you walk with care, like upon pins and needles, saying little, or saying everything with diplomatic care, so as not to ignite a spark.

Nevertheless, at some point the ignition will take place, most likely the moment they suspect you are treating them with diplomatic care, not speaking all, and walking with tender care.
Anti-human Philosophies and Stances … August 25, 2014

2014/08/24

Among the many belief systems and political stances there are many that are anti-human. Lacking compassion, having compassion only for one’s select group and no others, or holding bigoted, racist, or other unsavory opinions of others without just cause, these groups of people are the reason mankind continues to be in constant peril. Should certain groups gain significant political power, humanity may indeed expire in extinction.

Here are some I consider anti-human, a list that I will add to, from time to time:

1. Conservative Christian beliefs. Many other fundamentalist, bigoted, religious cults. (Any religious belief that elevates a deity above humanity)

2. Feminism.

3. Pure undiluted Capitalism.

4. Marxism.

5. Libertarian.

6. Nazism.

7. Communism.

8. Pure undiluted Socialism.

9. Anarchy

10.
Humanism? … August 18, 2014

2014/08/17

hu•man•ist (ˈhyu mə nɪst; often ˈyu-)
n.

1. a person with a strong concern for human welfare, values, and dignity.

2. a person devoted to or versed in the humanities, esp. a classical scholar.

3. a student of human nature or affairs.

This definition certainly appeals to me and seems applicable to my personal outlook. Unfortunately it does not typify the average human’s perspective. Indeed, many cult religious factions harbor a definite anti-human slant and deplore humanism as evil.

The humanist manifesto’s latest incarnation:

“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.”

►”progressive Philosophy” “continues to develop … subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.”
It is well and good to be flexible, as with any reasoned approach, change must be expected in available knowledge. I do think measures should be taken, however, to insure that the movement is not hijacked by the myriad factions which exist that encompass the goals of humanism yet have other goals as well.

► “observation, experimentation, and rational analysis.”
I can agree with this scientific view of knowledge acquisition fully. The “critical intelligence” tool of examination could use a little refinement as to its actual meaning. One man’s critical intelligence may be another’s tomfoolery.

► “Humans are an integral part of nature”
Once the existence of a deity is dismissed one would think this would be straight-forward. If we arose by evolution, then of course we are integrally a part of this world and nature. Our differences with the rest of the life-forms on this planet must be carefully utilized and made to serve good and moral purposes.

► “Ethical values”
I would hope that “making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.” means that one person’s idea of how life should be lived should not interfere with another person’s concept of how to live. This is most difficult to observe in reality. What if the mere presence in plain view of one’s idea of how to live one’s life is an abomination and interferes, in fact, causes great stress to another. The energies needed for toleration can be a source of stress in a lot of instances. Toleration does seem an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic, expectation in some imagined scenarios.

► “fulfillment …. in service of humane ideals”
It is not entirely clear as to what they mean in this particular section. In fact, it sounds almost like “faith”. A faith in humanity. Perhaps “hope” would be a better word.

►”Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.”
Strictly speaking, it is this trait which allowed us to survive. Cooperation, relying on one another, empathizing with each other’s needs and wants. Unless humanity can begin thinking of the whole of humanity as one instead of separate collections of human beings there will always be the possibility of disagreements leading to violence. Looking at human existence today it seems this desire for universal peace is another unrealistic idealistic perspective.

► “Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.”
“We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.”
Socialism? “just distribution”? Who is to decide what is just? Those that contribute more should have more? How much more? What is just? How to reward for extra effort? Doesn’t talent count? There are many good and decent ideas that are overly difficult or nearly impossible in their manifestation.
Define “good life”.

► “Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.”
Humans have always been wary and suspicious of others that are different. Are humanists human? Respect may be a tall order and the wrong thing to expect here. Perhaps toleration would better fit the bill.
The responsibility to maintain the planet’s natural state is good.

► Without the ancient religious beliefs we must, I agree, realize that we are responsible for our own futures. There is no god, or gods, looking out for the safety or continuance of humans. There is only us.

Am I a humanist? Only in the strictest definition as defined at the beginning. I am not part of any specific organization. Unless I can ascertain the purity of any organization, that is, that it is free from influence by other factions, I am not likely to be a part of any such organization in the near future.
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival 2014 … August 16, 2014

2014/08/16

My wife and I attended the 2014 Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival. Arriving about noon, the streets were not too crowded with people. We toured the extent of the festival and enjoyed Bratwurst, french fries, and a scrumptious dessert.

When we arrived we were created by the spectacle of this “God-wagon”:

No theories, just facts??? Actually, it presented lies. The freedoms we enjoy in the United States were not parceled out by a deity, but instead guaranteed by our Constitution. The declaration of Independence is a separate document from our constitution.

The rear of the God-wagon is no better… this is no nation under god, ours is a secular Constitution, and secular government. Nevertheless, Christians have opposed the Constitution since its inception because their deity was left out of it. Since then they have repeatedly attempted to establish a Christian Nation by infiltrating government wherever they can.
This is a test

2014/08/16

This is a test for the purposes of ascertaining whether proper settings have been made for comments. Hey John, is it working yet?
Publishing in a Vacuum … August 15, 2014

2014/08/15

Persistence is the key to publishing within a vacuum.

When you see that many people have visited your site yet there are no comments what are you to assume?

► Do you assume that people are not interested?

► Do you assume people are stricken by awe at the subject matter?

► Do you assume that people are in total agreement with the issue and simply have nothing to say in addition?

For the purposes of continued publishing I will assume that people are in complete agreement with everything I post if no comments are made to the contrary.

☺

HAVEANICEDAY
Emotions… a Curse? August 11, 2014

2014/08/10

I do not think we will ever have computers, robots, or androids that will be able to pass for human under close scrutiny.

Emotions will be the stumbling block of all machines. Software, I think, would be unable to simulate a realistic emotional behavior. Firmware, closer, would still fail, I think, because even though humans operate with a similar kind of firmware, it is more flexible than any that could be written. Sort of a rewritable firmware, rather than a read-only. Not software, not firmware, as understood today.

Like the androids present on “Blade-Runner”, there will always be a test that will reveal the nature of the being.

Humans themselves are more likely, in my opinion, to be able to simulate an artificial being, than an artificial being will be able to simulate a real one.

Remember Data’s daughter? The complexity of emotions that the offspring’s software was trying to simulate destroyed Data’s creation.

Emotion. A curse and a ‘blessing’. In the final analysis it could very well be emotion that proves the existence of free will.
Stinkin’ Birds… They Were the Ancestors of Stinkin’ Birds

2014/08/03

How did evolution produce birds? From an article in Reuters it seems dinosaurs were the result of “shrinking” a dinosaur for 50 million years.
A recent story, source not known, reported that feathers have been a more common feature of dinosaurs than previously thought. Not used for flight, they were possibly for insulation or display.
Gradual changes over millions of years allowed small dinosaurs adapt to prevailing conditions and survive the cataclysm that destroyed most dinosaur lineages.

From a very early age I have been fond of dinosaurs, those large meat eating dinos that filled the cartoons I watched or books I read. On the other hand I have only known birds as messy filthy creatures that pooped on everything spreading disease and pestilence everywhere. To find out that birds are descended from dinosaurs came as a great disappointment. To learn that many dinosaurs that were depicted without feathers, in actuality had feathers, was also saddening.

Really though, if you think about it, it should not be so disappointing. When you realize we are in some small way related to all other life every where on this planet, then regardless if it was a direct line from dinosaurs to birds, the relation is irrelevant. Even we have some relation way, way, back to the big thunder lizards.