"God of the gaps" - the fuzzy thinking that blights the arguments of the faithful and superstitious.
If you like listening to debates between the skeptical/secular/atheist and the faithful/religious/credulous like I do, you might notice a really clear difference in one key part of how each side thinks.
The skeptical people are comfortable saying "I don't know". They're comfortable with saying that things are undiscovered,...
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If you like listening to debates between the skeptical/secular/atheist and the faithful/religious/credulous like I do, you might notice a really clear difference in one key part of how each side thinks.
The skeptical people are comfortable saying "I don't know". They're comfortable with saying that things are undiscovered,...
Read More
Columbo died.
A sad day today. Peter Falk aka TV detective Columbo - and much more besides (artist etc) - has died.
He was an amazing guy, clearly an inspiration for any underdog entertaining their instincts, with more than a hint of a suggestion that those in influential positions can be taught a cheeky lesson or two from people they don't expect.
I tried to...
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A sad day today. Peter Falk aka TV detective Columbo - and much more besides (artist etc) - has died.
He was an amazing guy, clearly an inspiration for any underdog entertaining their instincts, with more than a hint of a suggestion that those in influential positions can be taught a cheeky lesson or two from people they don't expect.
I tried to...
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Rebellion just like PC-ness?
I find it interesting how the rebellious spirit of "everyone should be able to say/do/think what they like" can easily slip into the ultra politically correct imposition of values that make it hard for people to voice strong views on anything meaningful.
I've lost count of the number of times people who think they are captain chaos are actually as oppressive...
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I find it interesting how the rebellious spirit of "everyone should be able to say/do/think what they like" can easily slip into the ultra politically correct imposition of values that make it hard for people to voice strong views on anything meaningful.
I've lost count of the number of times people who think they are captain chaos are actually as oppressive...
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THE END OF THE WORLD TODAY? - BOLLO*KS
It's good to see sexpot Professor Brian Cox ripping a new one out fresh, crazy Christian claims that TODAY is the end of the world.
He's doing it in The Sun newspaper, which is a pretty bad paper that he courts because - reasonably enough - he wants to reach regular people.
The claims of Christian Harold...
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It's good to see sexpot Professor Brian Cox ripping a new one out fresh, crazy Christian claims that TODAY is the end of the world.
He's doing it in The Sun newspaper, which is a pretty bad paper that he courts because - reasonably enough - he wants to reach regular people.
The claims of Christian Harold...
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kate:
err thanks
POET CHARLES BUKOWSKI'S BIRTHDAY
If fantastic urban poet Charles Bukowski hadn't died, he would be 90 years old today (16 August).
I have a large print of him above my fireplace and love almost everything he did. Not many of us could bust our balls well into our midlife, hauling heavy sacks as a job or being unemployed, yet fire out dozens of beautiful poems...
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If fantastic urban poet Charles Bukowski hadn't died, he would be 90 years old today (16 August).
I have a large print of him above my fireplace and love almost everything he did. Not many of us could bust our balls well into our midlife, hauling heavy sacks as a job or being unemployed, yet fire out dozens of beautiful poems...
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UNIVERSAL DECEPTION
Why does virtually all fiction try to convince us that we can tell what bad things are because the people who do them act like arseholes?
It seems like brainwashing illusion to me.
After all, the world is actually full of very, very nice people ... who work in big oil companies or propaganda or such like and just happen to contribute to...
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Why does virtually all fiction try to convince us that we can tell what bad things are because the people who do them act like arseholes?
It seems like brainwashing illusion to me.
After all, the world is actually full of very, very nice people ... who work in big oil companies or propaganda or such like and just happen to contribute to...
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SILLYNESS
I've had some sort of dark cloud hanging over me for the past couple of years - feelingt he burden of responsibility - but now it's dawned on me that the problem is I simply forgot to be SILLY.
In the olden days I was constantly silly. I'd pun and joke and take an abstract view of everything. Then I discovered 'skepticism' as a...
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I've had some sort of dark cloud hanging over me for the past couple of years - feelingt he burden of responsibility - but now it's dawned on me that the problem is I simply forgot to be SILLY.
In the olden days I was constantly silly. I'd pun and joke and take an abstract view of everything. Then I discovered 'skepticism' as a...
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VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
midnyte:
RE: Journal comment
That is a good point. I hadn't thought of that before. I still don't like it
I don't like that to enjoy having my gun (which I have had to use) there is this whole schema I suddenly get crammed into. Now because of one thing I'm automatically all of these other things. And really, I'm not But I see your point.
P.S. I too have felt your dourness. As someone with a dark and sarcastic at times sense of humor it does get so disheartening trying to explain something to someone who will not get it. Being around my in laws nearly killed me. Being away and able to be me, it's fun. Giggling about stupid stuff just because, is great times.
Viva la silliness!!!
That is a good point. I hadn't thought of that before. I still don't like it
I don't like that to enjoy having my gun (which I have had to use) there is this whole schema I suddenly get crammed into. Now because of one thing I'm automatically all of these other things. And really, I'm not But I see your point.
P.S. I too have felt your dourness. As someone with a dark and sarcastic at times sense of humor it does get so disheartening trying to explain something to someone who will not get it. Being around my in laws nearly killed me. Being away and able to be me, it's fun. Giggling about stupid stuff just because, is great times.
Viva la silliness!!!
sadistc:
I too have the "random stupid knowledge of movies" at least about my favorites. Geeking out is a great way to help cope with the all-too-seriousness of life. The fact that I've been the dude from "Grandma's BOy" before (referring to the scene at the table with the kids, telling them how to beat a particular level) amuses the hell out of me. But also kinda makes me sad that people look down on that type of ability. Then, I remember: " They probably can't play video games for shit, that's why they don't' like them" and "Fuck what they think, I'm great with kids 
"
embracing your inner geek is the best thing ever
"
embracing your inner geek is the best thing ever
Word from the wise. When someone random adds you on msn, just don't accept them. It may be trouble.
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
kornalina:
i hope ur things get better
kiss
kiss
clio:
haven't you told me about this dude before?
If there were two planet earths, totally identical in all respects and with identical populations doing identical things ... what would YOU do if you could land your spaceship on one of them and had only five minutes to do something or change something? If you knew you would soon be returning to the other (unchanged) earth.
Would you run around looking for someone you...
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Would you run around looking for someone you...
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conroy:
As its an identical earth I'd assume another version of myself had just landed on my version of Earth. The only difference between the two of us would be the details of the journey we'd just taken (except perhaps in a symmetrical universe). So if I were to do something that would have adverse consequences I can be sure that other me would be doing the same on my Earth.
So I'd spend the 5 minutes figuring out a way of rendezvousing with my other self on the journey back (assuming other me has the same plan). Only when we both return to the same Earth, or one of us fails to complete the journey do the two Earth's have any real chance of diverging. Making the two Earth's non-identical is the only thing worth doing.
So I'd spend the 5 minutes figuring out a way of rendezvousing with my other self on the journey back (assuming other me has the same plan). Only when we both return to the same Earth, or one of us fails to complete the journey do the two Earth's have any real chance of diverging. Making the two Earth's non-identical is the only thing worth doing.
It's difficult to describe what it's like when your imagination is failing you. Ideas seem to form in a split second in your brain but shatter and disappear too fast to remember or consider. They appeari n their thousands but are frustratingly brief. Like a fireworks display in which you are trying to read the labels on the rockets as they go up through the...
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I went to an authoritative lecture tonight that I knew would present an OPTIMISTIC theory about economics and environmental issues. A rare thing.
I went because I am very worried about the future of the world. I vote Green, protest etc. But I think that, if you have a strong view about a subject, you should ALWAYS seek out authoritative (or even just passionate) views...
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I went because I am very worried about the future of the world. I vote Green, protest etc. But I think that, if you have a strong view about a subject, you should ALWAYS seek out authoritative (or even just passionate) views...
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naruka:
as a kid I used to say spring is the best season, because it was my bday, then growing up i said summer, thats when school was off.
But I think I really like summer the best. but I have to agree, after a big rough winter, spring bring all joy back
But I think I really like summer the best. but I have to agree, after a big rough winter, spring bring all joy back
sylvan:
hahaha,awsome awsome! thanks for that
GLOBAL FEAR ECONOMY
I know all too well from doing publicity in charities that your two key tools are, unfortunately, fear and guilt. It's the way to maximise donations.
It's the same in advertising. Advertisers try to make their adverts/commercials SEEM all nice and cheery, but often the message is still fear and guilt. For example, an advert about how a certain baby food will...
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I know all too well from doing publicity in charities that your two key tools are, unfortunately, fear and guilt. It's the way to maximise donations.
It's the same in advertising. Advertisers try to make their adverts/commercials SEEM all nice and cheery, but often the message is still fear and guilt. For example, an advert about how a certain baby food will...
Read More
sylvan:
thanks for this blog x