Whenever someone tells me how much they adore me because of some thing I said or did that they happen to agree with, I smile and think to myself “Enjoy it while it lasts” because I know I’m going to disappoint them or break their heart at some point in the future when I evolve or express myself along less agreeable lines.
Tag: death
The Castile Doctrine: Cops Without Consequences
On June 16, a jury acquitted St. Anthony, Minnesota police officer Jeronimo Yanez of all charges in the 2016 killing of motorist Philando Castile. That acquittal was, in a sense, also a death sentence — not for Yanez, but for future motorists unfortunate enough to encounter cops like him.
Consent Should Be Obvious
The standard for consent should be a high level of obviousness. For example, this daredevil was gored nearly to death by bulls and has stated explicitly that he plans to partake in the experience again.
Patriotism, an Abomination
How exactly does “celebrating freedom” equate to swearing allegiance to a republic (which is a form of “government,” or ruling class)? Well, it doesn’t. And, for those who dare to look, this is where the true, diabolical nature of “patriotism” starts to rear its ugly head.
Fiction vs. Reality: A Proton Torpedo Won’t Save You
The system of tyranny and oppression which has allowed a minuscule percentage of the world’s individuals, who style themselves as rulers and elitists, to rule over others has been so successful precisely because there is no single person, place, or group which underpins the system.
Become What You Are
Existential development requires you to move beyond physical needs and mental concepts. In that space, you begin to identify yourself as what you are before motion and value judgment. Holding onto this state, even as the world turns on its own axis all around you, is how you mature from your childish beginnings to the potential adult that was always within you.
Statists Have it Upside Down
Those who use the political means are the cheaters. The cancer. Sure, civilization can survive a certain number of them, but not too many. When the percentage of archators gets too high, that’s the death of civilization.
Temporary is Still Worthwhile
Even if anarchy is always temporary, replaced by the next dumb idea until that idea inevitably fails and anarchy happens again, does that mean it’s wrong? That it was pointless? Never!
Suffering is a Symptom of Growth
For all your power, whether natural or acquired, you still can only function in a rather narrow band of comfortable experiences. Step outside this range, and the outcome is death. Approach your limit you will experience every trauma a human mind can. There is no way to expand this area except to march purposefully into trauma.
The Unexpected Pleasures of More Than a Decade of Reading Harry Potter
I absolutely love the Harry Potter series, and have had the immense pleasure and honor of reading it to my kids, learning new things each time, finding new pleasures with each one, rediscovering details I’d forgotten, falling in love with the characters all over again each time. Reading the series with four kids brought me some unexpected pleasures.