05 Oct

Posted at 10:15h in Observations

We see things not as they are but as a function of our position and disposition. Having recently spoken with some people on the Left, they all view Joe Biden as maybe a bit old but certainly of sound mind and effective in performing his job. Moreover, they view Kamala Harris as possessing more than average intelligence, but not as articulate as most politicians. Those on the Right view Biden as obviously in early senility. As to Harris, they view her as a moron (IQ between 50 - 75 (average IQ is 100)), though none identify her as an imbecile (IQ 25 - 50). As to disposition, those who are happy with their economic position and prospects, favorably view Biden and Harris. Those who feel their way of life, in terms of safety and individual liberties, is threatened and that the country is "going in the wrong direction" (presumably right is right and left is wrong) are very unhappy with Biden and Harris. Clearly, those who are wise know it's difficult to know who Biden and Harris really are. Moreover, as politicians, it's unlikely they know....

30 Sep

Posted at 10:21h in Observations

"Those who understand only what can be explained understand very little." Little of the universe has been explained. If we don't understand that, we don't understand much and are unlikely to understand more. To know the universe we need to discover it ourselves, not simply rely on explanations given to us by others....

30 Sep

Posted at 01:15h in Observations

"I used to get a laugh from students by quoting a Soviet citizen I talked to once. He said to me, 'Of course we have freedom of speech. We just don't allow people to lie.' That used to get a laugh! They don't laugh anymore." Today we have freedom of speech, as long as no one is listening....

21 Sep

Posted at 14:23h in Observations

All things are reflections. Initially reflections of light, then reflections of mind. In the first instance our eyes see the truth, in the second our mind starts lying to us. The truth is revealed in the present but disappears when we reflect on what has passed....

20 Sep

Posted at 01:00h in Observations

“The only difference between you and God is that you have forgotten you are divine.” Humans are a transitional species, born with animal consciousness and the potential of divine consciousness....

17 Sep

Posted at 10:20h in Observations

Money is to humans is like fertilizer is to flowers. It helps flowers realize their potential but too much of it can make beautiful roses smell like shit. Specifically, "over fertilization can actually decrease growth and leave plants weak and vulnerable to pests and diseases. It can also lead to the ultimate demise of the plant. Signs of over fertilization include stunted growth, burned or dried leaf margins, wilting, and collapse or death of plants." -- Gardineningknowhow.com...

13 Sep

Posted at 10:15h in Images, Observations

This surreal 19th century Kongo fetish (an inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit) depicts a bundle containing juju (magical substances that empower an object) from which a mirror-faced head with a feather atop emerges. When we look at the mirrored face of the object, we see ourselves. This suggests we are the fetish and the fetish works its magic through us. The feather protruding from the head suggests the mind of the fetish connects it to the spirit world;  that can take flight and see beyond the range of man....

12 Sep

Posted at 10:32h in Observations

When Victor was a little boy (though maybe he's still a little boy), he was always mystified how almost everyone was certain about things. People were certain about matters of God, about who is smart or stupid, about concepts of right or wrong, etc. Victor, however, was uncertain of seemingly everything, especially as each person had a different perception of the same thing and each certain theirs was correct. Only after reading the story of the Ten Men and the Elephant Victor realized why so many people were without doubts. They each looked at things through their mind, (conceptually, comparatively and through group thinking), not through their eyes; hence, they didn't know what they were looking at. If they saw through their eyes, they would know that each person's perspective is as valid as one's own since every individual perspective is limited; hence, they could be certain about nothing. Living with uncertainty can be stressful. Thus, most people relieve the stress by believing their perspective is undoubtedly right. However, "uncertainty is an uncomfortable position. But certainty is an absurd one." -- Voltaire...

11 Sep

Posted at 23:27h in Observations

"Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." We recall an infinitesimal fraction of our past experiences. What we do believe we recall we weave into a story that bears little connection to our actual experiences. In effect, we are playing the game of Chinese whispers, unaware we are playing with ourselves....

11 Sep

Posted at 10:29h in Observations

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but having new eyes." Viewing something from different perspectives is more enlightening than viewing different things....