June 21, 2006
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strange day
I read this that was quite disturbing:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0607.boehlert.htmlPeople think obtaining power is a kind of triumph. They think getting power is “winning” the game of life. They are stuck in one of many poor analogies that don’t really capture the complexities of life. The reality is that ‘obtaining power’ really isn’t all that hard. The world functions on the presumption that most people aren’t even going to try. As a result its imperative that those who do obtain power see it as a responsibility. If they see it as a fun game that they are getting away with winning against the odds, then they’re inclined to be arrogant, stubborn, and worst of all not very contemplative. Why would you try to understand something deeper if you’ve already won? Why would you care what other people think? The only thing that would matter to you is of course continuing to win for as long as possible.
Shadows of the past recommend:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6430
Judging solely from the description I am not at all surprised. I’ve been looking for a non-shounen anime to watch that is good for a while now. There’s really only so much Bleach and Naruto one can take before going insane. Wait, who am I kidding? I could watch Bleach and Naruto every waking hour of every day for the rest of my life and probably be content, provided it’s not fillers. Still, variety can be good sometimes too.One thing I’ve always hated is people taking responsibility for things that have nothing to do with them. Agency is fundamentally important in this life. When you claim to have helped someone or hurt someone in a fundamental way you are in effect taking away their agency in their own outcome. It’s like you are saying unto them: “your choices didn’t matter because my choices governed your life”. It’s absurd. We can certainly influence each other, but it’s really important to keep perspective. If I do X it is usually because I chose to do X, regardless of whether or not someone else created the conditions under which it was more likely for me to do X. I am not a slave. My choices are my own. Even the really foolish screwed up ones. Or rather, especially those.
I was sent one of those standard ‘interesting’ emails that go around today. Well I was sent two, but one I didn’t care about. The other was actually interesting though. It presented the argument that you can become a genius in one short year guaranteed. The trick? Write something every day. Lol. The email argued for it by saying studies of most of the brightest people to ever live were compulsive journal keepers and some other evidence as well. The cause and effect here is all screwed up, I’d say. But still, no doubt writing frequently can help to clarify your thoughts and sharpen your mind. Best of all, according to the email you don’t even have to make any sense! That’s great for me as I’m pretty sure nothing I write ever makes any sense.
Yosh! That’s it! Starting today I’m going to write something every day. Maybe even mutiple times a day. Gotta force my anime style determination working toward something. Let’s see how long it lasts.
I’m really behind in work. Time’s up in one lousy day. Oh well. It all will work out because I’m a great programmer.
I learned the other day that the word “opportunity” in business means “screw-up”. As in, “We’ve identified certain opportunities and certain successes in our business over the last quarter.” Last time I checked the opposite of a success was….
I think I learned that in the past but I had forgotten it. I can’t get that business lingo down for the life of me.However, one thing I always remember is that people in power always seem to be pretty good at yelling at people. But the people with a LOT of power are skilled in the art of condemnation without yelling, known to the unsophisticated as tattling. I love business.
I bought a Tomtom as a gift. I got ripped off on it too. What was I thinking? Anyway, GPS had better be cool and easy to use. I also began my campaign to buy Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs for all of my family members.
I’ve gotta move money around now so I don’t have problems (I use the one account with no money to use and numerous other accounts to save with philosophy of money management) .
That’s enough for now.
