Well it's Autumn is it? It's been a hell of a Summer. Too much bad weather worldwide. Too much bad politics worldwide. Too much bad religion worldwide. Too many kidnappings, too many deaths, too many killings, too many guns in the hands of too many crackpots.
Oh, come gentleness, compassion and peace. Come to us, a bruised and terrified world and teach us to be good to each other. Let the winds of Autumn bring gratitude and respect.
Why do our public figures verbally assassinate each other with smiles on their faces? Why are there more bullies in the playground than ever before? Why are there more poor people struggling against regressive measures than ever before? Why are some churches preaching exclusivity and why are there those who practice brutality and cruelty against the innocent? Why are some communities being destroyed by tornadoes, industry and gangs? Why are passionate men and women destroying themselves in order to destroy other people? Why is hatred just and love a joke? What has sown insanity into the hearts and minds of the people? Why is self-righteous ignorance the ethic of the times?
Oh, please come Autumn winds, with the spirit of gratitude, compassion, reason, joy and true moral strength.
*************************************
Autumn is the only season with two names. I don't know why it is called The Fall. I prefer to call it The Gathering. It is harvest time in the northern hemisphere, the bringing in of crops, the going back to school, the growing up, the preparing for Winter.
I have memories of New England farmers who all seem to harvest at the same time and inches before the big freeze comes. I have memories of people happily preparing for Chanukah celebrations in New York City. I have memories of Thanksgivings where people I haven't seen for a while and some strangers gather to celebrate that life is still going on in spite of everything. I have memories of the local Halloween where parents are not loath to bring their kids into the tobacco and lottery shop because Karen, the proprietor, dresses up in a costume and prepares bundles of good things for them. I have memories of hiking in the White Mountains among the glorious scenes while down below on the highway buses pass with seniors from some place else admiring the magnificent colors. I have memories of the evergreens stacked up against the wall of the hardware store hoping to be bought to become brightly decorated Christmas trees.
The gathering of crops, the gathering of families, the gathering of life lessons and the gathering of hope. Oh, come Autumn and bring no more tears except tears ofjoy.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
***********************************
Showing posts with label reason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reason. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Letter To Quitters
"What man wants to do, he can do." This is just a high-sounding tautology. What he wants to do upon the command of his morally commanding reason is exactly what he ought to do.
Immanuel Kant
***********************
Just as vermin crawl through the corpse so the worms of inanity and negativity ooze their way through a human being or a society that has lost its standard of reason and conscience. With a wave and bland smile the destroyers will throw a rope of lies to the struggling spirit. Innocent criminals, self bewildered, brazen fools, parasites in those still living.
As frightening as it may appear to uncertain travelers we must tread on the high places of our reason and not allow the enemy to dwell there. All the claims of failure, hidden error, uselessness, unworthiness must be chased out and trampled on by iron boots.
Logic is a tool in the hands of both the seer and the deceiver. It invites combat, and it is a skilled fighter. We have a choice. We can either join battle in the mud pit of immoral muck or stand on the high ground in the light of reason knowing that the truth sails on the winds of integrity and inspiration. Ignorance, greed and irresponsibility are given license by a dying society. They are the worms that gnaw the vitality out of our lives and they are busy right now, today, this very hour, camouflaging their desperate work with spider webs.
When we stop listening to the blandishments and fancy prose and posing of the deniers and truly think in the highest and clearest manner we know we are not permitted to do just what we please. We are permitted to do what we know is right and we know what is right because we decide.
If you are still alive you know there is no quitting. If you quit the worms are waiting.
DB - The Vagabond
************************
WINTER QUESTION
(This is not a contest)
What was the most significant event that happened in 2010?
dbdacoba@aol.com
Only 5 responses so far
I await your answer.
DB
******************************
Immanuel Kant
***********************
Just as vermin crawl through the corpse so the worms of inanity and negativity ooze their way through a human being or a society that has lost its standard of reason and conscience. With a wave and bland smile the destroyers will throw a rope of lies to the struggling spirit. Innocent criminals, self bewildered, brazen fools, parasites in those still living.
As frightening as it may appear to uncertain travelers we must tread on the high places of our reason and not allow the enemy to dwell there. All the claims of failure, hidden error, uselessness, unworthiness must be chased out and trampled on by iron boots.
Logic is a tool in the hands of both the seer and the deceiver. It invites combat, and it is a skilled fighter. We have a choice. We can either join battle in the mud pit of immoral muck or stand on the high ground in the light of reason knowing that the truth sails on the winds of integrity and inspiration. Ignorance, greed and irresponsibility are given license by a dying society. They are the worms that gnaw the vitality out of our lives and they are busy right now, today, this very hour, camouflaging their desperate work with spider webs.
When we stop listening to the blandishments and fancy prose and posing of the deniers and truly think in the highest and clearest manner we know we are not permitted to do just what we please. We are permitted to do what we know is right and we know what is right because we decide.
If you are still alive you know there is no quitting. If you quit the worms are waiting.
DB - The Vagabond
************************
WINTER QUESTION
(This is not a contest)
What was the most significant event that happened in 2010?
dbdacoba@aol.com
Only 5 responses so far
I await your answer.
DB
******************************
Friday, August 6, 2010
Think It Through
If the power of reason is what defines man then it's feeling that guides him.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
(Thank you Bruce)
**********************
One of the silliest things in the world of crossword puzzles is to come across a clue for a five letter word meaning "to act." The chances are good that the answer is "emote" as if actors go out on the stage and "emote". Try going around emoting here and there for no reason. You will soon twist yourself into a knot of tension and get very little emoting done.
Some inexperienced actors try to begin by establishing the emotional life of the character. They make a lot of mistakes doing that and also make it difficult for the actors they are working with to deal with them. I think that tactic comes out of some faulty training. An actor is one who jumps in the water to save a drowning man not one who stands on the shore in a state of shock.
If you check your dictionary I think you will find among other things that an actor is one who does something. Emotions don't come out of nowhere, they are the result of actions and actions are the pursuit of objectives, great or small. I used to tell young actors to start with the story, learn how your character fits into the story and then determine what that character wants to accomplish and why. Once those things are clearly in mind the physical life begins to unfold and the emotions follow. I also frequently said that a character should take charge of whatever scene he is in. That requires thought. If there is nothing for him to do, fine, but he is therefore always ready to do something if necessary.
So when are emotions a guide as Rousseau claims? How does feeling guide us? The answer is in the quote, "If the power of reason defines" us we will act according to it and the "feeling" will follow. In life, just as on the stage, sometimes the reasoning is faulty. My life would be so much better if so and so was dead, so I'll kill him. So thought Shakespeare's Richard the Third and so think some Third World potentates about their opponents. I have no job and yet I need money so I'll steal it. That kind of thinking makes sense to a desperate man. He insulted me so I'll smash his face in. It sounds reasonable to the insulted party, but to be guided by those feelings is anything but rational and reasonable. He might find his own face smashed in.
On the stage we shoot blanks, have dulled knives and swords and rehearse all the fights every day so that no one gets hurt. We think it through before the emotions take over. But in real life those safe guards are not in place. People get hurt, and hurt themselves.
Another way of stating the Rousseau idea is: If you allow yourself to be defined by reason and careful thought then the feelings that guide you will be positive ones.
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
WEEKEND CONTEST
Hitch up the teams.
What teams do the following letters represent?
1. A & C
2. B & B
3. G & S
4. GB & GE
5. L & H
6. LR & T
7. M & L
8. P & T
9. PP & M
10. RR & DE
11. R & M
12. W & F
good luck
DB
Jean Jacques Rousseau
(Thank you Bruce)
**********************
One of the silliest things in the world of crossword puzzles is to come across a clue for a five letter word meaning "to act." The chances are good that the answer is "emote" as if actors go out on the stage and "emote". Try going around emoting here and there for no reason. You will soon twist yourself into a knot of tension and get very little emoting done.
Some inexperienced actors try to begin by establishing the emotional life of the character. They make a lot of mistakes doing that and also make it difficult for the actors they are working with to deal with them. I think that tactic comes out of some faulty training. An actor is one who jumps in the water to save a drowning man not one who stands on the shore in a state of shock.
If you check your dictionary I think you will find among other things that an actor is one who does something. Emotions don't come out of nowhere, they are the result of actions and actions are the pursuit of objectives, great or small. I used to tell young actors to start with the story, learn how your character fits into the story and then determine what that character wants to accomplish and why. Once those things are clearly in mind the physical life begins to unfold and the emotions follow. I also frequently said that a character should take charge of whatever scene he is in. That requires thought. If there is nothing for him to do, fine, but he is therefore always ready to do something if necessary.
So when are emotions a guide as Rousseau claims? How does feeling guide us? The answer is in the quote, "If the power of reason defines" us we will act according to it and the "feeling" will follow. In life, just as on the stage, sometimes the reasoning is faulty. My life would be so much better if so and so was dead, so I'll kill him. So thought Shakespeare's Richard the Third and so think some Third World potentates about their opponents. I have no job and yet I need money so I'll steal it. That kind of thinking makes sense to a desperate man. He insulted me so I'll smash his face in. It sounds reasonable to the insulted party, but to be guided by those feelings is anything but rational and reasonable. He might find his own face smashed in.
On the stage we shoot blanks, have dulled knives and swords and rehearse all the fights every day so that no one gets hurt. We think it through before the emotions take over. But in real life those safe guards are not in place. People get hurt, and hurt themselves.
Another way of stating the Rousseau idea is: If you allow yourself to be defined by reason and careful thought then the feelings that guide you will be positive ones.
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
WEEKEND CONTEST
Hitch up the teams.
What teams do the following letters represent?
1. A & C
2. B & B
3. G & S
4. GB & GE
5. L & H
6. LR & T
7. M & L
8. P & T
9. PP & M
10. RR & DE
11. R & M
12. W & F
good luck
DB
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A Reasonable Person
To discover knowledge, construct wisdom and learn to praise the right requires mental modesty.
Dana Bate
********************
"Be alert. The world needs more lerts" as the saying goes. If you were driving down a back road in the country after the Spring rain, you turned off the road and got stuck above your hub caps in the mud, what would you do? Would you go and get help to free your car from being stuck? Or would you borrow some tools and equipment, cut down trees, build a house, clear some land, plant crops and sell tomatoes out of the back of your mud stuck car?
The contest these day seems to be who can build a better house and who can grow better tomatoes. In other words, who can better articulate the same old mud stuck ideas. I think it was John Cage who said that he didn't understand why people were frightened of new ideas, that he was frightened of the old ones.
I emerged from high school with a bunch of flimsy theories about the world, given to me by teachers who never offered any alternatives. Once out on my own the compassionate ones pointed out my ignorance and the uncompassionate ones just tried to prove that I was stupid. It took me a long time to stop trying to defend positions and theories that were not reasoned out. My emotions got in the way. I couldn't bear being wrong. But about midway through my first half century I began to realize that "I don't know" is really a legitimate answer to any question if it's the right one, and it doesn't mean I'm stupid.
I grew up with people who steadfastly refused to give up old ways of thinking or even to consider a new or different idea. So I suppose my dawning mental freedom was my form of rebellion, in a way.
In my career I found people who had developed a secure system of working and never deviated from it. But sometimes I would get a role that would defy being worked out with my system and I would have to rethink how I worked. I finally got to the point where I used to say "I reinvent the art of acting with every role I get."
Now we are at the point in the world, on all of its continents, where the non thinkers, the articulators of old, rusty worn out ideas are predominate and any traveler who passes by with refreshed ideas about governance, spirituality, art and education, who doesn't get stuck in the mud, is having the mud thrown at him. Because, as I was, the wrong can't bear being wrong.
Defensive emotionalism is the rule, the system, instead of the open mind of reason. A reasonable person is one who holds opinions based on clear headed thinking but is always prepared to change his mind. A reasonable person is one who realizes that he doesn't know all there is to know about any single important issue. A reasonable person is one who sincerely listens to another reasonable person's opinions even if they are different. A reasonable person is compassionate towards ignorance and is not provoked by stupidity. A reasonable person knows the mud is there, avoids it and doesn't sling it back. A reasonable person is mentally modest.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
SUMMER QUESTION
(This is not a contest.)
Who are the 2 (two) most important people alive today? Why?
Only 6 responses so far.
dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you.
DB
********************
Dana Bate
********************
"Be alert. The world needs more lerts" as the saying goes. If you were driving down a back road in the country after the Spring rain, you turned off the road and got stuck above your hub caps in the mud, what would you do? Would you go and get help to free your car from being stuck? Or would you borrow some tools and equipment, cut down trees, build a house, clear some land, plant crops and sell tomatoes out of the back of your mud stuck car?
The contest these day seems to be who can build a better house and who can grow better tomatoes. In other words, who can better articulate the same old mud stuck ideas. I think it was John Cage who said that he didn't understand why people were frightened of new ideas, that he was frightened of the old ones.
I emerged from high school with a bunch of flimsy theories about the world, given to me by teachers who never offered any alternatives. Once out on my own the compassionate ones pointed out my ignorance and the uncompassionate ones just tried to prove that I was stupid. It took me a long time to stop trying to defend positions and theories that were not reasoned out. My emotions got in the way. I couldn't bear being wrong. But about midway through my first half century I began to realize that "I don't know" is really a legitimate answer to any question if it's the right one, and it doesn't mean I'm stupid.
I grew up with people who steadfastly refused to give up old ways of thinking or even to consider a new or different idea. So I suppose my dawning mental freedom was my form of rebellion, in a way.
In my career I found people who had developed a secure system of working and never deviated from it. But sometimes I would get a role that would defy being worked out with my system and I would have to rethink how I worked. I finally got to the point where I used to say "I reinvent the art of acting with every role I get."
Now we are at the point in the world, on all of its continents, where the non thinkers, the articulators of old, rusty worn out ideas are predominate and any traveler who passes by with refreshed ideas about governance, spirituality, art and education, who doesn't get stuck in the mud, is having the mud thrown at him. Because, as I was, the wrong can't bear being wrong.
Defensive emotionalism is the rule, the system, instead of the open mind of reason. A reasonable person is one who holds opinions based on clear headed thinking but is always prepared to change his mind. A reasonable person is one who realizes that he doesn't know all there is to know about any single important issue. A reasonable person is one who sincerely listens to another reasonable person's opinions even if they are different. A reasonable person is compassionate towards ignorance and is not provoked by stupidity. A reasonable person knows the mud is there, avoids it and doesn't sling it back. A reasonable person is mentally modest.
DB - The Vagabond
******************
SUMMER QUESTION
(This is not a contest.)
Who are the 2 (two) most important people alive today? Why?
Only 6 responses so far.
dbdacoba@aol.com
Thank you.
DB
********************
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Qualitative Quest 2/24/09
Qualitative Quest
Atlas groaned only under the weight of the Earth.
Today we sweat under the burden of cosmic ideas.
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
Good day Earthling.
It may some day be proven that human beings are the most arrogant, and hence, most ignorant creatures in the universe. We used to believe and proved, we thought, that the Earth was the center of the universe. After having to give up that canard, many now believe, and think they have proven, that the Earth is the only inhabited planet in all of creation. But with the increasing evidence that there might be extraterrestrial activity, the question comes up: Is there life on other planets? So far that question has only two answers: Why should there be? and Why not?
Science fiction writers, astronomers and cosmological theorists have had a grand old time with this subject. If there is life elsewhere we will probably know someday. If there isn't, we may never know it but we will keep looking.
Reason tells us that there must be some form of life existing somewhere out there. But reason itself is a questionable thing. It is merely the way humans think. But man cannot truly classify himself as a terrestrial rational being until he meets a non-terrestrial rational being. And if he were to find totally alien creatures who reason as well as, or better than, he does, he would have to conclude that reason is not what makes him human, that we reason because we're human, and not human because we reason. But what if reason is not the standard of universal mentality?
It seems as likely that there is a superior mode of thinking as there is that pigs can fly or that roses can grow at the bottom of the ocean. That is only because we can't think of one. But what if there is? What if our dedication to reason and our ability to think things through in a logical manner is just another form of believing that the Earth is the center of the universe?
There are some earthbound religions that teach that there is a higher form of thought than reason and that it is obtainable by the enlightened. Maybe that is so, and maybe it is a cosmic form of thought, shared by those whose dwelling place is an all-inclusive mental realm, no matter where they may come from.
I am a reasoning creature, and will no doubt remain so, ,I hope, for I see no better way. But I retain the right to have an open mind about unheard of and undreamed of possibilities in the universe of ideas.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
---------------------------
If your sky is clear, look up and wave. Something may be watching.
Atlas groaned only under the weight of the Earth.
Today we sweat under the burden of cosmic ideas.
DB - The Vagabond
***********************
Good day Earthling.
It may some day be proven that human beings are the most arrogant, and hence, most ignorant creatures in the universe. We used to believe and proved, we thought, that the Earth was the center of the universe. After having to give up that canard, many now believe, and think they have proven, that the Earth is the only inhabited planet in all of creation. But with the increasing evidence that there might be extraterrestrial activity, the question comes up: Is there life on other planets? So far that question has only two answers: Why should there be? and Why not?
Science fiction writers, astronomers and cosmological theorists have had a grand old time with this subject. If there is life elsewhere we will probably know someday. If there isn't, we may never know it but we will keep looking.
Reason tells us that there must be some form of life existing somewhere out there. But reason itself is a questionable thing. It is merely the way humans think. But man cannot truly classify himself as a terrestrial rational being until he meets a non-terrestrial rational being. And if he were to find totally alien creatures who reason as well as, or better than, he does, he would have to conclude that reason is not what makes him human, that we reason because we're human, and not human because we reason. But what if reason is not the standard of universal mentality?
It seems as likely that there is a superior mode of thinking as there is that pigs can fly or that roses can grow at the bottom of the ocean. That is only because we can't think of one. But what if there is? What if our dedication to reason and our ability to think things through in a logical manner is just another form of believing that the Earth is the center of the universe?
There are some earthbound religions that teach that there is a higher form of thought than reason and that it is obtainable by the enlightened. Maybe that is so, and maybe it is a cosmic form of thought, shared by those whose dwelling place is an all-inclusive mental realm, no matter where they may come from.
I am a reasoning creature, and will no doubt remain so, ,I hope, for I see no better way. But I retain the right to have an open mind about unheard of and undreamed of possibilities in the universe of ideas.
DB - Vagabond Journeys
---------------------------
If your sky is clear, look up and wave. Something may be watching.
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