Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
If you're happy and you know it...
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This whole connection between the importance of the pursuit and happiness itself… does this explain why I’ve never been in a relationship that’s ever lasted more than a few months? Once it starts to work out, the pursuit seems to be winding down so one party does their best to sabotage the happiness?
Possible… and combined with the monkey movie, a dreary way to start the day, although I have always like that Henry Miller quote so much. Might be my favorite thing he’s ever written… but man, I think I’ll go back to sleep for another hour before work now.
And later, there could be this argument here again, like with Mudge and RMJ, reparations vs. domestic relief… like one argues for world peace, the other for an end to world hunger, i.e. two things that won’t happen anyway, right? Or have I missed something.
Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen on 09/19 at 05:18 AM -
Good mornin’ James...I agree that world peace and an end to world hunger won’t happen in our life times. Maybe we have not yet evolved enough for that. Debating the issues does serve a purpose, a small one. It is better than just ignoring the plight of fellow human beings. That is not much consolation to those who have bombs dropping on them or to those who are suffering hunger but it is the best that most of us do because we lack the courage to to what it would take to change things. “By any means necessary”, we are all failing in what we should be doing...all of us, you, me, and ALL of us.
Our friend Joe once said that, “Happiness is a virtue”. My answer to him was that I am lacking in virtue.
Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts on 09/19 at 08:05 AM -
People get terribly upset when I claim that life is not necessarily about happiness. Not that there’s anything wrong or shameful about being happy, just that happiness is an emotional state, not a condition (nor is it a virtue in my opinion). As for conditions, off the top of my head I suppose persuing equality or humility or respect rank pretty high.
Financial support. Hmm. Mickey I hope the needed financial support never gets bad enough to open up this space to advertising (google ads or some such shit). I find it disappointing when I see it elsewhere where there’s otherwise good writing (brickburner, bagnews etc). It’s selling out the readership. On a related note I need to ask you all to check out The NewStandard and considering supporting it (after you’ve sent MZ a buck or two!).
Posted by Keir from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts) on 09/19 at 08:17 AM -
Thanks to all the Expendables for your kind words regarding the death of my father-in-law.
RMJ, he was in a car accident. His truck hit a larger truck. The larger truck had a flatbed that extended out from the cab. When his truck hit that, it ripped his truck in half. I think he was probably killed instantly. We think it’s possible he fell asleep at the wheel. We know a co-worker of his was at his house that morning suggesting he let him do his shift (doing deliveries) because he looked so tired.
MZ - I sometimes get the “if you hate America so much, why don’t you go live someplace else”. It’s rather hilarious, actually, particularly in my case (no, that’s not why I came to Taiwan).
Hi Mudge. I disagree with you that to be concerned about foreign policy is a “sin and a shame”. I disagree that it’s a bunch of “crapola”. I think it’s right to be concerned about what we do to other people around the world, and I think it’s wrong to disconcern oneself with the injustices one’s own nation commits against others.
But even putting aside the moral obligation, there are selfish reasons to be concerned with what one’s country does: the belief that it doesn’t affect oneself is naive at best.
Take the Iraq war. If the immorality of waging a war of aggression against an already brutalized people doesn’t give reason for concern, and we are committed to self-centered paradigms only, then there is still the fact that the war is bankrupting our nation, leading to worse anti-American sentiment worldwide, and increases the threat of another terrorist incident on our soil.
Surely, these domestic concerns are worthy of our attention, which means, as a logical corollary, the war in Iraq must also be. The extended corollary is that if we say we aren’t concerned with foreign policy, then we can’t possibly be concerned about the economy of our nation; we can’t possibly be concerned about the threat of another terrorist attack on our soil.
I agree with you that there are domestic problems to be concerned about and discussed, not only in correlation to foreign policy and its affects on our lives. However, I fail to see why concerning ourselves with those things should preclude us from also being concerned with what our nation is doing around the world.
I also, after having spent some time here with the Expendables, fail to see any justification for your apparent concern that you are going to somehow be chastised or “attacked” for bringing up a topic of discussion that isn’t related to foreign policy. I say go right ahead and bring it up. I’m sure we’d all be interested to discuss whatever domestic issue you are concerned about.
I know of nobody here, and doubt there are any, who would say that to entertain such a topic would be a “sin and a shame” and a waste of energy, or resign it to some dustbin as some sort of “crapola”. I’m guessing you’re alone in holding that view.
On reparations, what would you think of me if I came into your house, smashed your property up with a baseball bat, and then laughed off your demand for reparations, dismissing it on the grounds that I have reparations on my own house I need to take care of?
Somehow, I seriously doubt you would think anything less of me than that I was an immoral and irresponsible person. Correct me if I’m wrong. Assuming this would be so, why, then, the inconsistency?
re: mom. That was amusing. Obviously, this person didn’t read anything other than the title of MZs article, took it quite literally, and proceeded to comment on the content of the article she hadn’t even read (or, if read, hadn’t taken the time to understand). There’s a word for that. It’s “ignorance”.
Note to self: Cherokees are not handsome. Got it.
I’d laugh, but I just learned that I have no sense of humor.
I was taught a month ago
To bide my time and take it slow
But then I learned just yesterday
To rush and never waste a day
Now I’m convinced the whole day long
That all I learn is always wrong
The things are true that I forget
But no one taught that to me yet- Phish
Posted by Jeremy from Taipei on 09/19 at 08:28 AM -
I thought happiness was a warm gun…
I’ve said this before but my experience has been similar to Henry Miller’s, which is somewhat similar to the buddhist philosophy that life is suffering and by removing unneccesary and impossible desires you can ease the pain. I’ve always equated happiness in my life with the presence of a beautiful woman. The problems always arrive when things get ugly.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 09:13 AM -
Sincere condolences on the death of your father-in-law, Jeremy.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 09:14 AM -
Good Morning all.
Excellent post, Jeremy. I think Mudge should give some consideration to your comments as you have clarified the situation of domestic vs foreign policy with good old fashion common sense.
As for ‘happiness’, I think it is highly overrated. It is such a fleeting emotion, coming and going, depending on external & internal circumstances. RMJ, I like your answer to Joe, it just about sums it up for me.
Posted by Canadian Observer from on 09/19 at 09:23 AM -
Hello Expendables from a sunny—but soon to be rainy—Astoria. So great to have both Jeremy and Mudge back (even if their simultaneous return has them on a collision course at the moment). I must say I appreciate Jeremy’s post and look forward to lots more conversations that include him and Mudge...and all the new Expendables you two might not know, e.g. Canadian Observer, DW, David, etc.
Keir: I have deleted the “much-needed” part. Silly of me to use that word. I could use some donations, for sure, but “much-needed” is a stretch...and an insult to those in serious economic need. Thanks for the remminder.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 09/19 at 10:14 AM -
I like to think of my emotions as a compass.
If for example, north represents happiness what good is a compass that’s always stuck on north?Posted by Fiona from San Diego on 09/19 at 10:21 AM -
You rock, Fiona.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 09/19 at 10:36 AM -
I forgot to mention Culture Ghost as another of the new Expendables.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 09/19 at 10:43 AM -
Just would like to add a couple quotes from Dostoyevsky that I think relate to the above: “With love we can get along perfectly well without happiness.” and “Nothing will ever happen.” I think they’re both from Notes From Undeground.
Posted by Bernie Berg from Easton, Pa. 18042 on 09/19 at 10:54 AM -
Morning all...Keir, from last night: I liked the ZNet piece you referred to, it was very very enlightening! Thanks for the reference. As to your or anyone else’s treading on my feelings, finger-pointing ai’t gettin’ me mucha anywhere.
Jeremy, thanks for sharing your thoughts. “I fail to see why concerning ourselves with those things should preclude us from also being concerned with what our nation is doing around the world.” This mischaracterizes what I’m all about. I don’t want to shut off debate, here or anywhere else. I don’t want to see what I view as a waste of energy go on unchallenged. Am I alone in this perception? Looks like it. So be it.
Happen I agree that bombing civilians or soldiers or anyone else in Iraq is a war crime, for example. It’s a war crime against the US population that their tax dollars are spent on this idiotic, unnecessary, brutal tactic to subdue people we find inconvenient to the greater profitability of the USACorp. Disgusting behavior, and in the long run, guaranteed to backfire against the money-men hwose idea it was.
So, focusing on the thing I care about, let’s cut off the tax funding for the war. Let’s make it unpopular by pointing out how it’s unprofitable in the extreme to kill potential customers. (Play to the audience...I am cynical, all right.)
I can’t see, however, why this sort of focus displaces conversation about the health-care crisis. Or the huge injustices of the current tax system. Things that can make a difference to the people who live here. If those outside the borders aren’t interested in that, well...okay. A balance between inner and outer concerns should be achievable.
“I also, after having spent some time here with the Expendables, fail to see any justification for your apparent concern that you are going to somehow be chastised or “attacked” for bringing up a topic of discussion that isn’t related to foreign policy.” I have. It sinks without a trace. No comments pro or con...or some comment to the effect that we have other things to think about. I gave up. Your failure to see that as a chastisement is puzzling to me. Shunning, the silent treatment, whatever you want to call it, is an old human technique for getting across the message “this isn’t what we want to be.”
“On reparations, what would you think of me if I came into your house, smashed your property up with a baseball bat, and then laughed off your demand for reparations, dismissing it on the grounds that I have reparations on my own house I need to take care of? “ I would think you were a complete asshole. And I wouldn’t demand reparations, I would smash your head in with the baseball bat. That argument is invalid because you’re asking me to personalize an issue that’s not susceptible to personalization. EVERY GROUP OUT THERE has a claim to reparations using your analogy, and I belong to several of them. If we’re going to redistribute wealth, how about we do it FOR something instead of AGAINST people we don’t like? “Hello, Person Z, you live in abject poverty and have no educational opportunities. Here’s a college scholarship that pays tuition and board! Pick a publicly-funded school anywhere, and they can’t turn you down! What’s that? Not interested in a collge education? Okay! Here’s a business development grant and a passel of advisors drawn from the business sector to help you join the ranks of capitalist exploiters!” How about we pass living-wage laws to make sure that employment = survival? How about we socialize medicine and make sure the needs of the many get closer to being met than the needs of the few being met and exceeded?
These are the reparations I think make sense. Make sure your own home is run ethically and sensibly, with actual benefits for all.
Re: happiness, it’s like icing. A little goes a long way. Too much and weird things start happening to you, and they’re all your own damn fault.
Posted by Mudge from Austin, Texas on 09/19 at 11:48 AM -
Thanks, Bernie (another potential Expendable?).
Mudge: I must take issue with your “silent treatment” theory. By definition, some comments on any blog board will go un-commented on. Damn, there are days when no one even mentions my original post. That’s not silent treatment at all...it’s the nature of the beast.
Speaking solely for myself, I do not ignore domestic issues but, let me clarify something: I am not an academic, a scholar, a politician, a theorist, or a think tanker. I am a writer...who happens to often write about social issues. I make no claim to tackle every issue with equal energy, time, or intensity.
Captcha sez: “better” (as in “I feel much...")
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 09/19 at 12:04 PM -
Well, hello there, Mudge! Great to see you back and ready to go. Keep at it, friend.
I missed most of the debate yesterday or whenever it was.
Personally, I think the redistribution of wealth is a fun idea, but the more I think about it, the more I read (currently Jensen’s Endgame, though it began for me with Daniel Quinn), the more we discuss what I believe to be the reality of our situation here on Earth, the more I believe that it is the wrong solution.
If we bring everybody to the same economic level by somehow redistributing the current “wealth” of the world we will continue to take much more resources than we give back to the earth and the other living things around us. In other words, we still won’t be here for long.
Eliminating poverty within the rules of our current way of life, is not only impossible, it would most likely accelerate our suicidal path.
We need to find a new way to live. I don’t know what that is yet, but it has to address the problem of civilization...and put an end to it.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 12:11 PM -
Now that I read more of the comments here, we seem to be discussing reparations rather than redistribution. Sorry about that…
I’ve always thought that Mudge’s argument has been that we have a lot of problems here at home and that we should resolve them before looking outward. Part of his argument is that there should be an immediate halt to our warlike ways throughout the world and the money should be put to use helping those in the US. Is this correct, Mudge?
Perhaps Jeremy and RMJ believe we should make reparations to those whose countries we have blown to shit, whose families we have killed.
I see both sides points.
Why can’t we find some combination of both? At least for the time being. In the end, we may not have time to do either. We need to focus on changing how we interact with the world before things are changed for us.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 12:22 PM -
This is an excellent discussion going on. I like how several of you stretch to identify the concept of what emotions actually are. We shouldn’t feel bogged down or locked in to just one or two of them. We ought to be able to experience the full spectrum, if you will, and properly function all the while, as we go along-whether that’s the good, bad or ugly. I like what the late Bill Coffin said about this, “Chirping optimism is terrible. A lot of people think, “I’ll never feel too good about anything so I won’t have to feel too bad about anything either.” And they think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. No. We should be able to plumb the depths of sadness and rise to the heights of joy, even ecstasy, though at my age, it’s not too easy.”
It’s powerful when one can see and balance the various angles of emotion on an intellectual/rational basis. Makes me wonder why this can’t be taught to others. I’ve got some trusting sources that say that it can. Here is a few other Coffin quotes that seem very profound to me:
It’s trusting that things all will be well when the day is done. Or, as Havel said wonderfully, “Hope is not waiting for something good to turn up well. But being grateful that something really makes sense.”
Hope is something that is experienced with a kind of psychological certitude, rather than intellectual certainty.
It’s not believing without proof. It’s trusting without reservation. You and I can trust each other, because we know each other, and love each other.
Even though I think everybody fears death at a subconscious level,
It’s a false search for security that does everybody in.When St. Paul says neither death nor life can separate us, for the love of God, or elsewhere whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord. Now that’s kind of nice, nose thumbing independence of death. You know, that’s not being casual about it. But being able to cooperate gracefully with the inevitable.
God doesn’t want us narrow-minded. God doesn’t want us priggish. God doesn’t want us subservient, but joyful!
Human beings who blind themselves to human need make themselves less human.
Thanks for the great talks, “Cool Observers” - just a normal day as always here in o-HI-O…! peace, dw
Posted by dw from on 09/19 at 12:48 PM -
Jeremy #4...thanks for sharing the information about the tragedy. I am really sorry. How is your wife and the rest of the family?
JOS #16...also reparations paid by usa taxpayers is the best way I can think of to change the popular view in the usa. If the taxpayers had to pay for the killing, they would probably decide that they would prefer to spend the money on their own playthings. Think about it...a trip to a luxurious resort in the tropics or a pile of slaughtered civilians. Let the taxpayers decide.
About the comment on “shunning”. Sometimes I am in a hurry and fail to address everyone by name, or fail to comment on an issue. I often am off-topic. I apologize. No offense is intended. Life is just too busy these days. I have been up since 6AM and have not had breakfast yet.
KEIR, I received a call from the AP last night. It seems that the Boston Globe ran a story about third party candidates in Vermont.
Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts on 09/19 at 01:14 PM -
Mudge, I don’t intend to imply that you are trying to shut off debate, but it does seem to me that, since you say concerning ourselves with foreign policy is a “waste of energy”, and since you’ve made the point that this is so (at least in part) because there are domestic issues requiring our attention, that this argument is predicated upon the notion that concerning ourselves with foreign policy somehow precludes our concerning ourselves with domestic matters. Perhaps I’ve misunderstood, but a few others made a similar point, so I don’t think I’m alone.
You seem to reiterate that very point in suggesting that focus on foreign policy “displaces conversation about the health-care crisis”. Again, I simply reject this dichotomy that focus must be upon one or the other, that they are somehow mutually exclusive. Health care is important, and I think the Expendables can easily handle discussing both domestic and foreign policy issues without fear of detracting from the importance of one or the other. Like you yourself said, a “balance...should be achievable.”
Perhaps you are saying that focusing on foreign policy may, but would not necessarily, detract from focus on domestic issues. If this is so, I would of course agree with you. But it seems to me that you’re saying something different: that focus on foreign policy necessarily means detracting from focus on domestic issues. It is this I disagree with: I don’t find the two mutually exclusive by any means.
On reparations, the basic point is this: It’s a fundamental principle of law that there be a remedy for injustices. Reparations are such a remedy. To reject the principle of remedy is to reject one of the most elementary principles of justice in favor of granting impunity to those who commit injustices.
Take, for instance, when our nation bombs civilian infrastructure of other nations. Well, that’s a crime, for which one legal remedy is reparations.
It’s not sufficient to simply declare “the destruction was mutual” (Carter, on Vietnam) or some other such nonsense.
I take the opposite view from you. We have a moral or legal obligation to make such reparations. I find no merit in the argument that we need to keep that money for ourselves. Well, that would be nice, yes--but the solution I propose, is quite different from yours: it is to concern ourselves with foreign policy and stop destroying civilian infrastructure and killing people and hence not create a situation where we have an obligation to make reparations in the first place, rather than disconcerning ourselves with the problem and succombing to apathy and indifference over the suffering of others, which is what we do, I would argue, if we say that those we have commited crimes against are due no remedy because we’d rather spend that money on other things. I don’t believe arguing, essentially, that the US may act with impunity is a solution to anything.
Perhaps Jeremy and RMJ believe we should make reparations to those whose countries we have blown to shit, whose families we have killed.
That’s absolutely correct, JOS. I regard that as a fairly elementary moral and legal truism.
Posted by Jeremy from Taipei on 09/19 at 01:20 PM -
hi Big Country. Yep, you’re about right characterizing my absence of interest in wars. Let’s shut ‘em down by not paying for ‘em.
MZ, you response sounds like you’re assuming I don’t realize that the majority of the time things in this as in most blogs go unremarked, and that I feel you have some sort of duty to be “fair and balanced.” No on both. I’m saying that, absent group interest in things that matter deeply to me, I have to ask myself what am I doing here? I don’t want to engage on the subject of foreign entanglements. I simply don’t. Like you don’t want to engage on other topics of less interest to you. Neither of us has an obligation to shift our interests. I’m wondering, based on the current trends, if I’m a good “fit” for the room. I can’t comment constructively on war crimes because I see the domestic side of those unspeakable acts, and that’s what engages me.
So I/m doing the only thing I know how to do...taking it one day at a time and evaluating my happiness each day. Less happy, less Mudge-y.
>heeheehee< That was a joke.
About happiness...Fiona’s comment about the uselessness of a compass that always points north...isn’t that what compasses are suppsed to do? (No sarcasm intended.) I go for the concept that making “happiness” your concept of true north is a mug’s game, bound to disappoint and to lead one into very weird and dark places.
Continuing the compass analogy, I identify Our Host’s true north as “justice” which leads him to consistent, important, necessary action (maintianing this blog, writing his trenchant books, generally making a pest of himself to those in power). My own compass is oriented on “fairness” which is a half-bubble off from justice. RMJ, CatLady, Big Country...all of us have “true north” defined differently, thank the Good Lord. It means we collectively see the world in three dimensions, unlike the right-wing zealots whose thin, insubstantial ideological spoodge is up to our collective nostrils just now. (Captch = “values”! Snort! Full oracle mode today!)
Well, anyway, I have a lot of book cataloging to do if I’m ever gonna get the desk built in my sunny, lovely room. Gotta catalog ‘em, move ‘em, then build the desk and move ‘em back. Heave ho!
Posted by Mudge from Austin, Texas on 09/19 at 01:30 PM -
RMJ, now that the initial shock is wearing off, my wife is doing quite well, considering. She and the rest of her family are grieving, but with my wife, I think, there’s been an acceptance of what happened, as opposed to the denial that came with the shock, which even I felt very strongly--I’m sure it was far more magnified for her. I think she’s holding up very well. As for me, my main concern, of course, is for her.
Posted by Jeremy from Taipei on 09/19 at 01:30 PM -
JEREMY, I agree with you that there are fundamental principles of right and wrong and justice and injustice when it comes to the topic of reparations. Most in the usa have been so corrupted by capitalism that the social contract is no longer a persuasive force. Sad but true. That is one reason why I sometimes use the “pocketbook” arguement. I absolutely believe that usa aggression would end if the taxpayers were made to pay for the damages.
Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts on 09/19 at 01:36 PM -
Jeremy #19: See above response to MZ regarding blogs for most of my attitude. “Perhaps you are saying that focusing on foreign policy may, but would not necessarily, detract from focus on domestic issues. If this is so, I would of course agree with you.” Okay, this is a fine restatement of my intended position. I would suggest that “may” in that sentence should be changed to “has, in recent months” but the spirit is correct.
Regarding legal bases for reparations...who decides who’s worthy of the reparations? How is the money apportioned? What prevents the majority from entering into a cabal against the minority? As I have zero faith in the honesty, integrity, and honor of the human species, I don’t like these unresolved questions being left hanging.
Posted by Mudge from Austin, Texas on 09/19 at 01:42 PM -
oh my...there’s a lot of discussion here today (see Mudge...we missed you)
I’m still trying to read all the rest of the discussion, but have to say that JOS wrote a keeper:
We need to find a new way to live. I don’t know what that is yet, but it has to address the problem of civilization...and put an end to it.
I’m with you 100% on that thought.
Everyday I try to change at least a little something, a whole lot of other stuff will only be perceptible once people stop thinking so highly of civilisation.
Maybe what’s needed is a redefinition of the word?
Just a “theory”.
Posted by Amelopsis from CAnada on 09/19 at 02:06 PM -
Yes, Mudge, stay...please. We are in the midst of creating a perfect mix of old and new Expendables and I must say we need you around here. Just look at the uptick in comments. That and we miss you when you’re gone.
Amelopsis, have you read Endgame yet? Or any of Daniel Quinn’s books?
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 02:14 PM -
You guys are killing me. Amelopsis, JOS, go watch “What the Bleep Do We Know?” already, geeszle! I’ve noticed some are getting close to the nitty gritty. Wait a min, am I being punk’d? No, of course not. But it does seem that I’m not well received or misunderstood by some here on MZ’s blog, dunno.
Posted by dw from on 09/19 at 02:38 PM -
Now I’m all caught up on the comments (excepting whomever’s simultyping right now?!)
I don’t have a lot to say - I think Jeremy and JOS sum up my own feelings rather well - I think domestic and foreign policies are, and must be firmly intertwined, but it does make things messy.
JOS, I haven’t read Endgame or any of Daniel Quinn’s books...I’ll have to pick some up and add them to my ever growing list of reading to do.
My problem just lately is that the list is growing faster than I’m reading.
Hmm, perhaps the idea of another Expendable Book discussion should be thrown around?Posted by Amelopsis from CAnada on 09/19 at 02:46 PM -
I’m sorry, dw, with all the comments here lately I have been unable to thoroughly read everything. What am I missing? I took a look at the “What The Bleep Do We Know” sight and though there were some things I agreed with there was something about it that put up a warning sign for me. I am extremely spiritual and do believe in a higher power, but when I see a program of spirituality packaged in that way I get scared. I haven’t seen the documentary, so I am speaking strictly from what I see on the website.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 09/19 at 02:54 PM -
See, I knew I’d be simultyping with someone!
dw: I think you’re referring to the link that you posted in yesterday’s comments? You’re right I haven’t watched it yet. Since I can’t watch it now either, I’ll try to remember to watch it later on.
Why do you think you’re misunderstood here, or not well received? For myself I know I can’t always mention or comment on everything / one for so many reasons, time, forgetfulness, etc., that’s all, nothing more, no offense should be construed.
The only thing which you said above in an earlier comment which I don’t agree with is ... the part about what ‘God’ wants us to be.
I personally think ‘God’ is a bunch of hokey bullshit that only serves to better control the general populace. If there is a ‘God’, what makes you think he wants us to do or think anything in particular?‘God’ is just the wrong word for me because it has so very much dogma in every shape size and flavour attached to it. In principle I do think that there’s a unity of our collective energies which takes different incarnations in different circumstances....
....but that really is an entirely different discussion.Posted by Amelopsis from CAnada on 09/19 at 02:54 PM -
Wow...I feel like a teacher that has completely lost control of the classroom. If I had hair, I’d pull it out.
DW: You are 100% welcome here and, well, being misunderstood is an occupational hazard. Keep trying. I like what you bring to this place.
JOS and Empress: I too have a similiar focus since reading Jensen’s Endgame. A bigger picture view, if you will.
Mudge: Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds to me like you’re looking for a way out. Here’s how I see it: It’s not about “fit.” There are days when the discussion here might light you up and you’ll leave a dozen comments. On another day, you might just lurk. If I choose to, I can see who’s visiting here and I’m well aware that many Expendables will sometimes choose to read and not comment. So, for all of us (even me, in a way), there are days we fit and days we don’t. With novel writing month looming, I do hope you’ll stick around.
Everyone else: Thanks for being here and being you. With my “Hate America” article being posted on forums and blogs all over the damn web, I have seen how pathetic and anti-social the discourse can be elsewhere. I feel awfully lucky to have attracted this crowd.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 09/19 at 03:15 PM -
ah! busted lurking.
Posted by owen from barcelona on 09/19 at 03:49 PM -
I think the web site is fairly weak, personally. That’s why I said that there is no substitute for watching it, JOS. I wrote a brief review about this a few days back. All I can tell you guys is that it will be worth your time but you won’t find out until you open that door. An observation of mine is that there are sooo many people that have all this information and books and writings and ancient philosophy and just an explosion of insight on human nature. And most of it is valid and wise. Why not stop and think about actually using it in some capacity that helps bring people together. I mean what good is all of this insight if we essentially throw most of it away? In fact, we have to discard a lot anyway b/c our brain can only handle so much info and that’s fine (our brain can handle key IDEAS and concepts, however). What are we really grasping if the ideas about the purpose of harnassing this knowledge, enthusiasm, yearning, etc. are not considered? One has to understand the importance of this goal first. We may think that the current explosion of information and how it’s speading is happening in a productive way because our needs are being met on an individual level simply from all of the info. One comes to the false conclusion that the information age is spinning its own gold mine somehow. That it’s being dispersed or deposited someplace until we “come into our own” or our brains catch up. I say we use it or lose it and we have to look at how we are doing that right now.
Posted by dw from on 09/19 at 04:00 PM -
Sometimes I think that happiness is overrated, and sometimes I don’t, Mickey! Great quotes as always.
Well, the ‘hot spell’ down under has broken and it rained all night - and do we need that rain or what - large parts of Australia are in the grip of a drought.
And ‘hi’, James, Rosemarie, Keir, JOS, Jeremy, Canadian Observer, Fiona, Bernie, Mudge, dw, Amelopsis and Owen (ah Barcelona ..). I hope you all have a great morning or night.Auf Wiederemailen,
HelgaPosted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia on 09/19 at 06:01 PM -
Whoa, whoa whoa… so much to come home to! I’m not sure which way my compass points lately, but I do know this-- Mudge’s return= btn 3/4 more to double the amount of comments on the board as usual! About time, man… still not clear on whatever perceived disagreement might or might not be going on here, but if he feels outnumbered by something… well he does live in the “Lone Star” state.
Yet no one’s ever quite alone at the board here, something like that…
Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen on 09/19 at 07:19 PM -
I read a book titled “Happiness is a Serious Problem” by Dennis Prager. He says that we are all morally obligated to be as happy as we possibly can be. The reasoning is that happier people make a better world. I can see that reasoning. Happy People make other people around them more happy and thus it spreads and so on.
I think there is some truth to that but I also understand that for some people it is impossible to be happy.
On another subject I can see Mudge’s point. I think that in order to make the world a better place you have to start where you are.
Goodnight All.
Posted by David from Louisville KY on 09/19 at 10:12 PM -
RMJ, I agree with you.
Mudge, thanks for clarifying. If there’s a matter you wish to discuss, fire away. I would hope that the “balance” you spoke of would not be too hard to achieve.
As for reparations, you asked “who decides who’s worthy of the reparations?” I’m not sure I understand the question. Victims of injustice should not fall into categories of “worthy” or “unworthy”, as they do in practice. Perhaps this is not your question, but you are asking who’s to decide who has been the victim of injustice. Where there’s a question with that regard, there are institutions like the UN and World Court.
But most cases of which RMJ and I speak aren’t a question. They’re blatant cases of injustices committed against other peoples. Take the case of the US terror war against Nicaragua. The World Court found the US guilty of “unlawful use of force”, which, giving the US the benefit of the doubt, means unlawful terrorism; or, in the worst case, aggression, “the supreme international crime”. Nicaragua brought a case against the US to the court and it found the US guilty and ordered reparations to be paid. The US ignored the decision, of course. But there’s no question that injustice was done and that reparations are due, as both a moral and a legal obligation.
Posted by Jeremy from Taipei on 09/19 at 11:35 PM
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