How Embarrassing

It’s not what you think.  I didn’t slip into another “coma”.  I’ve actually had a somewhat eventful couple of years, about which I may or may not discuss.

Anyway.  Since I’ve been back, I’ve looked over my older posts and noticed that most of them make me cringe.  It’s not the content that bothers me.  Rather, it’s the poor choice of words and the ill-conceived attempts at humor.  Maybe I’ve grown somehow since then.  Regardless, I will avoid making those mistakes again.

This blog isn’t formal.  I’m writing for myself mainly.  If you happen to stop by, whatever.  (But please comment! haha)

Some Book Help?

One of my favorite books ever is The Stranger by Albert Camus.

I’m itchin’ to read another book, but I don’t know where to start.  Could you recommend me one that’s along the lines of my favorite book?  Thanks for sharing!

Boundless Sympathy

Over the past few weeks, I have come to realize that I have complete sympathy for every human being.

When I see someone, I see them as an innocent newborn who has been burdened (or blessed) with their genetic dispositions and their social and environmental experiences.

I can’t describe how much at peace I am with this.

I think I’m an “agnostic secular-humanist”

In light of reality, I find it difficult to believe in a good god, or any other higher being or collection of higher beings that is indeed good.

So, I’ve thought:

If there’s no good god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

If there’s a bad god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

If there’s no god: Fuhgeddaboudit.

Now, I think I’m an “agnostic secular-humanist”, which doesn’t make me a member of a religion, but rather an adherent to a particular life stance.

“Can I Just Have One A’ More Moon Glance With You…?”

The day before yesterday, I witnessed the Moon Illusion, when the Moon in Summer appears unusually large when close to the horizon. To me, it’s always an awe-inspiring moment because it gets me thinking about stuff.

First, I think about the Moon crashing into Earth. (Talk about a slap in the face!) It’s not because I’m a doomsayer (although this and the previous post might make you think otherwise). It’s just a natural reaction to this particular situation. Anyway, it would certainly be a consciousness-numbing, nerve-racking, cataclysmic event. I can just imagine it now. Wow.

Second, I think about how many other people at that instant are looking at the Moon. Better yet, I think about how many other people look at the Moon every single day and how this has been going on for days, weeks, months, and many, many years. It’s a humbling thought, really.

The Moon is the most prominent figure in the sky. It serves as the ultimate hypnotic pendulum for humankind, persuading us to foster cooperation and to realize that we’re all passengers on that same ride called Life. (At least that’s what I think it should be doing.) We all just need to take it easy and be good, for goodness sake!

[Santa?!]

Alas, this is far easier said than done because, sadly, Earth is not a utopia and human beings are not utopian.

Awkward Anxiety

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an unorthodox feeling of consternation for a certain meteorological condition.

Specifically, I’m referring to days when the sky is of a uniform light blue color and completely devoid of clouds or any other items that would disturb the skyscape.

In such circumstances, believe it or not, I feel that at any moment, I might fall into the sky. Yes, this defies logic, but I can’t escape that initial feeling.

It’s as if my consciousness is convinced that clouds are guardians or barriers against outer space.

(This puts a new spin on the whole “sky is falling” concept, doesn’t it?)

However, this particular view isn’t consistent because I get a related feeling of pseudo-anxiety when clouds are very close to the ground. (Here, I’m not talking about fog; I’m referring to when the bottom-most layer of clouds is still clearly visible.)

Anyway, in such circumstances, I feel like I’m being trapped and suffocated by the sky and the vast expanse of space behind it. (Of course here, the “sky is falling” concept applies perfectly.)

These are weird reactions, no doubt. I wonder if they are embedded into humankind’s natural psyche, because, as the Chicken Little character suggests, apparently I’m not alone in this regard.

["...in this regard"?! You used "regard" in a similar fashion two posts ago. Come on baby, mix it up!]

You’re right. I’ll try to avoid that in the future.

[Don't just try. Do!]

Okay, okay. I got it. This post is done.

A Post About “A Post About”

Back in May, I declared that I would thereafter use a particular model to title my posts, namely the placement of “A Post About” before the topic to be discussed.

However, after applying the technique a number of times, I must say that it’s becoming an increasingly superfluous eyesore. I mean, writing down the topic by itself would suit just fine.

In a way, the “A Post About” was like a set of training wheels to help me learn how to title my posts.

Well, I can say with confidence that I’ve trained enough and I’m ready to move on.

A Post About Some Agnostic Musings

Not knowing the meaning of life or what happens after death is frustrating.

Absolute and Ultimate Truth! Where are you?!

A lot of people take a leap of faith to escape this despair.

On the other hand, I’m not sure what I’m doing or what I plan to do in that regard.

A Post About Some Irony

Yesterday, I found myself watching part of Miss Korea 2006. (No, I don’t understand Korean and, no, I don’t partake in this activity regularly.) Nevertheless, I was listening to the speeches when one of the contestants said:

If there’s a will, there’s a way.

However, because she couldn’t speak English very well, her “a will” sounded like “oil”. That’s how I heard it at first, and I immediately thought of the Bush administration.

It’s funny because the “oil” version of the proverb could pass off as their mantra.

[(sarcastically) Wow! You're hilarious!]

Dude, why do you always give me a hard time? I wasn’t trying to be laugh-out-loud funny. I just wanted to point out some irony and…nevermind. Forget I said anything.

[Ha ha! Loser!]

You’re calling me a loser? Look at you. You have nothing better to do than hang around here. I’d keep my mouth shut if I were you.

[...]

A Post About A Misconception Of Evolutionary Theory

I hate when people misconstrue the concept of evolution and come up with the most idiotic assertions.

For instance, I’ve heard a number of people state that they don’t believe “humans came from monkeys”, and that if that was indeed the case, then why are there monkeys still around.

Please, think before you speak.  It will help you avoid embarrassment.

Anyway, evolution doesn’t say that we came from monkeys. Instead, it explains that humans and monkeys have a COMMON ANCESTOR. Our lineages diverged millions of years ago, and now we each have our own set of characteristics through the process of natural selection.

If you have even the slightest understanding of evolution, but are still unable to grasp the idea of such drastic changes occurring, then try this little exercise I came up with a while ago.

Okay. Scientists say that chimps and humans diverged around 6 million years ago. Remember that number.

Now, relatively modern human history (meaning the period of time of which we have a good amount of knowledge of humans resembling ourselves existing) is about 7,000 years in length.

So, divide 7,000 into 6,000,000, and you get 857.

You’re not done yet, but don’t worry, the math doesn’t get more complicated than that.

Okay. Take 857 and subtract 1 from it, and then continue to do so for as long as you need. BUT, remember to think about all of modern human history and the changes that have taken place over thousands of years whenever you subtract 1.

When you do this over and over again, you begin to grasp the magnitude of the amount of time of 6,000,000 years. It’s pretty remarkable.

After this, it should be easier to respect the evolutionary power of natural selection operating over a vast period of time.