'Ello, Thorax here, I've noticed no one aside from Frank has posted anything in a LONG while. I thought I would mix it up and pop in for a quick update. I regret to inform everyone that we have had a bit of a falling out. But who can blame us. Some moved further away, and school and work got in our ways. But with any luck I, with my near infinite determination will get the proverbial band back together. But I would also like to take this chance to remind anyone who reads this that I have yet to get any E-mails and the only person to ask for help was T.H.oT and it was fake even if it was entertaining. And in this holiday season try not to off yourself due to depression or stress. College finals and having to deal with monetary problems might get ya down, but be stronger than the people around you. In the face of death look the reaper in the eyes and tell him to fuck off, you're better than him. Until next time.
CHANGE PLACES!!!!
-Thorax.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
What the romantic needs to know:
Some people enjoy describing themselves as ‘hopeless romantics,’ and although it sounds like a solid term to use, it is very hard to have it be a part of reality. The hopeless romantic is one in which one dreams of walks on the beach, dancing in the rain, and other fanciful tales that only show up in cheesy romantic comedies. In all reality, that does not happen, and to be a hopeless romantic is to hold romance to such a degree that any slight romantic tinge in one’s life seems to fall short, and not be worth the effort to achieve the unrealistic goal one has set for themselves; it is to set yourself up for failure.
The hopeless romantic believes in true love and that “one,” but when thought is put to this, urges change, and it is only right for that to be so. Look at the many horrid marriages that plague our society, causing who knows how much harm to any children involved. To let this fact be known is to be honest with oneself, and this is what the ultimate goal should be; if you cannot be honest with yourself, how could you be honest with loved ones and acquaintances? Wouldn’t it be great to look up at the Moon and it actually be the case that your destined lover is looking at same time? Of course. It is what fairy tales are made of.
Since the attainment of an unforeseen goal of romance is unknowable, many attempts are made to keep any sort of love that one feels towards others; they wish that the other participant in this duo reciprocates the deep feelings that one may feel. To this end, different routes will be tried, which include, but are not limited to: waiting on the person night and day, trying to please them even when it hurts ones self-worth, and other self-defeating actions.
To find “the one” (which is a very allusive, if not impossible, thing to realize), the romantic turns to high goals, and may become shallow. Great thought is put into the perfect mate, and everyone met is judged by this standard, which is usually perfection only attained by those in magazines. It could be said to the romantic that they are delusional and should lay off, but to the romantic, the game of attaining a lover is half the fun. Yes, heartbreak usually is plentiful during the game, but in the end, isn’t the end goal worth it?
In an ideal world, true love would be easily found, but this is not the case, and to give one high aspirations is to set oneself up for failure. Dreaming of the perfect relationship is great for daydreams, but when it comes to finding and building a loving, caring relationship, one must be able to fall short of their ideals, accept love when it emerges, and live.
-FrankEinstein
The hopeless romantic believes in true love and that “one,” but when thought is put to this, urges change, and it is only right for that to be so. Look at the many horrid marriages that plague our society, causing who knows how much harm to any children involved. To let this fact be known is to be honest with oneself, and this is what the ultimate goal should be; if you cannot be honest with yourself, how could you be honest with loved ones and acquaintances? Wouldn’t it be great to look up at the Moon and it actually be the case that your destined lover is looking at same time? Of course. It is what fairy tales are made of.
Since the attainment of an unforeseen goal of romance is unknowable, many attempts are made to keep any sort of love that one feels towards others; they wish that the other participant in this duo reciprocates the deep feelings that one may feel. To this end, different routes will be tried, which include, but are not limited to: waiting on the person night and day, trying to please them even when it hurts ones self-worth, and other self-defeating actions.
To find “the one” (which is a very allusive, if not impossible, thing to realize), the romantic turns to high goals, and may become shallow. Great thought is put into the perfect mate, and everyone met is judged by this standard, which is usually perfection only attained by those in magazines. It could be said to the romantic that they are delusional and should lay off, but to the romantic, the game of attaining a lover is half the fun. Yes, heartbreak usually is plentiful during the game, but in the end, isn’t the end goal worth it?
In an ideal world, true love would be easily found, but this is not the case, and to give one high aspirations is to set oneself up for failure. Dreaming of the perfect relationship is great for daydreams, but when it comes to finding and building a loving, caring relationship, one must be able to fall short of their ideals, accept love when it emerges, and live.
-FrankEinstein
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Why?: A response
As Thorax has said very well, the question of “Why?” has plagued the minds of many people, from today to ancient times. There are some things in this universe that we will probably not be able to answer any time in the near future, but this does not give one the right not to ponder such things. A life in which there are no difficulties or pain is extremely rare, and is probably due to the person not being reflective or even thinking, because such a life lacks the lows and the highs. Socrates once said, “The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living.” Philosophy is not just about old men sitting around a table asking questions like ‘Why?’ while stroking a white beard; philosophy helps one think about life and how to prepare for what lies ahead.
Philosopher Anthony Grayling put it this way: “Philosophy is a form of prophylaxis, part of the anticipation of living, involving thought in advance about how one would try to brace oneself in grief, or how one would try to cling to ideals and principles, beliefs and hopes, even when one is profoundly depressed, or faced with failure.” One has the obligation to look at themselves, analyze their beliefs and principles, and consider exactly what they hope to gain and accomplish in this one lifetime. Turning again to Anthony Grayling, “If when griefs are accumulating, one manages to cling to the belief that the best things in human life are still deeply valuable and worth pursuing, that is what it is to be morally courageous." Personal reflection is what is precious. If one cannot do this, they either are not intellectually capable or emotionally unwilling because they are afraid of what lies beneath.
There are answers to some questions posed by Thorax (the ones dealing with scientific ideas), but most are philosophical in nature, and to deal with those, I think the best way is to follow what I laid out above. If you don’t consider your life, then what is life except a repetitive, monotonous state of being? We must be intellectually honest and not afraid of what may happen. Embrace what you have now. This is the only life you are going to get. Make it worth something!
-FrankEinstein
Philosopher Anthony Grayling put it this way: “Philosophy is a form of prophylaxis, part of the anticipation of living, involving thought in advance about how one would try to brace oneself in grief, or how one would try to cling to ideals and principles, beliefs and hopes, even when one is profoundly depressed, or faced with failure.” One has the obligation to look at themselves, analyze their beliefs and principles, and consider exactly what they hope to gain and accomplish in this one lifetime. Turning again to Anthony Grayling, “If when griefs are accumulating, one manages to cling to the belief that the best things in human life are still deeply valuable and worth pursuing, that is what it is to be morally courageous." Personal reflection is what is precious. If one cannot do this, they either are not intellectually capable or emotionally unwilling because they are afraid of what lies beneath.
There are answers to some questions posed by Thorax (the ones dealing with scientific ideas), but most are philosophical in nature, and to deal with those, I think the best way is to follow what I laid out above. If you don’t consider your life, then what is life except a repetitive, monotonous state of being? We must be intellectually honest and not afraid of what may happen. Embrace what you have now. This is the only life you are going to get. Make it worth something!
-FrankEinstein
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Why?
I thought my first serious post should be something I'm sure we can all relate to, the question why? We all ask it even if we don't know why we ask. It is a simple question but it also has so much meaning to it."why now?" "why you?" "why does this happen to me?" many things come with why and we always ask why. why do we exist? why does the earth have the right balance of the elements needed to sustain life?i find my self asking why to my self alot "why did i do that?" "why am i so stupid?" "why was the answer no?" these questions plauge my mind on a daily basis. Now no one can say that at one point or another questions like these never transverse their mind over and over and over again. For some reason as humans we ask why to our selves often enough for us to not even think for a moment on it. So next time you are in a rut and asking your self "Why....." Think about why you are asking yourself and soon the light of truth will blaze upon your shadow of doubt. Untill next time...
CHAAAANGE PLACES!
-Thorax
CHAAAANGE PLACES!
-Thorax
Some random thoughts on religious belief:
I am an atheist in that I reject the claim that a god or gods exist. It is not a belief; it is the rejection of a belief. Since it rejects the concept outright, it makes no positive claims as to the nonexistence of god. Theism, the belief to which I reject, is the belief in god, gods, or deities. By this definition, theism is not affiliated with any religion.
Before I continue, all of what follows depends on ones definition of 'god'. If you wish to define 'god' as love or some other abstract thing, go ahead, and depending on its formulation, I will have no disagreement, except maybe as to why you are calling the thing to which you are defining 'god,' since the term 'god' comes with thousands of years of extra baggage.
As I said above, atheism makes no positive claims as to the nonexistence of god. What does that mean? Well, the burden of proof is on the individual that makes a positive claim, and in this case it is that a god exists. Say I claim that six purple elephants are in my garage. Are you to believe me? Of course not, and no rational person would. If I cannot provide supporting evidence for my assertion, then you may reject the claim without having the provide a disproof.
To me, the belief in a sky daddy is just absurd to the Nth degree, especially when this supposed 'all powerful' being cares what you eat, who you sleep with and in what position, etc. It's just mind-boggling. (a deistic approach is absurd also)
The scientific explanations for the existence of everything are far more persuasive and elegant. Big bang cosmology is far more interesting and intellectually honest than "goddidit," along with the evidence that our species has evolved and shares a common ancestor with every other living species of plant and animal. We do not know what 95% of the universe is made of! Now, isn't that more interesting than a burning bush?
The Judeo-Christian creation myths especially do not make sense. I've actually been trying to read it for years, but it's so boring! The bible does contradict itself. I have a whole book on biblical contradictions ("Jesus, Interrupted" by Bart Ehrman). Once you but a little thought into the bible and its stories, they start to not make sense. Take the story of Adam & Eve. God, who is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving (three contradictory terms when put together) condemned Eve (a woman, one of the many instances of blatant sexism) for listening to the talking snake (wtf!), having curiosity and eating the apple, and then being thrown out of Eden forever and having all generations born a filthy sinner.
I’m sorry, I will not be talked to in that tone of voice.
The problem of evil has bedeviled theologians for thousands of years. How can you square the concept of evil with an all-loving creator? It has been known since the time of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. We have three characteristics given to the Judeo-Christian God: omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and omniscience. Taken together, this being cannot logically exist.
If God is all loving, he does not want evil. It God is all knowing, he must know evil exists. If God is all powerful, he should be able to rid the world of evil. Therefore, evil should not exist.
Now, dropping any of the Omni- terms would rid this being of contradictions, but in doing so, one would be undermining the very essence of the creator espoused by Judeo-Christian faith. Philosopher David Hume noted, "Is He willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil?"
Take vicarious redemption through Jesus; we are told to pray and our sins will be forgiven because Jesus sacrificed himself (to himself since Jesus is god). Now, is it me or does that take away the concept of personal responsibility? As Christopher Hitchens points out, “I can pay your debt, I can even take your place in prison, but I can’t take away your responsibility.” By saying a few simple words out loud, you are essentially relieving yourself of personal responsibility. An immoral teaching!
All religions are more or less homophobic in one respect or another. I think it’s the whole being different thing. Uniqueness in religion is frowned upon due to the deviation from monotony, which is how religion thrives; repetition. The younger generation has no problem with gay people. Most people have come to realize that the same text that supposedly condemns homosexuality also condemns eating shellfish (Lev 11:9-12, Deu 14:9-10), shaving, and wearing mixed fiber clothing! Also the mounting scientific evidence that sexual orientation is innate in us. Heck, homosexuality is everywhere in nature
Most religious folks are full of hypocrisy. They rally against something, and then turn around and do it. Plus, there’s a lot of cherry picking going on; going through the bible and choosing those passages they want to enforce and throwing out those that affect them.
Most ancient religions have borrowed stories from each other. For example, the Genesis flood is taken from the poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia.
Atheism has had a negative connotation for many years. Religious figures have defined atheism has evil and blamed many atrocities on atheism (all unjustified). A lot of people say Hitler was an atheist and did what he did because of this. Not only is this incorrect, it is a blatant lie. Hitler was a devout Catholic, and even praised god and jesus in this writings. No one in history has done anything in the name of atheism. We can think of many examples of horrible things being done in the name of religion (need I mention 9/11?). Yes, atheists have done awful things, but they were not done in the name of atheism.
People accuse atheists of being hot-headed and angry, but I haven't met one. Religious people get offended and angry because atheists, by definition, are questioning their beliefs. Religions have been held to a higher standard, for no reason, that questioning of the said beliefs is unkind and shouldnt be done. I'm sorry: I'm going to call a spade a spade and call out bullshit when I see/hear it
I find that most theists can't justify their beleifs without an appeal to faith, which is intellectually bankrupt. I find that when I talk to theists, most either won't have the discussion, or try to define their god into existence. They will define god as 'love' or some abstract term, and then claim that because the concept of love exists, their god exists. I just chuckle and pick apart their reasoning
Now, I do not want anyone to take from this that I think all religious people are aweful and unable to do good. This is not the case. Many theists are very nice, rational people...EXCEPT when it comes to their religious beliefs. It is as though some wall has been built up in their mind that separates religion from all other areas of discourse. Yes, there are those who hold irrational beliefs in many aspects of their lives (creationism, belief in alien visitations, etc.), but that is a whole different issue
-FrankEinstein
Before I continue, all of what follows depends on ones definition of 'god'. If you wish to define 'god' as love or some other abstract thing, go ahead, and depending on its formulation, I will have no disagreement, except maybe as to why you are calling the thing to which you are defining 'god,' since the term 'god' comes with thousands of years of extra baggage.
As I said above, atheism makes no positive claims as to the nonexistence of god. What does that mean? Well, the burden of proof is on the individual that makes a positive claim, and in this case it is that a god exists. Say I claim that six purple elephants are in my garage. Are you to believe me? Of course not, and no rational person would. If I cannot provide supporting evidence for my assertion, then you may reject the claim without having the provide a disproof.
To me, the belief in a sky daddy is just absurd to the Nth degree, especially when this supposed 'all powerful' being cares what you eat, who you sleep with and in what position, etc. It's just mind-boggling. (a deistic approach is absurd also)
The scientific explanations for the existence of everything are far more persuasive and elegant. Big bang cosmology is far more interesting and intellectually honest than "goddidit," along with the evidence that our species has evolved and shares a common ancestor with every other living species of plant and animal. We do not know what 95% of the universe is made of! Now, isn't that more interesting than a burning bush?
The Judeo-Christian creation myths especially do not make sense. I've actually been trying to read it for years, but it's so boring! The bible does contradict itself. I have a whole book on biblical contradictions ("Jesus, Interrupted" by Bart Ehrman). Once you but a little thought into the bible and its stories, they start to not make sense. Take the story of Adam & Eve. God, who is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving (three contradictory terms when put together) condemned Eve (a woman, one of the many instances of blatant sexism) for listening to the talking snake (wtf!), having curiosity and eating the apple, and then being thrown out of Eden forever and having all generations born a filthy sinner.
I’m sorry, I will not be talked to in that tone of voice.
The problem of evil has bedeviled theologians for thousands of years. How can you square the concept of evil with an all-loving creator? It has been known since the time of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. We have three characteristics given to the Judeo-Christian God: omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and omniscience. Taken together, this being cannot logically exist.
If God is all loving, he does not want evil. It God is all knowing, he must know evil exists. If God is all powerful, he should be able to rid the world of evil. Therefore, evil should not exist.
Now, dropping any of the Omni- terms would rid this being of contradictions, but in doing so, one would be undermining the very essence of the creator espoused by Judeo-Christian faith. Philosopher David Hume noted, "Is He willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil?"
Take vicarious redemption through Jesus; we are told to pray and our sins will be forgiven because Jesus sacrificed himself (to himself since Jesus is god). Now, is it me or does that take away the concept of personal responsibility? As Christopher Hitchens points out, “I can pay your debt, I can even take your place in prison, but I can’t take away your responsibility.” By saying a few simple words out loud, you are essentially relieving yourself of personal responsibility. An immoral teaching!
All religions are more or less homophobic in one respect or another. I think it’s the whole being different thing. Uniqueness in religion is frowned upon due to the deviation from monotony, which is how religion thrives; repetition. The younger generation has no problem with gay people. Most people have come to realize that the same text that supposedly condemns homosexuality also condemns eating shellfish (Lev 11:9-12, Deu 14:9-10), shaving, and wearing mixed fiber clothing! Also the mounting scientific evidence that sexual orientation is innate in us. Heck, homosexuality is everywhere in nature
Most religious folks are full of hypocrisy. They rally against something, and then turn around and do it. Plus, there’s a lot of cherry picking going on; going through the bible and choosing those passages they want to enforce and throwing out those that affect them.
Most ancient religions have borrowed stories from each other. For example, the Genesis flood is taken from the poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia.
Atheism has had a negative connotation for many years. Religious figures have defined atheism has evil and blamed many atrocities on atheism (all unjustified). A lot of people say Hitler was an atheist and did what he did because of this. Not only is this incorrect, it is a blatant lie. Hitler was a devout Catholic, and even praised god and jesus in this writings. No one in history has done anything in the name of atheism. We can think of many examples of horrible things being done in the name of religion (need I mention 9/11?). Yes, atheists have done awful things, but they were not done in the name of atheism.
People accuse atheists of being hot-headed and angry, but I haven't met one. Religious people get offended and angry because atheists, by definition, are questioning their beliefs. Religions have been held to a higher standard, for no reason, that questioning of the said beliefs is unkind and shouldnt be done. I'm sorry: I'm going to call a spade a spade and call out bullshit when I see/hear it
I find that most theists can't justify their beleifs without an appeal to faith, which is intellectually bankrupt. I find that when I talk to theists, most either won't have the discussion, or try to define their god into existence. They will define god as 'love' or some abstract term, and then claim that because the concept of love exists, their god exists. I just chuckle and pick apart their reasoning
Now, I do not want anyone to take from this that I think all religious people are aweful and unable to do good. This is not the case. Many theists are very nice, rational people...EXCEPT when it comes to their religious beliefs. It is as though some wall has been built up in their mind that separates religion from all other areas of discourse. Yes, there are those who hold irrational beliefs in many aspects of their lives (creationism, belief in alien visitations, etc.), but that is a whole different issue
-FrankEinstein
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Awesomness is on arrival.
For The Hero of Tuesday is here to save you from your daily monotonous lives of youtube videos and your diet of mountain dew and pizza rolls. Though there isn't much wrong with the latter.
Anyway, let's get crackin'. The name's Hero. Remember that because you'll be screaming it later. Whether it be in pleasure or frustration is completely up to you. But you will be screaming it. I'm the comic-relief to the feux-seriousness of [Insert Group Name Here] and will be the one providing the wisdom beyond my years that only a person in my position can. Like never masturbating with icy-hot. Though that's just common sense.
Getting back on the topic of the intro, though. There isn't much to say about myself besides the fact that I radiate awesome in all directions and that my word is like the bible: it doesn't make much sense, yet people follow it to their deaths. I'm a writer, not an artist. And I'm not your father, so quit asking me for child-support.
And that's all I have to say about Vietnam.
With love and balls in your mouth, The Hero of Tuesday.
Anyway, let's get crackin'. The name's Hero. Remember that because you'll be screaming it later. Whether it be in pleasure or frustration is completely up to you. But you will be screaming it. I'm the comic-relief to the feux-seriousness of [Insert Group Name Here] and will be the one providing the wisdom beyond my years that only a person in my position can. Like never masturbating with icy-hot. Though that's just common sense.
Getting back on the topic of the intro, though. There isn't much to say about myself besides the fact that I radiate awesome in all directions and that my word is like the bible: it doesn't make much sense, yet people follow it to their deaths. I'm a writer, not an artist. And I'm not your father, so quit asking me for child-support.
And that's all I have to say about Vietnam.
With love and balls in your mouth, The Hero of Tuesday.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Just a heads up.
Thorax here again, just wanted to give you my E-mail for my loverly "Ask Thorax" Majigger. It is as follows,
thoraxtheimpaler@yahoo.com
So drop me a line and I'll make sure my first REAL post will be at least entertaining if not helpful.
thoraxtheimpaler@yahoo.com
So drop me a line and I'll make sure my first REAL post will be at least entertaining if not helpful.
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