Quote For the Day

"Science can give us knowledge, but it cannot give us wisdom. Nor can religion, until it puts aside nonsense and distraction and becomes itself again," - Marilynne Robinson, When I Was A Child, I Read Books.

Freedom From Religion

Reprinted is a letter I sent to Andrew Sullivan about this:

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/03/the-documentarians-dilemma.html

Documentary or reality show? Reality shows are nothing more than heavily scripted and hardly cinema verite. Is Mike Daisey's monologue about Apple journalism or art?  Since he was still revealing some ugly truths, does it matter that he embellished facts to make a point? What is the viewer to believe?

Have we become so jaded that real truth isn't clever, exciting or dramatic enough that we have to juice it up with lies? Hasn't journalism always engaged in some measure of manipulation to make a point? Think of the "staged" photos dating back to the civil war where bodies were moved around to make for a more dramatic and gruesome picture. Haven't biographers taken artistic license to create a more vivid subject? 

 The further blurring of lines between these genres is distressing. It leads the viewer to question whether how much of what we are being presented as the truth, is true at all. 

A Disagreeable Woman

I have many opinions on many subjects. I am passionate about politics, religion, sex, and gun control. All the subjects one should keep in check in mixed company.  I have always regarded my wit and my intellect as my best attributes and am not shy about expressing my opinions.

I think a lot about deep subjects in the privacy of my kitchen while sipping morning tea. It's a kind of mental exercise, a way to stretch the brain and evaluate my perspective of the world.

Turns out my perspective appears to bear little resemblance to the reality of others. My ideology is met with disbelief, puzzlement, disagreement and I fail miserably to make myself  understood. I know this because the counter arguments sound better than mine and I know it. I draw a blank at the perfect retort. I lose the fencing match before it's begun. Touche.

 The problem with self monologue is the absence of a counter voice. While I may enter the conversational fray with a secure sense of assurance of the facts, I soon discover I'm no match for real debate and my confidence crumbles in the realization I have no idea what I'm talking about.

This is bruising to the ego tends to shut me down faster than a republican retort-oh wait a second, that was highly opinionated and reactionary and offensive to someone- never mind.

So I retreat like the turtle I am and refuse to engage in any more discussion that will result in clashing viewpoints. Afterall, I'm no more interested in having my mind changed than the next person. What's the point when my words can find no value in the discourse? How am I to react when I feel my thoughts are worthless?

Perhaps my ideas are best kept to the morning cup of tea while sunshine warms my shoulders rather then offer them up to a verbal wood chipper. The greatness of thought is just an illusion.

History Repeats Itself-Again.

 On War And The People

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, It is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. it works the same in any country."

-Hermann Goering