Ffolkes,
“Do every act of your life as if it were your last.”
~~ Marcus Aurelius ~~
Solitary splendor….
Hajime….
“I love mankind; it’s people I can’t stand.”
~~ Charles Schulz, aka Charlie Brown ~~
It’s unusual around here (if anything I say or do can be said to be anything but….) to begin the introduction with a second pearl. Today, (or, yesterday, if you prefer, as I’m writing this then… Time Lord business, pay no mind….), besides going completely overboard with the parenthetical remarks, I’ll be coming as close to ranting as I have in some time… I suppose I should find another descriptive word to indicate the sort of discussion in which I plan to engage, sotto voce, as it were; ’tisn’t really a rant. Perhaps a word I already utilize each day will give the proper ‘look & feel’ character; that word is ‘Exploring’, as used in the official blog title, at the top of the page.
Yes, that will do quite well, I should say; I’m going exploring, in my mind and heart, for the words to express what I find there, and how Life at Large, which we can also call consensual reality, has affected me in the recent past, which, as I type, I realize means, also, the distant past. What we know is always aware of what we have been through before, if only for its lingering effects on our attitudes & habits. Modern pop psychology would call those our ‘tapes’, that which we received before we were even self-aware, picked up in our relatively long immediately-post-natal learning period. Part of why I explore is to identify these ‘tapes’, to examine them for current relevance, or, mark them for deletion.
So, ready or not, here we go. We’ll begin with some thoughts on a subject I find to be part of the core of what I wish to explore, from a man I respect highly, dead or not. George was a thinker; more, he was a man who loved humanity, which allowed him to see all their foibles & idiosyncracies with a ruthlessly honest eye, and the genius to make them listen & laugh with him at their own bozoid natures….
Without ever using the word, George identifies the single most critical element, to my mind; that word is ‘fear’. He alludes to how it is exploited as cruelty, and, it is, for it spreads the fear it fans to others, sans any purpose but self-interest. Humans, though one plays hell getting them to admit it, are not all that different than our ancient cousins, who lived huddled in temporary safe havens, such as caves, or convenient groves of trees, afraid of everything in their environment they did not understand, other to know its danger…. To believe what religion claims to be true brings comfort to those who cannot learn to face, & control their fears, promising to them what they already possess.
Learning to control fear is, then, a human’s most critical lesson to learn; without such control over our own emotional state, we are susceptible to manipulation by those who serve only themselves. People learn to ‘believe’ instead of learning to ‘learn’, thus developing the habit of NOT thinking, but, making decisions based on beliefs, which were motivated by their fear…. As can be observed throughout history, this results in a pretty miserable time for most humans, a life much harder than it needs to be.
Some days ago, when I began this exploration, I had a specific purpose in mind; that has since eroded into a number of possible arenas to explore, ultimately leading me to the conclusion I’ve again bitten off too big a bite to chew. To continue would be counter-productive at this point, with the most likely result nobody would finish reading, simply because it has become too complex to be a cogent lesson. As an attempt to regain control of our destination, I will abandon any hope of completing my treatise, & end it with some pearls which can give some direction to your thoughts, leaving it there with some reluctance, and some relief….
I’ll probably take up this gauntlet again, when I am able to focus again on the path to where I wish to go…. For now, here are three thoughts to provide some food for your own processing appetite….. Then, we’ll go finish the rest of today’s mess, so we may all get on with our day…. I think that’s the way to go, so, off we go….
The evidence of the emotions, save in cases where it has strong objective support, is really no evidence at all, for every recognizable emotion has its opposite, and if one points one way then another points the other way. Thus the familiar argument that there is an instinctive desire for immortality, and that this desire proves it to be a fact, becomes puerile when it is recalled that there is also a powerful and widespread fear of annihilation, and that this fear, on the same principle proves that there is nothing beyond the grave. Such childish proofs are typically theological, and they remain theological even when they are adduced by men who like to flatter themselves by believing that they are scientific gents…” — H. L. Mencken
“I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleges, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.” — Tolstoy
“The spirit is fascinated by the future, wants to know the meaning of everything, and would like to stretch, if not break altogether, the laws of nature through technology or prayer. It is full of ideals and ambition, and is a necessary, rewarding, and inspiring aspect of human life. The soul is… embedded in the details of ordinary,everyday experience. In the spirit we try to transcend our humanity; in the soul, we try to enter our humanity fully and realize it completely.” — Thomas Moore
Whew! Made it. Okay, ffolkes, that’s enough blather from me for one day, I should think. Let’s see what else we can find to mess with….
Shall we Pearl?
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
~~ Plato ~~
***************************************
Naturally, spouting off for so long in the intro has made me late. That means, as you know, we go with default music, which, in this case, means a collection of classical pieces to read by…. Three hours worth ought to do it, I think….. Enjoy!….
***************************************
Classical Music
***************************************
***************************************
***************************************
Intelligent Crimes
The value of wit is often said to cause harm,
for those who think, such is its greatest charm.
The new and the bold cannot be fulfilled
if innovation and change is left unwilled.
Society behaves at its base as a mob
conformity and submission its primary job.
Any sign of rebellion against the mob’s rule
is met with resentment, naming such rebel the fool.
Intellect and talent are looked at askance,
expressing artistry stands nary a chance.
To stand out from the rest of mankind
is fraught with danger, for body and mind.
Often I stand to watch in solemn dismay
as beauty and joy are left by the way,
ignored and reviled by the unwashed masses
who prefer darkness, and acting like asses.
With shouts of derision the normals make known
their fear of intelligence, greater than their own.
They hope to stop all semblance of progress;
for thoughts and ideas, they couldn’t care less.
The world struggles on in spite of all opposition,
managing to maintain its advanced position.
Pulling the foolish along in spite of reluctance,
helping each to learn the survival dance.
Hard though it may be to keep up with the future
genius manages its plans to develop and nurture.
In the final analysis, those who live by reason
enjoy life the most, season to season.
~~ gigoid ~~
10/7/2012
***************************************
Naked Pearls
It’s a puzzle, isn’t it?….
*******
“Birth is the beginning of death.”
~~ Realist Bee ~~
*******
“A fiery soul, which, working out its way,
Fretted the pygmy-body to decay,
And o’er-inform’d the tenement of clay.
A daring pilot in extremity;
Pleas’d with the danger, when the waves went high
He sought the storms.”
~~ John Dryden — Absalom and Achitophel, Part i, Line 156 ~~
*******
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
~~ Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729) ~~
*******
“An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine,
but because people refuse to see it.”
~~ James Michener, “Space” ~~
*******
“He does not seem to me to be a free man
who does not sometimes do nothing.”
~~ Cicero ~~
*******
“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”
~~ Philip K. Dick ~~
*******
“Around existence twine,
(Oh, bridge that hangs across the gorge!)
ropes of twisted vine.”
~~ Basho ~~
*******
***************************************
Y’all may consider this Pearl somewhat overdone. It’s what happens when I get too focused, & try to pack too much into one place. But, it’s done, and, all things considered, it will do. If nothing else, anyone who finishes it all can give themselves a hearty heigh-ho, just for wading all the way through to the end. I’d award prizes, but, the budget just won’t stretch that far this month. I guess all that’s really left to do is to say fare thee well, & add in the usual caveat, to wit: I’ll be back, eventually, to post more (non)sense for your perusal. Until then, be well, be safe, and for goodness’ sake, keep those thinking caps on…. It’s your best defense, and, quite frankly, your only hope….
Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…
When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.
Which is Why….
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.
gigoid, the dubious
The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.
PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.
“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch
À bientôt, mon cherí….
Good post….and the music is excellent (but then I am prejudice toward Chopin)….fear…now there is a good topic….most Americans cannot live without fearing something….none seem willing to fight fear they instead embrace it and try to keep everyone else around them in a state of fear…me? I agree…”fear is the mind killer” and I refuse to embrace it….I hope you have a good day…I shall see you later….chuq
Thanks, brother…. glad it hit some spots for you…. and, yes, fear is our greatest enemy…. The Litany Against Fear should be taught to every young human, before they ever get to church, or, out of their own house, for their own protection & benefit, to establish the habits of courage and curiosity, instead of squelching them, first thing…
SIGH… Oh, well…. I will try to get by today, though the battle continues to rage in my head…. No clear winners yet….
See ya, my friend….
gigoid
I agree my grandfather helped me to cope with fear…lessons I learned and they have paid off…..I will be here when you can….have a good day my friend….chuq
SMiLes.. my friEnd..
as alWays nice to visit
and as alWays Fear a Foe
leFt Far Behind.. stARtinG
at 5 at
private
Catholic
Kindergarten
with photos of
Devil and Pitchfork
and vivid dream of devil
Forking throat all the way
through to air.. thing is.. it
didn’t hurt at all.. thing is..
later.. i learned the real
devil is pain and
numb.. any
way..
it always smELt
like bullshit.. no way innocent
i would believe in Trump then…
Other than that in celebration of
Adolf Hitlers’ birthday today on the 20th
in irony way of Celebrating Trump liFe today
in dARk DEvil ways too.. as Aisles and O’Reilly’s
fall through DeeP cracks of dArk from LiGht.. Nah.. Fear
is no hero of mine.. in church of pews.. or work gone past..
Fear is my bitch that i train on a short lease.. just in case i
need him.. to serve fists and feet of fury.. other than that fear
is just a
pet
as pet
i master
And animal saMe ME..too..
to be set free when needed..
other than that chained underneath Hell..
now off to the rest of your gigoid story today…:)
“Do every act of your life as if it were your last.”
~~ Marcus Aurelius ~~
Hmm.. that’s LiFe..
pArt of that thingie
i keep on a leash..
for me.. it’s
every
act
as first..;)
“I love mankind; it’s people I can’t stand.”
~~ Charles Schulz, aka Charlie Brown ~~
Sorry Chuck..
i gUess yoU
neVer
mET
mY MotHeR..;)
The evidence of the emotions, save in cases where it has strong objective support, is really no evidence at all, for every recognizable emotion has its opposite, and if one points one way then another points the other way. Thus the familiar argument that there is an instinctive desire for immortality, and that this desire proves it to be a fact, becomes puerile when it is recalled that there is also a powerful and widespread fear of annihilation, and that this fear, on the same principle proves that there is nothing beyond the grave. Such childish proofs are typically theological, and they remain theological even when they are adduced by men who like to flatter themselves by believing that they are scientific gents…” — H. L. Mencken
Meh..
throw the
talk away and live..;)
“I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleges, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.” — Tolstoy
Dancing as
Air NoW and
Water of Beach
solves iT aLL
@leASt
for
mE noW
as i am Beach..:)
“The spirit is fascinated by the future, wants to know the meaning of everything, and would like to stretch, if not break altogether, the laws of nature through technology or prayer. It is full of ideals and ambition, and is a necessary, rewarding, and inspiring aspect of human life. The soul is… embedded in the details of ordinary,everyday experience. In the spirit we try to transcend our humanity; in the soul, we try to enter our humanity fully and realize it completely.”
— Thomas Moore
All is emotions
All is senses for
those who experience
either as fully or less
or close
to
nothing
at all as abyss
in hell now.. and
yes.. words often
screw the rest of life uP..
as human chArm of creating nightmares isreal..:)
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
~~ Plato ~~
Just to imagine
that humans lived
in the dark at night
for thousands and
thousands of years
without
even
a candle
more than
moon or stars..
only knoWing the
sounds of night as scary.. WiTh
liGht alWays WeLcome as comfort..:)
And on top as thaT i’m a little
wary of folks who stArt a sentence with
we.. usually an indication of absolving
personal responsibility
for some
kind
of hidden religious/
T E A M O T H E R
political/sportS agEnda..;)
“Birth is the beginning of death.”
~~ Realist Bee ~~
UnlesS oNe LiVes..:)
“A fiery soul, which, working out its way,
Fretted the pygmy-body to decay,
And o’er-inform’d the tenement of clay.
A daring pilot in extremity;
Pleas’d with the danger, when the waves went high
He sought the storms.”
~~ John Dryden — Absalom and Achitophel, Part i, Line 156 ~~
SoMe
rove
sOme
sit
still
sit
sOme
rove
soMe
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
~~ Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729) ~~
*When the FucK
did they
split
thaT
ShiT uP..;)
*read
“An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine,
but because people refuse to see it.”
~~ James Michener, “Space” ~~
Yes..
sOme sit
aLWays
loving
the
cave..
iN aLL iTs Darkness..:)
“He does not seem to me to be a free man
who does not sometimes do nothing.”
~~ Cicero ~~
UnlesS oNe
now goes to
the real abyss
of nothingness
where feelings
and senses disintegrate
as alive
dead
star
dUst breaTh..:)
“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”
~~ Philip K. Dick ~~
i hELp maKe
reaLiTy
One.. AnD
IT works..
at core oF
EsSenCE
what’S real
iN feeL anD senSe..;)
“Around existence twine,
(Oh, bridge that hangs across the gorge!)
ropes of twisted vine.”
~~ Basho ~~
YeS.. bY aLL
EnDs Do
A Mean tWist..
As VinE oF LoVe..:)