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Flotsam! Revived?	September 27, 2009, 12:28PM
by: baroque
What really is the meaning of life? There are many encompassing theories about life. Even though the dictionary has a list of what every use of the word “life” entails, people still like to take it upon themselves to dictate to others what they view life as. Just recently, I read a post on one of my previous articles that told someone that life wasn't a balance sheet. My question is...why not? Life is what people make of it. For some people, life is all about being aware. For others, life is about being happy. Even reproduction is seen as the meaning of life by certain people. Depending on each person's individual view, a solipsist views life completely different than an altruist views life. Is life really too complicated to pin a universal definition to?
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [3 comments]

Loyalty	June 17, 2009, 1:46AM
by: Klarth
"Our loyalty depends upon the state of our stomachs; if they are empty, then so is our loyalty." The suggestion that whether or not we'll sell out depends on what is in it for us is enough to make the most apathetic, toughened little cunt of an asshole put forth a strong defense. The very idea that we might be anything less than a beautiful, virtuous hero/ine in the eyes of a revered or even reverent one may put us ill at ease. Is it a matter of true affection? That we wouldn't want to be seen as any less by our loved ones? Or is it a matter of self-delusion, an idea that however shitty we may be, if the ones who 'matter' see us as golden beings, then we are? Much of the time, we don't choose who we are loyal to. We are thrust into situations that make or break us, molding us irreparably to a point where loyalty is either a must or an impossibility. The unconditional love of the beaten dog holds true to one end of this spectrum; the wary repellent of a scathed individual stands at the other. Choosing where you stand on this scale takes time, and it will be different for everyone you meet. What matters is analysing the situation and choosing practical, measured decisions. The battered wife who stands by her abuser calls it love. The soldiers in the same company call it brotherhood. The heroin addict calls it a release, and the long-suffering whipping boy calls it karma. In the end, our loyalty is measured by two things-the first being the instinctual, the need to look after oneself, the unrefined, the edge which may turn on its companions for survival-but also compassion, which is a key ingredient for turning conditional symbiosis (or outright parasitism) into loyalty. Compassion gives us the ability to make sacrificial decisions, compromises, to take credit and give credit where it is due-but most of all, to be truly loyal in the face of adversity. I'm not sure what else to say here. These articles seem like they need a moral or a theme or SOMETHING to be worth their salt. But let me say this: Take a hard, dispassionate look at the connections in your life. See who may be a parasite, see where you yourself may be leeching, but make some changes. Loyalty is a strong bond, as strong as love when such intimate affection can't be bestowed. Happy trails, GAMErs.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [8 comments]

"My life went to hell when I fell in love with music"	June 9, 2009, 3:25PM
by: JV
Music, a wonderful thing, great outlet, great escape, though it has been argued before (but not recently) that music is the ticket to your life going straight to hell (metaphorically speaking), I am a musician and without music I feel I would slowly drift away....or climb a clock tower with an Uzi. Though music is my life I can see where some might see it as a grand way to ruin your life. Music brings out many emotions, you connect with it (when you find the right band or song) you get pulled in and it becomes a part of you, BUT... it makes all of your pain and misery known both to you and others, and can send you spiraling down into depression or bring out the hatred from within. (Sometimes liquor is the key ingredient to get the ball rolling) If I (and many others) hadn't found our passion we would be lost. But to actually know what would happen is impossible, for us to turn back the hands of time is only an idea the mind can contemplate but it can't create a direct and official result. Just a good hypothesis. Is music like the forbidden fruit in a way? Once you eat it there's no turning back? A sin even..Is it corrupting our minds or freeing it? I have left many arguments open for you guys to examine and think about, both sides have a decent point. Thank you JV
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [6 comments]

Solipsism	June 2, 2009, 11:02PM
by: Zach_Macabre
Solipsism is a philosophical belief that states "My most certain knowledge is of the contents of my own mind, and nothing outside of my own experiences or direct knowledge can be fully understood. Major solipsists go on to state that even if something can be fully comprehended, its true nature cannot be communicated to someone else. Here is an example: Right now I am sitting on a computer chair that is green. When I look at the chair, the color that comes to my mind "green". If you were to view this chair, the word that would come to mind would also be green. However, what if I see this chair as 'brown' but the word I have learned to use for it 'green'. And if you were to see this chair, you might see it as purple, yet you attribute the word 'green' to it, because thats what you've learned. Therefore we can both agree on the WORD for the color of the chair, yet both our opinions are different, and we dont even know it, and it would be near impossible to communicate how I see the chair to you. Trippy, huh? Some people often confuse Solipsism with Nihilism, which states that "All is for nothing, therefore nothing is for anything, therefore nothing is worth doing." The main differences between solipsism and nihilism is that while solipsism claims that nothing can be known, or understood, therefore it has no true nature and is not necessarily "real", it is does not belittle the importance of things. Life still matters, because while it isnt 'real' it is still a part of the "un-reality" that we are a part of. Where as Nihilism says that because it isnt real, then nothing matters at all. Here are a few popular philosophical questions answered using solipsistic thought: How was the universe created? Answer: This question is moot. Before you were alive, the existence of the universe was irrelevant, it was only until you came into existence that the universe did. At the moment of your first conscious experience is when the universe and all of its contents were created for you. And the same for me, before me there was no universe because I could not perceive it. Does God exist? Answer: Unless God is an internal entity then the answer is no. If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one/nothing is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Answer: No, if nothing hears it, then it cannot exist on its own. What came first the chicken or the egg? They both came into existence the very second I was born, as well the very second you were born, therefore neither. To sum up, nothing can be truly known, therefore nothing has an objective state. Everything is constantly being brought into existence by one's consciousness, therefore without consciousness nothing exists.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [9 comments]

Is it bad or just illegal?	April 18, 2009, 5:22PM
by: Shadow_of_a_Storm
I come from a very law-abiding family. Early on I was taught things like "Don't steal. Don't do drugs. Don't fight with others. Don't drink until you're 21." and what have you. All these things are illegal, but, when it comes down to it, how bad are they really? We shall examine a bunch of situations. I suppose we'll start with stealing. Sometimes stealing something is necessary in order to get ahead in life. There's the question everyone asks "Is it wrong to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family?" I suppose you could look at it one of two ways. On the one hand, everyone deserves to live and in order to live you must eat, but just because you have no money to pay for food does not mean you can't have it period. But then you have to take into consideration the people who make a living by growing the wheat to make the bread, the bakers, the cost of the materials needed to produce these things and make the packaging as well. So in a way it boils down to the law of circulation. These people spend money in some way to produce the bread, and they make money by selling it. If someone takes it without paying for it, it breaks the circle. Sure, one loaf might not be so bad, but if someone stole a truckload of bread to feed their very large starving family (yes there's a Simpson's reference here) that would create a bigger problem. Drugs. Some are approved, some are not. I take drugs. Not marijuana or heroin or cocaine, but I rely on prescription drugs to relive my anxiety. I have a friend who is "living the high life" and tells me that the medication I take is basically the same thing as speed, only I got it with a prescription. He says one of these days I should smoke with him. Well, the thing that scares me about that is not the fact that maybe it would do more damage then the medication I already am on, but because its ILLEGAL! A drug like marijuana can make you act in crazy ways if you take too much of it, yet so can alcohol (and that's LEGAL). I suppose some drugs are illegal because it may make you act out in ways that can hurt others while under the influence, but the argument here is that it you take the proper precautions you're okay. So many people (including my own parents) have said "you're only in trouble if you get caught", and the reason why my parents have told me not to do it is because it may aggravate my anxiety and make it worse. They used to smoke pot back in their day, and I'm sure if people made sure to take the proper precautions, they'd be all for legalizing it. Fighting. Again, sometimes it's necessary for survival. If someone was trying to hurt me, am I supposed to just stand there while they kick my ass? I don't think so, I would try to defend myself. Same thing if I caught someone trying to hurt someone I love. But, fighting is illegal, and sooner or later the police will usually be called to the scene. This is a situation where sometimes even the cops have to become violent in order to break it up, so I can honestly say it's just part of being human. People often dream about worldwide peace, and to "love our enemies". That is dumb. If I hate you enough I will make sure you pay for what you did to me. If I have to make a few sacrifices, such as spending some time in jail, I'd do it if I felt strongly enough about it. Here's a big one for a lot of people: Gay marriage. Whether you're for it or against it, it's probably something that's been put on your plate for you to think about. I was raised in a very liberal family, but due to the fact that so many people are against the idea of being gay it made me afraid, and for a while I took the conservative side. But, as much as I felt that being gay was...strange, I thought about the fact that it certainly isn't hurting me if two people of the same gender fall in love, so I voted to legalize gay marriage in the state of California. But, I've always brought this argument up as well: Incest. It's very much illegal and for the reason of protection against sexual violation. But, suppose that there was, say, a brother and sister who loved each other in a way that was beyond the love shared between two siblings? What if they were so deeply in love with each other that they looked past the issue of having the same parents and the same genetics. If you think about it, there are children who are born with genetic disorders who were NOT conceived through incest. The issue here is love. How bad is it if a brother and sister decided to get married? If both parties give their consent that makes it okay right? Or does it? This is a big one. And on this note, let's bring up the issue of, say, a 19-year-old guy and a 17-year-old girl falling in love and having sex? Who's to say that EVERYONE UNDER 18 is too young to make mature decisions? There are plenty of people younger than 18 who have what it takes to get by in this world, and plenty over 18 who still need a lot of help. It all depends on the individual. Ages are numbers that merely keep track of how long we've been alive. The same goes for underage drinking. A lot of people don't give a fuck about how old they are when they drink. An immature 20-year-old is not going to suddenly get his act together the second he turns 21. It all depends on how mature you are, regardless of how long you've been alive. Okay, I've brought up a lot of issues here, and I would more than appreciate any opinions or arguments you may have.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [88 comments]

Money is the root of all good.	March 12, 2009, 5:02PM
by: Vampire_Lycan_Bich
Since the beginning of time money has been a driving force behind the decisions of everyday life. Even before such standards of the dollar and the euro, bartering had the same economic effect. During the Renaissance, the Silk Road was a major bartering center for Europe and Asia. Eventually the idea turned into what is known today as the monetary system. Despite its antiquity, proper management and control have eluded the rulers of most states because they have taken a broad interpretation of the importance of money. Economists tend to overestimate the purely economic, narrow, and technical functions of money and have placed an emphasis on its negative social, institutional, and psychological aspects. This has created the notion that money is the root of all evil. It is my goal to prove that money is not the root of all evil but the root of all good. Money yields powerfully important psychic returns such as an individual’s social rank or a countries position in the Gross National Product league table. However, money should be widely interpreted to include discussion not only of currency and banking but also building societies and the fiscal framework. Even in medieval times these aspects were of considerably great importance than conventionally believed. One of the timeless problems caused by a history of misusing money is inflation. In his book, A History of Money, Glyn Davies analyzes this never ending conflict between the interests of creditors vs. debtors. Debtors want to increase the quantity in an attempt to give themselves a better financial standing, while creditors attempt to increase its value over others to maintain a good quality. For example, the Price Revolution in England, which lasted from 1540-1640 was an issue of population pressure taking control. This caused grain prices and the cost of living to increase and resulted in demand-pull inflation. These situations create a sense of lacking neutrality in its effects among the fortunes of the community. However, rising population is not the only cause of inflation. Wars, throughout history, have also been a major contributor not only to inflation but also to the corrupted belief of money. Over the past 1,000 years the “war ratchet” has succeeded in increasing prices while devaluing money. Davies explains this when he says, “Most of that time debasement was the most common, but no the only way of strengthening the sinews of war.”(646) The financial consequences of Alexander the Great, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the crusades, the 100 years war, the civil war, and especially the two world wars are treated in this way. The importance of war as a cause of inflation increased with the adoption of paper money in the west. This ideology is what turned the United States into the Arsenal of democracy and the Merchant of death because we choose to allow the war ratchet to control our government. When we look to the history of the United States it is noted that money plays a significant role in corrupting politics and government, through not only elections but also the everyday policies that are being passed. Bill Moyers depicts the greed and corruption seen in elections and policies through his story “A Culture of Corruption.” He allows for some analysis that because campaigns are privately financed people with real meaning get shut out of our “democratic process.” This is because lobbyists don’t see the safety in surrounding themselves with these officials. He further shows how outrageous the cost is to gain political office. A seat in the House of Representatives has reached the price of over a million dollars. Then once an office is gained each member of congress is surrounded by 65 lobbyists. The total cost of maintaining the influence of these lobbyists is $200 million each month. That’s $2.4 billion per year just to seduce federal officials. Now when we look even further into the legislation that has gone through in the past it becomes obvious that the bulk of legislation passed through Congress is purely tax breaks for huge companies such as Exxon Mobil to ensure that even with the wilting economy they make profits around $30 billion through subsidies. Society has reached a point where anyone who attempts to be successful through ability is removed. In her book, Atlas Shrugged, philosopher Ayn Rand expresses this societal problem when the character Hank Rearden creates an amazing lightweight yet highly durable metal that could replace steel. However, the government is so influenced by the already existing steel company run by Orren Boyle; Rearden gets shut out by the science institute claiming his metal to be unsafe and unreliable. The government also goes to the extremes of forcing Rearden to only own one type of resource and make him share the formula for his metal with everyone else. When Rand makes this depiction of government she’s speaking of the direction the U.S. federal government is headed. Now, you have seen what money is not and because of that we are in the poor state of considering it the root of all evil. Now I would like to show you what it truly is. The United States was the first society to use and give emphasis to the phrase, “to make money.” This is what has created the misconception that money is made by the strong at the expense of the weak. However this is inaccurate because money is abused by the strong at the expense of the weak, and the abusers are the one who attack the makers of money. However money and wealth cannot be a product of the “strength” of the looters with their muscles and their guns that are condoned by government, Wealth is the result of a person’s ablility to think. However, money isn’t made by the intelligent at the expense of the fool. Neither at the expense of the incompetent nor the lazy. As Rand says, “Money is made by the effort of every honest man, each to the extent of his ability. An honest man is one who knows that he can’t consume more than he has produced.” Bill Gates, who began with nothing but an idea, this idea which became the world know Microsoft program. He had the will to use his ability to its extent and excel beyond all the already in place programs blocking him. Because of this, a simple program, Microsoft Word, turned him into the most well know multi-billionaire. Money is the means of all trade. It was the means of trade to get Bill Gates started. An investor made the trade of materials for a product, and this product was adopted into the market at a value to be traded for the fundamental need of money to trade for goods. Money allows no one to decide the value of your own efforts but for two voluntary parties to trade efforts with each other. Nothing more, nothing less. It allows for the judgment to be made without force on deals that are mutually beneficial. When searching for a job you don’t present an employer a list of your vices and expect to be taken seriously. You present them every value you have to offer and expect to receive an equal benefit. Reason is the basis of decision making. This is the basis of existence that is recognized by the symbol of money. Is this what you consider the root of all evil? “Money will not purchase happiness for the man who has no concept of what he wants: money will not give him a code of values if he’s evaded the knowledge of what to value and will not provide him with a purpose if he’s evaded the choice of what to seek.” It does not give intelligence, prosperity, respect, or wealth to the undeserving. The majority of the “wealthy” today have seen money destroy them. This is because they do not see what it truly means to have wealth. We are standing in the middle of one of the greatest achievements of productive civilization. In this technological age we have the ability to do great things whether it be to create lunar colonies on the moon or turn Mars into a livable place. Since the initial landing on the moon we have not set foot back there again, nor are we making any decent progress toward Mars. Why might you ask, because we are placing a damn on the lifeline to the programs- money. It’s quite ironic how this phrase, to make money, which so easily slips through the mouths of many, originated from a time where wealth was achieved through the labor of slaves. The looter is the one who sees no difference between the power held in the dollar versus the power held in a whip making him the most ignorant of men. Now we speak of this term as looters would speak of producers, slaves, traders, shopkeepers, industrialists, positions that a child wouldn’t dare to wish to achieve. These are the people who show the ability to follow that phrase coined by Americans, who have the ability to make money. Yet now looters feel the ability to denounce the people who follow these words as being un-American or just worthless of anyone’s time. “Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good you ask for your own destruction.” When you refuse to see this you and no long allow money to be the simplistic tool of trade it was meant to be, you become the politician that corrupts the government through greed. In this moment you become the tool to be abused. “Blood, whips, and guns—or dollars.” It’s your time to choose, and you don’t have forever. Money is nothing more than an simple tool and that when you allow it to be something else you are no longer an heir worthy to your wealth. Society needs to realize this. Inventors like Bill Gates and scientists like Albert Einstein and Leo Salard used their intelligence to produce objects of value and therefore earned the respect of others not through the amount of money they had but through their hard work and ability. Money gave them absolutely nothing but was only a tool to their success. When money becomes the success then it is no longer money, or at least what money truly is. Because of this, money is not the root of all evil, but the men and women who attempt to corrupt our belief of money are.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [16 comments]

Theory of Seven Planes of Conciousness	February 26, 2009, 3:07PM
by: Nyx
Theory of Seven Planes of Conciousness This is a very rough outline of 7 major frequency planes and their corresponding sub-planes. I've added some of my own thoughts to this located in brackets. Note that a human residing in the physical plane can achieve projection to as far as the Buddhic plane, and if I remember right a number of its sub-planes through eastern traditional practices. I also believe that you would have a very difficult time functioning in our society today if you achieved a mental state able to penetrate into these higher planes beyond the mental plane. You already gain a kind of awkwardness with mundane society even after achieving the ability to traverse the Astral plane. My own opinion though. There are better works on the subject, but this was the shortest piece I could find and though it could use a more indepth explanation, it still gives an idea about the theory. The Seven Planes of Consciousness and Matter by Robert Wilkinson All we know is vibration. From the grossest to the subtlest, the densest to the most ethereal, everything we think, feel, perceive or imagine is vibration. We are told in "esoteric philosophy" that there are 7 "frequency zones" that describe our entire reality and that which is beyond. Today we begin an exploration of what are called the "7 Planes" of our individual and collective existence. We begin with the dense Physical Plane. This is the plane of matter in all its forms, where all physical structures exist. The second Plane, more subtle than the Physical, is the Astral, or emotional plane. This is the plane of feeling, less dense than the Physical, but more dense than the next plane, the Mental plane. The Mental Plane [Mediary between Astral and higher planes] is the plane of thought, and is divided into two areas, the Lower Mental [Astral Plane] and the Higher Mental. The lower mind shows as logical, rational thinking, concrete thoughts about things, feeling, and ideas. The Higher mind is the arena of abstract or subtle thoughts, ideals, aspirations, and philosophical awarenesses. The 4th Plane is the even more subtle and rarified Buddhic Plane, or Plane of Soul. These are the higher, subtle, evolved loving feelings that we all have all the time, even when the lower thoughts, feelings, and things momentarily distract us from these higher loving feelings. These feelings are altruistic, compassionate, and powerful. This plane is where we are naturally lovingly wise and wisely loving. The 5th Plane is the Atmic Plance [Plane], or the Plane of Spirit. While virtually unsubstantial in a physical, emotional, or mental sense, it is the Plane where "the spark that ignites" originates, inspiring us and changing our lives forever. Some are never sensitive to this plane while alive, while others are touched by it once or even many times. The 6th Plane is called the Monadic Plane, our Oneness beyond division, our "Father-Mother God in Heaven which is ONE indivisible." [This is a view by the author that gives his obvious favor to christianity. I view this plane as more of a type of energy then a concious "God"] This is the Plane of our Divine Archetype. When we pray to Deity, it is this plane we seek to experience and see made manifest. It is associated with the "Anupadaka," from the Sanskrit "parentless", "self-existing", a self-created arising of Eternal existence. The 7th Plane has no name other than the Divine Plane. It is associated with the "Adi," from the Sanskrit "the first." Other possible associations are "the original," "the creator," "the Source," and "the beginning of existence. " Since all vibration is interpenetrating, [real word, look it up XD] it is useful to see these not as linear rankings of levels, but as co-existing states of consciousness. We can be thinking, feeling, and acting all at the same time, as well as being loving and inspired. From one point of view, we are all existing on all the levels and Planes simultaneously all the time. Also, besides all these levels of awareness being active all the time at the same time in all of us, each of these has 7 subplanes within its frequency zone. Thus there is a physical sub-plane, an emotional sub-plane, a mental sub-plane, a Buddhic sub-plane and so forth in each of the 7 Great Planes of Consciousness. [Some theories believe there to be as many as 7 sub-planes for each of the major planes, not just 1 sub-plane. An example would be the belief of the Astral Graveyard located just below the Astral plane] Each sub-plane is a distinct frequency zone in itself. For example, the physical sub-plane of the Physical Plane is matter, the astral subplane of the Physical is water and other liquids, the mental sub-plane of the Physical is air, the Buddhic sub-plane and higher are the sub-planes of Ether in its various stages. The physical sub-plane of the Astral are dense feelings, often referred to as "emotional thoughtforms." The astral sub-plane of the Astral plane are feelings about feelings, while the mental sub-plane of the Astral are feelings about thoughts, or feeling-infused thoughts. There are feelings about Soul and "higher" feelings, feelings about inspiration and oneness, and feelings about the unknown. And so it goes, with each Plane having distinct sub-frequencies with their specialized qualities. Various sub-planes resonate with various other sub-planes, as well as Planes, much as certain notes on a piano resonate with other notes, since many similar notes are shared between various keys which may or may not be in harmony or discord with one another.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [1 comment]

Speed of Confusion	February 22, 2009, 10:01PM
by: Satchell
Forgive me if this is misplaced, its one part philosophy, one part short story, one part poetry. -- The familiar colored stripes of my coffee mug smudge. The orange becomes acquainted with red and the rim is pushed ever so slightly upwards. It is a smear of porcelain. At first, they vaguely resemble a snail. No, that would be silly. I convince myself that this isn't happening. Not in real life. Not to me- here, now. Hyperventilation slides up to you like a close friend. What are you? My hands dissolve into the sidewalk and my arms crawl, working their way into the landscape. They slink into mother earth without hesitation because this is the natural flow of the world. Skin becomes the mat your face is compacting onto. Thrown Judo-style from the little old lady that plays bridge with grandma. Your thoughts fade into the shrinking distance between nose and floor. Your hair shrieks like a dirty mop of horrified wind chimes. Eyes open up like your 7th chakra. Impact. The ride is over. You get off the bus and return to the daily life but it really isn't yours at all. You're 2rd-hand account to life is being washed and recycled to make two billion paper cups. Life is like a bowl of jellyfish they say. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Don't question it. You can't stop here. Move on. No time to explain. Hey, you're holding up the line. Run, run to catch up. No time for a coffee break now. Sacrifice lunch for the status quo. Sacrifice your first born, your lover, your favorite marble. Here you are again. Back to the mat. Impact. Where the toaster did that come from? Why do I keep finding myself here? For the love of god, explain yourself! You're back, hanging a foot above that mat. You stare down the white sponge inching it's way to you. The mat grins in contempt for your very being and it knows exactly what happens next. It's read this part of the manual. It knows what to do. It enjoys every minute of your enlightenment. Your advent of human awakening. Don't you dare. Don't you dare. Don't you- Impact, impact, impact. Tossed again and again. Often, and with great enthusiasm. In every moment of every day we are being thrown into life and it is up to you to recognize the moment when it comes. The beatings will continue until zen is achieved. But,... I am zen. You try to explain. You won't mind another toss then. You're being too much in your head. Too many words, too much 'understanding'. We will crush you like a discarded can if you don't pick up the pace. It is our purpose to bring you out into this beautiful place we call consciousness. We get these brief moments of pure understanding, pure mindfulness, pure- right here, right now, uh-huh and then we go and muck it up with- Impact. You don't understand yet. Don't try. Zen is already here. Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. Itch the foot. Sit with it... Gah. Itch the ear. Think about the dog. Sit with it. What was I going shopping for? Zen!! Zen? Got to go buy that meditation pillow. I need one for- SIT WITH IT!! Is my pizza done cooking? Zen in 3... 2... 1.... This finite zebra makes contact with the real world. Press the little red button. Pull the little lever. Eat the yellow fruit. Get paid your big bonus. Sit with it. Sit with it. Sit with it. There is no moment without that impact. I am the sock without a mate in a dryer. I hit every single surface on the way down. When this wave of emptiness washes over me, something else takes over. I stop moving my own hands and I simply watch. This ghost manipulating a husk. I don't know. I close my eyes and nothing. Something echos inside me and spills out of my mouth unto the page. I see veins on my arms and know that I am alive. I know my nerves send signals, convincing me of my physical presence but I seem to always come back to that question. What is more real, the beach in my mind or the snow in my boots? I have a story. I come from somewhere. This ghost does not. Maybe I am just tired, I don't think that is it, but we can entertain the possibility. I like to call it a hallucination so I keep some sort of distance from it. Impact. Impact. Impact. Delirium kicks in and we become unsure if our feet are even moving. Gliding over pavement with our brand new sneaks. Unsure of which way we are falling, we take comfort in the self- we all know the feeling. When you find that you are so much more aware of your entire body. You retreat into yourself during uncertainty. We hermit back into our caves and in that moment, we are so very sensitive to the wind. The slightest brush feels like you were just decked by a linebacker. Swimming out into the ocean, it's the moment the coral drops off and you realize that if something DID come up, you'd be boned. Totally out of cover, retreating. It's a beautiful moment, to be sure- if you can appreciate it. Its a defining moment and can mean the difference between a great experience and one that you will never come back for. Impact. Zen. Here, now. Pushing yourself into the speed of confusion, life blurs before your eyes. Unsure the nature of the core of your being, you press forward. We make that leap from rooftop to rooftop without estimating the distance. It's that moment that you realize it is much further than imagined. That wide-eyed bushy tail moment of "Oh. Well then." You remember lifting up your right leg and pushing off with the left. You remember placing your right foot forward but it doesn't respond. You don't know the current status so, you either try to keep running or take a sidewalk sandwich. Impact. It is all over. You're not getting up from this one.
topic: Philosophy
[reply] [22 comments]

Fuck your Objectivity.	January 27, 2009, 3:57PM
by: Klarth
As a strict advocate of humanism and egoism for the sake of progress, I cannot sit idly by in this mindless pursuit of objectivity. The idea that morals and ethics can be determined by any number of people who are fundamentally flawed by bias is laughable. As Voltaire once said, 'History is a bunch of lies we agree on'. So the fact of the matter is, if it's possible, it can't be ruled out. Right? Now, there are some of you shaking your head right now. This article is likely not for you, and we don't need a huge fucking shitstorm regarding the values of impartiality in this article. ... No, we do. Read on and weigh in later. So I've said it countless times before and I'll say it again and again and again. Howard Roark. The Fountainhead is the only literary work I have ever read which correctly encompasses my beliefs surrounding progress in the name of selfishness. No, I didn't like the book. Yes, I have attributed it as to being '741 and a half pages of pedantic crap, 400 of which could be shaved away and leaving something far more pleasing'. Does that mean I disagree with the quintessential antihero, the pumpkin haired Mr. Roark? Of course not. I identify with him more than any factual personality I've ever come across, but that's okay. Emulation is cool, so long as it isn't PLAGIARISM. Imagine a world where we never progress past Corinthian pillars and Greek architecture. A world without the domed ceiling, without cement or oil paintings. Now think abut the fact that we have advanced due to someone standing up and saying 'No, I think I'll do it this way.' Maye it was necessity. Maybe it was spite. Maybe it was boredom. It doesn't matter. The changes worked and we progressed. People who rely on objectivity rely on others to set precedents, then mindlessly follow said precedents until it no longer serves them. If you are opinionated, if you have wants, desires, if you have BIAS and a PERSONALITY, you can progress. Do it for yourself and no one else. That's all I can say on the matter. Cocks, GTFO. -Joe
topic: Philosophy
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Parallels Between Jesus Chrst and Osiris/Horus	December 4, 2008, 2:47PM
by: ChaosandDevistation
In many pieces of literature throughout history there has been a common theme amongst them, the fact that ideas used in one piece may be used among many others. This idea is seemingly the most evident when it comes to ancient religious scripts. The literary example I wish to bring forth for discussion is one that for me has extreme significance in my life and that is the Christian Bible. What is also of great interest to me is the Ancient Egyptian society and their belief systems. The god’s of this ancient society I wish to compare is that of Osiris and his son Horus to that of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the prophet and son of god in the Christian religion. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to a virgin woman by the name of Mary. They refer to this as the Immaculate Conception, before Christ was born Gabriel an angel came to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the son of god. The angel also came to Joseph and told him to not fear for taking Mary as his wife and he explained the child within her was conceived by the holy spirit and that when the child was born he was to be named Jesus which means Savior. This child was born in a barn among the animals; many people came from all around being led by a shining star that was directly above the birthplace of Christ. These people came to bare gifts to the son of god. Christ was raised as a normal boy of this day alongside his cousin John, now referred to as John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the one who baptized Christ when he was a bit older. The young man attempted to teach the people the word of the Lord. He performed a great many miracles and told people of God’s love and spoke of heaven. An example of one of his miracles is in Luke of the New Testament when Christ healed a leper with his words. The passage states that the Leper fell before Christ and begged of him to cleanse him and too make him clean. With a simple phrase the leprosy had left the man and Christ asked that the man to not speak of this to anyone but to present himself to a priest and to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Jesus was betrayed by a man named Judas a good friend of his and after the last supper Christ was captured. He was then brought before the Roman Governor Pilate and was then accused of corrupting the Jewish people with talk of his god. Pilate’s original plan was just to have Christ beaten and then released; however the crowd watching the horrid display shouted “Crucify him!” In an attempt to appease the people Pilate had gave the order to have Jesus beaten and then crucified upon the people’s request. The guards created a crown of vines with thorns to place upon his head; they also dressed him up in purple robes to make a mockery of the royal lineage. They referred to him as the “King of the Jews” however they spoke this in a manner that was highly disrespectful. When they finished beating him they made him carry this large wooden cross up a large hill to a place called “Golgotha” which means place of a skull. This cross was set up in between two criminals and Christ was hung upon it, nails were hammered into his palms and one through his feet. As he hung there he prayed for forgiveness for the people whom did this too him. He begged his father and told him that these people did not know what it is they were doing. For three hours he hung on the cross as the public who had followed as well as the soldiers mocked him, he spoke that if he was the son of god that he could save himself. After these three hours Jesus cried out “Why have you forsaken me?” As he waited his soul slowly left his form as he committed himself to his father and the body of Christ hung limp on the cross. Upon his death the sun darkened and the earth trembled as the Roman Captain realized truly what had happened and who this man truly was. The soldiers knew that Christ was dead but instead of breaking his legs like they did with the criminals they stabbed his side with a spear and water flowed from the wound. Then his body was taken down from the cross and carried off by two of his followers Joseph and Nicodemus. They then wrapped the body in linen and laid it to rest inside a cave and then covered then entrance with a large boulder and a guard stood to protect it. Three days passed after the crucifixion and another great earthquake swept over the land as an angel of the lord had removed the boulder from in front of the cave. The guard that stood to protect the tomb ran in fear as Christ’s followers came to the tomb looking for the body in fear and confusion. The angel reminded them of what Jesus had said, that he would raise again on the third day. On that day Jesus approached the disciples to speak to them, he described that what had happened needed to have happened so that we could be forgiven for our sins. He then instructed his disciples to go forth and to teach his practices and to spread the word of the lord. To teach the people that we are forgiven for our sins and that one day we may join him and his father in heaven. Upon researching the mythology of Osiris I have come to a conclusion that there are many similarities between the two. However, first I wish to describe the story of the god and the god’s and goddess’s involved. Osiris was the god that ruled over the entire earth not long after its creation. He had a brother named Set and a sister named Isis whom he later married. Osiris’s brother was very jealous of Osiris and plotted together with seventy-two mortals. The plan was during Osiris’s banquet they had brought in a chest that had been especially prepared for him. While Set was showing off the chest the seventy-two people took their turn lying down inside of it. When Osiris lay down in the chest Set closed the hatch and nailed it shut. Set then took the chest and sent it down the Nile. Isis had discovered what Set had done and took off trying to find this chest however, she was too late. Once she had recovered the chest the body had been removed and torn apart into fourteen different pieces and thrown all across Egypt. Isis did her best to find all of the missing pieces of her husband/brother. When she had finished outing him back together in a Frankenstein like manner she gave him the breath of life resurrecting him. Upon this resurrection she became impregnated with Horus. With the resurrection of his father and the birth of Horus, Osiris trained him to become his avenger. Osiris then descended to the underworld where he ruled over the afterlife. Horus then took off and killed his uncle Set and became the new ruler of the earth. The similarities between the religions are striking, at least comparing the bible to this myth in general. The first similarity I would like to touch on is the Osiris and Set sibling relationship. When reading about this myth I immediately remembered the story of Cain and Abel. When Cain became so jealous of the life Abel was leading that he killed his own brother just as Set did to his own. However, I would really like to compare this myth too that of the story of Christ. First you can see how the conception of Christ can compare to that of the conception of Horus in the way that it was not a tradition type of conception. However, it is untold if Isis was or was not a virgin at the time she did become pregnant with Horus in an untraditional manner. Also you can also get down to the ideas of the resurrections of both of these beings. I read somewhere that it is the requirement for any god or prophet to in some way shape or form to cheat death, for them to achieve godly status. However, with Jesus Christ you had the love of god and that is why he had to die. Then you have the death of Osiris which was because he needed to become the ruler of the underworld. Osiris needed to be like god how he is ruling from heaven in the Christian religion. Horus became the ruler of the earth and its people just like Jesus ruled over the people spreading the law of god. Horus did the same as his father ruled the underworld which is exactly like the Christian heaven. Both men went through the trials and tribulations of life for the better of their people and that alone makes them similar in their desires for humanity. A lot of scholars like to argue that the resurrection of Osiris was not a true resurrection. Also that comparing the two is running along the line of blasphemy. A Christian scholar had a conference with a Dr. Geisler about this very subject matter his name is Farrell Till. Mr. Till disagreed and Dr. Geisler because he believed that the resurrection of Osiris was a bodily resurrection and that the similarities between Christ and Osiris were astonishing. Dr. Geisler chose not to refute against the speech Till had made, and Till continued on adding more reasoning similar to those I presented; such as the immaculate conception. What I would like to leave you with in this paper is my general belief. I believe that all these things have happened; that all of these people did in fact exist. The way that I can make sense of all of these similarities is not some copy-cat theory, I feel that the people of different cultures took these stories; changed them a bit to fit their culture, changed the names of the characters to suit the people they are trying to reach and made them into their own religions. Down at the heart of all religion it comes down to the same points, live your life well, be a good person and have faith in something
topic: Philosophy
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